The Ultimate 3-Month MCAT Study Plan

Published at Mar 18, 2025

The MCAT is a beast of an exam, but with the right plan and discipline, you can conquer it in just three months. This study plan is designed for students who are ready to commit to an intense but effective schedule. Let’s break it down.

Month 1: Fast-Paced Content Review

The first month is all about quickly refreshing your knowledge across all MCAT subjects. This isn’t the time for deep dives—focus on high-yield concepts and areas where you’re weakest.

What to Do:

  • Study 6 Days a Week: Aim for at least 5-7 hours per day.
  • Use High-Yield Resources: Stick to reputable MCAT prep books like Kaplan or watch Khan Academy videos for free content review.
  • Take Notes Efficiently: Summarize key points instead of rewriting everything.
  • Do Daily Flashcards: Use Anki or other spaced repetition software to reinforce key facts.
  • Take a Diagnostic Test: Find out your baseline score and pinpoint weak areas.
  • Build a Free Study Plan: Use MCAT.Tools to organize your schedule and track progress.

Months 2 & 3: Heavy Practice + Full-Length Exams

Once you have a solid grasp of content, it’s time to shift gears into intense practice mode.

QBank Practice (Every Day)

  • Do at least 60-100 practice questions per day from a high-quality QBank like UWorld.
  • Review every question thoroughly—even the ones you got right.
  • Keep a mistake journal to track patterns in your errors.

Full-Length Exams (Once Per Week)

  • Take a full-length practice test every weekend under realistic test conditions.
  • Use AAMC’s official resources, including full-length exams and section banks—they are a must-have.
  • Spend the following day fully reviewing your exam—figure out why you missed each question and how to avoid that mistake in the future.

Flashcards & Active Recall (Ongoing)

  • If flashcards work for you, keep using them daily.
  • Actively quiz yourself rather than passively rereading notes.

Keys to Success

  • Stick to the Plan: You only have three months—don’t fall behind.
  • Focus on Weaknesses: Adjust your study time to shore up problem areas.
  • Avoid Burnout: Take short breaks and a rest day if needed.
  • Stay Disciplined: Consistency beats cramming every time.

By following this structured 3-month plan, you’ll maximize efficiency and walk into test day fully prepared. Stay focused, trust the process, and crush the MCAT!