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How to Stand Out to Medical Schools as a Unique and Competitive Applicant

16 min

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A premed student at his medical school interview.

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If you’re currently applying to medical school to become a student, you probably know that you need a competitive GPA, MCAT score, and good extracurriculars to get in. But a few thousand people applying probably know this too…   So how do you stand out as a medical school applicant?...

What’s a “Good” MCAT Score for You? A Strategic Breakdown by Goals

11 min

955 Views

955 Views

Question Quick Answer Why It Matters What’s the MCAT score range? 472–528 (4 sections, each 118–132). Knowing the scale helps you set realistic goals. Average is ~500 (50th percentile).   What do accepted students actually score? MD: ~511–512DO: ~504–505 Top-tier (Harvard, Hopkins, Stanford): 517+ These benchmarks give you a sense...

How to Make the Most of Your AAMC Practice Tests for the MCAT

11 min

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How to Make the Most of Your AAMC Practice Tests for the MCAT

803 Views

A Tutor’s Guide to Smarter Studying, Stronger Scores, and Minimal Stress   Why Your AAMC Practice Exams Are Gold If you’re preparing for the MCAT, you’ve probably heard it a hundred times: The AAMC practice tests are the most accurate predictor of your actual score. And it’s true - no...

MCAT Score: How is the MCAT Scored?

15 min

13234 Views

A group of pre-med students taking the MCAT in a testing center.

13234 Views

MCAT scoring of this multiple-choice test consisting of four sections spanning critical reading to chemistry can often mystify those new to the medical school application process. As the MCAT score is a large part of the medical school application, it is important to understand how the test is designed and scored prior to taking the exam and applying to medical school.

How to Start Studying for the MCAT: A Tutor’s Perspective

13 min

828 Views

MCAT Beginner’s Guide

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If you're reading this, chances are you've taken the leap and decided to apply to medical school. Congratulations! One of the most important, but often intimidating, steps in your journey is conquering the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Whether you're a sophomore starting early, a senior diving in headfirst, or...

My MCAT Strategy: A Tutor’s Perspective

16 min

1856 Views

MCAT Strategy

1856 Views

When I first began studying for the MCAT, I knew it wasn’t just a test of content - it was a test of endurance, discipline, and mental agility. Much like the endurance cycling I love, the MCAT demands more than just raw knowledge. It demands strategy, self-awareness, and the ability...

6 MCAT Reddit Study Tips That Are Absolutely Wrong

17 min

10150 Views

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

10150 Views

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

2029 Views

Pre-medical student studying for the MCAT.

2029 Views

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

5048 Views

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

5048 Views

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...

MD vs. DO Programs: Which Path to Medicine is Right for You?

A DO doctor and his patient.

7046 Views

When starting your medical school application, you will find that there are multiple paths you can choose, namely, MD vs DO. Should you apply to an Allopathic or an Osteopathic medical school? What’s the difference between them, and which path is right for you?

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