The AAMC recommends that a pre-med student study for the MCAT for 300 to 350 hours over several months. Although 90 days may seem like a lot of time to study, you still need to put in a lot of hours week after week to get a competitive MCAT score.
If you are looking for a guide on how to study for the MCAT in 90 days, this article is for you. Please read on.
What You Need to Know Before Studying for the MCAT
Before you embark on your MCAT journey, you have to consider many factors that will play a vital role in your MCAT success.
From the amount of time you should study and prepare for the MCAT to the different sections of the MCAT, here are the things you must know before starting your MCAT journey.
When Should You Start Studying for the MCAT?
If you want to pursue a career in medicine, one of the things on your mind might be when you should start studying for the MCAT. This is related to when you should take the MCAT, but it varies significantly from student to student.
You might want to consider the unique aspects to ensure you make the most outstanding selection for your timetable and goals. To determine when it is ideal for you to begin studying for the MCAT, ask yourself the following questions:
When Do I Intend to Submit My Application to Medical School?
We recommend that you take the MCAT by May of the year you plan to apply to medical school, with August being the absolute latest. It is preferable if you can submit your primary application as early in the cycle as possible.
You will want to know your MCAT score before submitting your primary application because this is one of the most critical stages of your medical school application, so you can know what schools to apply to.
Will I Be Able to Study for the MCAT in Adequate Time?
Most students study for the MCAT for 3-6 months. This variability is due to the requirement to combine MCAT studies with coursework studies and the overall foundation of knowledge.
Here are some of the most popular times for students to take the MCAT:
Are you considering taking the exam in January?
You should begin studying right now and schedule a "dedicated" study period over the winter break where you can focus solely on the MCAT.
Are you planning on taking the MCAT in April or May?
Remember that you may spend the three months preceding the exam in school, making studying for both school and the MCAT challenging. In that scenario, it is a good idea to start studying well ahead of time, perhaps even in the summer or fall prior.
Can you take the MCAT in September?
Because you will most likely be on summer vacation and can devote more time to studying, you may be OK with only studying for three months.
Have I Completed All of the MCAT Prep Courses?
The MCAT contains materials from 12 different classes. The best way to learn the subject in most of these topics is in a traditional college class, although there are some exceptions.
In general, the classes you should complete before taking the MCAT are the same ones required for entrance into medical school. As a result, many students will study sociology and psychology independently. Although taking psychology or sociology in a classroom context might be advantageous, it is not required.
Many students who do not want to take a gap year take all of the organic chemistry and general sciences in their first and second years and biochemistry in their junior year's fall semester. Note that biochemistry is a must; most students consider it the most challenging class to self-learn. It is the most heavily evaluated subject on the MCAT too.
They would take the MCAT in January or April of their junior year after finishing biochemistry and apply in May. This allows them to start studying as early as the summer before junior year, take all required coursework, and then continue studying over the winter break.
What is the Best Way for Me to Begin Studying for the MCAT?
Begin studying for the MCAT as if you had no prior knowledge. Although you are likely to recall much of the topic on the exam, it is possible that you have not studied the material in years.
Make sure you buy at least one set of prep books and devote time to reading them.
Even if you think you recall a subject, it is still a good idea to go over it again in case there are any rusty parts or if you missed something on the exam. It is going to be a lot, that is why you should start studying early. Many students prepare for the MCAT for over 300 hours.
Consider hiring a MCAT tutor if you want someone to take the guesswork out of the equation. They can help you properly plan your approach, direct you in resource selection to the best tools, assist you in filling in the gaps for what you do not know, and hold you accountable for the task at hand.How Much Time Should You Give Yourself to Study for the MCAT?
When should you begin preparing for the MCAT, and how long do you need to study? This is a significant concern that must be addressed because if you do not plan and prepare ahead of time and allow yourself appropriate study time, you may find yourself repeating the procedure for years.
So, here is how to figure out how much time you should spend studying, and it all boils down to these five questions:
Have you finished all of your credentials, and are you certain you comprehend them?
It would help if you became involved in regularly studying for the MCAT's content.
The MCAT is mainly focused on reasoning and reading abilities. It begins with content and then asks you to apply what you have studied in situations that require systematic thought and analysis in a foreign setting.
Do you have test anxiety or procrastination issues?
The most prevalent reasons students fail the MCAT are mental and emotional factors. If you have experienced these problems before, you may need to adopt a different approach and take twice as long as others to attain your objectives.
It is challenging to overcome MCAT anxiety, but it is possible. However, you may need one-on-one coaching and tutoring to overcome this problem.What additional responsibilities do you have?
Your obligations are extremely important. Taking a full-time course load and taking the MCAT simultaneously can be difficult. Those who are successful frequently set aside time in their schedule to concentrate entirely on the MCAT.
On the other hand, working full-time will take twice as long because you will only have a few hours of study time, which will be of poor quality and energy.What is your target score, and do you want to be an MD, DO, or both?
A person attempting a 505 has an entirely different timetable than someone attempting a score of 515. This is not an estimate, but you should expect your score to improve by one point per week. With a lower starting score, you will have more time to build a solid foundation; you need less time with a higher starting score.
What is your starting score?
The sequence in which you start will significantly impact how long it takes you. What you choose for your first practice exam, which subsections are high/low, and how stressed you are about taking the first test all will have an impact.
People who do poorly across the board will take considerably longer than those who do well in science but not so well in CARS.
How to Study for the MCAT in 90 Days: MCAT 3-Month Study Plan
The AAMC suggests you devote at least 90 days of preparation for the MCAT. It may seem long, but it may still not be enough for some.
The key to achieving an above-average MCAT score in a span of 3 months is to create an MCAT study plan and stick to it.
We have done the work for you, and below is a detailed MCAT 3-month study plan that you can use as you prepare for the MCAT.
Week/Day | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Full-Length Test | Test Review; Planning | Physics: Basic Math and Statistics, Dimensional Analysis Psychology & Sociology: Biological Basis of Behavior | Bio: Cell Biology Biochem: Peptides, Amino Acids, and Proteins | Gen Chem: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table Organic Chem: Nomenclature | Examine the problem areas and make any necessary changes to the study plan. | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Finding the most important information through reading | |||||||
2 | Physics: Translational Motion and Kinematics | Psychology & Sociology: Perception and Sensation | Bio: Protein Structure and Function Biochem: Protein Structure and Function | Gen Chem: Bonding and Chemical Interactions | Organic Chem: Isomers | Examine the problem areas | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Finding the most important information through reading | |||||||
3 | Physics: Energy and Work | Psychology & Sociology: Memory and Learning | Bio: Nervous System Biochem: Enzymes | Gen Chem: Stoichiometry and Compounds | Organic Chem: Bonding | Examine the problem areas | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Finding the most important information through reading | |||||||
4 | Physics: Thermodynamics | Psychology & Sociology: Language and Cognition | Bio: Endocrine System Biochem: Carbohydrate Structure and Function | Gen Chem: Chemical Kinetics | Organic Chem: Ethers and Alcohols | Examine the problem areas | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Finding the most important information through reading | |||||||
5 | Physics: Fluids | Psychology & Sociology: Stress and Emotion | Bio: Respiratory System Biochem: Lipid Structure and Function | Gen Chem: Equilibrium | Organic Chem: Organic Reduction and Oxidation | Examine the problem areas | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Fundamentals of comprehension questions | |||||||
6 | Physics: Electrostatics | Psychology & Sociology: Identity and Personality | Bio: Cardiovascular System Biochem: DNA and Replication | Gen Chem: Thermochemistry | Organic Chem: Ketones and Aldehydes | Examine the problem areas | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Reasoning within the passage questions | |||||||
7 | Physics: Magnetism | Psychology & Sociology: Psychological Disorders | Bio: Immune System Biochem: RNA Translation and Transcription | Gen Chem: Gas Phase | Organic Chem: Carboxylic Acids | Examine the problem areas | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Reasoning beyond the passage questions | |||||||
8 | Physics: Circuits | Psychology & Sociology: Social Behavior and Processes | Bio: Digestive System Biochem: Biological Membranes | Gen Chem: Solutions | Organic Chem: Carboxylic Acid Derivatives | Examine the problem areas | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Reading and answering within the allotted time | |||||||
9 | Full-Length Test | Test Review, Study planning | Physics: Sound and Waves Psychology & Sociology: Social Thought Processes | Bio: Musculoskeletal System Biochem: Carbohydrate Metabolism | Gen Chem: Bases and Acids Organic Chem: Phosphorus-Containing Compounds and Nitrogen | Examine the problem areas and make any necessary changes to the study plan. | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Foundation of reading and answering questions | |||||||
10 | Full-Length Test | Test Review, Study planning | Physics: Light and Optics Psychology & Sociology: Social Structure and Demographics | Bio: Homeostasis and the Excretory System Biochem: Lipid and Amino Acid Metabolism | Gen Chem: Oxidation and Reduction Organic Chem: Spectroscopy | Examine the problem areas and make any necessary changes to the study plan. | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Foundation of reading and answering questions | |||||||
11 | Full-Length Test | Test Review, Study planning | Physics: Nuclear and Atomic Phenomena Psychology & Sociology: Social Stratification | Bio: Genetics and Evolution Biochem: Regulation and Bioenergetics of Metabolism | Gen Chem: Electrochemistry Organic Chem: Purification and Separation | Examine the problem areas and make any necessary changes to the study plan. | Rest / Day off |
CARS: Foundation of reading and answering questions | |||||||
12 - Final Week | AAMC Practice Test | Examine your tests and make arrangements for the last week of classes. | Final review | Final review; Pay a visit to the testing center | Day off | Test Day! | Cell |
MCAT Preparation Resources
One of the first concerns students have when studying for the MCAT is which MCAT resources to use. With so many MCAT resources available, it might be challenging to narrow down choices.
To make it easier for you, we have gathered a few MCAT prep resources (free and paid) that you may use.Additional FAQs – How to Study for the MCAT in 90 Days
When is the Best Time to Prepare for the MCAT?
Should I Join MCAT Study Groups?
Secondly, MCAT study groups are an excellent venue for you to learn and learn more about the MCAT that you might not be able to if you study and prepare for the MCAT by yourself. However, it is totally up to whether or not you think joining MCAT study groups would benefit your MCAT progress.
Are 90 Days Enough to Prepare for the MCAT?
As much as possible, spend at least 300-350 hours preparing and studying for the MCAT. Take as many practice exams as possible and ensure that you are within your target score by the time you have to take the MCAT.
To help you achieve your goal MCAT score, we take turns hosting these 
