Your MCAT exam preparation should be based on your schedule, understanding of the content tested, and the concepts you still need to learn and practice applying.
The following steps will help you learn the content and skills you’re responsible for knowing on test day and get you started on a path to success.
Learn What’s on the MCAT Exam and Assess Your Knowledge
- Review the official content outline PDF for the MCAT exam.
- Take the free AAMC MCAT Official Prep Sample Test (AAMC login required) to establish your baseline knowledge level.
- Review your Sample Test score report by selecting one of the four test sections.
- Select the Content & Skills Breakdown tab to identify your knowledge gaps.
- Open the free What's on the MCAT Exam Content Outline course (AAMC login required) in the MCAT Official Prep Hub. It includes the same content as the PDF version and includes links to open-access textbooks and Khan Academy lessons.
- Match up the Content & Skills Breakdown tab of your score report with the MCAT Content Outline course.
- Based on your Sample Test score results, assign a low, medium or high confidence level for each content area in the Content Outline course.
- Select low confidence for topics you need to learn for the first time and medium confidence for topics you already learned and need to refresh. You will need to repeat this process with each test section.
Study and Practice Cycle
While it’s normal to forget things you’ve learned, you can prevent this with active learning techniques. These strategies will help you deeply grasp concepts, which is crucial for performing well on the MCAT exam, during medical school, and as a physician.
- Use an effective study practice cycle1 to sharpen your knowledge and track your progress.
- Your baseline assessment will determine the time it takes to complete each step.
- Active learning requires more than just reading or watching a video. You must engage in the learning process through recall, practice, and reflection, consistently revisiting content throughout the process and assessing your understanding of each topic.
Accessible version of infographic: Study and Practice Cycle
Using Practice Exams
One way to test your specific content knowledge and apply that knowledge is to complete full-length exams. Make sure in between practice exams that you have worked on a significant amount of your weaknesses to ensure score improvement. Here are some tips for how to best utilize your practice exams:
- Take the AAMC MCAT Official Prep Free Practice Exam under test-day timing conditions and get familiar with the exam’s functionality.
- Plan how to comfortably answer questions within time limits.
- Do a complete review of all incorrect or flagged questions. Through the review process, you should identify why you missed questions and how you will address those issues.
- Spend your time between practice exams reviewing content areas where you made mistakes.
For more information, check out How to Create a Study Plan for the MCAT Exam.
1.Test-Enhanced Learning Study Cycle (Adapted from Swan Sein A., Cuffney F., Clinchot D. "How to help students strategically prepare for the MCAT exam and learn foundational knowledge needed for medical school." Academic Medicine. 2020;95:484.