Is 5 months enough for MCAT prep?

Yes, for most students six months is enough time to study for the MCAT. Kaplan recommends studying for the MCAT over a period of four to six months for a total of 300 to 350 hours. Getting started on your MCAT studies early means you'll have more time to focus on each subject area and overall MCAT test strategy.

Is 5 months too long to study for MCAT?

Most people need 10–15 hours per week to study for the MCAT over a period of at least four to six months . In total, you should aim for at least 200 to 300 hours of MCAT study time.

Is it possible to study for the MCAT in 4 months?

We recommend following a three-month MCAT study plan to adequately prepare for the exam, although longer and shorter timelines are possible with a well-crafted schedule. That said, if you are working or studying full-time, you should give yourself more time to avoid burnout.

What is the shortest time to study for the MCAT?

1-month MCAT study schedule

If you have one month to study for the MCAT, you know that you have no time to waste. It is possible to study on this short timeline if you have 7–8 hours every day to devote exclusively to MCAT studying.

Is 120 days enough for MCAT?

There are so many factors that go into deciding how long to spend studying for the MCAT. You want to give yourself enough time that you're well prepared, but you don't want to spend so long in the depths of MCAT world that you burn out. Studying for anywhere from 3 to 6 months is fairly typical.

How I Consistently Study with a Full Time Job: My Scheduling Formula

Is 6 months too long to study for MCAT?

Every single student is different in the number of weeks, months, and hours they put into studying for the MCAT. On average, students spend between 3-6 months studying for the test. In general, it's recommended to spend between 200-300 hours of dedicated study.

How hard is it to get a 511 on the MCAT?

A 511 on the MCAT currently corresponds to the 81st percentile, meaning that fewer than 20% of testers achieve a 511 or higher.

Should I take the MCAT in 3 or 4 months?

Three months is the minimum amount of time most students should study for the MCAT. With just a few months before test day, you'll need to spend a good amount of time studying each week if you want to score competitively on the MCAT.

What is the easiest month to take the MCAT?

There's no magical time period where the MCAT is easier. It's a challenging exam no matter the month you choose. Some feel prepared to take the MCAT after their sophomore year, while others decide to wait until their senior year of undergrad.

Is studying 4 hours a day enough for MCAT?

For most people, they can productively study for 6-8 hours a day. Some may be able to do slightly more, and some slightly less. It may take even very person to person and day to day. Some days you may feel extraordinarily productive and study for 8, and some days you may be feeling less into it and only get in 5 hours.

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.

What is the ideal timeframe for MCAT study?

How long should I study 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.

Is Khan Academy enough for MCAT content review?

Although this Khan Academy material is sufficient as a stand-alone MCAT preparation, it should still be combined with lots of additional practice. Additionally, do not expect Khan Academy to provide the knowledge required to bring you entirely up to speed if you are bridging any knowledge gaps for the MCAT.

Is 3 months enough to study for MCAT?

An MCAT study schedule with a full time job or for a student going to school may look more like 2 to 3 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 5 to 6 months. Those planning to study full-time, on the other hand, may end up studying 6 to 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 2 to 3 months.

Should I take a full length MCAT before I start studying?

We've hammered this point home a few times now, but it's worth repeating one last time in closing: you absolutely must take a full length MCAT diagnostic test before starting your exam preparation. And not just any practice exam!

How to prepare for the MCAT in 6 months?

What month is the most popular to take the MCAT?

Are the March, April, and May 2024 exams right for you? March, April, and May have historically been—and will likely continue to be—the most popular testing months because they occur before the application cycle opens in June.

What month do most people take the MCAT?

So, if you're also submitting applications within these systems, you'll most likely want to take the MCAT by mid-May or the end of April, at the very latest. Of course, most medical schools don't really review your application until you submit their secondary application.

How many times do most students take the MCAT?

Although you can take the MCAT up to seven times in your lifetime, that number certainly doesn't reflect how many times you should be taking the MCAT. Taking the MCAT twice is fine; even three times shouldn't impact your admissions too much. However, any more tries can begin to damage your application.

How late is too late to take the MCAT?

If you're okay with submitting your application before knowing your score, then late June/early July is okay. Taking it any later than that may delay your consideration by your schools, which is detrimental in a process where there are a limited number of interviews and seats.

Is a 518 a good MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 518 on the MCAT means you performed in the 97% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 129 (C/P) 130 (CARS) 129 (B/B) 130 (P/S).

When should I take the MCAT if I graduate in 2025?

So if you're planning to become a first-year medical student in August 2025, then take the MCAT in April or May of 2024.

What is a bad first MCAT score?

So, technically speaking, a bad MCAT score would be anything below 500. However, in order to be a competitive applicant, you should aim to score much higher than 500. A good MCAT score largely depends on the schools you are applying to.

Is a 517 MCAT too low?

A 517 MCAT score is not just good; it's outstanding. Scoring a 517 puts you in the top 10% of all test-takers, and it can significantly boost your chances of getting accepted into your dream medical school.

Should I retake a 505 MCAT?

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 505.