anki cards ("Anki Kādo") is just japanese for flash cards. found this out watching an anime lmao.

If you know him, you know that he's mainly a tutor for USMLE but he has an MCAT QBANK with 5000+ questions. I've heard that his USMLE qbank has worked unbelievably well for the med students taking 2ck and I'm wondering if anyone has found success on the MCAT using his qbank seeing how well he preps the questions?

Hi everyone! I could really use some advice, especially from people who have retaken the MCAT and significantly improved their scores.

I took the MCAT twice and scored a 495 the first time and a 498 the second time, despite studying for six weeks before my retake. I was scoring in the 500s on my practice exams, so I am feeling pretty discouraged and trying to figure out what I need to change.

The first time around, I matured the MileDown Anki deck, excluding Psych/Soc, for which I used Pankow instead. I also completed less than 20% of UWorld and went through AAMC resources, but I did not consistently practice under timed conditions.

For my second attempt, I took Altius practice exams 1–5 because I thought test anxiety might have been the main issue. However, after scoring a 498, I want to completely reevaluate my study strategy rather than repeat the same mistakes.

I am planning to retake in January, which gives me approximately three months to prepare. I want to use this time as effectively as possible and make meaningful improvements before my next attempt.

For those who have been in a similar situation and improved significantly:
What did you change about your study strategy?
- Which resources helped you the most? Was completing most or all of UWorld essential?
- Are there any Anki decks you would recommend over MileDown?
- Did any prep courses actually help you improve your score?
- How did you approach AAMC practice materials and full-length exams?
- If you struggled with test anxiety or scored much lower on the real exam than on your practice tests, what helped you overcome that?

I would genuinely appreciate any advice, resources, or study schedules that helped you break through a score plateau. I am willing to change my approach completely and put in the work. Thank you!

So I’m currently doing the 300 page doc along with khan academy and am having trouble figuring out the uworld mapped for khan academy and the 300 page doc. Does anybody have any insight on how I can do problems while doing content review as well?

Let’s say i had 500 clinical hours by may (app started). Do they also consider the hours i will be doing while im waitint for the acceptance? Will we have somewhere to add the expected hours in the application and are those taken into consideration? If not can i just add how much im expecting as part of my clinical hours

Hi everyone! I’m about to start studying again for the MCAT after scoring much lower than I hoped, and I’d really appreciate hearing from retakers about what worked for them. For reference I used Anki and Kaplan for content , uworld/AAMC for practice.

My current plan is to spend about a month on content review using Kaplan books and Anki, with YouTube videos for topics I’m struggling with. But I know I need to change my approach instead of repeating the same thing and expecting a different result.

How did you figure out what went wrong with your previous attempt? What changes to your studying, practice, or test-taking approach made the biggest difference?

Thanks so much for any advice!

The first score is my 9/12 exam. And the second score was last year. Given that I only studied for the 5/12 exam in 2-3 weeks, but I did nothing but study. My goal is a 520. I don't come from a strong science background clearly.. I did my undergrad in Human development and MS in Integrative Biology. I feel like I just don't know how to read these CP and Bio sections like english. I ran out of time nearly everytime and even on exam days. It takes me 2-3 mins to do things like 5+2 also... bc I think about and rethink it. Should I get a tutor just for this and how much can they help me fix this if I'm retaking by jan 15. I'm first gen and black, with dreams of going to medical school for free, I don't want my mcat score to be the thing that holds me back.

I am curious if anyone has taken the MCAT before taking the two semesters of physics that most med schools require. I graduated with my Bachelor’s in 2025, but had not yet decided I wanted to pursue med school so I have not yet taken those classes. I plan to take them of course, likely in the summer, but at this point, I have started to prepare for the MCAT, and I am wondering if this is feasible/if anyone has done this. If yes, any advice is appreciated!

dumb elementary question but for the life of me i cannot seem to convert between them (ex. ml to L ; vise versa). is there a resource where can i get better at this instead of finding them through my uworld practice problems. i tried ai but it doesnt seem to know what exactly im asking and gives me different unit conversion practice problems. please and thank you.

Kaplan is saying Moles of Enzyme per second.

Why is that? I don’t quite understand that conceptually

Scored a 507 on 9/4 and was pretty upset about it because I’ve scored a 511 and a 513 on full lengths. Obviously SUPER upset about CARS cuz that’s the lowest I’ve ever scored😭. I plan on retaking hopefully in January, but does anyone have any tips for me to assure I score above a 510? Please any help is needed I’m definitely in a rough spot right now!!

Do people inflate their clinical hours because the numbers i’m usually seeing are crazy😭😭. I’m literally just starting as an MA this week and it feels like i won’t have time to get as much hours before the next application. Especially since my stats are really low so i need something to save my application.

It’s so dumb and confusing. Just talk about it normally. I don’t want this confusing metaphor I have to keep connecting back and forth to the actual topic lol

Hi guys, kinda overwhelmed rn, there is a lot of resources for content review and I'm just starting to plan out my studying and am confused on where to start. Some people say get kaplan books (but they're so expensive..) and others say Khan Academy and Youtube is sufficient for content review. Based on your own experiences what worked for you guys? Is it worth paying for kaplan books or are free resources enough? Any tips to survive lol (I'm studying for the MCAT while taking classes rip) anywayss help is appreciated thank you!!

Hi I have ADHD, Audio Processing Disorder and Binocular Vision Dysfunction. I tried for accommodations this MCAT testing year yet they told me they likely would not be approved by my testing date (9/4).

I took the MCAT back in August 2025 and scored 486 then took it again this September which i got a 489. I was averaging in the high 490s so I was really discouraged to see my score drop in every section by 2-3 points which was below what I was averaging.

I took all my practice tests under the proctored testing conditions to try to minimize anxiety when it came to test day. This past summer I had a neuropsych evaluation and the provider suggested I get accommodations such as breaks, time and half and ability to be in a room where I could read aloud due to how I process information. I was curious if someone has been through this experience and what would they suggest when approaching to take this test for a third time so I am successful this go around. Thank you for any advice :)

As an international student (with GC), I always struggled in CARS. I guess it was insurmountable. Still happy with my score.

Ask me anything about science prep tho; glad to answer any questions

Hi so I got approved for accommodations due to physical disability in my hands and mobility stemming from a neurological condition diagnosed in my 20’s.

After having to painstakingly prove I am in fact physically disabled (people on here weren’t kidding how difficult the AAMC makes it even with literal documented physical handicap from multiple neuro sub specialists), I am now granted +50% time on testing and was wondering if anyone had recommendations on how to incorporate this into my studying or practicing?

Obv majority of resources break things down for the standard timing of things.

Should I do practice tests with the timing I’ll get or do them under standard timing?

Crusty Penis → neural crest develops into most of the PNS

Incline plane trick:

• Cosine crunches → perpendicular to the plane
• Sine slides → parallel to the plane
• Friction fights → friction opposes relative motion or impending motion

Ox-hemoglobin dissociation curve → Increase CADET = right shift

• CO₂
• Acid (increased H⁺)
• 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG)
• Exercise
• Temperature

Fatty acid synthesis = Amy Can Ride Dick Right → Attach, Condense, Reduce, Dehydrate, Reduce

Beta-oxidation = Oh HOT → Oxidation, Hydration, Oxidation, Thiolysis

Electromagnetic spectrum: Raging Martians Invaded Venus Using X-ray Guns → Radio, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, X-rays, Gamma rays

PORN

• Proactive = old memories interfere with new memories
• Retroactive = new memories interfere with old memories

She Always Likes Kinky Sex Positions → Strong acids have large Ka values and small pKa values

In total, I did 8430 practice questions, including 13 FLs and 3 half FLs

This includes:

1. 1055 JW questions at 73% accuracy
2. 2691 uplanet questions (89.6% completion) at 73% accuracy
3. all AAMC practice questions

I averaged 517.3 across 7 official FLs: unscored 512/515/514/519/518/518/525

So I technically averaged my last two official FLs (129/127/130/132) and (129/132/132/132)

Third party FLs were rough:

• BP FL1 — 509 
• PR FL1 — 509 
• PR FL2 — 503 
• BP Diagnostic — 514 
• PR FL3 — 506 
• Kap FL — 514 
• Alti 1/2 Length Exam — 514 
• MSC hFL — 514 
• PR Free FL — 510

Finished all of Pankow and Milesdown decks

Female ORM applicant from NYC, currently a junior. My goal is to attend an MD school, as I’m interested in pursuing a highly competitive specialty, specifically orthopedic surgery. I would strongly prefer to attend medical school in NY or another major city rather than a rural area. I also plan to apply traditionally, without taking any gap years.

GPA: 3.82 cumulative and science GPA, both of which will likely increase by the time I apply. (upward trend)

Clinical Experience: I’ve been working as a medical scribe for an adult orthopedic spine surgeon for the past 1.5 years and plan to continue until graduation. (will be over 1k hours)

Shadowing: I shadowed an adult orthopedic spine surgeon throughout my freshman year. I also spent three months shadowing physicians in pediatric orthopedics, anesthesiology, and family medicine on a daily basis. (hundreds of hours in total)

Research: I’ve been involved in orthopedic research for the past six months and expect to have at least one abstract and one publication by the time I apply.

Volunteering: I’ve been volunteering by assisting my physical therapist since the beginning of high school.

Teaching: I’ve served as an undergraduate organic chemistry TA for two semesters.

MCAT: I just received my score on Tuesday: 510 (128/126/127/129).

I’m currently conflicted about whether to retake the MCAT. Given my goal of attending an MD school, preferably in NYC, elsewhere in NY, or another major city, I’m unsure whether a 510 will significantly limit my options, particularly at more competitive schools.

I would really appreciate feedback on how competitive my application looks so far, whether an MCAT retake would be worthwhile, and what I should prioritize improving before applying, especially since I’m hoping to matriculate without taking a gap year.

Realistically, from what any recent test takes here can remember how many equations did you actually end up using on your test to calculate an actual value ? I know to definitely memorize Gibbs free energy, F=ma, V=IR, p = mcat, W=Fd—- but like what was the estimate of actual questions requiring you to calculate.

Thank you all and again please don’t be rude in the responses as that’s unfortunately a common theme in this subbredit

Tested 9/12 and scored a 526 (132/130/132/132). My goal score going into this exam was 525+ so I am very happy with this score. However, I wanted to share a message to this subreddit that has been weighing on me.

In the early stages of my MCAT prep, this subreddit was extremely helpful in helping me decide which resources and strategies to use (and for this I'm grateful). About a month out from my exam, I scored 523 (132/128/131/132) on FL3, which I was happy with for where I was in my prep, but I knew that there were a few things I needed to work on. As such, I made a post on reddit asking for specific advice about how to improve my CARS score and also for strategies to improve my B/B base (while I scored 131, I was not very confident with a lot of the questions).

Most of the comments on this post were just straight hate, basically disparaging me and my desire to score higher. People thought that because my score was already in the 99th percentile, I didn't deserve any advice and that I should be content with what I already had. I did receive some helpful comments (thanks to u guys) but overall, this was pretty discouraging.

This type of response is unfortunately not isolated. I did make one more post two weeks out asking for specific advice on what to do the last two weeks leading up to the exam and received similar comments. Additionally, I've seen other high scorers get similar comments.

Now I understand where this might be coming from. I understand that to some, scoring 520+ is a dream come true and to see a post of someone complaining about 523 when u are struggling to break 510 or even 500 can be discouraging and frustrating, I can acknowledge that but the solution shouldn't be to discourage high scorers from scoring high. Deeming that someone isn't allowed to be unhappy and want more once they score above 520 doesn't make sense. Two people could score a 513 with one over the moon and the other devastated, so why can't this be true when the number is 523? Because the score is in the 99th percentile? Why should that matter? We should strive to support and push everyone, no matter what they are scoring.

Personally, posting my 523 was never about bragging or showing off because I simply was not proud of my score (yet). I wanted genuine advice about how to improve in my weak areas and there are plenty of people on reddit who can offer helpful advice, even to high scorers (there are literally 528 scorers in this subreddit). My hope is that by writing this post, I can bring awareness to this issue. To those who are hating, just move on when you see this kind of post, it was never meant for you anyway. To those who are in this position, know that it is ok to want more, and it is ok to work hard, even when you are doing well. The MCAT is hard enough without having people actively hating on you, so lets just support and push another rather than bringing people down.

Finally, I know that scoring above 520 on the MCAT increasingly has diminishing returns. There is no significant difference between a 523 and a 526 from an admissions perspective, but for those out there who claim that it is neurotic to even aspire beyond a 523 for this reason just doesn't get it. For me, scoring 525+ was never about optimizing for admissions, but rather about pushing myself to be the best I could be, because I knew I what I was capable of if I put my mind to it.

After several panicked post here, I finally got my score back from 9/12 and I’m really very pleased with it. I’m competitive for all of the schools I want to apply for. I am a bit concerned with my CARS score being a bit lower and my score not being super balanced overall. Could this potentially be an issue as a U.S. applicant?

I’m not sure what happened with my CARS. It was my strongest part from the start. I have a great English background from high school and read a lot, and was getting 131s and 132s on my first couple practice tests. This score kept dropping, especially as I got nearer to my test. I think I started overthinking questions, or maybe I just got tired by the whole process. Also I noticed my score on a passage correlated with how interested I was in its topic, so there’s that. Has anyone else face the issue of the mysteriously dropping CARS?

Probably gonna get dogged on for posting this but I'm just starting off studying for the MCAT, I'm a junior in college taking 16 credits (2 hard classes and 2 mediocre/easy classes) and I'm planning on taking the MCAT either late Feb/early March. I also have club and research obligations (15-20 hours per week total). And after reading through some of the posts on this subreddit on studying while in school, I'm just feeling a little discouraged and am also honestly so lost on how to get started, I took a kaplan diagnostic yesterday and got a 491 and just felt discouraged even though it's just a diagnostic. And there's just so many things out there on what to do, what not to do, etc. that it's just overwhelming. I was wondering if anyone was in my shoes before, and how you managed to plan everything and what worked for you, what didn't, where/how did you start?😭

Honestly any tips appreciated!

(sorry for the rant, just stressed rn)

My uni is offering a free mock mcat. Should I take it to see how the test is styled or would that be a waste of time.