MCAT Preparation Advice
A Path to Optimizing Your MCAT Performance
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.
What College Classes Are Helpful for the MCAT?
MCAT Preparation Resources
Optimize study time: balance review (1/3), practice questions (1/3), and full-length, timed practice tests (1/3). In each phase, create and regularly review brief notes. This balanced approach builds both knowledge and application skills.
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 |
Gold Standard MCAT provides an abundance of resources to support your exam preparation. Explore free and paid options here MCAT prep
MCAT Preparation Resources
MCAT prep feeling tough? Gold Standard MCAT offers tons of help: clear info on scoring, topics, dates, solid advice, and free sample questions. Practice realistically with our full-length tests. Learn flexibly with our self-paced courses. We're here to help you feel ready and succeed! Get started with these resources.
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 |
Gold Standard MCAT provides an abundance of resources to support your exam preparation. Explore free and paid options here MCAT prep
