MCAT

MCAT · Updated October 26, 2026 · Page 1 of 2

Top 10 MCAT Studying Tips

Top MCAT studying tips: find weak areas with a diagnostic, follow a schedule, use Anki and free Khan Academy videos, and take full-length tests.

The best MCAT flashcards include Kaplan's 1,000-card set with app, Barron's seven-subject cards, and the AAMC's 150 official questions, now online.

A good MCAT score is near your target schools' average. Scores run 472-528, the test mean is about 501, and 2025 matriculants averaged 512.1.

A 3-month MCAT study schedule: about 20 hours a week of content review, then weekly full-length practice tests and a lighter final week.

The best classes to take before the MCAT are general and organic chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology, with labs.

You can take the MCAT three times in a testing year, four times in two years, and seven times in a lifetime; voids and no-shows count as attempts.

How hard is the MCAT? It's a 230-question, 7.5-hour exam across four sections, scored 472 to 528. See its structure and how to prepare well.

Most students study 200-300 hours for the MCAT over 3-6 months. Learn how to set your hours per week, schedule a test date, and avoid burnout.

No, you don't get a calculator on the MCAT. Learn which math skills the AAMC expects, from logarithms to square roots, and how to practice by hand.

MCAT scores don't expire, but medical schools generally accept scores from the past two or three years. Check each school's cutoff before applying.