The MCAT covers a lot of science and takes about 7.5 hours on test day. Most students prepare over three to four months. This is a timeline we adapt for students at BetterMyScores.
Month 1: diagnose and plan
Take a diagnostic to see which sections need the most work. Use the AAMC content outline as a checklist and rate your confidence on each topic. Start CARS practice now — a few passages a day.
Month 2: content review
Work through biology, biochemistry, general and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and sociology, giving more time to the weakest areas. After each topic, do passage-based questions, not just recall.
Month 3: passages and error logs
Shift most of your time to passage practice. Log every mistake by topic and type: content gap, misread question, or timing. The log tells you where the next hour of study should go.
Month 4: full-length tests
- Take a full-length practice test every week, in one sitting.
- Review each test thoroughly; it often takes a full day.
- Use official AAMC practice materials in the final weeks.
Read more on our MCAT coaching page or try the free MCAT diagnostic.
Get a MCAT plan built for you
Book a free demo and we will plan your prep around your diagnostic and test date.