What grade should I start studying for the MCAT?

Students who are strong academically may choose to take the MCAT this early and begin studying for the test in the spring of their sophomore year if they wish to apply to medical school as soon as possible. However, most students will want to study for and take the MCAT during a break period from their studies.

When should I start studying for MCAT?

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. View upcoming MCAT test dates, so you can start making a study schedule.

In what grade do you take the MCAT?

In this guide, we mentioned that the earliest you should take the MCAT is the summer following your sophomore year, and that recommendation was for someone who is not planning to take a gap year. If you do plan to take a gap year, you will have a bit of a buffer and some more time.

Do I take MCAT junior or senior year?

The MCAT is something that requires planning and should not be taken on a whim. The ideal time to take the MCAT is the spring of your junior year of college, if you plan to attend medical school immediately following graduation.

What year of school should you take the MCAT?

You should aim to take the MCAT after your sophomore year of undergrad. At this point, you've taken most, if not all, of the prerequisite courses, so you should have a firm grasp of the material.

SIMPLE MCAT Study Plan | How I scored a 520 (97th percentile) in less than 7 minutes

Is freshman year too early to study for MCAT?

While you certainly won't know all of the information on the MCAT this early on, you can spend time reviewing course content starting in freshman year. Focus on taking good notes that you can carry throughout the years, and test yourself regularly on what you've learned.

At what age do most people take the MCAT?

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. At what age can you take the MCAT? There is no age requirement for taking the MCAT.

When should I stop studying before MCAT?

The day before the MCAT should be for decompressing and mentally preparing yourself for the coming day. At noon (at the latest, but preferably starting the morning 24 hours before your test) close all your books and stop studying.

When should I take the MCAT if I want to start med school in 2024?

To determine when you want to take the MCAT figure out what year you would like to start medical school. We recommend that you should have the MCAT completed at least 1.5 years ahead of that date. For instance, if you want to start med school Fall 2024 you should have the MCAT done by Spring of 2024.

What is the lowest grade on MCAT?

The AAMC converts the number of correct questions you answered into scaled scores for each of the four sections. The AAMC adds the scaled scores from each section to calculate your total scaled MCAT score, ranging from 472 (lowest) to 528 (highest).

What score is 100% on MCAT?

They act as placeholders, however, and can be useful in better understanding the score range. Scores of 524-528 are in the 100th percentile, meaning no one has achieved them.

Is a 480 bad on the MCAT?

Attaining a score of 480 on the MCAT means you performed in the 3% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 123 (C/P) 118 (CARS) 118 (B/B) 121 (P/S).

Does GPA matter for MCAT?

If your GPA is on the low side, you'll need higher MCAT scores to compensate. But remember: Although grades and scores play a large role in your application, medical schools are also interested in who you are, why you want to be a physician, and whether or not you have a clue about what being a doctor is really like.

How do freshmen start preparing for the MCAT?

Start preparation and practice early.

“I would take the practice exams earlier. I would start the flash cards from the beginning.” He suggested taking practice exams early to give examinees time to address any knowledge gaps and to learn how to apply their knowledge to the MCAT exam style of questions.

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 many hours of MCAT studying is needed?

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.

When should I apply for med school if I want to start in 2025?

For example, if you plan to start medical school in August of 2025 you will submit your applications in May of 2024. It is best to start preparing for the medical school application process in January or February of the year you plan to apply.

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.

Can I get into DO school with a 490 MCAT?

Based on the average accepted MCAT scores and minimum required MCAT scores at medical schools in the US and medical schools in Canada, you'll need a minimum score in the 490-495 range to be accepted into any medical school that requires the MCAT. Anything lower than 490 is very unlikely to be acceptable.

Does taking the MCAT 3 times look bad?

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.

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.

Does the MCAT require 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.

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 average age to finish medical school?

Usually, students graduate medical school at 26, followed by three years of internship and residency. Add to that an additional three to seven years for a specialty, and most doctors don't begin their careers until well in their thirties.

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.