How to Balance Your MCAT Studies with a Full-Time Job (or School)

Balancing MCAT prep with a full-time job or school is challenging but possible! Many students have successfully managed to achieve their MCAT goals while juggling other significant responsibilities. The key lies in effective time management, energy management, strategic planning, and maintaining a healthy balance in order to retain knowledge and skill over a long prep time. In this article, we will explore various strategies to help you manage your MCAT studies alongside your work or school commitments, ensuring you can achieve the competitive scores you need without compromising your other responsibilities.

Balancing work or school with MCAT preparation is crucial for several reasons:

1. Achieving Competitive Scores: Balancing your time effectively ensures you stay on track for a strong MCAT score.
2. Maintaining Job/School Performance: Neglecting your job or school duties in favor of MCAT prep can lead to poor performance in these areas, hurting other aspects of your application and creating additional stress.
3. Stress Management: Proper balance helps manage stress, which is vital for maintaining mental health and effective study habits.
4. Energy Management: Efficient studying requires both time and energy. Use high-energy periods for intensive study sessions and low-energy periods for lighter tasks like reviewing flashcards.

Additional reading: What is the MCAT? Everything you need to know

To create a realistic study timeline, start by assessing your current schedule:

• Work/School Hours: Identify when you are at work or in classes.
• Commute Time: Determine if your commute can be used for light study or review.
• Life Commitments: Include time for sleeping, eating/hygiene, volunteering, family, and leisure activities.

Remember, it’s not about finding large chunks of time. Even 15 to 30-minute slots can be used for quick review sessions or tackling a few practice questions. The key is to make the most of the time you have.

Consider your MCAT test date and calculate how many hours per week you can realistically dedicate to studying. The AAMC reports that the average pre-med student spends 20 hours/week for 12 weeks, totaling 240 hours. Remember though, that the average pre-med student does not get into medical school. We recommend aiming for:

• 300 hours (25 hours/week for 12 weeks) for students with a strong science background.
• 400 hours (25 hours/week for 16 weeks) for students with a weaker science background.

If you can’t commit to 25 hours/week, you’ll need to stretch your study period over more weeks. While two months of intensive study (40 hours/week) can work for those with strong backgrounds, six to twelve months is more realistic and less likely to lead to burnout. Use our MCAT Content Calculator to estimate how many hours you should study each week to learn the necessary content to get a high MCAT score.

Two months of intensive study (40 hours/week) is feasible for those with strong science backgrounds but not ideal due to the high risk of burnout. To achieve 300 hours of preparation within that time span, you’ll need to be very disciplined and structure your time carefully. 

Yes, but it requires careful planning and consistency, like Prep101’s comprehensive MCAT prep course.

A 3-4 month timeline is ideal for students with some science background, allowing them to dedicate around 20-30 hours per week to preparation. This approach strikes a balance between intensity and sustainability, helping to avoid burnout while covering all key content areas. Success in this timeframe depends on following a structured study plan, using high-yield resources, and incorporating regular practice tests to track progress and adjust strategies.

This is a more realistic timeline. With a six-month study plan, you can study around 15-20 hours per week, allowing for a balanced approach without overwhelming yourself.

Yes, with a full-time job or school, a year-long study plan is more than doable. You can allocate 10-15 hours per week, allowing for thorough preparation while maintaining your other responsibilities. Your main challenge will be to maintain (not just acquire) your MCAT knowledge and skills. 

Life is unpredictable, so build in some slack into your study schedule in case you are thrown off course by unexpected events. You can do this by scheduling your test date further out or having a backup plan with alternative test dates later. This way, unexpected events won’t derail your entire preparation.

Additional reading: How to Cancel or Reschedule Your MCAT Test Date

1. Assess Your Base Knowledge: Take a diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Tailor your study plan accordingly. For example, an MCAT student getting a 485 on a diagnostic test should have very different expectations of how long their studying should take compared to a student scoring 500, as they might need to focus more on foundational content review. Use our content calculator to assess your knowledge.
2. Choose the Right Resources: Use trusted resources such as Prep101, KrackU, and AAMC materials.
3. Decide Between Self-Study and Prep Courses: Evaluate whether you have the discipline and foundational knowledge to self-study or if you need the structure of a prep course in order to get a good MCAT score.
4. Set Priorities: Focus on high-yield topics and incorporate time for self-care.
5. Daily Study Blocks: Schedule specific times for study sessions, incorporating longer study sessions and practice exams on days off your job.

• Waning Motivation: It’s normal to feel unmotivated at times. Set small, achievable goals to keep yourself on track.
• Feeling Overwhelmed: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, revise your study plan to avoid burnout.
• Poor Time Management: Use tools like calendars or spreadsheets to organize your study schedule and track your progress.

• Study in All Spare Moments: Use breaks and commutes for quick reviews using tools like flashcards.
• Flexible Study Tools: Utilize mobile apps like Anki for spaced repetition and flashcards.
• Scheduled Breaks: Regular breaks are essential to prevent burnout and maintain productivity.

MCAT Study Variables

When balancing MCAT preparation with a full-time job or school, personalizing your study timeline is vital. Start by evaluating your science background—this will heavily influence the amount of content review needed. If you’re already familiar with basic concepts, you might spend less time on early review stages. For a more tailored approach, utilize tools like the MCAT content calculator mentioned earlier to assess how your specific academic background aligns with MCAT requirements.

Median MCAT Study Time

Understanding your learning pace is another vital factor. This encompasses the types of materials you find most helpful, your ideal study setting, and the realistic amount of time you can dedicate each day without compromising your job or school responsibilities. According to the AAMC, 38% of students spend more than 20 weeks preparing for the MCAT.

Combination of Content Review & Practice

Most successful study plans involve a combination of content review and regular practice. At the beginning of your study plan, focus on content review. But still do some practice to help build test skills and contextualize your content knowledge. In the last 4 weeks, shift toward practice. Let that practice dictate any content review within this span (i.e. review the content holes exposed by the practice problems). This dual approach allows you to reinforce learning through application, helping to solidify concepts and identify areas needing further attention. By integrating these strategies, you can create a study schedule that not only fits your personal and professional life but also sets you up for success on the MCAT.

MCAT Tutors, Coaches, or Mentors

Another critical component is support from a tutor, coach, or mentor. These professionals can provide personalized feedback and strategies, helping you navigate complex topics and refine your test-taking techniques. They are particularly valuable for addressing specific weaknesses and boosting your overall confidence.

Your Cognitive Endurance

Your cognitive endurance—how long you can maintain focus during intense study sessions—is also a factor to consider. Building endurance is crucial for the MCAT, as the exam requires prolonged periods of concentrated effort. Tailor your practice sessions to gradually increase in length (punctuated with full-length exams), simulating actual test conditions to enhance your stamina.

Your Learning Pace

Finally, assess your learning pace once again. Your schedule may vary based on how quickly you assimilate information and convert it into practical knowledge. A balanced approach, combining content review with targeted practice, will help cement your understanding and improve your ability to apply knowledge under exam conditions.

1. Spaced Repetition: This technique involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time. The idea is to reinforce the information just as you’re about to forget it. This strengthens your memory of the information and helps prevent forgetting.
2. Bite-Sized Sessions: Micro-studying involves integrating short, focused study sessions into your daily routine. These sessions can be as short as 15 to 30 minutes, but they should be highly focused and free from distractions. The idea is to make the most of the time you have, no matter how limited, without overwhelming you. This is good as a supplement to longer sessions, but should not be the only way you study!
3. Regular Exercise: Your physical and mental health play a significant role in your ability to study effectively. Physical activities boost brain health, enhance mood, and improve cognitive functions like memory and concentration. Regular exercise, such as daily walks or yoga, increases blood flow to the brain and helps maintain energy and focus.
4. Deliberate Practice: This involves structured, goal-oriented practice sessions focusing on weaknesses and requiring immediate feedback. For the MCAT, it means targeting weak sections, analyzing results, and refining strategies based on feedback, enhancing both understanding and performance.
5. Interleaving: This technique involves mixing different topics or skills in a single study session, rather than focusing on one subject at a time. It improves problem-solving skills and retention by challenging the brain to adapt and retrieve various information types, making learning more dynamic and effective.

Get the Most Out of Your Studying

• Emphasize Practice: Prioritize practice over content review, especially in the later sections of your study plan, as the MCAT test date approaches.
• Daily CARS Practice: Aim to complete at least one CARS passage every day.
• Full-Length Practice Exams: Regularly take full-length exams and review them thoroughly to identify areas for improvement.
• Prioritize High-Yield Topics: High-yield topics are those that are most likely to be tested on the MCAT. Prioritize these topics so you can maximize your study efficiency. It’s about focusing on the topics that will give you the most “bang for your buck.”

Building a Support System

• Engage Your Environment: Inform friends, family, and even pets in your study process. They can offer moral support (and temper their expectations about your availability!)
• Join Study Groups: Study groups can provide mutual support and motivation. Choose groups that match your study pace and goals.
• Communicate with Employers/Guidance Counselors: Discuss your MCAT prep needs with your employer or guidance counselors to see if adjustments can be made to your work/academic study schedule.

Maintaining Well-being During Intense Study Periods

• Balance Study and Rest: It’s vital to enjoy the learning process and ensure you take full rests when needed. Structuring your study sessions with clear breaks can prevent fatigue and enhance productivity.
• Exercise Regularly: Regular physical activity isn’t just good for your body; it’s crucial for your mental health too. It can help reduce stress, improve focus, and increase overall energy levels, making your study sessions more effective.
• Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eating well is key to supporting your overall well-being and academic performance. Nutritious meals can enhance cognitive function, maintain energy levels, and stabilize mood, all of which are important for long study sessions.
• Don’t Eliminate Fun and Leisure: Keeping some fun in your schedule is essential. Whether it’s a hobby, movie nights, or social gatherings, leisure activities can rejuvenate your mind and keep you balanced.
• Recognize and Prevent Burnout: Stay alert to the signs of burnout, such as exhaustion, irritability, or a drop in academic performance. Address these signs by adjusting your study habits and incorporating more self-care practices.
• Maintain Perspective: Remember that this intense period of study is temporary. Keeping your long-term goals in sight can motivate you and remind you that your efforts will pay off, helping to maintain a healthy perspective through the challenges.

Balancing your MCAT studies with a full-time job or school is challenging but entirely possible with the right strategies. By setting realistic goals, creating an effective study plan, maximizing your time, employing effective study techniques, building a support system, and maintaining your mental health, you can achieve success. Remember, proper planning and support are crucial. You can do this!

Ready to take the next step in your MCAT prep? Book a free consultation with Prep101 today and start your journey to a successful MCAT score!