Many people try and brush off the last month of studying before the MCAT because they believe there’s not much time left for improvement. What are 30 days before the MCAT going to change, right? However, there are several things you can do to ensure that you make the most of your time to achieve the best score possible. In fact, your 1-month MCAT study plan could actually make the difference between hitting your goal MCAT score or falling just shy of it.
1 Month Before the MCAT Study Plan
1. Crank Out The Practice Tests
The MCAT will likely be the longest test you’ve taken thus far. Half the battle is simply building your stamina to sit through the nearly 8-hour ordeal. If you haven’t already, you need to take full-length practice tests at least 1 month before the MCAT. You want to get as comfortable with the exam as possible. So, try to replicate the testing conditions and take representative MCAT practice tests to familiarize yourself with the MCAT.
Schedule one full-length per week to ensure that you are able to complete and review them before your exam. Thoroughly reviewing your exam is just as important as taking it!
Further Reading
💻 How to Set Up MCAT Test-Day Conditions for a Practice Exam
2. Review. Review. And Repeat.
At this stage of studying, reviewing is of the utmost importance. If you miss any questions, go back over these concepts to ensure that you don’t miss them again if they come up on the exam. Take the time to understand every concept you see. Even if something is merely mentioned as an answer choice—and it doesn’t have to be the right answer choice—that means there is an expectation that you should have some knowledge about it. Keep track of all your missed questions and learnings in a Lessons Learned Journal. (💡 Pro Tip: All Blueprint MCAT courses have a Lessons Learned Journal integrated directly with the study platform!)
3. Continue (Or Start) Using AAMC Resources
At 1 month before the MCAT, you should start using the AAMC MCAT prep material if you haven’t already. Ideally, you’ll start the AAMC resources 5-6 weeks before your exam. Start with the question packs and then work your way through the section banks, both untimed. Use these AAMC materials to work on concept review and comprehension. Save the AAMC practice exams for your last prep stretch. (💡 Pro Tip: All Blueprint MCAT courses include the official AAMC practice resources!)
4. Avoid Burnout
Feeling the crunch? As tempting as it is to do endless study sessions, don’t. If you don’t take regular breaks, you will burn out by the time you get to test day. It does not matter how motivated you are.
A good way to schedule this in your 1-month MCAT study plan would be wake up early and study in the mornings. Once it’s out of the way, the rest of the day is yours. Try to schedule a full day off the day before you take a practice exam. Although it may give you anxiety to take an entire day off from studying, rest days are crucial to recover and keep you at peak performance. Taking rest days will pay dividends throughout your last month, as you’ll prevent burnout and unproductive “studying.”
Final Thoughts
The month leading up to the MCAT is both exciting and exhausting, but don’t lose your motivation. Study up until the day before the test. Spend that day relaxing and keeping your mind fresh for the exam—that means NO studying!
When you get into the exam room, remember to stay relaxed and trust that all the time you spent preparing is going to be more than enough to help you reach your goal score. Stay focused and positive. You got this! Good luck!
If you need any help with the MCAT, remember, you’re not alone! Blueprint MCAT combines engagement, entertainment, and effectiveness for the best prep experience. Whether you need the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, the instruction of a live 515+ Course or Live Online Course, or the 1:1 attention of a private MCAT tutor, Blueprint MCAT has the MCAT prep option that works for your learning style!
