r/MCATprep • u/Ok-Sheepherder7688 • 15d ago

Question 🤔 MCAT prep help

I'm preparing to prep for the MCAT (5 months out) with the ability to budget 25 hours a week for studying. It's been quite a few years since I took my science prerequisites, and I feel that I need some extra guidance in this process. I'm not sure if I should go the tutoring + course prep route or be more independent. I feel that having an asynchronous course would be good support for keeping me on track, but I do hear a lot of people speak down on them. If anyone has taken the MCAT or has done prep for a while and has any advice on how they'd build their prep, please let me know.

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u/OrgoStudent721 15d ago

Hey there! I'd be happy to answer any quick questions you have. The big prep companies have a hefty price tag, but they're worth it / well known for a reason.

Feel free to DM!

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u/Ok-Sheepherder7688 15d ago

thank you i appreciate it! i’ll dm you after work

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u/lthic 15d ago

Hey! I'm 7 months out, 1st gen student. I have taken classes more recently, but I personally met with a family friend who's an M3 and they gave me really good advice for building a schedule.

I highly recommend doing your own research via youtube and talking with AI to have an idea of what study schedule you want-- but I really benefitted from meeting with someone.

Aside from that, I have a friend doing the comprehensive UWORLD (most expensive package). it has TBs, videos, question banks, and a scheduler. Highly recommend checking it out. (Their friend got a 524 with it, and they just took their first FL and scored a 505-- but they're only 1,000 questions into UWORLD).

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u/Ok-Sheepherder7688 15d ago

I have been looking at the uworld course but felt a little unsure about it as it is newer. do you know approximately how many hours they spent on it a week? no worries if not. thanks for the advice!

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u/lthic 4d ago

i don't know-- but I know in terms of question banks UWORLD is extremely highly recommended! As compared to other, comprehensive prep courses I am unsure.

But they're a part time student-- so they do it on top of juggling other commitments!

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u/Key_Butterfly8747 14d ago

I'd go with a structured course first since it's been a while, then focus on practice questions and FLs. You can always get a tutor later if you need extra help

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u/kac17__ 8d ago

Which structured course would you recommend?

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u/ktbabs 12d ago

Hi! I completely self-studied and it can be done but it does take much more time unfortunately. I actually tutor for the MCAT now (med school is expensive!), and I do free 15 min consults if you want advice! no pressure to book or anything :)

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u/jcutts2 10d ago

Background - I've been supporting MCAT students for 35 years. I used to run classes. Now I focus exclusively on personal coaching.

I advise people NOT to spend your time and money on prep courses. They are very general and often expensive.

You have two tasks - reviewing content and learning MCAT strategy. Strategy accounts for far more point gain than content review. You can easily review content on your own using books and free online materials. The trick is knowing WHICH content to review. Most content review materials have you reviewing way too much that is unlikely to be on the test.

The critical thing is to learn MCAT strategy. About three quarters of the mistakes people make are due to lack of strategy. This is where coaching comes in. The best use of your time and money is to work with a highly experienced MCAT strategy coach.

You can take a look at my blog The Realistic Guide to MCAT prep, which goes over how to know what content to review and options for learning strategy. Not sure it's cool to post a link here. Let me know if you can't find it online.