Improving your MCAT score by almost 20 points might seem like an impossible goal, but I’m here to tell you that it’s completely doable. How do I know? Because I’ve done it myself!
When I made the decision to re-apply for medical school, my original MCAT score had tragically expired, so I had to start all over. But, I think it might’ve been a blessing disguise. Over the course of 5 months, I studied hard enough to improve my score by 18 points (from my initial diagnostic score), all while simultaneously working as an EMT.
Now, I’m here to give you my complete list of MCAT study tips and tricks so that you can reach your target score and get into the medical school of your dreams too!
This post is all about how to improve your MCAT score.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
Learn How To Improve Your MCAT Score
1. Take a Diagnostic Test
The first step of your study process should be to take a diagnostic test. This will be your very first MCAT practice test, and I recommend taking it before you spend even a single second studying. The diagnostic test will help you identify your weak areas and give you a baseline score that you can use to plan your study schedule.
There are full-length and half-length diagnostic tests. The full-length test is the most comprehensive option, but you can take the half-length exam if you don’t have enough time in your schedule to dedicate the entire 7 hours and 27 minutes to a practice test.
Go to my list of 8 Best Free MCAT Practice Tests so you don’t have to already invest for your diagnostic test.
2. Stick to a Routine
I followed my study routine religiously, and it was a huge help for me. On days when I didn’t work, I spent the entire day studying, starting at 8AM and ending around 4PM. The consistency of a solid routine allowed me to improve at a steady rate without overworking myself.
My routine was right for me, but it might not be right for you. Experiment as you set your schedule and make adjustments accordingly until you have a routine that fits your study habits without disrupting your other commitments or your self-care practices.
3. Track Your Progress
Tracking your progress isn’t just important for the sake of adjusting your study schedule as you go. It’s also a huge motivator! I tracked my progress with lots of full-length exams (13 in total) and, over time, I started to see my hard work paying off.
That sense of accomplishment alone can be the extra fuel you need to keep pushing forward and making improvements.
4. Adjust Your Test Date
Your test date doesn’t have to be set in stone. I chose to think of my first date as a “tentative date” rather than fully committing to it from the start. After I had some study sessions and a few practice tests under my best, I would re-evaluate the date and push it back if I didn’t feel ready yet.
Don’t push yourself into an exam you aren’t ready to take just to get it over with! There will always be another test date available, so give yourself time to study and improve.
5. Make the Most of Practice Exams
I spread out my 13 full-length practice exams over the course of my studying to make sure I had enough time to fully review every question and have at least 3 more full study days before taking the next one.
Every practice test is a vital resource that tells you about your progress. Use them to correct your mistakes, target your weaknesses, and adjust your study schedule as you learn.
Remember, your practice exams are only half as valuable if you don’t thoroughly review them afterwards and adjust your strategy accordingly. You can use my free template to make this process 10x easier for you:
6. Be Strategic About Your Studying
I know some of you need to hear this: Not everything needs to be a flashcard. I based my flashcards on the concepts I kept missing, and, even then, I was extra picky about what I actually turned into a flashcard.
There’s so much information to cover, and you have to be strategic about the way you study it. You don’t want to overload your brain with a million flashcards that you can only get through in their entirety once a day.
7. Don’t Skip Content Reviews
Content reviews are arguably one of the most boring parts of studying, but they’re extremely helpful. I painstakingly combed through every single chapter before I even considered moving on to passage-based practice.
Content review helps you set up a strong foundation of knowledge that you can then draw from and build on as you progress.
Here you will find the MCAT books I used for content review if you need somewhere to start.
8. Use MCAT Prep Materials
Figuring out what to study and how can be just as exhausting as the actual studying itself. MCAT prep materials can eliminate some of that drag and help you get the ball rolling.
For example, I did a ton of passage-based practice on Uworld, which has MCAT-level questions written by experts that tell you exactly why your answers are right or wrong.
9. Prioritize Time Management
Practicing with questions that resemble the ones you’ll encounter on the real test gives you the chance to perfect your timing too.
As you start to get the hang of the materials, try timing yourself while doing practice questions and full-length practice tests. This will help you see where you might be wasting precious moments and learn how to manage your time properly.
10. Simulate Test Day
Try to simulate test day every time you take a practice exam. Go all out with it! I would always start at the same time as the real test, and take only the scheduled breaks. A month out from my test date, I even started eating the same thing I had planned for the real exam day on my practice test days.
By making yourself as familiar with the test environment as possible, you can cut down on test anxiety and get yourself into the right headspace to crush it every time.
11. Study with a Friend
Effective studying doesn’t have to be done in solitude! If you have a friend who is also studying for the MCAT, try buddying up for study sessions every once in a while.
Buddy sessions can be especially helpful if there are any concepts you just can’t seem to grasp. Your friend might be able to explain things in a new way that hadn’t occurred to you before. You can also hold each other accountable and make sure that you both stick to your routines.
12. Don’t Forget to Rest
While working hard and sticking to your study routine is important, it’s equally important to take care of yourself while you study for the MCAT. You don’t want to overwhelm or exhaust yourself before you even have the chance to take the test! Remember to take frequent breaks as you study and incorporate regular rest days as well.
You should also eat well, hydrate, and get plenty of sleep, especially in the days leading up to the exam. You’ll probably be tempted to cram in as much information as possible the night before, but I’ve found that it’s best to let yourself relax.
I drove to my testing center the day before my exam, packed everything I needed (my lunch, ID, etc.), and made sure all I had to do in the morning was wake up and go. At that point, it’s time to let go of the stress and have faith in all the hard work you put in!
What also helps to reduce anxiety? Making sure you know exactly what to expect on exam day – What to Bring to the MCAT: Everything You Must Know About Test Day.
But, Where to Even Begin?
These tips can be GOLD for your MCAT progress. But it all starts with a solid study plan where you can integrate and actually put those strategies to use. Now, if you don’t want to start falling prey to generic study plans that don’t actually fit into your realistic schedule – you need to create your own!
“What if I don’t have a $4,000 budget for an MCAT course with custom study plans – and not really the time to figure it all out by myself?”
Don’t worry, I got you covered. I know how crazy expensive the path towards medical school can be so I created a super affordable course called MCAT Roadmap. Here you get access to my epic Study Schedule Tool that helps you step-by-step to create your own plan in a fraction of the time (without prior knowledge and research on your part).
On top, I share everything you need to know about the MCAT plus additional study tips! Oh and did I mention it’s 100% premed-budget-friendly?
Why Isn’t My Score Improving?
There could be a lot of reasons why you’re not seeing the improvement you want in your MCAT score despite putting in the hours studying. After all, studying alone won’t help you if you’re doing it ineffectively or if there are other distractions bothering you.
Here are some reasons why your MCAT score might not be improving:
- Too many distractions. It’s harder to take in information in an environment filled with distractions. Try to find a quiet place to work and don’t let your phone interrupt your focus.
- Test anxiety. This is a common issue for a lot of students. Anxiety or stress about the exam can interfere with both your concentration and recall abilities. Taking practice exams in a simulated test environment and adopting relaxation techniques can help alleviate excess stress.
- Burnout. Studying for the MCAT is extremely taxing, so it’s normal to feel burnt out or overwhelmed. If you do start feeling the tell-tale effects of burnout, take some time to relax, balance your schedule, and consider pushing back your test date.
- Not enough time. You can’t expect immediate results overnight. Give yourself time and grace as you gradually learn and adjust to the format of the MCAT. Try not to get frustrated if you aren’t seeing results as quickly as you thought you would. There’s no rush!
- Tunnel vision. It’s easy to fixate on certain concepts while studying, especially if those concepts are your weak areas. But don’t let your focus turn into an obsession that leads you to neglect studying other things. Balance your prep between strengths and weaknesses so that your weaknesses improve and your strengths stay strong.
Final Thoughts on How to Improve MCAT Score
Improving your MCAT score is a journey. But, if you commit to your study schedule and keep pushing forward every day, you can conquer your exam and earn a score that you’ll be proud of. Good luck and happy studying!
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