Most MCAT students have a general MCAT score goal in mind before they start prepping. Think of it as the North Star that keeps you motivated and focused throughout the ups and downs of MCAT prep. Whether you’re zeroed in on getting the highest MCAT score you can or aiming for a perfect 528 MCAT score, who better to turn to for advice than those who’ve already accomplished this massive feat?
We asked two Blueprint MCAT tutors—Meera C. and Matthew Y.— to share the top tips they used to score a 528 MCAT score. From study strategies to test-taking techniques, get ready to learn from the best and increase your chances of achieving your goal MCAT score.
MCAT Scoring Overview
But first, let’s quickly go through the basics of MCAT scoring and MCAT score range.
MCAT scores are comprised of four scored sections. Each MCAT section is scored on a scale ranging from 118 to 132. The scores from all four sections are then added together to give a total score ranging from 472 to 528.
Your MCAT percentile compares your performance to that of other test takers. For example, a percentile rank of 95 (or being in the 95th percentile) means you performed better than 95% of the individuals who took the same MCAT.
Although a 528 MCAT score is the highest MCAT score possible, this does not mean you have to get every answer correct on your test. Since the exam is scaled, it’s possible to achieve a perfect score and still miss a few questions!
Further Reading
🤔 What Is the Average MCAT Score?
Tips for Scoring a 528 MCAT Score
Setting Yourself Up To Study
Make sure that your study environment sets you up for success.
- Choose a quiet and comfortable location with minimal distractions.
- Keep your study area organized. Research has shown that cluttered environments can make it more difficult to process and encode information.
If you WANT to study, it’ll be easier to do so. Find what makes you motivated and happy. This will help you focus and make you excited to wake up and learn.
- Play some music. It can be brain-boosting classical or your favorite genre. Whatever works best for you!
- Grab a beverage (i.e. coffee, tea, or water) to stay hydrated.
- You don’t need to be stuck in your room all the time. Study in an inspiring location, whether it’s a café, a park, or a nice library.
How To Study
Learn the difference between active vs. passive recall.
- Active recall involves engaging with the material to test yourself and see if you understand it. This helps you check if you know it or need to review it again.
- It’s also more engaging than passive techniques (such as reading or highlighting), giving you a greater chance for long-term retention.
- Examples of active recall for the MCAT are working through flashcards, practice questions, or teaching the concept to another person.
Plan your MCAT practice intentionally.
- Don’t do pure content review followed by pure testing. This is a mistake that many students fall into.
- Incorporate practice early while doing content review (which is very achievable with Blueprint’s free MCAT study plan). Otherwise, you’re going to forget all the content that you learned.
- Stay consistent with your MCAT prep. Matthew tried to do at least two science passages and up to two CARS passages a day.
- Complete as much AAMC practice as you can, especially in the last one to two months. This will get you into the groove of AAMC logic, which is essential for CARS.
- Review all your answers and practice, especially your MCAT full-length practice tests. Document the questions you got wrong as well as the ones you guessed on. You could type it out in a massive Google Doc, or just use Blueprint MCAT’s built-in Lessons Learned Journal and AI MCAT tutor, Blue, to save tons of time. Check out both resources in the free Blueprint MCAT account!
- Predict the answers and the questions. This is a very tangible thing that you can incorporate while solving questions. This can help you avoid falling into the situation when you’re stuck between two answers.
Don’t ignore your mental health. Taking breaks is just as important as studying!
- Your brain needs rest. This helps you process information and decompress. This is incredibly important for memory consolidation and learning.
- Listen to yourself and your body. If you need to take a day off, please do so. It’s not worth pushing yourself to your absolute limit and burning out
- If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a longer break. The MCAT will be here when you come back
- Burnout is very real. One way you can mitigate it is to study with a friend group or simply change your location.
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Final Thoughts
Achieving a perfect 528 MCAT score requires dedication, hard work, and strategic preparation. However, it’s also important to recognize that not everyone intends to get a perfect MCAT score.
By following the tips and strategies outlined in this post, you can increase your chances of reaching whatever your personal goal score is. Everyone’s MCAT journey is different, and staying focused on your progress and goals is crucial rather than comparing yourself to others.
For more help from Blueprint MCAT instructors and tutors, check out our schedule of upcoming free MCAT classes and workshops.
Ready to start on the path toward your MCAT score increase? Whether you need the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, the instruction of a Live Course, or 1:1 attention of a private MCAT tutor, we have the MCAT prep option that works for your learning style! With resources such as a powerful AI-powered MCAT QBank, representative full-length practice exams, and more, you’ll get all the practice you need to reach your goal score.
Get access to tons of free MCAT resources today when you create a free Blueprint MCAT account!
Remember to prioritize self-care and maintain a positive mindset throughout your MCAT journey. Good luck!
