6-Month MCAT Study Plan and Preparation Guide

“If you had 6 months to prepare for the MCAT, what would you do in that time?” For many students, the plan looks something like this: pick a test date ‘far enough’ in the future, get some resources without knowing much about them, and study, study, study but without a strategic plan or measurable progress. There’s a myth… That it takes just 3 months to prepare for the MCAT. In working with thousands of premeds over the last decade I’ve seen this to be very far from the truth. The MCAT is not just about content. With so much to learn, remember, understand, and practice, 3 months is never enough!

While every student is different — and you are the only one who knows how much time you need once you get started — 6 months is typically the sweet spot for a student with ample daily study time, a reasonable science background, and a required baseline to target jump of up to 15 points. Follow along with the 6-Month MCAT Plan PDF Companion as you customize it to fit your specific situation and unique circumstances.

Who this plan is for

This 6 month MCAT study plan is specifically for students who:

• Can commit to near full-time MCAT study with limited external distractions (family, work, school).
• Are able to commit at least 25-30 hours per week towards MCAT prep (ie: Part-time job, kids who don’t need too much time, just 1-2 classes).
• Have a reasonable science foundation, who don’t need to relearn any complete subject slowly, and from scratch.
• Are looking to improve their MCAT scores by 10-15 points.

If you don’t fit the above criteria that’s ok. Simply stretch your study plan out to allot more weeks with fewer weekly study hours, missing science courses, or a higher target score jump. Remember, it’s better to postpone the MCAT on YOUR terms rather than to waste $355 by testing before you’re ready!

MCAT Plan Overview

With a 6-month plan, we’re going to look at 26 weeks of progress following my 3-phase approach. We’ll start with a baseline in week 0 and your MCAT at the start of week 27. We’ll include 2 buffer weeks, 1 each in Phase 1 and Phase 2 allowing for guilt-free downtime in case of holidays, birthdays, vacation, and travel, or illness/emergencies. If you don’t end up needing your buffer weeks, great! Use that time for review and additional practice.

Our plan will be broken down as follows:

• Week 0: Getting started, baseline, and resources
• Weeks 1-12: Phase 1
• Weeks 13-22: Phase 2
• Weeks 23-26: Phase 3
• Week 27: Test day and recovery

Week 0 – Baseline, Finalize Your Plan, Assemble Your Resources

I suggest taking some time to carefully create your plan and ensure you’re ready to go by day 1. You’re about to commit half of an entire YEAR to this plan, you can’t afford to be guessing at your goals. If you don’t already, find out EXACTLY where you stand by taking a baseline full-length and update your 6-Month Plan Companion PDF with the following data:

• Baseline MCAT Score: Section scores for C/P, CARS, B/B, and P/S.
• Target MCAT Score: Your ultimate goal.
• Required Score Increase: The Gap to Goal.

Remember, it’s not about ‘acing your baseline’ or worrying you forgot everything because you haven’t started studying yet. Instead, your baseline exam is meant to help you understand EXACTLY where you’re starting out as well as getting a true feel for the 7.5 hour MCAT experience. Do not use an official AAMC full-length for your baseline. Those are the best, most reliable resources saved for later phases.

At the end of the day, it’s not about how quickly you reach your goals. Instead, that you simply refuse to give up all the way to, and past, medical school!