How To Study For The MCAT in 1 Month

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Studying for the MCAT in 1 month takes serious focus and dedication, but it is not completely impossible. That’s because strategy and consistency are at least as important as the total number of hours studied. In our 1 month MCAT study plan, you will review the MCAT at a rate of about 30-40 hours per week.

The study schedule includes:

  • A schedule that covers every major area of the MCAT, in just four weeks
  • Study tips and practice materials
  • Free video lessons and flashcards, accessible 24/7

What to Expect from the 1 Month MCAT Study Plan

The 1 month MCAT study plan is designed to be followed at a rate of 5-8 hours per day, 6 days per week. However, you can always stretch it out or condense it to fit your needs. If you have less time than this, check out tips for how to increase MCAT score in 1 week.

In this schedule, each week, you will see a list of Magoosh videos to watch. There is time set aside each day for watching them, and the rest of the day you will be reviewing subject areas. There is also time at the end of most days to answer sample questions and/or quiz yourself with flashcards.

Click here for Magoosh's free high-yield MCAT videos

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Essential Materials for Your MCAT Study Schedule

Magoosh’s MCAT Product:

The​ Magoosh Premium MCAT Test Prep​ curriculum includes over 300 video lessons, 740 questions that can be taken as three tests, and unlimited email assistance from MCAT tutors. The lessons are taught by a diverse team of experts, including two physicians, a medical sociology professor, higher education physics teacher, current medical student, and a CARS expert.

The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam (5th Edition):

The​ Official Guide​, published by the Association of American Medical Colleges, is available in electronic and print formats. It is very important that you purchase the 5th, because the MCAT exam was reconstructed in 2015.

Magoosh’s WebApp Flashcards:

Magoosh’s WebApp flashcards are specifically designed for the new MCAT! Our free bundle contains 237 flashcards. This is a great starting place to assess your knowledge and improve your scientific vocabulary. The flashcards can be accessed online and as an app on your iPhone or Android.

AAMC Practice Test:

The practice test is a crucial tool, and our study plan suggests you take it within the first week. Not only will it give you with a scaled score, it also provides an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses, both in terms of content and question type.

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Additional Reading:

Bookmark at least 5 established online newspapers, news magazines, or sources that contain sophisticated coverage on current events. You can also read paper versions to give your eyes a break from looking at a screen.

Recommendations include:

Notebook(s):

One or more large notebooks or electronic documents divided by content area (biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, sociology, psychology, and CARS). You need a consistent place to store notes that allows you to quickly draw diagrams and write equations. Unless you have a computer or tablet with a high-quality stylus, a paper notebook is essential.

For a more detailed list of study materials, you should check out the “MCAT Essential Materials” and “MCAT Highly Recommended Materials” subsections in the 1 month MCAT study plan.

Click here for Magoosh's free high-yield MCAT videos

1 month MCAT study plan download - magoosh

Time to get started!

Ready to jump in? With four weeks of instruction, this study schedule definitely has you covered. If you’re feeling stressed about your upcoming exam, we’re here for you—check out our video on how to manage pre-med anxiety with mindfulness techniques. And don’t forget to leave us your feedback in the comments!

Happy studying! 🙂

Author

  • Kat Thomson

    Kat is the Senior Curriculum Manager at Magoosh with a specialty in the MCAT. She has a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Ph.D. in medical sociology from the University of California, San Francisco, where she earned the Distinguished Dissertation Award in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Kat has been teaching premed and nursing students since 2005 as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco, Bowdoin, and the University of California, Berkeley, while collaborating on multiple research projects and publications. In addition to the MCAT, Kat has taught courses in Research Methods, Gender, Global and Environmental Health, and others. She is passionate about increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in medicine and helping students get into the medical schools of their dreams. You can join Kat on Instagram and YouTube.

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