How I Scored 520+ on the MCAT | My Study Schedule & Templates

In this video, I discuss how I prepared for the MCAT, from resources I used to test-taking strategies. If you decide to view the free written guide that Anuva and I wrote, please leave this video playing on mute in the bg for the ~algorithm~! Good luck studying. :-)
Written guide: bit.ly/36clF1x
High-Yield MCAT test-taking strategies: • MCAT Test-Taking Tips ...
Study with Me for the MCAT (How I Use UWorld): • Study with Me for the ...
When to take the MCAT: • When should you take t...
All About Being Pre-Med: • Which Courses to Take ...
Medical School Application Guide: • Medical School Applica...
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TIMESTAMPS »
0:00 Intro
1:27 Science Background, Scores
3:01 Basics of the MCAT
5:25 Resources I used
7:06 Total costs $$$
8:18 Fee Assistance
8:39 CARS Practice
9:48 Scheduling the exam
11:39 Making the schedule
12:29 Getting started
13:25 Timeline
18:24 Improving your score
20:48 Closing advice
FAQ »
School? - Brown University, Class of 2021
Concentration (major)? - Public Health (pre-med track)
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[@MayGao]

Before you comment with a question, CHECK THE WRITTEN GUIDE. bit.ly/36clF1x There is a FAQ section where I answer most of your q's. If you still have a lingering question, especially if it's about your personal situation, please dm me on instagram @mayzgao. Thanks for the kind comments, and happy studying :-)

[@delaniedeegan822]

I'm scared, this is really overwhelming.

[@MayGao]

@@delaniedeegan822 Take it one step at a time! You can look at the slides for a less overwhelming overview, linked at the top of the guide. You don’t need to look at all the details in one sitting (ie save the section on reviewing full lengths for later in your studies)! You got this 💪

[@meedy92]

If you created a study guide of all the course material for yourself for each subject can you please include that as well in Google drive format in description. Thanks in advance! 😊

[@ahmedalkaabi4872]

Got a 527 mcat score thank you sooooooooo much for the tips, now I am at Stanford med:)

[@maraisfan4life517]

Slay boy

[@mansoormohamedali122]

Mash’s Allah Ahmed. I am applying for Stanford as well. I would like to connect with you.

[@peteroladapodavid8402]

congratss!!

[@zeinabelsayed5383]

عملتها ازاي ؟ او ازاي درست له او بدأت ازاي ؟

[@Babygirllll593]

hi, any advice for someone, how did u study and do well on the exam??

[@anikasaxena5979]

Hi May!! I followed your study schedule and made a 520+ . Took the test on 6/4 :) thank you so much for this amazing video/resource. I can’t thank you enough!!

[@MayGao]

Congrats! Love to hear it

[@aries5685]

I've been looking for a more detailed vid on studying for the MCAT and KZbin recommends this to me. I really wanna cry this is the best one

[@MayGao]

I'm so happy you found it helpful!

[@michaelpark6714]

"The MCAT is hard and the MCAT is important" ahahaha I see you

[@MayGao]

It literally took weeks to stop getting that ad but now I'm at peace 😌

[@aqualife88]

🤣🤣

[@Localafricanbabe]

😂😂😂😭I read this in his voice

[@braxtonwalker9449]

I started getting that ad for weeks, and I won't be going to med school until 8 years from now.

[@444fawn]

i keep getting that ad and i’m going to dental school.. about 4 years from now

[@zoechowmien]

Thanks so much for providing all these resources! And congrats on a 520+!!🎉🎉

[@lululyric]

you’re incredible!!! congrats 🥳

[@ushachengan3752]

Thank you for taking your time to consolidate all the resources! Really appreciate the time you spent on this. Take care!

[@siahgreen9602]

My goodness! Bless you! Thank you for including the prices. Also, congratulations!

[@nd4864]

Thank you for making this! I’m going to start my MCAT review next week and needed guide. This video is perfect!

[@jocelyn9568]

Congrats on your score!! And thank you so much for the guide :’) will def be using it to study for the mcat next summer!

[@aqualife88]

Girl, this is seriously a great, thorough video! I have watched SOOOO many MCAT videos in the past several months and literally all the study resources I gathered to use from those videos, you mentioned! Not only that, but you mentioned everything into detail, so that being said I really appreciate you! Thanks a lot for your advice!

[@MaryOsire]

This is literally the most helpful MCAT video on KZbin thank you SO much to you and Anuva for this and for the guide!!

[@ramcam7042]

THANK YOU!!! I was looking for this and this is by far the most useful video I have come across.

[@yaquelinortiz4518]

Congrats May 🥳 so proud of you!!

[@valeriagamez1509]

Wow, thank you!!! This is amazing! I’m planning on taking the MCAT in the spring and I’m definitely going to use your guide!💜

[@MayGao]

Yay! You’ll do great :)

[@calxxx]

Congrats on the 520! Cant wait to follow your med school journey!

[@Mskyraelise]

This is literally the most helpful and appealing video going over all things MCAT! Thank you so much for creating the video and the guide for those coming behind you! You are a gem! :)

[@soufassi]

May, I am currently a student at Stanford and I just watched this video and read the entire guide. First of all, thank you for the time you both put into everything. I have been studying for months concerned I was wasting too much time doing handwritten notes and laughed when I saw your comment on it. I'm just reading now and retaining way more. Congrats on crushing it, taking it in January so hopefully I join you on that score haha.

[@MayGao]

Thanks for the comment, Sami! I am indeed too stubborn for my own good, lol. Best of luck! 😊

[@jadenkoren8338]

This is the most helpful video/document I have been able to find. Thank you so much!!

[@Chuiialjo]

Thank you so much for your effort to explain and narrow down the basics and process comprehensively! Merry Christmas!!

[@allisonbrown3130]

Thank you so much this is the best break down I’ve seen yet on studying for the MCAT. I will definitely be using your study guide 😉😊💯‼️

[@spookylukey97]

This is amazing! Thank you so much. I stayed for the whole video 👍

[@esra-zr4wl]

This video and everything attached is so amazing. I barely know anybody with MCAT experience and my school is not very helpful, so this has been an absolute lifesaver with studying and giving me confidence to do it. THANK YOU!!!

[@meseacarroll380]

This video was one of the most helpful videos I’ve seen yet! Thank you so much will definitely be sharing this with my fellow pre-med classmates!

[@MayGao]

Hope they find it helpful too :-)

[@annrenji9859]

Although I am not doing Premed, I am impressed on the amount of hard work and efforts you put in making this video and the guide as well. Congrats on the MCAT score!!

[@mayerlylara1600]

This is amazing May! Thank you for the resource 💞

[@aroundtheworldgirl4431]

I have been getting this video in my recommendations for weeks now. When I first saw it, I saved it to my Med School playlist. But after seeing someone in my fb premed group recommend it, I decided to watch it tonight. Let me tell you, you are an MCAT angel. This is amazing! I'm not even going to begin studying for the MCAT until January of '22, but this video made me excited to study for the MCAT. Most detailed and useful video I have ever seen. If I had premed friends I would have definitely shared your video with them. Bless you for all of your hard work. You are going places and any med school that gets you is going to be very lucky to have you. Great job on the video and your awesome MCAT score.

[@MayGao]

This was such a kind comment! I'm happy you stumbled upon the video and found it encouraging. :-)

[@khushbushah3550]

super duper helpful!! really appreciate you, and your friend putting this guide together! Hopefully I can get myself to perform similarly.. kinda nervous but also ready to take on the MCAT. Goodluck with everything moving forward and med school!

[@MayGao]

Thank you! Good luck :) 🍀

[@reganb271]

thank you so so much for this. I am trying to start studying for my MCAT (summer before my senior year) and I’m so overwhelmed and confused and this was so helpful. I really appreciate you taking the time to put all of this information together to help others like me and I hope everyone who needs to see this finds it when they need it:)

[@1Jaunter]

Starting to study for it High school senior year.

[@kiefeha6293]

That's so awesome, congratulations and thank you! Keep going! :)

[@aislinnburke7936]

Thank you!thank you!thank you!!! This is greatly appreciated, and I will surely be using your templates, thank you for the tips!!

[@stephaniebrady31]

GREAT RESOURCE!! Thanks for this!

[@amandagaccione5175]

THANK YOU SO MUCH i'm taking my MCAT in a little over a month and was struggling to see how to review my tests and this has helped me improve thank you a million times over!

[@cloud9ine103]

you're literally so motivating

[@Lee.Axel00]

This video is awesome! Your study schedule and templates are just what I needed to get organized. Thanks for sharing how you scored 520+ on the MCAT. Feeling pumped and ready to tackle my prep.

[@BasicallyBosco]

Thank youuu for this!! I learned a lot in your mcat videos lately. Excited to start studying!

[@MayGao]

Love to hear it!

[@sadiaa5574]

wish i ran into this during my first studying period. this video was very helpful and can’t wait to use the written guide!!!!

[@rm.5497]

im actually taking the LSAT in a couple years but this video was really well-made! Congrats :)

[@zacharybernstein8615]

This is awesome! Well done!

[@allisons4077]

OMG the written guide is so good! Thanks, May and Anuva! Also, congrats!!!!!!

[@MayGao]

💛

[@MicahCallahan927]

This was such a useful video! So informative! And those google docs are beautiful!!

[@mcatbros4350]

glad our 300 pg notes were able to help you!

[@makenna3816]

thank you queen! This is so incredibly helpful

[@ellajument]

I’m not taking this exam but I’m so excited for you that all your hard work paid off! Go May and Anuva!!

[@MayGao]

🥺💛

[@jessicap713]

thank you for this! the doc is so organized :')

[@ajmbwetshangol]

You guys are the best. Precious gems! THANK YOU! 🤍

[@mrahimimd]

I literally love you for making this

[@monicology]

520+ OKAY GIRL WE SEE YOU 💞💞💞 i'll be taking this soon, and i appreciate this SO much!

[@ashleytorres2298]

You're amazing ! Such a big heart for doing this

[@MayGao]

Thank you for watching! Don’t forget to leave a like if you found the guide/video helpful and share this with a friend. 💞 Also if you're not premed and you still clicked on my video just to support me you're a real one HAHA-comment what I should name my plants!! Edit: Thank you for all the kind comments! Makes me so happy that you all are finding this useful :)

[@josephanthony1655]

So the MCAT books are not enough ???

[@Fatima-bh5sq]

I’m a whole junior in high school... and don’t even want to major or work in the medical field. I don’t know why I just watched this whole video

[@MayGao]

You’re my favorite

[@o.m.7766]

tbh im using this advice for ap sciences rn ahhh

[@Born2Losenot2win]

*join us*

[@katherinem.davila8581]

Thank you so much for this video! It’s scary but it’s nice to see others ahead and going back to help those following the same path. 🙏🏽

[@michellemimay564]

Hi May, You are amazing! First of all, I downloaded your pages of information and let me just say, this was the most helpful guide ever! I appreciate you so much!

[@Sara-kj2ck]

This is the most helpful guide ever, you're such a real one, and I genuinely thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!! 💞😭 I can tell you worked rlly hard to put this together cause this is a VERY thorough guide, and also thank you for making it free for us pre-med students! if I get my dream score it's honestly cause of you.

[@trinitynixon9864]

Thank you so much for this!! I am getting ready to enter undergraduate and had no clue that I had to take the MCAT so early, Jan of Junior year. It also helps because I think I want to have Biochem in that sem before because it seemed that worked for Anuva. I appreciate all your work that you put into this!!

[@judyngBRUH]

Thank you so much! Will be planning out my own schedule soon :)

[@munazza1.01]

This is amazing and really helpful!! love the study guide and how you prepared a whole presentation!! THANK YOU!!

[@MayGao]

:)

[@eshamishra1693]

Thank you so much for uploading this video... And congratulations

[@mustafaqadri927]

Time management is awesome Thank you for better guidelines

[@medcatmcat]

AAMC material is huge! Great advice. Definitely start early and often with the AAMC material.

[@kayleesteiner5546]

Thanks for the tips and guide. SUPER helpful

[@mariiag.8683]

This video is awesome!! It was really helpful to give me an idea of how to start the mcat prep. Thank you

[@cynthiawang9973]

Omg congrats on ur score!!

[@hammed1080]

thank you so much, this is amazing.

[@amyyoone9699]

May this is amazing! Thank you so much. This helps take off so much stress

[@MayGao]

I'm so glad!

[@StevieSimpson]

Thank you for all the advice!!

[@sandramichellejuarez8327]

Girl you are AWESOME !!! Thank You !

[@binitapandya1661]

So helpful, thank you so so so much!!

[@quaintleaf1208]

thank you so much May and Anusha! super helpful content! will definitely be using your guide when I get to sophomore or junior year (still a freshie lol) again THANK YOU SO MUCH!! super appreciate! sending love and blessings from Boston! wishing you two the best w/ med school applications! :)

[@MayGao]

best of luck with your first year!

[@zionSTARcampbell]

Thank you so much. This is extremely helpful and well thought out and I am so grateful!!! :)

[@MayGao]

💛

[@a576823]

congrats may!!!

[@JT-tx2ns]

this is literally the most helpful video out there about the MCAT.

[@j.fonville6690]

This is amazing, thank you guys so much

[@llamadrama8619]

Wow that’s so good! Great job 👏 🤗

[@SamElle]

WOW im not premed at all but this would have been so helpful when I was studying for the GRE!

[@bri31221]

Very helpful video, lots of things I needed to hear haha especially not writing so many handwritten notes.

[@MayGao]

Haha my notes got progressively messier until I gave up

[@sofiabrown770]

thank you for making the MCAT seem achievable. lol ive been putting it off until the absolute last minute but I really appreciate you giving me a real world view of what I need to be doing. I feel a lot better after this video. Good luck in med school!

[@MayGao]

good luck studying! you can do it

[@amanday7278]

you are an absolute blessing

[@davidperezTM]

This is tickling all of my type A cells >.< You’re amazing thank you so much This has been SO helpful to me!!

[@MayGao]

Glad you found it helpful! :-) Good luck

[@ivianz2308]

congrats May!!

[@dthomas7032]

Congrats May! Great news, we need a Jenny and AY reaction video.

[@MrWood-qd6kr]

It’s been a few years since I’ve graduated. I am studying for the MCAT but I also work full time. With SO MANY GUIDES, it makes me nervous as to where to start so thank you so much!

[@Drockyeaboi12]

How are you going to go to med school while working full time ? Did you take your test already?

[@lillya1139]

@@Drockyeaboi12 no they probably graduated w their bachelors and are working off of that lol

[@sgt.sargent3242]

@@lillya1139 This is why many med students undergrad in engineering to earn good starting money and save for med school while studying for mcat.

[@lyllianasanchez6230]

Just bought mcat prep and felt super overwhelmed on how to start and how to schedule it. You’re video helped me so much!!

[@jeanetterojas1005]

Omg this video is amazing 😍 thank you so much for this video :)

[@Juliana-mm5td]

Woahhh!! Congratulations

[@shamyaharris9969]

SIS, I’ve been following your study plan and I’m on my second month of studying and I just finished my content review. My score on my first FL has literally went up 8 points compared to my diagnostic score. THANK YOU SO MUCH. This just gave me that little teeny ounce of hope of I needed to keep going.❤️❤️❤️

[@chantalhernandez9879]

How long did your content review take?

[@wanny_prettyfab]

We need an update sis!!!

[@littlesparrow303]

Thank you for making this!! I know I graduate by the end of this year then plan on studying for 4-5 months in 2022. I haven't finished all requirements so I'll rather wait. This really is helpful cause I want to get this over with in 1 try if not 2 is okay. My cousins gave up on studying for the MCAT so it made me become really nervous but I know I can pass it.

[@trashhpandaa]

work of art thank you so much :'O

[@kalkidanberhanu7708]

Thanks for the advice!

[@butterfly-oz9zb]

omg thank you for this!!!

[@Kata_Rin]

thanks so much for this video. due to taking a lot of unnecessary courses in college to “explore”, as my advisor had suggested, i ended up with a lower-than-competitive GPA (of course nowhere even close to flunking out of college) for medical school. I have good extracurriculars, skills, experiences, and good places to ask for strong letters of recommendation so I really think I’ll just need to pump up my MCAT score to give myself a better fighting chance. I have no doubts I’ll get into medical school, nonetheless I’m definitely still worried. I appreciate your video a lot and hopefully I can make good use of the time I have to ace the MCAT when I take it next year. My GPA is too low for my school’s pre-med committee to accept me as a candidate they would approve for medical school so i’m on my own!

[@veraniaamaton6747]

Angels do exist. Thank you thank you thank you ❤️🥺

[@kenziemayrae3568]

Thank you so much! I am taking the MCAT April 29th 2022, I will let you know how it goes! Love the document you made and very excited to use your template to plan my schedule!

[@lysdieespinoza8487]

How do your MCAT go?

[@kenziemayrae3568]

@@lysdieespinoza8487 Not great, really must have just gotten testing nerves. Applying this cycle, (VERY likely won't get in) prepping my head for taking the MCAT again. 🥲

[@medcatmcat]

As someone who's tutored the MCAT for a while, I have to say: this is an extremely solid and well-done video! ⭐Only thing I would recommend is maybe 2 weeks for third party and 6 weeks for AAMC-the AAMC problems take a lot longer than you'd think, as you have to factor in review time.

[@MayGao]

Depends on the person and schedule! I finished AAMC content faster than expected and ended up redoing content in my last 1-2 weeks. Meanwhile, I wish I budgeted more time for third party exams and UWorld. Thanks for your perspective!

[@ty_saucy1662]

Hey do you still tutor for it

[@Celuii]

This is very helpful. You did a good job studying and it payed off wonderfully 🥳

[@kathrynlee1091]

I’m also planning on going pre-med @ Brown so your content has been so helpful for preparation!!! Thanks for all your hard work in putting these resources together!!!

[@kathrynlee1091]

And thank you to Anuva!!!

[@MayGao]

Of course!! Hope classes are going well

[@ariannadiaz2155]

Great outline! I was considering purchasing the Princeton review courses, but this video definitely has me reconsidering it! I’m kinda worried about keeping on track though.

[@MayGao]

Definitely would encourage trying out my template (it’s free and on the doc) and making your own schedule before spending a huge amount of money on courses!

[@kathrynlee1091]

CONGRATSSSSS

[@telleahuman5585]

Hey unnie! I'll make sure to work my review session with your tips! I can't thank you enough with this wonderful video :((