About the Author

Xana Dias-Waughman

Xana has had the opportunity to work in many clinical and research environments, which shaped her interest in a physician-scientist program. As an undergraduate, she studied mouse models of Huntington’s Disease and schizophrenia. Concurrently, she volunteered with a practice of neurosurgeons, solidifying her interest in clinical practice. After graduating with a BS in Behavioral Neuroscience, Xana spent four years working at the Allen Institute for Brain Science working in the optical physiology department studying cortical circuits in awake, behaving mice. She began her MD/PhD program at the University of Arizona- Tucson in 2023, where she is currently finishing her first year of medical school.

6 MCAT Reddit Study Tips That Are Absolutely Wrong

17 min

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A student holding her head due to Reddit study tips that are wrong.

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This blog was originally published in 2022 by Dr. Benjamin Mittman and updated for accuracy in May 2025 by Dr. Xana Dias-Vaughman   The internet is teeming with MCAT study tips and tricks that pre-med students can take advantage of. This amount of information is a double-edged sword for the...

What Neuroscience Topics Do I Need to Know for the MCAT

15 min

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Pre-medical student studying for the MCAT.

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If you haven’t had the opportunity to take a course in neuroscience as an undergraduate, you may feel intimidated by the thought of the subject appearing on the MCAT. Neuroscience is one of the key areas tested in the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc) section, and can...

AAMC MCAT Score: How to Use Practice Exams to Improve

19 min

664 Views

Medical student reviewing AAMC MCAT practice exam results on laptop to improve her study plan.

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If you’re studying for the MCAT, chances are you’ve heard about the AAMC Full-Length (FL) practice exams. These tests are the gold standard for MCAT prep because they are created by the same organization that administers the real MCAT. When you sit down to take one of these exams, you're...

The Hardest Sample MCAT Questions and How to Answer Them

17 min

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Student focused on studying with a notebook, pen, and laptop, preparing for challenging MCAT questions.

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The MCAT is a beast, plain and simple. It’s long, grueling, and filled with tricky questions that seem to taunt you with their complexity. But here's the thing: you don't need to be a walking encyclopedia of every piece of science knowledge to ace this test. What you do need...

The Difference Between Applying MD/PhD and MD: MCAT Scores and More

18 min

1298 Views

Student performing research in a laboratory for an MD/PhD application.

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Choosing between an MD and MD/PhD program is a significant decision for any aspiring physician or physician-scientist. A common misconception is that the MD/PhD application path is more challenging than MD. The truth is, they serve different purposes, require different levels of preparation, and have distinct admissions criteria. Seeing the...

How To Handle Multiple MCAT Scores on your Medical School Application

17 min

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Student focused on a computer while taking the MCAT in a testing center.

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You got your results back from your MCAT, and you’re disappointed. Maybe you prepared for months and feel like things didn’t go your way on test day- or, you had to take the exam as a full-time student, and feel like the exam didn’t get the attention it deserved. What...

How Do I Know If I’m Ready to Take the MCAT?

15 min

762 Views

A focused student prepares for the MCAT, studying on a laptop in a library, symbolizing dedication and readiness for the exam.

762 Views

How many times have you found yourself scrolling Reddit, trying to find the answer to the question: “Am I ready to take the MCAT?” The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a huge milestone in your journey toward medical school. As such, it can also be a huge source of...

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