How early should I be for the 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.

How far in advance should I prepare 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.

How early should I wake up for MCAT?

Adjust your sleep/study schedule, so you're at your best for a morning MCAT. 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.: Wake up, breakfast, quick morning walk/run or workout, shower.

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.

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.

When should you take the MCAT? | Medical School Application Guide

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.

Can you drink water during MCAT?

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

Does a bad first MCAT affect chances?

They will take each into consideration, so even if your second or third score is better than your first, there's a chance that one bad score can still ruin your chances of getting accepted. Your score might be lower -- Of course, there's always a chance that your retest score is worse than your previous one.

What time of year is the MCAT the easiest?

You want to make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare and study everything you've learned throughout your undergrad so you have a strong foundation for medical school. There's no magical time period where the MCAT is easier. It's a challenging exam no matter the month you choose.

Is it hard to pass the MCAT?

Some will find it very tough while others might be able to breeze through it. Depending on one's skills, knowledge, and level of preparation, the MCAT can prove to be very hard or manageable. Only a few will dare say that it's easy, however.

What month is too late for MCAT?

May 24, 2024 is the the latest date of the 2024/25 cycle to take the test to give yourself a shot at an acceptance. The latest date you can technically take the MCAT in 2024 is September 14, but this is only useful for students planning on taking a gap year or who know they'll retake the test the following spring.

Should I sleep in the day before my MCAT?

The day before the MCAT should be the perfect simulation of the big day. A huge part of this is making sure you sleep on time and get up when your alarm goes off (as if it was the actual MCAT test day). Organize your materials – you need to make sure that everything is good to go for the next morning.

Is studying 4 hours a day enough for MCAT?

You should aim to study for at least 300 hours for the exam. In other words, if you study for 3 months (~90 days), you should average a little over 3 hours each day. Be sure to select your test date carefully. Your study schedule will be constructed around this date.

How many times can you take the MCAT before it looks bad?

This is because taking the MCAT too many times does not reflect well on your medical school application. If you're looking for additional material to help study and avoid taking the test again, consider Magoosh's MCAT prep! Basically, you should take the MCAT no more than three times.

Is one year too long to study for MCAT?

Well… not always, and certainly not in the case of the MCAT. It might seem logical to spend as much time as possible studying for the MCAT — one year, even two. However, spending too much time studying won't do much to improve your score and will probably even lead to burnout.

What month is best for MCAT?

Aim to take the MCAT as early in the year as possible, preferably no later than mid-May before AMCAS application submissions begin in early June.

What is the hardest subject in MCAT?

Many students consider CARS the most difficult MCAT section, with AAMC data showing that the average CARS score is about 1 point lower than the other MCAT section scores. This is likely because CARS requires a different way of thinking through problems and can be more difficult to prepare for.

Do med schools average MCAT attempts?

How are multiple MCAT scores evaluated by admissions committees? While medical schools will see all your MCAT scores, admissions committees will use multiple scores in different ways, including: Considering your highest score only. Considering the average of every score.

Does taking the MCAT more than once look bad?

Retaking the test more than twice may reflect negatively on your application, so consider all factors before moving forward. If you're unsure how to improve your initial score, consider hiring an experienced MCAT tutor to boost your results.

Is retaking the MCAT a red flag?

If your score isn't what you hoped it would be, you can retake the test, but you also run the risk of performing even worse. Since schools can see each of your MCAT scores, this type of downward trend is a major red flag.

Should I retake a 515 MCAT?

Should I Retake The MCAT If My Score Is 515? Generally, we recommend retaking the MCAT if the MCAT score is not balanced among the four sections of the MCAT or your target med-school has a higher cut-off. For example, if you scored 126/130/130/129, the 126 sticks out and can be a red flag to med-schools.

Should I retake a 502 MCAT?

Should I Retake The MCAT If My Score Is 502? If you want to maximize your chances of achieving medical school acceptance, and if your overall application is not strong, we recommend you retake the MCAT if your score is 502.

Can you pee during MCAT breaks?

MCAT Bathroom Breaks

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 wear Apple Watch during MCAT?

The only items you may bring into the test room are as follows: your ID and a pair of foam earplugs provided by the test center. All personal items, including jewelry and watches, must be placed in secure storage prior to the test (as directed by the test administrator).

Does the MCAT have a dress code?

Choose clothing you are comfortable in. It's a long test, and you'll want your attention focused exclusively on the exam, not on what you're wearing. Test your clothing in advance to ensure you are able to sit comfortably for long stretches of time.