Test Day Strategy

🏥 Test Day Strategy

Part 1 of 7 — MCAT Format & Scoring

4 sections: Chem/Phys (59Q, 95 min), CARS (53Q, 90 min), Bio/Biochem (59Q, 95 min), Psych/Soc (59Q, 95 min).

Total: 230 questions in ~6 hours 15 minutes (with breaks).

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Key Insight: Scoring: each section 118-132, total 472-528; median ~500.

MCAT Tip: Optional breaks: 10 min after sections 1 and 3; 30-min lunch break after section 2.

Concept Check 🎯

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Study Planning

Part 2 of 7 — Study Planning

3-6 month study timeline is typical for most students.

Content review: 1-2 months; Practice passages: 2-3 months; Full-length tests: final month.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Use spaced repetition (Anki) for high-yield facts and formulas.

MCAT Tip: Track your performance by topic to identify and target weak areas.

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Section-by-Section Strategy

Part 3 of 7 — Section-by-Section Strategy

Chem/Phys: strong on calculations — practice dimensional analysis and unit conversion.

CARS: practice daily — 1 passage per day minimum; focus on timing and accuracy.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Bio/Biochem: most content-heavy section — amino acids, metabolism, and organ systems are highest yield.

MCAT Tip: Psych/Soc: often the easiest to improve — terminology-heavy, less application.

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Practice Test Analysis

Part 4 of 7 — Practice Test Analysis

Review every wrong answer on practice tests — categorize errors as content, reasoning, or careless.

Content gap: you didnt know the material — go back and study.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Reasoning error: you knew the content but applied it incorrectly — practice passage strategy.

MCAT Tip: Careless mistake: you knew the answer but misread — slow down, read carefully.

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Test Day Preparation

Part 5 of 7 — Test Day Preparation

Week before: light review, no new material, focus on rest and confidence.

Night before: prepare materials, set alarms, get 8+ hours of sleep.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Bring: valid ID, confirmation email, snacks/drinks for breaks, layers for temperature.

MCAT Tip: During breaks: eat, hydrate, stretch, use the restroom — do NOT review material.

Concept Check 🎯

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Score Goals & Applications

Part 6 of 7 — Score Goals & Applications

Competitive scores: 510+ for MD, 505+ for DO, 515+ for top-25 schools.

Retake policy: can take 3 times per year, 4 times in 2 years, 7 times lifetime.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Schools see all scores — aim to take it once and do well.

MCAT Tip: Balanced scores matter: a 128 in each section (512) is generally viewed more favorably than a 132 + 124 + 128 + 128 (512).

Concept Check 🎯

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Review & MCAT Practice

Part 7 of 7 — Review & MCAT Practice

Competitive scores: 510+ for MD, 505+ for DO, 515+ for top-25 schools.

Retake policy: can take 3 times per year, 4 times in 2 years, 7 times lifetime.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Schools see all scores — aim to take it once and do well.

MCAT Tip: Balanced scores matter: a 128 in each section (512) is generally viewed more favorably than a 132 + 124 + 128 + 128 (512).

Concept Check 🎯

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