Avoid These Common MCAT Prep Mistakes
MCAT Prep Pitfalls: What You Need to Watch Out For
Hey friends, it’s Heath! 👋🏼
If you’re prepping for the MCAT, you’re probably juggling study guides, flashcards, practice tests, and the occasional panic attack (we’ve all been there). But here’s the thing—prepping smart is way better than prepping hard. Today, I want to share the top mistakes I’ve seen students make (and how to avoid them), so you can save time and boost your score.
1. Starting Without a Plan
Prepping for the MCAT without a clear timeline is like driving cross-country without a map—you’ll waste time and energy going in circles.
What to do instead:
Create a realistic study schedule. Start with 2-3 subjects weekly, rotating topics to keep your brain fresh.
Break your timeline into phases: content review, active practice, and test simulations.
Pro Tip: King of the Curve offers built-in tracking tools to help you stick to your plan and see where you stand at every step.
2. Cramming Content
The MCAT tests how well you understand and apply concepts—not how fast you can memorize them. Overloading your brain with information at the last minute doesn’t work.
What to do instead:
Focus on understanding big-picture concepts first, then dive into details.
Use spaced repetition techniques for long-term retention (hello, flashcards!).
With King of the Curve’s Adaptive Q-Bank, you can practice questions tailored to your learning gaps and reinforce concepts at the right time.
3. Skipping Practice Tests
Practice exams are the closest you’ll get to the real deal, yet many students avoid them because they feel unprepared. Big mistake.
What to do instead:
Start taking practice exams as soon as you’ve covered 70% of the content.
Analyze your results and focus on weak areas.
KOTC offers full-length exams and AAMC-style passages to help you simulate test-day conditions and build stamina.
4. Neglecting Mental Stamina
The MCAT isn’t just a test of knowledge—it’s a mental marathon. If you’re not training your endurance, the real test will hit harder than expected.
What to do instead:
Study in blocks that match the MCAT’s structure (90–120 minutes at a time).
Schedule regular breaks to recharge your focus.
Using our KOTC App, you can track your progress and build better habits with study timers and streak tracking.
5. Overloading on Resources
The MCAT world is full of prep books, videos, apps, and Reddit rabbit holes. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, and honestly, most resources teach the same core material.
What to do instead:
Stick to 2-3 trusted resources and master them.
Use tools that combine content, practice, and analytics to save time.
That’s exactly why we built King of the Curve: to offer everything you need in one place, from high-yield review sheets to flashcards and practice questions.
Let’s Make This Your Last MCAT
Avoiding these mistakes will save you weeks of frustration—and could mean a 10+ point jump in your score. Start smart, stay consistent, and remember: you’re not alone in this journey.
👉 Get Started with King of the Curve Today
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You’ve got this! And as always, KOTC is here to help you crush your goals. 🚀
Till next time,
Heath 🩺
Co-founder, King of the Curve
