Studying for the MCAT This Summer? Here’s Your 2–3 Month Plan

If you’re starting your MCAT prep in May or June with a goal test date in August or September, you’re in good company. This summer study timeline is super popular—especially for students who are done with classes and want to focus in.

The good news? You still have enough time to follow a smart, proven study strategy. You’ll just need to keep things focused and consistent.

Phase 1: Quick Content Review (3–4 Weeks Max)

Before you dive into heavy practice, it’s worth brushing up on the content—especially if it’s been a while since you’ve seen some of these subjects.

Here’s what we recommend for the content phase:

• Keep it short – 3 to 4 weeks is plenty
• Resources to use:
  • Khan Academy MCAT videos (still great, still free)
  • Kaplan books or other content review books you like
  • Use the MCAT.tools Study Plan and Daily Tasks to track your progress and completion

Don’t get stuck here. The goal isn’t to master every fact—it’s to refresh your foundation so you’re ready for the next phase.

Phase 2: Practice, Practice, Practice

Once content is refreshed, the real work begins: learning through MCAT-style questions.

Top resources we recommend:

• UWorld MCAT QBank – Arguably the best for detailed explanations. Use this to build stamina and deepen understanding.
• AAMC Section Bank – Especially helpful for CARS, B/B, and P/S practice in the AAMC format.
• MCAT.tools Journal – Capture your mistakes, insights, and patterns while reviewing.

Work in daily question sets, mix up subjects, and don’t just do questions—review them deeply.

Final Phase: Full-Length Exams (Last 4–6 Weeks)

You’ll want to build testing stamina and get used to the real exam experience.

• Aim for 6–10 full-length practice tests
• Spread them out over the final weeks before your exam
• Use AAMC’s 4 official FL exams first—they’re non-negotiable
• Supplement with tests from companies like Blueprint, Kaplan, or Altius

After each full-length, spend a full day reviewing. That’s where the learning happens.

Final Tips

• Plan your weeks using MCAT.tools Study Planner
• Use the new MCAT.tools Chrome Extension to stay on top of tasks and easily journal reviews
• Take breaks. Don’t burn out. Even a 2–3 month plan needs balance.

Got questions or want a sample plan? Drop us a message or try building a custom plan at MCAT.tools.