This study plan is designed to help you excel in the three science sections of the MCAT: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior. It includes a detailed syllabus overview, revision strategies, and exam-day tips.

Syllabus Overview

The AAMC content outline organizes the MCAT content into foundational concepts and content categories. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key topics for each section, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

This section tests your ability to integrate biological and biochemical concepts with scientific reasoning, covering topics like cellular processes, genetics, and organ systems.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

This section focuses on applying chemical and physical principles to biological systems, including physics, chemistry, and biochemistry.

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

This section examines how psychological, social, and biological factors influence behavior, emphasizing research methods and social theories.

Resource: The AAMC content outline is available at AAMC MCAT Content. For a user-friendly version, refer to Jack Westin's MCAT Content Outline.

Revision Strategy

Effective revision for these MCAT sections requires a balanced approach of content review, active learning, and practice. Below is a detailed plan to master the material over 3-6 months.

Content Review

• Use AAMC-Aligned Resources: Start with the AAMC content outline to ensure all topics are covered. Khan Academy's MCAT Prep offers free, AAMC-endorsed video lessons aligned with the outline.
• Supplement with Review Books:
  • Biology and Biochemistry: Use Kaplan or Princeton Review for in-depth explanations of metabolic pathways, genetics, and cell biology. Focus on integrating biochemistry with biological processes (e.g., how enzymes support cellular functions).
  • Chemistry and Physics: Use Exam Krackers or Jack Westin for concise summaries of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Emphasize biological applications, such as fluid dynamics in circulation or thermodynamics in metabolism.
  • Psychology and Sociology: Use Princeton Review or Khan Academy for clear explanations of theories, research methods, and social influences on behavior. Focus on understanding experimental design and applying theories to real-world scenarios.
• Study Timeline:
  • Dedicate 3-6 months to preparation, with 20-30 hours per week. For example, 20 hours/week for 3 months can yield a ~9-point score increase.
  • Spend the first 2-5 months on content review, leaving the final month for full-length practice tests.
  • Allocate time based on weaknesses identified through a diagnostic test.

Active Learning

• Create Summaries and Mind Maps: Summarize each topic in your own words or create visual aids to reinforce understanding.
• Use Flashcards: Employ Anki or Quizlet for active recall and spaced repetition. For example, create cards for metabolic pathways, physics formulas, or psychological theories. Anki's spaced repetition is particularly effective for long-term retention.
• Teach Concepts: Explain topics to peers or aloud to solidify understanding. This is especially useful for complex processes like the citric acid cycle or social psychology theories.

Practice Questions

• Official AAMC Materials: Use AAMC question packs and section banks to familiarize yourself with the test format and question styles. These are the most representative of the actual exam.
• Third-Party Resources:
  • UWorld is highly recommended for its detailed explanations and MCAT-style questions.
  • Kaplan, Princeton Review, and Exam Krackers offer additional practice questions.
• Focus on Application: The MCAT tests critical thinking, so practice applying knowledge to novel scenarios. For example, analyze experimental data in biology passages or apply physics principles to biological systems.

Full-Length Practice Tests

• Take 5-10 Tests: Use AAMC practice exams as your primary resource, supplemented by third-party tests from Kaplan, Altius, or Blueprint. Save 4 AAMC full-length exams for the last month.
• Simulate Test Conditions: Take tests in one sitting, with timed sections and breaks, to build stamina. Practice in a quiet environment with noise cancellation (e.g., earplugs).
• Analyze Performance: Review both correct and incorrect answers to understand your reasoning. Identify weak topics and adjust your study focus. For example, if physics scores are low, dedicate extra time to kinematics or electrochemistry.

Time Management

• Prioritize Weak Areas: Use diagnostic tests to identify weaknesses and allocate more time to those topics. For instance, if psychology is strong but organic chemistry is weak, focus on stereochemistry and reaction mechanisms.
• Study Schedule: Create a weekly schedule with specific goals (e.g., review glycolysis on Monday, practice physics questions on Tuesday). Include breaks to prevent burnout.
• Track Progress: Document topics reviewed, mistakes made, and lessons learned to refine your study plan.

Insights from Top Scorers

Exam Strategy

The MCAT is a test of both knowledge and critical thinking under time constraints. Below are strategies for answering questions effectively during the exam.

General Test-Taking Strategies

• Time Management:
  • Science Sections (Biological/Biochemical and Chemical/Physical): Aim to complete 20 questions every 30 minutes. Check progress at 20, 40, and 59 questions (1 hour 5 minutes, with 35 minutes left).
  • Psychological/Social Section: Complete 3 passages every 30 minutes to finish all 9 passages in 90 minutes.
  • If behind, read questions faster, rely on gut instincts, and avoid skipping passages unless scoring below 510.
• Passage-Based Questions:
  • Read strategically: Focus on the main idea, key details, and data (e.g., graphs, tables). Skim questions first to guide your reading.
  • For science passages, note experimental design, hypotheses, and conclusions.
  • For psychology/sociology passages, identify the theory or social concept being tested.
• Question-Specific Strategies:
  • Eliminate Wrong Answers: Narrow down choices by eliminating obviously incorrect options.
  • Educated Guesses: If unsure, eliminate two answers and guess from the remaining options.
  • Avoid Overthinking: Trust your initial reasoning if based on solid understanding.
• Reference Sheet:
  • During the 10-minute tutorial, create a quick-reference sheet with key formulas (e.g., physics equations), amino acids, or psychological theories. Practice this during mock tests.

Section-Specific Strategies

Biological and Biochemical Foundations

• Integrate biochemistry with biology (e.g., how metabolic pathways support cellular functions).
• For passages, identify the biological process or system and relate it to your knowledge. For example, a passage on glycolysis may require understanding enzyme regulation.
• Focus on high-yield topics like metabolism, genetics, and cell signaling.

Chemical and Physical Foundations

• Use diagrams to visualize complex concepts (e.g., protein structure, fluid flow).
• For physics, prioritize biological applications (e.g., fluid dynamics in blood flow, thermodynamics in metabolism).
• For chemistry, focus on biologically relevant reactions (e.g., acid-base equilibria in blood pH).

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations

• Understand the interplay between psychology, sociology, and biology (e.g., how stress affects physiological systems).
• For passages, apply theories to real-world scenarios (e.g., attribution theory in social interactions).
• Be familiar with research methods and experimental design, as many questions test data interpretation.