How early should I arrive to MCAT?

Plan to arrive at the testing center 30 minutes prior to the exam start time. Test center Administrators will start checking in examinees 30 minutes before your exam starts. It's best to plan and know how to get to your testing center and how long it will take.

Should I take the MCAT early?

The best time to take the MCAT is early. Give yourself plenty of time to study and prepare for the MCAT so you can earn a high score and devote the rest of your time to your personal essays and letters of recommendation for medical school. Remember not to wait too long to apply after taking the MCAT.

Does the MCAT start at 8am?

The standard start time is 8:00 a.m. each day unless otherwise noted below. Scores are released by 5:00 p.m. ET on the scheduled score release date. All scheduling deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. local test center time on the day of the deadline.

What should I do the day before MCAT?

The Day Before The MCAT: Relax and Recharge

The day before your MCAT exam should be a balance of mental and physical preparation. Instead of cramming in more study time, give your brain a rest! Do something fun—get out of doors, spend time with friends and family, and don't think too much about the MCAT exam.

Can you drink water during MCAT?

During your scheduled breaks, you may access only food, water, and medication.

5 Things I Wish I Knew About the MCAT

What if I have to pee during MCAT?

Go to the restroom right after your check-in and during all your breaks, even if you do not feel you have to. This way, you will not have to take time away from your actual testing to go to the restroom. If you do feel you have to go throughout a section, you can still do so.

Can I use the bathroom during MCAT breaks?

You may also leave the testing room during the break to access food, drink, or medicines, or to use the restroom. The remaining time from a section you finished early or a skipped break will not carry over to the next section of the exam.

Should I sleep in the day before my MCAT?

Sleep is essential in helping your mind consolidate the information you have studied and preparing you for the next day. You should aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep the night before your MCAT exam.

Is studying 4 hours a day enough for MCAT?

If you have two months to study for the MCAT, we recommend studying 5–6 hours per day. With two months of prep time, you can devote more study time to test content, though you'll still want to prioritize test strategy, as strategy will likely have a greater influence on your score.

Should I shower before MCAT?

Create an MCAT Prep Schedule

0600-0800: Wake up, perform morning activities, shower. 0800-1100: Study for the MCAT (practice questions, test reviews, or chapter readings) 1100-1300: Take a break, eat lunch.

Can I chew gum during MCAT?

Can you chew gum during the MCAT? Nope. You are not allowed to chew gum when you are in the physical testing room in front of the computer. You can, however, chew gum when you are on any of the three breaks.

What do you wear to the MCAT?

What is the easiest month to take the MCAT?

In addition, a lot of students choose to take the MCAT in January because there is usually a lot of break time leading up to the test date, which provides a nice chunk of time for them to focus on MCAT prep without the distraction of classes and finals.

Does a bad first MCAT affect chances?

No matter what, admissions committees will see all of your MCAT scores. While taking the test twice is unlikely to impact your admissions decision, if you end up taking the MCAT three or more times could make them question if you're prepared for the challenges of medical school.

Does a bad first MCAT score matter?

While it's true that you can take the MCAT three times in the same year and seven times in a lifetime, medical schools can see how you scored on each attempt. If you score even lower on a second or third attempt, admissions committees will not see you as a worthwhile investment.

Can you take the MCAT too early?

You can take the MCAT as early as you want, but most medical schools want a score from within the last 3 years. Ambitious test takers can take the MCAT after their sophomore year, but it's often better to wait.

Is the MCAT a lot of memorization?

Yes, the MCAT involves a lot of memorization. Subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology require memorizing important details and principles.

Is 200 hours enough for the MCAT?

Believe it or not, most students who do well on the MCAT spend between 200 and 300 hours preparing for the exam. When you start your prep will be determined by your test date and by what other work and academic commitments you have—usually 3 to 6 months before your exam.

What is a competitive MCAT score?

Our medical school admission experts recommend that you aim for a total score of 511 or above. This score places you in the 81 ^st percentile of MCAT scores, according to AAMC.

How do I calm down before the MCAT?

Preparing mentally and physically for the MCAT exam can help reduce anxiety and improve performance. Some useful tips include getting enough rest and sleep, eating nutritious foods, engaging in regular exercise, and practicing stress-management techniques.

How do you celebrate after MCAT?

Plan a Post-Exam Celebration

Planning your get-together with friends and/or family after the exam is a great way to put yourself in a good mood. You've earned the chance to blow off steam and congratulate yourself on surviving the MCAT!

What should I do 3 days before my MCAT?

Focus on topics you have seen before but don't have fully memorized. 3-5 days before the test is far enough out that new practice problems can be done. If you haven't exhausted the AAMC question packs and section bank, use those now (and convert those questions into predicted AAMC scores using our Study Plan).

Can you check your phone during MCAT breaks?

You can put your cellphone in the locker as long as it's turned off. But generally, leave your cellphone at home or in the car.

Can you wear ear plugs during MCAT?

Earplugs and/or headsets (available at the test center) to assist with noise reduction. Individual storage for medication, food, and drink (accessible during scheduled breaks) Ability to adjust monitor height and brightness (with assistance from test center staff)

Is it OK to fail the MCAT?

Retaking the MCAT isn't a red flag, and even three attempts may not impact your admissions decision, although we recommend performing your best on the first two tests.