Whether you’re just getting started with MCAT prep or hoping to boost a plateaued MCAT score, you’re in the right place. The MCAT is a beast, but the good news? You can train for it—and dramatically improve your MCAT score—with the right strategy, tools, and mindset.
In this guide, we’ll cover what makes the MCAT different from your college exams, how to study smarter (not harder), and what separates high scorers from the rest. You’ll also find actionable study tips, practice recommendations, and links to other helpful resources.
Our goal? Help you improve your MCAT score and secure your medical school acceptance!
Table of Contents
- Why the MCAT Is Different From Other Exams
- How to Analyze MCAT Questions and Answer Choices
- How to Improve Your MCAT Study Process
- How to Use AAMC Practice Exams
- How to Handle MCAT Trouble Topics
Why the MCAT Is Different From College Exams
To boost your MCAT score, you need to understand how the MCAT tests you differently from your typical pre-med exams.
1. The MCAT Tests Application, Not Just Memorization
The MCAT isn’t just about memorizing a mountain of facts—it’s about applying your knowledge to new and unfamiliar scenarios, particularly in passage-based questions. While there’s a significant amount of content to master, your success on the exam doesn’t hinge solely on how much you can remember. Instead, it’s about your ability to effectively apply what you’ve learned.
2. It’s Also An Endurance Test
When was the last time you took an 8-hour exam? From start to finish, the MCAT is about 7.5 hours. Most students have never experienced something like this before. Mental fatigue is real. If you’re not building stamina in your MCAT prep, you’re setting yourself up for burnout during your practice tests and on test day.
3. CARS Is a Whole Different Animal
Although the MCAT CARS section draws comparisons to the reading sections of other standardized tests (think ACT and SAT), this section is entirely different.
Whereas college admissions exams test comprehension of material directly present in the passage, CARS passages require you to understand various points of view from the passage and then use that information to answer inferential questions. As a result, many answers to CARS questions cannot directly be found in the passage and require students to put themselves in the author’s POV and think from another perspective.
CARS isn’t about skimming for answers. You need a strong grasp of argument structure.
Further Reading
How to Analyze MCAT Questions and Answer Choices
Remember, although the MCAT is a content-heavy exam, it’s not simply about memorization. Strategy is a critical part of your approach. Developing your strategy will also go a long way in helping you improve your MCAT score.
MCAT question analysis strategies vary by section. For Chem/Phys and Bio/Biochem questions, use the questions to guide where you look in the passage. Highlight formulas or figures early. For MCAT CARS questions, avoid rereading the passage every time. Students often struggle for time on the CARS section, and this can be caused by repeatedly searching for answers within the passage. It is critical to have a consistent annotation strategy that works for you.
Eliminate Strategically
In terms of analyzing answer choices, one of the most commonly used strategies is the process of elimination. First, take your time to read the question itself. Misreading the question can make many students stumble. After understanding the question, make sure to read each answer choice carefully and begin the process of elimination in your head.
The MCAT test writers are experts at throwing in distractors. Learn how to predict distractors and how the test writers reached some of those other “incorrect” answers.
How to Improve Your MCAT Study Process
A study plan is one of the most essential components of your MCAT prep journey. This isn’t just a simple calendar reminder to study for an hour a few times a week. An effective MCAT study plan meticulously outlines every aspect of your preparation, detailing which concepts and topics you’ll cover on specific days, when you’ll complete practice sets, and when you’ll take and review full-length practice tests.
The best study plans follow a blended approach, mixing in content review with practice. (Note: Do not skimp on the practice.)
Content Review
You need to get familiar with what is on the MCAT. Content review should follow the official AAMC MCAT Content Outline so there are no surprises. Be thorough, but don’t fall into the trap of passive review.
Tips for Effective Content Review:
- Use multiple formats: video lectures, flashcards, textbooks.
- Focus on high-yield MCAT topics.
- Revisit old topics regularly—spaced repetition is your friend.
- Incorporate active recall.
Further Reading
💻 Active Learning Tips for the MCAT
Practice Exams, Practice Questions, and Targeted Review
You don’t need to wait to “finish” your content review to start practicing. You can do practice questions as you’re going through your review to help you master the information. However, you’ll also need to take regular practice MCAT exams to gauge your progress and eventually build your stamina. Begin with untimed practice, gradually moving to timed conditions to build speed without sacrificing accuracy. The timing will start to come naturally.
With the MCAT, mastery of a certain concept doesn’t necessarily guarantee correct answers. You must acclimate to how the topics are presented. Use the practice exams to analyze trends in the types of questions you miss. Are they due to:
- Content lapses
- Issues interpreting lab results
- Lack of research methodology understanding
- Mental math errors
- Something else
Thoroughly review missed topics before taking the next practice exams. Initially, use third-party practice exams (like Blueprint MCAT practice tests) as you get accustomed to the format of the MCAT. Then, switch to AAMC practice exams.
For MCAT CARS specifically, the first goal is to identify an annotation strategy that best suits you. Then it’s a matter of perfecting that strategy and practicing on as many passages as possible. By the time you take the real MCAT, you should never have a question of what strategy to use. This should be second nature.
Tips for Effective MCAT Practice:
- Take a full-length exam every 1–2 weeks.
- Review each exam thoroughly, including everything you got wrong AND right.
- Keep a wrong answer/Lessons Learned Journal to track patterns and gaps
- Test under test-like conditions (preferably same time, breaks, etc.).
- Aim to take seven to ten practice tests before test day.
Further Reading
How to Use AAMC Practice Exams Strategically
The AAMC full-lengths and other practice resources are the most representative practice available. You absolutely need to include them in your MCAT prep. Here’s how to get the most out of them:
- Don’t burn them too early. Potentially save them for the last phase of your MCAT prep.
- Monitor your practice MCAT scores closely. Aiming to be within 10 points of your goal score a month out and within 5 points two weeks before the exam is a good benchmark.
- Timing becomes an important factor in this phase.
Further Reading
How to Handle MCAT Topic Trouble Areas
When struggling with an MCAT topic, it’s important to tackle it in multiple ways. If you read a book chapter on the topic, miss a question, and then re-read the same book chapter, you may not be consolidating your understanding of the topic in the best way.
The amount of time spent on a tough topic depends on the yield of the topic. If it’s a topic that you repeatedly see showing up, you may need to spend additional time reviewing it so that you can minimize your errors.
For topics that are lower-yield (magnetism, pipes/waves, etc.), you may escape with a more surface-level understanding. Of course, if you have the time, review these topics to ensure that if any questions arise, you are comfortable answering them.
The MCAT is about efficiency and time management. However, it’s important to know where to spend your time if you want to improve your MCAT score.
Want More Help To Improve Your MCAT Score?
✅ What Is a Good MCAT Score?
✅ The Ultimate 6-Month MCAT Study Schedule
✅ When to Take the MCAT
✅ How Long Do I Need to Prep for the MCAT?
✅ Should You Retake the MCAT?
✅ Best MCAT Prep Resources (Free!)
🎓 Final Thoughts
The MCAT feels overwhelming, but improving your MCAT can’t be left to chance. It comes down to strategy and consistency. Whether you’re starting from a diagnostic of 490 or aiming to push past 515, a better score is within reach—and we can help you get there!
Whether you need the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, the instruction of a live 515+ Course, or the 1:1 attention of a private MCAT tutor, Blueprint MCAT has the MCAT prep option that works for your learning style!
Get started with a free MCAT diagnostic, one free practice exam, and tons more MCAT prep resources.
