Preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a marathon, not a sprint.
Sitting through the seven-and-a-half-hour MCAT exam requires more than just content review; it requires mental stamina, strategic pacing, and self-awareness.
Many students make the mistake of diving into full-length exams too early or too often, burning out before test day.
The key to long-term success is adopting a thoughtful, deliberate training regimen built by expert MCAT tutors. Here’s how to do it.
Why Stamina Matters on the MCAT
The MCAT is not just a test of knowledge—it’s a test of endurance. With four long sections covering a wide range of topics, maintaining focus and energy throughout the exam is essential.
Key Challenges of the MCAT:
- Length: Over 7 hours with breaks
- Cognitive Load: Requires sustained critical thinking
- Pacing: Balancing speed and accuracy
- Mental Fatigue: Dealing with exhaustion and stress
Without proper stamina training, even the most knowledgeable students can underperform.
That’s why incorporating practice MCAT exams into your study plan is essential.
Give Yourself More Time Than You Think
Full-length exams aren’t something you should rush into. It’s generally recommended that students take no more than one practice test per week, and only after they’ve covered most of the content and feel confident in their knowledge.
Practicing with question banks and section-specific material while learning content is essential. Still, full-length exams are best saved for when you’re familiar with the material and have gone through your prep books and Anki cards.
The ideal prep timeline is usually three to six months. Less than that, and you risk cramming; more than that, and you can lose momentum. A compressed schedule adds urgency and consistency, both of which are critical for doing well on the MCAT.
Start Slow and Build Steady
Think of MCAT prep like training for a triathlon. You wouldn’t start by running 20 miles on day one; you’d build up to it. The same applies to the MCAT.
Start by taking your first two full-length exams untimed. Working untimed gives you the space to understand the questions deeply and learn from them without the added stress of a countdown clock. It lets you focus on accuracy over speed, which should always come first.
Then, once you’re consistently answering questions correctly, gradually introduce timed conditions. For your third test, just time one or two sections. Then, you’ll have properly worked your way up to a full, timed exam taken under as close to real conditions as possible (yes, that means no checking your phone during breaks).
Taking more than one full-length a week can feel productive, but it often leads to burnout and diminishing returns. Full-length tests are mentally exhausting. If you’re too tired to review your mistakes thoroughly after the test, you’re missing half the value.
Remember: it’s not about how many exams you take. It’s about how well you learn from each one.
Track Your Weak Sections
The CARS section is often the most challenging for students, as most MCAT takers are science majors. But the key to improving in CARS is detailed tracking.
One effective method is to keep an Excel or Google Sheet log where you note:
- Which questions did you get wrong
- Why did you get them wrong
- What do you do differently next time
Avoid the temptation to write things like “misread word” or “confusing answers,” as satisfying as that might feel at the moment.
Instead, look for patterns in your thinking.
Are you misreading the tone?
Getting lost in the details?
Applying background knowledge where you shouldn’t?
Identifying trends in your reasoning and noticing mistakes you make will help you correct them as soon as possible.
This technique can be applied to any other sections you struggle with, especially ones requiring “reasoning beyond the text.” These are the types of questions where it helps to think and write them out for the best understanding.
Review Deeply, Not Just Quickly
It’s not enough to know which questions you got wrong; you need to understand why you got them wrong, even if it’s not tracked on a spreadsheet. Was it a misread detail? A knowledge gap?
A rushed answer? A flawed assumption or a gap in understanding? Every missed question is an opportunity, and the more intentional you are about reviewing them, the more you’ll grow.
Treat your mistakes like flashcards: the more time you spend with them, the less likely you are to make them again. Don’t just nod at the explanation and move on. Take the time to pause and reflect, even if it feels tedious.
Could you spot that trap next time?
Would you fall for it again?
Would you even notice it at that moment?
This kind of honest, active review is what separates students who truly improve from those who plateau after a few points of progress.
Aim for Around 10 Practice Exams
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as taking too many full-length MCAT practice exams. While it might seem logical that more tests equal more preparation, that’s not always the case. In fact, overexertion can backfire, leading to burnout and diminished retention.
While every student’s prep journey is different, most high scorers tend to complete around 10 full-length practice exams before test day. That said, it’s not about doing 10 tests just for the sake of it. Pay attention to your progress.
You might need a few more if you’re still far from your target score by your seventh or eighth test. And if you’re already consistently scoring well above your goal, you may not need the full ten.
Ideally, by the time test day rolls around, you should be scoring at least a couple of points above your target score on your practice exams. You’re walking into a new environment, surrounded by unfamiliar sounds and people, with your future riding on the outcome, all of which adds extra pressure and stress.
Even if you’ve done timed practice under perfect conditions, the weight of the actual exam can shake your confidence or throw off your rhythm. That’s normal, and unfortunately, not something you can fully simulate at home.
You can prepare for the MCAT, but you can’t always prepare for how your nerves will show up on test day. That’s why you want to build in a buffer: to give yourself the space to have an off moment and still succeed.
Also check out Medical Student Tips: Staying Organized in Rotations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions, students often make critical errors during the full-length MCAT practice exams.
Mistakes to Watch For:
- Skipping Review: Don’t just take the test—analyze it
- Cramming: Avoid back-to-back exams without rest
- Ignoring Timing: Practice under real-time conditions
- Neglecting Breaks: Simulate the full test-day experience
- Overemphasis on Score: Focus on learning, not just numbers
Final Thoughts
Training for the MCAT is a marathon, not a sprint. By starting slowly, tracking your progress, and reviewing your mistakes with intention, you’ll build not only the knowledge but also the endurance needed to excel.
Full-length practice exams are powerful tools, but only when used wisely. With the right pacing, structure, and mindset, you can utilize them effectively and achieve your target score.
FAQs
1. How many full-length MCAT practice exams should I take?
Most experts recommend between 6–10 exams. Space them out over your study period, increasing frequency as test day approaches.
2. When should I start taking full-length practice exams?
Start after 2–3 weeks of content review. Begin with one exam every two weeks, then increase to weekly or biweekly.
3. How can I simulate real test conditions?
- Start at 8:00 AM
- Use official timing
- Take scheduled breaks
- Eliminate distractions
- Use a quiet, test-like environment
4. What should I do after taking a practice exam?
- Review every question
- Log mistakes
- Identify timing issues
- Adjust your study plan accordingly
5. Are all MCAT practice exams equally effective?
No. Prioritize exams from the AAMC for the most realistic experience.
