How to study for the MCAT?

Question

What is the best way to study for the MCAT? About how much time should I spend studying for it? About how many hours? How many weeks or months before the test should I start? How do people get in the high 30's and low 40's? Do they just study more or what is it? Is there a secret?

Answer 1

I took the MCAT is April of 2005. I started studying in JANUARY.

I went to two elite universities (UC Berkeley, USC), and I know of nobody who scored in the low 40s, I think they cut it off at 39, but designate it with (+) if you are in the 99th percentile. But I do know of people who scored in the high 30s, and they're all bright, hardworking people.

I like class time, group study and drilling. So I chose Princeton Review for MCAT prep. Kaplan is good if you like working online or alone. I made a full time job of my test prep. I took classes 4 days a week from 8 till noon. Then I spent the rest of my day doing homework problems with classmates. Then I'd read at home. btw, I finished my masters degree a semester early to make time to devote to the MCAT.

So it really depends on what you prefer in terms of study styles. The hardest part is developing the physical and mental endurance to take an 8 hour exam. When I left that exam room, I was incoherent; I could not speak. The MCAT is taxing on your senses. Training for it is like training for the marathon.

Answer 2

the best way is to not cram, people have the tendency to cram and lose at the info right before taking the test, study over a couple of days create some kind of method to help you remember certain topics. It is a proven method kind of like helpful tutor