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Why You Need an MCAT Tutor: Ace the Exam with BrightSparkz Tutors

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What is MCAT? 

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardised test that forms part of the medical school admission process in multiple countries. It is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and if you want first-hand information their MCAT introductory page should be one of your first stops. We’ll also be looking into getting an MCAT tutor if the need arises. 

Of the 17 accredited medical schools in Canada, 10 require all applicants to complete the MCAT (as at January 2025). For the most up-to-date admission requirements at the school of your choice we recommend that you visit their website to double check what is expected of you.  

Why the MCAT is Challenging

The MCAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based test which takes roughly 7 and a half hours to complete. It is split into four sections: 

  • Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
  • Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
  • Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
  • Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (also called CARS)

The first three sections rely on foundational knowledge covering a range of concepts. The final section is meant to assess your ability to understand and analyse information given to you. 

Because of the MCAT’s structure, which relies on processing a lot of content, along with practicing the question styles for the CARS section, it takes a fair amount of time to prepare for. A realistic timeline is to give yourself between 3 and 6 months to prepare. This does depend on your other concurrent commitments and which year of pre-med you are in. We’ve also included some tips to help guide you. 

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The Benefits of an MCAT Tutor

Knowing when to reach out for support could make the difference between ending up below the score you need for admission and achieving a high 90th percentile. An MCAT tutor can provide invaluable support through a tailored and focused approach to exam preparation. Key benefits include:

  • Personalised Study Plan: A tutor can help you to design a study plan specific to your strengths, weaknesses and goals.
  • Targeted Focus on Weak Areas: Tutoring can help you improve in the sections or topics where you lack understanding or just feel frustrated.
  • Guidance on Test-Taking Strategies: Tutors can also teach strategies for pacing, prioritising questions, and tackling complex problems to help you improve your confidence on exam day.
  • Time Management Skills: With expert advice, you can develop the ability to manage your time effectively during preparation and the actual test. A tutor can also help keep you accountable and on track with your study plan. 

To read more about getting a tutor, check out our Ultimate Guide on Getting a Tutor!

How BrightSparkz Tutors Can Help with an MCAT Tutor

Our hand-picked MCAT tutors have a proven track record in their own personal lives of excelling at the subject matter that you need to study. That’s why they are uniquely qualified to take your MCAT preparation to the next level. Additionally, they are also able to provide you with all of the guidance and support that you need online. So you can study from wherever you are most comfortable and have easy access to an expert. What are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today to request a tutor! We’d love to talk about how we can help you achieve your goals.