MCAT Preparation Advice
MCAT Preparation Advice and Guide to AAMC and Gold Standard MCAT Materials
HOME STUDY AND ONLINE MCAT PREP
For your MCAT preparation, there will be many options for the review part: college textbooks, YouTube or Khan MCAT Academy videos, and many others. Gold Standard has been teaching MCAT for over 20 years and you can bet that we will be able to continue to provide you the option of top quality review ebooks, online videos with clear teaching, MP3s, flashcards, iPhone/Android apps and more. Our focus will continue to be problem-based learning.
You can sign up to practice with our free online MCAT practice test and/or try some MCAT sample questions. The AAMC has a free study guide (interactive online program) which provides some sample questions for each section as well as a description of the new exam in detail: MCAT Interactive Program.
And finally, for the full-length practice test part of your MCAT preparation: The AAMC has five full-length MCAT practice tests while Gold Standard MCAT has released 7 full-length online MCAT practice tests. Spending one day immersed in a timed exam followed by a very careful question-by-question review for 1-2 days is the best way to improve your score over time. Of course, each post-exam period should include the taking of brief notes which are reviewed several times per week.
Your undergraduate studies have probably taught you to focus on developing knowledge. If you want your MCAT experience to be successful, then your MCAT preparation must be focused on developing your reasoning skills. We understand the MCAT and we can assert that the Gold Standard MCAT will continue to aim to optimize your performance.
MCAT-prep.com's MCAT Guide
To help you prepare for the exam, Gold Standard MCAT has laid out comprehensive information on MCAT scores, topics covered, MCAT test dates, preparation advice and free MCAT sample questions.
- What is the MCAT? - MCAT-prep.com's detailed guide about the MCAT
- MCAT Topics List - complete outline of MCAT topics as described by the AAMC
- MCAT Preparation Advice - preparation advice and materials to help you get a high MCAT score
- MCAT Test Dates - 2022 MCAT test dates and score release dates
- MCAT Scores - How the MCAT is scored and medical school admissions
- MCAT Practice Test Advice - Learn the right practice test-taking attitude
- Free MCAT Sample Questions - Have a taste of the degree of reasoning required for the MCAT exam
Know Thyself . . . and Make an MCAT Schedule!
Ideally, following the Gold Standard MCAT Schedule would lead you to set aside at least 3-6 hours per day for 3-6 months for your MCAT preparation. You may require more or less time depending on whether you have completed all helpful college courses to take before the MCAT, when they were completed, and of course, also depending on your performance in those courses.
There is another issue that students do not often use in this calculation: an honest assessment of the MCAT score required for the desired medical school. The truth is that, historically, many medical schools require average or just above average MCAT scores. If that is your objective but then you chase the preparation regime of a student applying to Harvard, you may lose your grasp of the fundamentals while chasing salient details that are rarely seen on the MCAT. Aiming for the stars is laudable, but knowing yourself is even more important and it will permit you to set reasonable goals that you can attain with sufficient effort.
For guidance in planning all your premed activities including taking the MCAT, see the: AAMC's Medical School Application Timeline
The next issue is regarding how best you should divide your time. Traditionally, students spend too much time reviewing and too little time practicing. We believe that the best preparation is one where you spend 1/3 of your time completing your review; 1/3 of your time completing practice questions to confirm your understanding; and finally, 1/3 of your time completing full-length MCAT practice tests to integrate and apply your learning under timed conditions. Each stage must include time to take very brief notes which you review several times each week.
What College Classes Are Helpful for the MCAT?
It is natural to wonder what college classes you would need to best prepare for the MCAT. However, it is important to recognize that there are no prerequisite courses for the MCAT. In other words, depending on the prerequisite courses required by the specific medical schools to which you intend to submit an application, you may decide to engage in independent study instead of taking one or more of the college courses that are recommended. This is an individual choice. Nonetheless, we will outline the college courses which would simplify your exam preparation.
The first two sections of the MCAT - namely the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems and the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems - would benefit from a 2 semester introductory-level college course in biology, physics, organic and inorganic chemistry and a 1 semester introductory-level college course in biochemistry. Though it is true that some biochemistry courses string out basic metabolism over 2 semesters, you should not take a 2nd semester of biochemistry solely for your MCAT preparation. This is generally a case where independent study is more practical and efficient. Consider discussing these issues with your premed advisor.
In addition, the section on Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior would benefit from a 1 semester introductory-level college course in both psychology and sociology.
The section on Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills does not require any specific college courses. A student who reads widely, from novels to reputable sources of opinionated news (i.e. The Economist, New York Times editorial pages), would have a distinct advantage for the exam in general, and this section in particular.
In all these four sections of the MCAT you will also need to have a working knowledge of basic concepts in research and statistics. Preparation for this can be obtained in classes on research and statistics, which are offered as part of a science or social science curriculum in most colleges. However, no specific college course is required. The rationale is that it is expected that you would have been exposed to the level of understanding in research and statistics required for the MCAT by having completed the recommended college courses in the sciences and social sciences. Also note that no specific college math course (neither algebra nor calculus) is required.
Below is a table that gives you a guide as to the different classes to take while in college so as to ably prepare for the MCAT. A thorough and in depth preparation means two things: you have studied these concepts and understood them; you have grasped relationships between these concepts and how they apply to living organisms.
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems |
| Concepts which will be tested |
Processes unique to living organisms such as:
|
| College classes that are most helpful for MCAT preparation |
|
| Focus of the questions |
| How cells and organs in living organisms act independently and interdependently; Processes at different levels of biological organization within a living system |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems |
| Concepts which will be tested |
| Mechanical, physical and biochemical functions of tissues, organs and organ systems in living organisms |
| College classes that are most helpful for MCAT preparation |
|
| Focus of the questions |
| Mechanisms operating in the human body Basic chemical and physical principles which are the foundations of mechanisms operating in the human body |
| Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior |
| Concepts which will be tested |
| Psychological, sociological and biological factors that influence human perceptions and reactions as well as behavior and changes in behavio.r |
| College classes that are most helpful for MCAT preparation |
|
| Focus of the questions |
| How people think and feel about themselves and others How socio-cultural differences influence well-being Relationships between social stratification, access to resources and well-being |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills |
| Concepts which will be tested |
| Principles in the humanities and social sciences |
| College classes that are most helpful for MCAT preparation |
| Ethics, Philosophy, Cultural studies (example: History, Anthropology), Popular Health |
| Focus of the questions |
| Focus is on critically evaluating information given in a passage |
| MCAT Sections | Concepts which will be tested | College classes that are most helpful for MCAT preparation | Focus of the questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | Processes unique to living organisms such as:
|
|
How cells and organs in living organisms act independently and interdependently; Processes at different levels of biological organization within a living system |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | Mechanical, physical and biochemical functions of tissues, organs and organ systems in living organisms |
|
Mechanisms operating in the human body Basic chemical and physical principles which are the foundations of mechanisms operating in the human body |
| Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior | Psychological, sociological and biological factors that influence human perceptions and reactions as well as behavior and changes in behavior |
|
How people think and feel about themselves and others How socio-cultural differences influence well-being Relationships between social stratification, access to resources and well-being |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | Principles in the humanities and social sciences | Ethics, Philosophy, Cultural studies (example: History, Anthropology), Popular Health | Focus is on critically evaluating information given in a passage |
Next: Explore free and paid MCAT prep options
AAMC and MCAT-prep.com materials
There are several MCAT prep materials available that best suit your needs and budget. On this page, we present to you these free and paid MCAT prep materials from the AAMC, Gold Standard and Khan Academy.
MCAT Practice Tests and Preparation Materials (Official - AAMC)
- Read More
Gold Standard MCAT Practice Tests (simulated exams) and Preparation Materials
- Read More
Khan Academy MCAT Resources
- Read More
2020 MCAT Test Dates in Canada and Scores Release Dates
The Canadian MCAT Test Dates 2020 are presented in the table below. All MCAT exams start at 8 a.m. and scores are released 30-35 days later.
| MCAT Test Dates 2020 All exams begin at 8:00 a.m. |
MCAT Scores Release Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, January 17, 2020 | Tuesday, February 18, 2020 | ||
| Thursday, January 23, 2020 | Tuesday, February 25, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, March 14, 2020 | Tuesday, April 14, 2020 | ||
| Friday, April 24, 2020 | Wednesday, May 27, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, April 25, 2020 | Wednesday, May 27, 2020 | ||
| Friday, May 15, 2020 | Tuesday, June 16, 2020 | ||
| Friday, May 29, 2020 | Tuesday, June 30, 2020 | ||
| Friday, June 5, 2020 | Tuesday, July 7, 2020 | ||
| Friday, June 19, 2020 | Tuesday, July 21, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, June 20, 2020 | Tuesday, July 21, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, June 27, 2020 | Tuesday, July 28, 2020 | ||
| Tuesday, July 7, 2020 | Thursday, August 6, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, July 18, 2020 | Tuesday, August 18, 2020 | ||
| Wednesday, July 22, 2020 | Tuesday, August 25, 2020 | ||
| Thursday, July 23, 2020 | Tuesday, August 25, 2020 | ||
| Friday, July 31, 2020 | Tuesday, September 1, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, August 1, 2020 | Tuesday, September 1, 2020 | ||
| Friday, August 7, 2020 | Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, August 8, 2020 | Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | ||
| Thursday, August 13, 2020 | Tuesday, September 15, 2020 | ||
| Friday, August 14, 2020 | Tuesday, September 15, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, August 15, 2020 | Tuesday, September 15, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, August 22, 2020 | Tuesday, September 22, 2020 | ||
| Thursday, August 27, 2020 | Tuesday, September 29, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, August 29, 2020 | Tuesday, September 29, 2020 | ||
| Thursday, September 3, 2020 | Tuesday, October 6, 2020 | ||
| Friday, September 4, 2020 | Tuesday, October 6, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, September 5, 2020 | Tuesday, October 6, 2020 | ||
| Friday, September 11, 2020 | Tuesday, October 13, 2020 | ||
| Saturday, September 12, 2020 | Tuesday, October 13, 2020 |
