How to Create a Study Plan
for the MCAT® Exam
MCAT® is a program of the
Association of American Medical Colleges
aamc.org/mcat
, How to Create a Study Plan for the MCAT® Exam
Contents
Introduction 2
AAMC Fee Assistance Program 5
MCAT Exam With Accommodations 5
Step 1: Find Out Everything You Can About the Exam 6
Step 2: Figure Out Where You Stand: How Much Do You Know? 7
Step 3: Gather Free and Low-Cost Resources to Help You Prepare 8
Step 4: Create Your Study Plan 10
Step 5: Study and Practice 11
Step 6: Prepare for Test Day 12
Inspirational Stories 13
Worksheets
How Much Do You Know? 14
Inventory of Resources and Strategies 16
Study Plan 18
Study Plan Schedule 20
Association of
1
American Medical Colleges
, How to Create a Study Plan for the MCAT® Exam
Introduction
Taking the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) is a milestone on your path to becoming a physician. One of the
most frequently asked questions is, “What is the best way to prepare for the exam?” The answer is, there’s no conclusive
evidence about a right or wrong way to prepare. You should assess your own schedule and confidence in your knowledge
of the content areas covered on the exam to create a study plan that works best for you.
The AAMC developed this guide to help you design a study plan around the time you have available to prepare and
assess the topics you need to focus on the most. The guide will walk you through six steps to creating a personalized
MCAT preparation strategy. It also provides information on how to use free and low-cost resources with the time you
have available on the topics you need to focus on most.
The guide also includes links to testimonials and inspiring stories from medical students and physicians who have
overcome significant obstacles to perform well on the MCAT exam (page 13). Finally, worksheets in this guide help
you keep track of your progress and schedule as you move through your timeline.
! Do you prefer to track your progress online? Check out the digital version of this study plan guide by logging in to
the MCAT Official Prep Hub with your AAMC credentials.
2018 PMQ Data Time spent Percentage of
preparing respondents
After taking the MCAT exam, examinees have an opportunity
to share feedback on their experience through the Post-MCAT Weeks
Questionnaire (PMQ). Here’s what PMQ respondents told us when 0-8 26%
asked how much time they spent preparing for the MCAT exam.
9-12 27%
13-16 19%
More than 16 28%
Hours per week
0-10 21%
11-20 28%
21-30 22%
More than 30 29%
Association of
2
American Medical Colleges
for the MCAT® Exam
MCAT® is a program of the
Association of American Medical Colleges
aamc.org/mcat
, How to Create a Study Plan for the MCAT® Exam
Contents
Introduction 2
AAMC Fee Assistance Program 5
MCAT Exam With Accommodations 5
Step 1: Find Out Everything You Can About the Exam 6
Step 2: Figure Out Where You Stand: How Much Do You Know? 7
Step 3: Gather Free and Low-Cost Resources to Help You Prepare 8
Step 4: Create Your Study Plan 10
Step 5: Study and Practice 11
Step 6: Prepare for Test Day 12
Inspirational Stories 13
Worksheets
How Much Do You Know? 14
Inventory of Resources and Strategies 16
Study Plan 18
Study Plan Schedule 20
Association of
1
American Medical Colleges
, How to Create a Study Plan for the MCAT® Exam
Introduction
Taking the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) is a milestone on your path to becoming a physician. One of the
most frequently asked questions is, “What is the best way to prepare for the exam?” The answer is, there’s no conclusive
evidence about a right or wrong way to prepare. You should assess your own schedule and confidence in your knowledge
of the content areas covered on the exam to create a study plan that works best for you.
The AAMC developed this guide to help you design a study plan around the time you have available to prepare and
assess the topics you need to focus on the most. The guide will walk you through six steps to creating a personalized
MCAT preparation strategy. It also provides information on how to use free and low-cost resources with the time you
have available on the topics you need to focus on most.
The guide also includes links to testimonials and inspiring stories from medical students and physicians who have
overcome significant obstacles to perform well on the MCAT exam (page 13). Finally, worksheets in this guide help
you keep track of your progress and schedule as you move through your timeline.
! Do you prefer to track your progress online? Check out the digital version of this study plan guide by logging in to
the MCAT Official Prep Hub with your AAMC credentials.
2018 PMQ Data Time spent Percentage of
preparing respondents
After taking the MCAT exam, examinees have an opportunity
to share feedback on their experience through the Post-MCAT Weeks
Questionnaire (PMQ). Here’s what PMQ respondents told us when 0-8 26%
asked how much time they spent preparing for the MCAT exam.
9-12 27%
13-16 19%
More than 16 28%
Hours per week
0-10 21%
11-20 28%
21-30 22%
More than 30 29%
Association of
2
American Medical Colleges
