Taking the MCAT is hard enough but on top of that you want to ensure that you get a decent score to maximize your chances of getting into medical school.
Although the MCAT is not the only factor that helps you get into school as your personal statement and GPA play an equal role in acceptance the MCAT is still very important.
As you are on your premed journey you may hit highs and you also may hit plateaus but there are things that you can do along the way to ensure it’s pretty stable overall.
I want to provide a couple of tips on how to improve your MCAT score if you’ve hit a plateau but also to maximize your score overall to increase your chance of being accepted.
1. Set a Score to Work Towards
I wanted to put this as the first tip because it is something you should do before everything else. This number will be individualized to you but will continually give you something to look forward to.
MCAT scores range from 472 to 528 with the average currently being 502 or around the 50th percentile.
The average competitive applicant scores around 511 but once again the MCAT is not the only metric that determines your acceptance.
The whole application process is holistic meaning it takes everything on your application into account.
2. Strong Content Base and Practice Problems
Having a good foundation of knowledge on the MCAT can take you a long way. Yes the MCAT is all about testing-taking strategies, and knowing how to take the test essentially. But knowing the content really will help you get points on questions that are simply fact-based or straightforward.
This might seem basic but any point helps when taking this test.
Now back to test-taking strategies. Practice problems will be your lifeline for this. Doing as much practice as possible is essential for your success.
As stated earlier, knowing how to take the test is a big part of it so doing MCAT-style questions consistently throughout your studies will prepare you for this.
3. The Importance of Timing
A whole hidden layer to the MCAT is timing. When I first started studying for the MCAT I knew it was timed but I didn’t understand what that truly meant.
When you find out the test is approximately 7 hours and 30 mins you feel like you have all the time in the world. This is not the mindset you want to have going into studying.
By strategically timing yourself during practice problems and tests for each question, you allow yourself to schedule things you may need during the test.
For example, having time to go back over your answers or questions you may have had trouble with.
Each section is 90-95 minutes with 53 and 59 questions respectively so when you do the math it’s not that much time per question.
We will cover this topic more in-depth in an upcoming article but for now, try to start doing questions and tests based on the actual timing of the test.
Also, try to time each question to get a good idea of how long you take to answer each question. Once you notice this pattern you will be able to adjust accordingly.
4. Be Consistent
Life values longevity and this is no different when studying for the MCAT. During this time days can be rough but consistently studying will keep you on track.
It is important to give a consistent amount of effort every day. This is not to bash anyone who only studies 2 times a week, it is to say pace yourself.
If you are going at a pace that works for you whether it’s every day or 2 times a week and you see real improvements I say keep going!
But if you are studying randomly and not seeing results it’s time to reevaluate your study habits and get organized.
This can be a time pit and push back the goals that you set for yourself so prioritizing this before you even start studying can set you up for success.
5. Understand the Test Format
Knowing the format of the MCAT can give you insight into how to mentally prepare to take the test. The MCAT is broken up into 4 different sections (Chemistry/ Physics, CARS, Biology/Biochemistry, and Psychology/ Sociology)
This is also the order of each section on the test. With Chemistry/Physics usually being more challenging for students it is important not to trip yourself up on this section as it is the first section.
This is then followed up by CARS which can be mentally draining because of all the reading. Understanding this format but also pacing yourself through the first two sections to have energy for the last two can help maximize your score.
Lastly, within each section, you will have passage-based questions, multiple choice, and stand-alone questions. While doing practice problems and tests note how long it takes you for each type of question so you can keep this in mind for test day.
6. Reevaluate
Doing check-ins with yourself periodically throughout the process of studying for the MCAT will allow you to know if you are on the right track.
If something is not working for you, trying to make it work will only do more harm than good in the long run.
I know it may be annoying to constantly have to reevaluate your study habits but getting in the habit of this will prepare you for medical school.
When something isn’t working in medical school you need to have to skills to assess the situation and adjust accordingly. The same applies to taking the MCAT.
7. Study with a Group or Alone
Everyone studies differently whether it’s being alone or with a small group of friends every method works differently for everybody.
If you have hit a standstill in your studying consider maybe switching up who you study around. For example, if you have been studying with a group but find it hard to focus consider adding more alone time to your study routine.
On the flip side if you find yourself needing questions answered or just want a small community around you when studying consider adding in a day or two of group studying.
I would not recommend going overboard with the group studying because, at the end of the day, you have to develop those test-taking skills for yourself and ultimately take the test alone. I would also limit groups to 2-4 people as anything more can become distracting.
8. Study with a Group or Alone
If you have seen some of our other posts you know how important rest and relaxation is to us. Taking time for yourself and not thinking about studying, school, work or any of your other responsibilities are so important.
Taking rest allows you to tackle these tasks more efficiently and helps to prevent burnout. Even if it is 30 minutes to an hour a day this still may help give you the extra boost that you need.
While studying for the MCAT specifically I think it’s important to at least take one day off from studying a week. That way you can have a full reset and start fresh for the next week.
Conclusion
Studying for the MCAT can be exciting and exhausting, and hitting plateaus in your studying can be even more exhausting but following the tips above will hopefully help towards an upward trend.
Pace yourself, stay organized and consistent and you will conquer the test!