MCAT Preparation Trends

MCAT Preparation Trends: Insights from the AAMC Post-MCAT Questionnaire and the HPSA 2024-2025 Applicant Experience Surveys

Abstract: Have recent technologies changed the way premed applicants have prepared for the MCAT? Common strategies are revealed through an analysis of the most recent results from the AAMC Post-MCAT Questionnaire and the HPSA/SDN 2024-2025 Applicant Experience Surveys. Over the past five years, test-takers have continued to rely on AAMC ... Read more

Emil Chuck, PhD

Published December 4, 2025

create an MCAT study plan

How To Create An MCAT Study Plan

Updated March 4, 2022. The article was updated to refresh content. If you’re aiming for a great MCAT score, cramming a couple of weeks before the test isn’t going to cut it. Unlike preparing for ... Read more

Cassie Kosarek

Updated June 23, 2022 by Cassie Kosarek

The One About Trigonometry | MCAT Tips and Tricks

I’m guessing that by this point in your MCAT preparation you feel like you’ve parked a dump truck full of information next to your desk and shoveled facts into your brain until its about ready ... Read more

Chelsea Myers

Updated June 23, 2022 by Chelsea Myers

3 Ways to Prepare for the MCAT Over Winter Break

Collegiate winter breaks often span three or four weeks, and for premedical students, this time can be used for dedicated MCAT review. A schedule free of extracurriculars and coursework creates ample space for intensive studying, ... Read more

Cassie Kosarek

Updated June 24, 2022 by Cassie Kosarek

converting between units in the metric system

King Henry What?? | MCAT Tips and Tricks

An awesome trick for remembering metric prefixes and converting between units in the metric system Preparing for the MCAT requires a tremendous amount of memorization. By the time you sit down to take the exam ... Read more

Chelsea Myers

Updated June 24, 2022 by Chelsea Myers

retake the MCAT

Should I Retake the MCAT?

Believe it or not, it is not uncommon to take the MCAT twice. Though sitting for seven hours and thirty minutes more than once is not anyone’s idea of fun, scheduling a second test can ... Read more

Cassie Kosarek

Updated June 24, 2022 by Cassie Kosarek

What is the MCAT?

MCAT stands for the Medical College Admissions Test, which is an examination that one must take in order to gain entrance into medical school or health professions school such as veterinary* or podiatric school. The ... Read more

Emily Millet

Updated June 24, 2022 by Emily Millet

Get More CARS Questions Right

How To Get More CARS Questions Right

One of the questions that we hear most often from students is “How do I get more answers right on MCAT CARS practice passages and in the exam itself?” That’s a critical question because your score ... Read more

Cambridge Learning Center

Updated June 24, 2022 by Cambridge Learning Center

MCAT scoring

The MCAT Scoring Process: Your Questions Answered

When you receive your score report, you will receive five scores—four scores for each of the multiple-choice sections of the exam and one total score. As you prepare for test day, you may wonder how ... Read more

AAMC Staff

Updated June 25, 2022 by AAMC Staff

behavioral science

3 Study Strategies for the Behavioral Sciences on the MCAT

As essential as it is to know the pathophysiology of various diseases and the pharmacological and surgical interventions used to treat them, it is also necessary to understand the social and psychological aspects of illness ... Read more

Cassie Kosarek

Updated June 25, 2022 by Cassie Kosarek

non-academic ideas

Non-Academic Ideas to Boost Your Med School Chances

At this point, you are probably already aware of how competitive medical school admissions are. For instance, you may already know that the most competitive med schools boast acceptance rates of nearly 3%—that’s almost half ... Read more

Joel Butterly

Updated June 25, 2022 by Joel Butterly

retake the mcat

Should You Retake the MCAT? 3 Key Things to Consider

Studying your butt off for months, suffering through an anxiety-inducing test day, and then waiting an entire month just to get a lower-than-expected MCAT score is by no means a pleasant experience. It is so ... Read more

Andrew George

Updated June 25, 2022 by Andrew George