It may not be for everyone (depending on your circumstances), but it’s entirely possible to create an MCAT study schedule over 3 months and ace the exam. Fair warning, you’re going to need to set aside enough time during your daily and weekly schedule to make studying your top priority. However, it’s totally doable with the right plan in place!
I’m going to break down how you can study effectively for the MCAT in a condensed time frame, making the most of each day to maximize your chances of success. Plus, I’ll guide you through a three-phase study plan that’s designed to optimize your time and energy, all while ensuring you’re fully prepared to achieve your dream score on the MCAT.
This post is all about an MCAT study schedule in 3 months.
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An Actual MCAT Study Schedule for 3 months
Is 3 Months Enough to Study for the MCAT?
Well, the answer is… it depends! Personally, I think studying consistently and intentionally for three months can work well for a lot of premeds. However, there may be factors that cause you to extend it to four to five months of prep or even longer—six to nine months.
So, how do you know if you can make a three-month study plan work for you? If you can answer yes to either or both of the following questions, then go for it. A three-month study timeline will most likely be perfect for you.
Question #1: Can You Commit to Studying 40 Hours a Week for the MCAT?
If you have the luxury of time with minimal commitments, you can totally make studying for the MCAT your full-time gig. You’ll need to basically treat it like your full-time job. Even if the material isn’t super fresh in your mind, these intense study days can help you breeze through all the studying you need to do in just three months.
Question #2: Do You Have a Solid Foundation You Feel Good About?
For those of you who recently aced all those recommended classes and the content is still fresh in your mind, then you might not need to spend hours on end daily reviewing content.
For example, if you’re a junior dealing with a hefty course load, that strong base you’ve built can work wonders in a 3-month study window. However, if you don’t want things to get too hectic on the academic front, you can always lighten your course load a bit during this period to free up more time for MCAT prep.
If it’s a “No” though – check out my blog post How Long to Study for the MCAT? 3 Realistic Timelines for more options that fit YOUR schedule.
How to Study for the MCAT in 3 Months
Studying for the MCAT in just three months may sound intimidating, but if you organize how and what you’ll study each day, you can totally do it. You’ll want to make sure you cover all the necessary topics and give yourself enough time to review and practice, so you can build from day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month to ultimately nail it on exam day.
That’s why I’ve put together a FREE detailed 3-month study plan that will help you stay organized and on track with your prep. This handy guide breaks down your EXACT daily study tasks, from content review to practice questions, making sure you cover all the bases before the big day.
Consistency is key when it comes to MCAT success, and this schedule will keep you laser-focused on your goal.
Studying in 3 Months Broken Down into 3 Phases
If you’ve got the time and determination, all you need now is a solid plan to make studying for the MCAT in three months not only happen but also result in a top score.
The MCAT is an extensive exam that spans over seven hours, including breaks. It can be overwhelming to contemplate the amount of preparation required. So, I’ve found the best way to approach your three-month study plan is to base it on the saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
Basically, adjust your mindset to view the MCAT as a series of achievable daily tasks rather than an insurmountable challenge. That’s why it helps so much to organize it into the following three phases.
- Phase 1: Focus primarily on content review. Yes, you’re seriously going through every chapter of your MCAT books without skipping any (yep, even the CARS book). Also, introduce flashcards into your routine.
- Phase 2: Work on timing yourself as you tackle passage-based questions every day.
- Phase 3: Hone in on AAMC-based practice and mix in other resources as needed.
The Three-Month MCAT Study Plan
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how you’ll set up each month’s study plan. I get into the details of what you’ll need to accomplish each day, week, and month. However, here’s a quick overview of how to break down the whole period into three manageable phases.
The First Month
Before you start Phase 1, take a diagnostic exam to help establish your baseline of your strengths and weaknesses. Then, dig into content review.
During this phase, I didn’t bother with passage-based questions yet. My daily routine was pretty straightforward: wake up, tackle the day’s chapters, maybe do some end-of-chapter questions, create new flashcards, review them, and call it a day.
I would also take an hour each day to focus on the CARS book chapters. After two weeks, switch it up by diving into Jack Westin passages instead, for more practice. Also, review your flashcards every week and take out flashcards you already know well.
Pro tip: I focused on creating flashcards for the concepts that kept tripping me up, and it really paid off in the end!
The Second Month
On to Phase 2, where you’ll tackle passage-based questions every day, all while timing yourself.
Don’t worry about hitting test day pacing right from the start – just track your progress. As you work through the month, you’ll keep shortening the time it takes you to complete the passages. Again, you’re sorting through your flashcards to remove the ones you know well to make room for new ones in areas you need to strengthen.
Each week, you’ll take a full-length practice exam. Make sure you simulate test day as much as possible by starting at the same time, taking it all in one sitting, and any other factors that will help make your actual exam day feel familiar. Leave plenty of time to fully review it and use your results to create new flashcards.
The Third Month (and Last – Yay!)
In Phase 3, you’ll dive into AAMC-based practice to really fine-tune your skills. Similar to Phase 2, you’ll mainly use AAMC materials for your practice, but feel free to mix in other resources if needed. By this point, your pacing should be on point.
Your daily schedule will closely resemble Phase 2, but you’ll set aside an hour each morning for CARS practice. You can also sprinkle in extra questions here and there as time allows. I suggest focusing on your weaknesses in the last hour of the day to really strengthen those areas.
For your full-length practice exam, switch to AAMC practice exams as well. And again, make sure to review them properly to be able to hone in on your weaknesses for the remaining weeks!
How Long Should You Study Each Day on a 3-Month Study Plan?
One of the key things that totally saved me during my MCAT prep (both times, yes, I took that beast twice) was being ridiculously consistent right from the get-go. So, be prepared to put in a solid 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week if you want to get ready within 3 months.
I can’t stress enough that having a solid routine is crucial. Otherwise, you’ll keep postponing your exam dates indefinitely. 99% of med schools require the MCAT. So, if you can’t commit to a consistent study routine, then I would first question if being a doctor is what you really want because there are a whole lot more of those dreaded standardized tests in medical school—and more in residency!
What time should you start your study day?
I loved starting promptly at 8 AM every day since that was the same time as my real test was going to be. Therefore, I got to train my brain for months that 8 AM meant it was time for me to focus.
Here’s an example of my daily routine when I was studying for the MCAT.
7 AM Wake up and breakfast
8 AM 3 CARS passages (timed)
8:30 AM Review CARS passages
9 AM 60 Science questions (For example, biology)
10:30 AM 40 Science questions (For example, biochemistry)
11:30 AM Break and lunch
12:30 PM Review science questions
3:30 PM Study flashcards
4:30 PM Done for the day
How do you decide on a realistic study routine when you have other commitments?
Now, I get it – life’s busy. You might have a gazillion commitments competing for your time. But you must carve out that study time no matter what.
The first time I studied for the MCAT, I was commitment-free, but the second time I was pulling full-time shifts as an EMT and needed 5 months to study. It was still tough, but I made it work by calling in sick just to focus on studying. If I had a job that wouldn’t have let me call out all the time like that, I would have quit. If you want to get into medical school, then the MCAT is a necessary hurdle, and you should prioritize it!
In case you don’t want to figure it all out by yourself, MCAT Roadmap helps you to leave all the overwhelm behind and create your own (realistic!) study plan with ease. Here, you not only get step-by-step video lessons on when to choose your test date, how to create helpful flashcards, all the details on 3-phase studying and much – you also get my epic Study Schedule Tool along with other helpful templates.
No more guessing and worrying but having a clear plan to follow that truly fits your schedule. This is the perfect fit for anyone preparing for the MCAT, no matter if you are planning to push through 3 months or want to take 6-9 months for your preparation. MCAT Roadmap got you covered!
Is Studying for the MCAT in 3 Months Right for You?
Everyone’s study habits and learning pace are different, so assess your own strengths and weaknesses before committing to this tight timeline. However, if you can stay disciplined and motivated with a tight deadline approaching, then this study schedule could be the key to acing the MCAT exam in just three months.
Follow these tips to create a study schedule that works for you.
- Establish a plan (use my FREE 3-Month MCAT Study Plan, linked above!) to break it down into three manageable phases
- Set realistic study goals for each day, week, and month.
- Prioritize self-care during this intense period of studying. Get enough sleep, eat well, and allow for short breaks between study blocks to recharge.
Final Thoughts
Tackling the MCAT in just three months is definitely a challenge, but with a well-structured study schedule and a positive mindset, you can absolutely ace the exam. Stay focused, stay motivated, and believe in yourself – you’ve got this!
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