Hear from Vanderbilt’s Health Professions Advisory Office on all things MCAT.
Ellie McCluey | September 28th, 2024
In an MCAT preparation session led by Isra Shuster and the Health Professions Advisory Office (HPAO) last spring, aspiring medical students received a comprehensive guide to preparing for the notoriously challenging Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
What is the MCAT?
The MCAT is a scientific literacy exam testing critical reasoning, problem solving, and fundamental scientific principles. It is composed of four sections, each lasting 95 minutes with 59 multiple-choice questions: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior. The scores range from 118 to 132 for each section, adding up to a total possible score of 528.
What courses are covered on the MCAT?
The HPAO highly recommends that the following classes have already been completed before beginning to prepare for the MCAT:
- General Chemistry I/II
- Organic Chemistry I/II
- Biological Sciences I/II
- Physics I/II
- Biochemistry
- Psychology
- Sociology
Where do I start?
When the time comes to actually begin studying, the resources can be overwhelming, and it’s often daunting to know where to start. It’s best to begin by choosing a timeline. Students who wish to take a gap year should plan to take the MCAT no later than June after their senior year. For those planning to attend medical school immediately after completing their undergraduate degree, it is advisable to take the MCAT no later than June after their junior year.
It’s also important to plan to give yourself enough time to study. Generally, students studying concurrently with internships, research, or classes spend 10-15 hours a week for 5-6 months. However, it’s also possible to study full-time during the summer. Once a plan has been made, it’s best to take a diagnostic exam to determine exactly how much content review is needed and to identify a feasible target score.
Should I take a prep class or self-study?
For many students, figuring out the best study method can be the most challenging part of MCAT studying. Prep courses are offered through Altius, Blueprint, Kaplan, and the Princeton Review.
Altius is often regarded as the most thorough, offering intense one-on-one tutoring and a rigorous schedule. It is also the most expensive option. Blueprint is also a highly data-driven course, testing on content and identifying weak spots to stimulate improvement. Kaplan and the Princeton Review are more standardized for students who require less structure and tailored studying. Perhaps just as effective is the option to self-study. This option allows students to accumulate their own resources and outline a unique schedule. There is truly no right or wrong study method — it all depends on personal preference and study habits.
The three stages of self-studying
If you choose to take the self-study route, it’s best to break up studying into three stages: content review, practice, and practice exams. Content review is generally just a refresher on all of the information covered on the exam. It’s best to supplement textbooks with videos, lectures, and even study groups. Last spring, the HPAO launched MCAT study groups in conjunction with the Tutoring Center to cover high-yield MCAT topics.
The second and most important stage of studying is practice. It’s best to transition into this stage by starting to integrate practice into content review using resources like UWorld or Khan Academy. UWorld offers streamlined subject questions, allowing students to mimic MCAT sections and customize settings. The AAMC also offers a question bank that is most representative of true MCAT questions. Jack Westin offers a free CARS passage daily. It’s also recommended to take six to 10 full-length exams before the real thing. Start by purchasing exams from Altius, Bluprint, Kaplan, or the Princeton Review before taking the AAMC practice exams. The AAMC exams are the most representative of the true exam and should be saved for last.
Finally, the “bootcamp phase” begins a few weeks leading up to the exam. This is when students crack down and take several full-length exams, review old exams, and finish up comprehensive review.
When am I ready?
Students are ready for the exam when they have consistently scored in a range they are happy with on multiple mock exams. It’s always best to push back a test date if necessary — don’t rush it!
Financial resources
One financial resource for students is the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP), providing students with AAMC exams and the question bank for free. Students also receive reduced registration fees and waivers for application fees for up to 20 medical schools. Some private prep courses also offer discounts to students who qualify for the FAP.
Final tips
- Don’t get stuck in content review. It’s best to push through to practice, this is where you learn!
- Focus on your scientific literacy. You should be comfortable working through scientific concepts you may never have seen before.
- Read the literature. To be fluent in science, you must read research papers, articles, and take discussion-based courses.
Remember, you can do it! Preparing for the MCAT is a challenging yet transformative journey. With the right strategies, resources, and support, aspiring medical professionals can conquer this exam and take a giant leap towards fulfilling their dreams of making a difference in the world of healthcare.