Magoosh MCAT Practice Test Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions about MCAT Practice Tests

How often should I take a practice exam?

Throughout the bulk of your MCAT studies, you should be aiming to take at least one full-length practice test each month. The six weeks leading up to your MCAT, you should take a full length practice exam every week or every other week.

Do I need to take all four sections at once? Is it bad to break up the practice exam?

At least three times during your studies, you should take a full-length test without splitting up the sections. One of these should be taken near the beginning of your studies and the other two should be in the final month. For all other practice tests, it is okay to split them up. When possible, tackle two sections at a time so you get used to context switching.

What’s the most effective way to review answers after taking a practice test?

First, realize it will take a long time to go through your answers but that it is time well spent. Consider this review time instrumental to your MCAT studies rather than something “extra” you have to do before going back to studying. Review your answers one section at a time, beginning with the questions you missed. For each of these, make a note of whether you missed the question because you lacked the scientific knowledge needed to arrive at the right answer or if it was a matter of misinterpreting the passage or answer stem. Also take note of any questions you missed due to mathematical errors or because you overlooked important details. Circle or highlight any questions that you feel you still don’t understand despite reading the explanation and make sure you ask a teacher or study partner for help on these.

Once you have gone through all your incorrect answers, read the explanations for the questions you got right because you are likely to learn something new about details contained in one or more of the trap answer choices.

How can I maintain focus and stamina for the entire 7 hours the test requires of me?

As you finish each exam section, mentally put it to rest and don’t look back. Make sure to get your heartrate up on your breaks and consume adequate food and water. To stay focused on boring passages, pretend you are enthralled by the subject matter and can’t wait to get the right answer. You can also try reading aloud or tapping your foot. Most importantly, build your stamina over time and know that it will get easier as you become accustomed to taking long practice tests.