MCAT Cram Session: Expert Tips, 7-Day Study Plan & Proven Strategies

According to AAMC, students typically spend an average of 100 days preparing for the exam. But, you might succeed in a shorter time with the right methods. These techniques include, but are not limited to, practice exams, active recall, and strategic breaks.

In this blog, we explore what really matters to boost your score in order to maximize efficiency.

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Know What You’re Up Against MCAT Section Breakdown

To maximize your efficiency, focus on high-yield topics that are statistically more likely to appear on the MCAT. Former candidates and experts suggest that amino acids, metabolic pathways like glycolysis, and genetics are very important for the Biology/Biochemistry section.

For Chemistry/Physics, mastering thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and kinematic equations is more recommended. Some students shared that dedicating two hours daily to physics formulas and focusing on relationships between variables were significantly helpful in their final week.

As you might already know, the CARS section is challenging. Statistically, it has the lowest average scores, even among top candidates.

Successful students recommend breaking down complex ideas in 3-4 minutes and prioritizing speed and comprehension. They also suggest leaving the last 5 minutes to review flagged questions to improve accuracy.

However, suppose there is one piece of advice that helps every single individual master their exam. In that case, it is to simulate real test conditions with full-length practice exams, accurate timing, and a similar test environment.

Quick Overview for MCAT Cram Session

Day	Focus	Tasks
Day 1	Diagnostic & Strategic Planning	60 minutes for diagnostic test, 120 minutes reviewing weak areas, Reviewing key concepts, using Jack Westin for practice.
Day 2-5	High-Yield Content Review & Practice	180 minutes focusing on high-yield topics, Jack Westin for timed practice questions, and reviewing mistakes.
Day 6	Full-Length Practice Test & Targeted Review	45 minutes reviewing wrong answers, 30 minutes reviewing right answers, 60 minutes targeted review, 45 minutes on difficult passages.
Day 7	Mental Preparation & Exam Day Strategies	Simulate real test conditions, manage anxiety, 4-7-8 breathing technique, progressive muscle relaxation, time management strategies.

Day 1: Diagnostic & Strategic Planning

On Day 1 of your MCAT practice session, identify your weak spots. Start with a targeted diagnostic test.

A full-length MCAT diagnostic typically takes around 7.5 hours. But you can take the 2-hour diagnostic to start. Find high-quality and half-length diagnostic tests from AAMC. This will give you a clear snapshot of your starting point.

Once you’ve completed the diagnostic:

Immediately review your weak areas.
Prioritize sections that you scored 20% below your target.
Use active recall techniques like Anki flashcards to cover key concepts quickly.
Turn to Jack Westin’s question banks and practice the passages to master tricky reasoning and critical thinking.

For each weak section, break down your time:

1 hour: Reviewing key concepts (e.g., memorizing amino acids for Biochem).
1 hour: Practicing questions (Jack Westin’s resources are ideal here).
1 hour: Analyzing mistakes and improving where you struggle the most.

Remember, this is just the start! Don’t get discouraged if you receive a low diagnostic score. Now it is time to improve your performance!

Day 2-5: High-Yield Content Review & Practice

During this period, focus on high-yield topics and use active recall techniques. Here’s how to structure each day effectively:

Daily Routine:

Hour 1:

For Chemistry, focus on thermodynamics, acids/bases, and stoichiometry.
For Biology, focus on amino acids, genetics, and metabolic pathways like glycolysis. These are the topics you’ll see most often on the MCAT.

Hour 2:

Use Jack Westin’s question banks to simulate real MCAT conditions.
Take timed mini-exams with passage-based questions to help you build stamina and accuracy.
Remember to flag questions you got wrong to focus on in the final hour.

Hour 3:

After finishing your questions, review your mistakes for 30 minutes.
Write down why you got the answer wrong and find the correct approach.
Take another 30 minutes on high-yield concepts you struggled with. This can be done using Anki flashcards or spaced repetition.

Implement Active Recall and Cornell Notes:
- Active recall is proven to significantly improve long-term memory. Use the Cornell note-taking method to create questions when you are reviewing notes. For example, if you’re studying metabolic pathways, write a question like, “What are the key steps in glycolysis?”. Then, test yourself until you can answer it confidently.
Effective Use of Resources:
- If you’re stuck, turn to Khan Academy or YouTube crash course. These platforms have concise videos to quickly refresh and review concepts. Their methods are very helpful with complex topics like amino acid properties or enzyme kinetics.
Simulate Exam Conditions:
- Use mini-timed exams from Jack Westin to simulate the real MCAT exam. Practice time management by setting a countdown. You should answer each passage within 8-10 minutes and not more.
Motivational Boost:
- When you practice active recall or complete a mini-exam, you rewire your memory. Every small improvement adds up. By every day of practice, you’re reinforcing your memory and confidence.

Day 6: Full-Length Practice Test & Targeted Review

On day 6, simulate test conditions and improve your weak areas. Start with a full-length practice test under real MCAT conditions: 1- Use the official AAMC practice exams. 2- Be strict with your time and take the appropriate breaks. 3- Sit through the entire session to build endurance.

1. Review Wrong Answers (45 minutes)

Begin by reviewing wrong answers. For each, write down the type of mistake you made: Was it a gap in your knowledge? Did you misinterpret the passage? Or did you run out of time?
Use the Lessons Learned Journal strategy: Write down why you missed the question and add the correct reasoning. This will force you to process the error and prevent it from happening again.
Example: If you constantly make mistakes in reading experimental data in biochemistry passages, go back and review key concepts like enzyme kinetics or reaction mechanisms.

2. Review Right Answers (30 minutes)

Review your correct answers, too. Did you guess? Was your reasoning correct? Was there room to make any mistakes? Flag questions that you were unsure of.
Reviewing solid, correct answers can improve your memory speed and will strengthen your knowledge.

3. Targeted Review for Weak Sections (1 hour)

Identify patterns in your wrong answers. Are you consistently struggling with Biochemistry or CARS? Allocate about 50% of your review time to your weakest section. For instance, if Biochemistry continues to be an issue, focus on core topics like glycolysis, amino acids, or enzyme kinetics.
Use Anki flashcards with spaced repetition to reinforce difficult concepts. Add one set of flashcards for content (e.g., enzyme functions in glycolysis) and the other one based on your errors.

4. Prioritize Problem Passages (45 minutes)

Prioritize the hardest passages.
Categorize the passages based on their type (informational, primary research, or lab)
Break them down to make them easier to understand. And try to figure out their components, such as figures and graphs or experimental setups, separately.
Summarize key points.
Example: For a primary research passage, focus on understanding the experiment’s methodology, results, and conclusions.

5. Create a Plan of Action for Test Day (30 minutes)

Based on your review, choose your test strategy.
Prepare your last-minute review notes during your review.

Day 7: Mental Preparation & Exam Day Strategies

Here are top scorers’ and experts’ strategies to help you manage anxiety, time, and your focus.

1. Simulate Test Day Conditions

High scorers recommend a full test simulation one day before the exam.
Visit the test center in person. Figure out your route and estimate the traffic.
Plan out everything from breakfast to what clothes you’ll wear.
Pack all essentials the night before. You might need ID, snacks, water, and earplugs.
These small details reduce your stress in the morning and prevent you from facing unexpected issues.

2. Master Anxiety With Proven Techniques

4-7-8 Breathing Technique: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and exhale slowly for 8 seconds. Repeat this three times when you feel overwhelmed during the test.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: To relieve tension, try tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in your body during breaks. Start from your toes and go to your shoulders.

3. Time Management

CARS Section: Top scorers recommend allocating 8-9 minutes per passage. This includes answering questions, too. Flag difficult questions and come back to them later.
Science Sections: Complete 15 questions per hour. Flag tough questions and return to them in the last 10-15 minutes. This strategy ensures you maintain momentum and finish the section.

5. Contingency Plan for Tough Moments

Reset strategies are designed for obstacles. When you face a very hard section or set of questions, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and move on to the next question. Don’t let one question derail your focus.

6. Fuel Your Body and Mind

On the morning of the test, eat a balanced breakfast to sustain energy. Foods like oatmeal, fruit, or yogurt provide slow-burning energy. Avoid heavy or sugary foods to stabilize your blood sugar during the test.

7. Mindset Is Key

Go into the test with confidence. Positive affirmations like “I’ve prepared, I’m ready, and I can do this” can decrease stress. One top scorer suggested, “As I walked into the test center, I reminded myself that I had already overcome harder challenges in my prep, which helped me stay calm.”

Expert MCAT Cramming Tips

To maximize your cramming sessions, you must prioritize your brain’s health. This is done by ensuring quality sleep and managing stress. Here’s how to make it happen during your MCAT prep:

1. Brain Food for Optimal Focus

Omega-3-rich foods and healthy fats like salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds support brain function by improving focus and memory. Prepare quick snacks like chia seed pudding or a handful of walnuts to eat during breaks.
Antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries, spinach, and kale reduce oxidative stress and protect brain cells, which is crucial during long study sessions. For example, adding a handful of blueberries to your breakfast can help sharpen your mind.
Hydration is essential for keeping your brain alert. Instead of drinking 8 glasses of water, try this: keep a water bottle at your desk and drink half of it every hour.

2. Prioritize Quality Sleep

Memory and cognitive functions are affected by the quality of sleep. You will need to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Your sleep routine includes: 1- resting an hour before bed, 2- avoiding screens, and 3- reading something relaxing to calm your mind.
Sync your body with the exam schedule from at least 7 days before your test.

3. Mental Health and Stress Management

Short mindfulness breaks in your study routine can be very helpful. You can use apps like Headspace or Calm for breathing exercises. For example, after every 90 minutes of study, take 5 minutes to do deep breathing exercises.
Tell yourself sentences like “I’ve prepared for this, and I’m capable.” These simple positive affirmations improve your confidence.

4. Practical Sleep and Nutrition Strategies

Incorporate probiotic-rich foods like yogurt or kefir to support the gut-brain connection, which can reduce stress and improve cognitive function. A quick snack of yogurt with blueberries can also boost your antioxidant intake.
Optimize your sleep by creating a calm and restful environment. Keep your room cool, dark, and quiet. Consider using white noise machines or earplugs to block distractions.

Real-World Experiences of MCAT Cram Session

Terrence Thomas: Strategic Cramming and Staying Calm

Terrence Thomas believes strategic approaches are very important in cramming. He suggests students should take a final practice test one or two weeks before the exam to identify their weak points. He also recommends 6-7 hours daily to study after identifying the weaknesses.

His key advice includes adjusting your sleep schedule to align with the test day. He suggests reducing study intensity one day before. He also encourages the students to stay calm and enjoy the exam, even when they face difficult questions.

Alina At Law: Balancing Prep with Relaxation

Alina At Law takes a more balanced approach to cramming. She shares how she managed her nerves and how she stayed focused on her study plans while she also spent time with her friends.

She believes taking adequate breaks affects overall performance. After months of preparation, Alina feels confident in her readiness. But she also acknowledges the importance of mental well-being so that she can perform at her best.

Bonus Resources for MCAT Prep

Jack Westin MCAT Question Bank: This extensive question bank includes over 9,000 passage-based questions. It covers all sections of the MCAT. Each question has detailed explanations and helps you understand the reasoning behind each answer. The question bank also tracks your performance.

MCAT CARS Practice and Strategy Course: Jack Westin is known for his CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) practice passages. This free resource includes daily practice questions with in-depth feedback.

Full-Length Practice Tests: Jack Westin’s full-length MCAT practice tests closely emulate the real exam’s format and difficulty level. These tests include performance analytics and detailed explanations to refine your strategy and focus on weak areas.

AAMC Official MCAT Resources: The AAMC creates the actual exam and provides the most representative MCAT practice materials. Utilize their full-length practice exams, section banks, and question packs for high-quality and interactive practice.

Conclusion

Cramming for the MCAT is challenging, but with the right strategies and mindset, you can maximize your study efforts in the final days. The key takeaway is to find a method that works for you. This blog highlights the importance of combining strategic study with mental and physical well-being for optimal performance.

For personalized guidance, consider 1:1 tutoring from Jack Westin. Their experienced tutors tailor a study plan specifically for you. They help you target weak areas and refine your strategies. Don’t leave your MCAT prep to chance. Get the support you need to succeed!