A lot of students who plan to take on the MCAT usually ask me this question: "How much time should I dedicate to studying for the MCAT?" "Is it possible to get a high percentile on the MCAT in just 30 days?" I guess it’s because of my brand "30 Day MCAT." If I'm going to be totally honest, it's possible to study for the MCAT in 30 days. Some of the instructors at 30 Day MCAT achieved this. However, you should consider different factors before ever trying to study for just 30 days. Remember that having a well-defined strategy and considering various factors to determine how much to study for the MCAT is important for several reasons:
- Targeted Learning: A strategy helps you focus on your weaknesses and allocate time effectively, ensuring you study what matters most.
- Avoid Burnout: Knowing how much to study prevents overworking, which can lead to burnout and decreased performance.
- Balanced Schedule: Proper planning allows you to balance MCAT prep with other commitments, such as school, work, and personal life.
- Consistent Progress: A study schedule ensures steady progress and helps avoid last-minute cramming, which is less effective.
- Tailored Approach: Everyone has different strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. A personalized study plan addresses your unique needs and maximizes your learning potential.
- Flexibility: A strategy allows adjustments based on your progress and any unexpected challenges that arise.
- Clear Path: Having a plan reduces uncertainty and anxiety by providing a clear roadmap to follow.
- Confidence Boost: Regular assessments and milestones within your strategy can build confidence as you see consistent improvement.
- Effective Use of Materials: A strategy helps you choose and use study resources more effectively, ensuring you don’t waste time on less beneficial materials.
- Cost Management: Proper planning can help you avoid unnecessary expenses on extra materials or courses that you may not need.
- Holistic Preparation: A well-rounded strategy ensures that you cover all sections of the MCAT comprehensively, leaving no gaps in your knowledge.
- Skill Development: Beyond content, a strategy can help you develop test-taking skills and stamina, crucial for performing well on the exam day.
Personally, I tried this during my first take without considering the factors I'm going to mention in this blog, and it didn’t go well for me. When I made adjustments and took these factors into account, I achieved a 90th percentile on my second take. So if you want to know the answer to how much time you need to study, keep reading!
Key Takeaways
- Factors to Consider When Determining Your Study Time: Learn about the important factors such as your current knowledge level, study habits, and other commitments that can influence how much time you need to dedicate to MCAT preparation.
- General Recommendations: Get an overview of recommended study timelines based on different scenarios and student experiences to help you plan effectively.
- Strategies to Optimize Your Study Time: Discover actionable strategies to make the most of your study sessions, improve retention, and enhance your performance on the MCAT.
Factors to Consider When Determining Your Study Time
As I've mentioned earlier in this blog, I wish I had taken these factors into consideration before taking the MCAT. If I did, I might have done well in just one take. However, the past is already in the past, and that's why I'm here to share these factors so you won't make the same mistakes as me.
Factor #1. How Much Do You know?
Your background in the sciences will influence how much time you need to spend on content review. If you have a strong foundation, you may need less time compared to someone who needs to learn or relearn fundamental concepts. I know someone who studied management and administration but wanted to shift his career into the medical field. He took the prerequisites and some study preparations for the MCAT, but it took him some time to complete it since sciences weren't really what he studied in the beginning.
Factor #2. What is Your Target Score?
If you're aiming for a higher target score to get into a specific med school, it might generally require you to take more preparation time to make sure you master the content and test-taking strategies. For example, during my second take, I was aiming for a score around 514-515, and it required me to have additional focused study sessions and practice exams. To be honest, I hated it—it was hard, but I really wanted to get into the 90th percentile, so I went the extra mile.
Factor #3. Consider Taking a Diagnostic Test
Taking an initial diagnostic test can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to personalize your study plan more effectively. This can provide a clearer picture of how much time you might need to allocate to different sections. When I first took my diagnostic test and noticed that I wasn't doing great, especially in Physics and Organic Chemistry, I knew I had to extend my study sessions and practice exams on those specific subjects.
Factor #4. Determine Your Learning Style and Pace
Students grasp concepts at different rates. Some might need less time, while others benefit from a slower, more methodical approach. Knowing your learning style can make study sessions easier and more enjoyable, helping you retain more content with a strategy that suits you. I'm a visual learner, so instead of just reading textbooks, I created diagrams or flowcharts (for organic and biochemistry), drawings (for anatomy and biological processes), and watched videos (for physics and behavioral sciences). This is what inspired me to create the MCAT Complete Bundle, which has illustrations to help you understand complex concepts covered in the MCAT. If you want a FREE SNEAK PEAK CLICK HERE!
Factor #5. Do You Have Any Commitments?
I don’t how to emphasize this enough but please do consider your work, extracurriculars, and personal obligations that can affect available study hours. If you know you have other commitments, extending your study time from 30 days to several months might be a good option.
Study Time Recommendations
Now that we have the factors we should consider, let's proceed to how much time you should study for the MCAT. A general recommendation by the AAMC is that students spend around 240 hours over 12 weeks, which translates to approximately 20 hours per week. However, many students study between 200 to 300 hours in total (That’s approximately 1-2 months!) This amount generally provides enough time for comprehensive content review, practice questions, and full-length practice tests. Here are some common timelines to study for the MCAT:
Full-Time Study
If you can dedicate full-time hours to studying, around 2-3 months of intensive preparation (40+ hours per week) is typically recommended. This duration allows for comprehensive content review, ample practice with question banks, and multiple full-length practice tests.
Part-Time Study
For those balancing work or other commitments, extending the study period to 4-6 months with part-time study (20-30 hours per week) can be effective. This approach spreads out the workload, reducing burnout and allowing more time for spaced repetition and review.
In addition these recommendations here are some ideas to create a study plan that might work for you:
| Timeframe | Weekly Commitment | Daily Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month (4 Weeks) | Aim for 50-60 hours per week | 8-10 hours of study each day |
| 3 Months (12 Weeks) | About 20 hours per week | Roughly 3-4 hours per day on weekdays, with lighter study or breaks on weekends. |
| 6 Months (24 Weeks) | About 10-15 hours per week | Around 2 hours per day on weekdays, with more intensive study sessions on weekends. |
Tips for Effective Study
Once you have decided how much time you'll need to study for the MCAT, here are some tips you might want to apply:
Initial Diagnostic Test
Start with a diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. This will help customize your study plan to focus on areas that need the most improvement. As I mentioned earlier and in my previous blogs, my weakness was organic chemistry and physics, so I planned to study more on those core subjects.
Content Review and Practice
Balance your time between content review and practice questions. Use AAMC materials for the most accurate practice questions. You might even want to consider my MCAT Preparation courses, which include an AAMC Breakdown Course where instructors go through AAMC questions and show you strategies on how to arrive at the correct answers. In addition, it also has Practice Questions and an Accountability Coach, so you'll have everything you need to get yourself prepped for the MCAT.
Full-Length Practice Tests
Full-length practice tests are like dress rehearsals for the real race. They get you used to thinking critically for long stretches, just like on the actual exam. You'll learn to manage your time effectively across all sections of the MCAT. Just like diagnostic tests, full-length tests expose areas you might need to brush up on before the big day.
Flexibility and Self-Care
Maintain flexibility in your schedule to accommodate unforeseen events and ensure you include breaks to avoid burnout. By carefully planning your study schedule and adapting it to fit your needs and constraints, you can effectively prepare for the MCAT and maximize your chances of achieving a high score.
FAQs
What specific resources would you recommend for content review for each section of the MCAT?
For content review, I recommend using the FREE comprehensive resources from AAMC; the makers of MCAT itself! You also might want to consider my MCAT Preparation courses also include an AAMC Breakdown Course for detailed strategies.
How can I create a daily or weekly study schedule that incorporates all the factors you mentioned?
To create a study schedule, start by assessing your baseline knowledge, target score, and learning style. Allocate more time to weaker areas identified by your diagnostic test. Break down study sessions into manageable chunks and incorporate regular review and practice tests. Flexibility is key to adjust as needed.
What are some effective strategies for taking practice exams and reviewing them afterwards?
When taking practice exams, simulate test conditions by timing yourself and using the same breaks. After completing the test, review each question, especially the ones you got wrong. Analyze why you missed them and focus on understanding the concepts behind those questions. Use this analysis to guide your future study sessions.
How can I manage stress and stay motivated throughout the long MCAT preparation journey?
Managing stress and staying motivated involves setting realistic goals, taking regular breaks, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Incorporate physical activities, social interactions, and hobbies to keep a balanced life. Remember to celebrate small achievements along the way and keep your end goal in sight.
Conclusion
Determining how much time to dedicate to studying for the MCAT involves considering various factors such as your baseline knowledge, target score, diagnostic test results, learning style, and external commitments. By taking these into account, you can create a personalized study plan that maximizes your chances of success. Whether you choose a full-time or part-time study schedule, balancing content review with practice questions and full-length tests is essential. Additionally, maintaining flexibility and self-care will help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
For more valuable tips and strategies, follow me on social media at @30daymcat and check out my other blogs for more insights to help you excel in your MCAT preparation.
