Summary
Three months is a common timeline for MCAT preparation, but not all students benefit from the same study plan. Whether you’re preparing full-time, balancing other commitments, or refining your score, this guide presents three tailored schedules based on years of Student Doctor Network community input and updated resources.
Each plan incorporates trusted study tools, including AAMC official materials, UWorld’s QBank, Kaplan Review, Khan Academy’s free MCAT videos, and Anki flashcards (MileDown deck or AnKing MCAT Deck), while avoiding unnecessary costs.
Why Three Plans?
Students approach the MCAT from different starting points:
- Some can dedicate full-time hours to study.
- Others must balance classes, work, or family.
- Some already have strong baseline scores and need practice more than content review.
The SDN community has long recognized this need. The original SN2ed schedule (2009) and later adaptations like Nymeria’s 100-day plan built the study foundation for the plan. More recent Reddit 520+ MCAT guides emphasize practice and error analysis. Meanwhile, AAMC guidance stresses setting realistic study hours and spreading prep over 300-500 hours depending on background.
Our three updated plans reflect these lessons.
Plan 1: Full-Time Intensive (100-Day Classic Plan)
Who it’s for: Students on a gap semester, post-baccs, or those with full-time availability.
Commitment: 6-8 hours/day, 5-6 days/week.
Structure:
- Weeks 1-5: Content review using Kaplan’s 7-book set, Khan Academy videos for reinforcement, and Anki (e.g., MileDown deck or AnKing MCAT Deck). Do daily CARS passages.
- Weeks 6-8: Shift to UWorld question blocks; continue targeted review. Begin AAMC Question Packs.
- Weeks 9-12: Prioritize AAMC Section Bank and full-length exams. Weekly practice tests under strict test-day conditions.
Practice Exams: 7-8 total (include at least 5 official AAMC Full Length Exams).
Distinctiveness:
- Builds endurance with weekly full-lengths.
- Covers all official AAMC materials.
- Mirrors the classic SDN “100-day” approach that helped thousands of test-takers.
Caution: Only sustainable if you can truly dedicate full-time hours. Working students may burn out if attempting this pace.
Plan 2: Part-Time Balanced (Flexible 300-Hour Plan)
Who it’s for: Students balancing coursework, part-time jobs, or family responsibilities.
Commitment: 2–4 hours/day, ~20–25 hours/week.
Structure:
- Weeks 1-6: ~70% content (one chapter/day) and 30% practice (CARS, short UWorld blocks).
- Weeks 7-12: Flip to 70% practice (UWorld timed sets, AAMC Section Bank, CARS QPacks) and 30% targeted content review.
Practice Exams: 5-6 total. One diagnostic at start, 2 during content phase, 3+ during practice phase.
Distinctiveness:
- Uses flexibility days weekly for rest or catch-up.
- Fits AAMC’s guidance of at least 300 hours of study spread across three months .
- Relies heavily on review methods: Anki or a Missed Question Log (MQL) to track and revisit errors.
Best Practices:
- Use downtime for flashcards (commutes, breaks).
- Prioritize high-yield areas (biochemistry, psychology/sociology, CARS) rather than spending equal time on all subjects .
Plan 3: High Scorer Refinement (Practice-Heavy Focus Plan)
Who it’s for: Students already scoring ≥505–510 on diagnostics who aim for 515-520+.
Commitment: 4-5 hours/day, focused on practice and analysis.
Structure:
- Weeks 1-2: AAMC diagnostic and an early full-length. Identify weak areas.
- Weeks 3-10: Weekly AAMC full-lengths, Section Bank, and CARS QPacks (redo CARS at least twice for mastery ). Minimal new content review.
- Weeks 11-12: Final pass through AAMC Official Guide and high-yield topics (e.g., amino acids, experimental design).
Practice Exams: 7-9 total (at least 5 from AAMC).
Distinctiveness:
- Prioritizes test-style reasoning over rote memorization.
- Involves repeating AAMC materials, even if passages are familiar, to reinforce logic and avoid repeating mistakes.
- Best suited for students who already have strong foundations.
Choose Your 3-Month MCAT Plan
| Plan | Best For | Time / Pace | Core Resources | Full-Lengths | Estimated Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Intensive (100-Day Classic) | Gap semester / post-baccs with full-time availability | ~6-8 hrs/day, 5-6 days/wk | AAMC Bundle, UWorld QBank (90–180d), Kaplan 7-book set, KA videos, Anki (or AnKing) | 7-8 total (≥5 AAMC), weekly in final 6 weeks | $770~$940 (AAMC bundle $310 + UWorld $330-380 + AnKing ($66/yr) + Kaplan $130–$350)* |
| Part-Time Balanced (Flexible 300-Hour) | Students balancing classes, work, or family | ~2-4 hrs/day, ~20-25 hrs/wk | AAMC Bundle, UWorld QBank (180d), Kaplan 7-book set, KA videos, Anki (or AnKing) | 5-6 total (diagnostic + 2 midphase + 3 late) | $820~$1170 (AAMC bundle $310 + UWorld $380 + AnKing ($66/yr) + Kaplan $130–$350)* |
| High-Scorer Refinement (Practice-Heavy) | Baseline ≥505–510 aiming for 515-520+ | ~4-5 hrs/day, practice > content | AAMC Bundle (repeat Section Bank/CARS QPacks), optional UWorld (90d), KA refreshers, Anki (or AnKing)(targeted) | 7-9 total (majority AAMC), weekly | $310~$640 (AAMC bundle $310; + AnKing ($66/yr) + optional UWorld $330)* |
*Prices are indicative and change periodically. See AAMC store for bundle and individual exam pricing; UWorld lists 90–360 day options; Kaplan pricing varies by edition/retailer. Khan Academy MCAT course remains free and is expected to be available through 2026.
Core Resources Across All Plans
- AAMC Official Prep Bundle: full-length, Question Packs, Section Bank; most predictive of real scores.
- UWorld MCAT QBank: >2,000 questions with detailed explanations, highly praised by students.
- Kaplan Review Books: structured content review; older editions (2020–2024) are still useful at lower cost.
- Khan Academy MCAT Videos: free until 2026; excellent for quick refreshers.
- Anki MileDown deck or AnKing MCAT Deck: widely used for spaced repetition of high-yield concepts.
- Daily CARS practice: essential, as CARS cannot be memorized and improves only through consistent timed practice.
How to Choose the Right Plan
Ask yourself three key questions:
- How many hours per day can I realistically study?
- If 6-8 hours/day: Full-Time Intensive.
- If 2-4 hours/day: Part-Time Balanced.
- If 4-5 hours/day but with strong starting scores: High-Scorer Refinement.
- What’s my baseline score?
- <500: Focus more on content (Plans 1 or 2).
- 505–510+: Move quickly to practice (Plan 3).
- What’s my target score range?
- Mid-tier med schools: 505–510.
- Competitive/top-tier: ≥515 (requires emphasis on AAMC practice, strong reasoning).
No plan can guarantee a specific outcome, even Reddit’s popular “520+” schedule notes that test-day variability is real. But consistent practice, disciplined review, and reflection on mistakes are the best predictors of improvement.
FAQ
Yes. Most students require 300-500 hours of study time, which can be condensed into 3 months with a structured schedule. The key is balancing content review, practice exams, and review of mistakes.
The best schedule depends on your situation: Full-time intensive (6-8 hours/day), part-time balanced (2-4 hours/day), or high-scorer refinement (practice-heavy for those already at 505+).
The most widely recommended are the AAMC Official Prep Bundle, UWorld’s MCAT QBank, Kaplan Review Books, Khan Academy videos (available until 2026), and Anki flashcards such as the MileDown deck.
At least 5-7 full-length exams are recommended, with most students completing all AAMC exams and several third-party tests. Weekly full-lengths during the last six weeks help build endurance.
Yes, we maintain an archive of the prior editions of the 100 Day MCAT Study Schedule:
– 2019 Edition
– 2023 Edition
References
- Khan Academy & AAMC. (2020). MCAT Video Collection (extended through 2026). Retrieved from Khan Academy
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). (2023). Creating Your MCAT Exam Study Plan. Retrieved from AAMC
- Health Professional Student Association. (2023). The 3-Month (100-Day) MCAT Study Schedule Guide: 2023 Edition. SDN Review
- MedHelp2023 et al. (2023). [Guide:Journey]: 3-Month Formula to a 520+ MCAT Score. r/MCAT
- Kaplan Test Prep. (2024). MCAT Study Guide and Schedule (3 Months). Retrieved from Kaplan
- UWorld. (2024). MCAT Exam Study Guide. Retrieved from UWorld Grad School
Discuss MCAT Study Schedules
Learn more about the schedules (or even recommend your own) at the r/MCAT and SDN MCAT discussion forums. The Student Doctor Network Forums require human account verification before posting; no information is shared or sold to other organizations. The SDN Forums feature millions of posts and thousands of active members.
About SDN
As a nonprofit organization, SDN is not aligned with any product or service; materials for this MCAT Study Guide are selected strictly based on members’ recommendations. SDN is published by the Health Professional Student Association (HPSA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization.
We offer free resources and nonprofit advising for every student doctor and premedical student.
Disclaimer
MCAT, The Medical College Admissions Test, is a registered trademark of the American Association of Medical Colleges, which does not endorse this schedule or materials utilized in the plan. Although specific preparation materials are utilized within the plan, HPSA and SDN do not officially endorse or recommend any specific preparation product. All products are selected without input or support from sponsors or advertisers.
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