How long does the average person study for the MCAT?
Asked by: Alyce Hagenes | Last update: October 9, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (2 votes)
Believe it or not, most students who do well on the MCAT spend between 200 and 300 hours preparing for the exam. 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.
How many hours a day to study for MCAT?
An MCAT study schedule with a full time job or for a student going to school may look more like 2 to 3 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 5 to 6 months. Those planning to study full-time, on the other hand, may end up studying 6 to 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 2 to 3 months.
Is 3 months of MCAT studying enough?
Making a plan is a crucial aspect of prepping for the MCAT exam—and it can also be one of the most difficult. Experts recommend that students spend 300-350 hours studying. Three months might seem like plenty of time, but you'll need to smartly structure your days in order to score competitively.
Is 2 months enough to prepare for MCAT?
According to the AAMC, an average pre-med student should spend roughly 240 hours studying for the MCAT for three months (approximately 90 days). That means that 60 days might not be enough.
Is 500 hours enough for MCAT?
You want to go into this process with the goal of taking the exam once, while it is okay to retake it, if needed. It is a costly exam, both of your time and financially; so, dedicating at least 500-600 hours to study content, and taking 10-12 practice exams will provide you with a solid study plan.
How Much Time Does It Take To Prepare for the MCAT?
Is the MCAT the hardest exam?
The MCAT is considered one of the toughest grad school entrance exams in the US. It tests biology, physics, and critical thinking, so prep and sharp thinking are crucial. With dedicated study and practice, many students achieve the scores needed for med school.
Is 6 months too long for MCAT?
With 6 months to study, you can comfortably prepare for the MCAT while balancing your academic, extracurricular, and personal commitments.
What is the 99th percentile on the MCAT?
528 is the highest MCAT score possible, which corresponds to the 100th percentile. Anything above a 524 is also a 100th percentile score, and a 522 or 523 is a 99th percentile score.
What time of year is the MCAT the easiest?
There's no magical time period where the MCAT is easier. It's a challenging exam no matter the month you choose. Some feel prepared to take the MCAT after their sophomore year, while others decide to wait until their senior year of undergrad.
What is a competitive MCAT score?
A good MCAT score is generally considered to be 511 or higher, with no section score below 127. The MCAT, also known as the Medical College Admission Test, is a computer-based standardized exam designed to assess your potential as a medical student and doctor.
Is it OK to take MCAT 3 times?
RETAKE POLICIES
MCAT examinees can test up to three times in one calendar year and four times across two calendar years. An examinee cannot take the exam more than seven times in their lifetime. Not showing up for an exam counts as an attempt toward the lifetime limit.
Is MCAT all multiple-choice?
The MCAT is completely multiple choice. The score range of each of the 4 MCAT sections is 118-132, for a total perfect score of 528. The lowest possible score is 472. Each of the 4 sections is worth 25% of your final score.
Which MCAT prep book is best?
- The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam, 5th Edition. ...
- Kaplan's MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review, 2022-2023. ...
- The Princeton Review's MCAT Subject Review Complete Set, 3rd Edition. ...
- Kaplan's MCAT 528 Advanced Prep, 2021-2022. ...
- Test Prep Books' MCAT Prep Books 2022-2023, 6th Edition.
How hard is it to get a 517 on MCAT?
According to recent AAMC stats, a 517 on the MCAT is not a bad score because it's an above-average MCAT score, and it is competitive for med-school admission: A 517 is 94 percentile rank on the MCAT. * The current average MCAT score is at the 501 mark, and a 517 is 16 points ahead of that score.
What is the perfect MCAT score?
A 528 is the highest MCAT score that you can achieve by scoring a perfect 132 in each of the four MCAT sections. Each of the four MCAT sections is scored from a 118 to a 132, and when you add these four sections up, you can score anywhere between a 472 and a 528.
Do schools care how many times you take the MCAT?
You can take the MCAT up to three times in a single year, four times over two consecutive years, and up to seven times in your lifetime, according to AAMC rules. You should limit attempts to three times with score improvement each time to avoid negative impacts on your medical school applications.
What is the hardest subject in MCAT?
While the MCAT CARS is often considered the toughest MCAT section, the hardest MCAT subject will vary. One test-taker might find the biology subjects to be harder than chemistry, because of the huge amount of information covered. Or you might struggle more with physics and math than biology subjects.
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.
Is there an MCAT curve?
There is no curve associated with the MCAT® exam. Instead, the MCAT exam is scaled and equated so that scores have the same meaning, no matter when you test. Learn more about how the exam is scored.
How rare is a 528 MCAT?
A score of 528 on the MCAT places you in the 100th percentile of individuals who have taken the test. Based on the AAMC's Summary of MCAT Total and Section Scores, we can approximate that 0.020% of individuals managed to achieve a perfect score on their MCAT.
Is 504 a good MCAT score?
Considering that a 504 is quite close to the average MCAT score of a 501, it's not very competitive for med-school admission. With a 504, you might make some med-school score cutoffs, but the rest of your application needs to be very competitive to make you a viable candidate for most med-schools.
How much does the MCAT cost?
The cost for standard MCAT registration is $335. Students who qualify for the AAMC's Fee Assistance Program can register for $140, while international registration costs an additional $120.
What is the shortest time to study for the MCAT?
MCAT 1-Month Study Schedule
This is the shortest timeline we recommend and is not ideal for full-time workers or students. This schedule requires reviewing everything in the first week, and using the remaining three weeks to practice test and review missed questions.
Is Khan Academy good for MCAT?
Yes, Khan Academy's MCAT practice questions are highly regarded for their realism.