MCAT Chem/Phys study plan

MCAT Chem/Phys · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

General Chemistry & Biochemistry

Build a one-page equation and unit-conversion sheet for stoichiometry, thermochemistry, and Gibbs free energy.
Solve 40 General Chemistry problems on stoichiometry and thermodynamics, tagging each miss by cause.
Draw and label amino acid titration curves at low, neutral, and high pH, predicting net charge.
Complete 25 Biochemistry questions on protein structure and enzyme basics under timed conditions.

A two-page formula and charge reference sheet plus an error log classifying at least 20 missed questions by cause.

Week 2

Apply acid-base, buffer, and Henderson-Hasselbalch relationships to 30 problems.
Interpret Michaelis-Menten and Lineweaver-Burk plots across 15 enzyme-kinetics items.
Construct a concept map linking reaction rates and equilibrium to enzyme inhibition.
Write 10 original explanations of why a chosen distractor is wrong.

A 15-question self-made quiz on acid-base and enzyme kinetics with written answer rationales.

Week 3

Convert and verify units across 30 mechanics, fluids, and electrostatics problems.
Solve 25 physics problems on forces, work-energy, and pressure-driven flow.
Create a diagram bank of free-body, circuit, and fluid-flow setups.
Time 20 mixed General Chemistry and Physics questions, then review every miss.

A timed 20-question mixed set scored and fully reviewed, with corrected worked solutions.

Week 4

Map glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation by inputs, outputs, and regulation.
Identify functional groups and stereocenters in 30 organic structures.
Predict relative acidity, basicity, and carbocation stability for 20 molecules.
Take a 30-question diagnostic spanning prior domains and tag weak areas.

A diagnostic score report with three prioritized weak areas and a revised study schedule.

Week 5

Decide between substitution and elimination pathways across 25 reaction scenarios.
Interpret IR, NMR, and mass spectra for 15 unknown structures.
Solve 20 physics problems on circuits and optics with unit checks.
Build a reaction-mechanism flowchart for alcohols, alkenes, and carbonyl compounds.

A 15-structure spectroscopy identification set with annotated spectra and reasoning.

Week 6

Diagram the cell cycle, membrane transport, and a signaling pathway from memory.
Solve 30 genetics problems on Mendelian ratios, pedigrees, and probability.
Relate enzyme cofactors and metabolic regulation to two physiology examples.
Interpret 10 biology data or graph passages, stating conclusion and assumption.

A one-page pathway map plus 10 passage summaries listing hypothesis, result, and limitation.

Week 7

Apply physiology principles to 25 cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal questions.
Solve 20 physics problems on pressure, flow, and electricity in biological systems.
Complete 30 mixed biology and physics passage questions under timing.
Rewrite each missed concept as a two-sentence rule.

A 30-question timed mixed section with a rewritten rule for every missed concept.

Week 8

Two full-length practice scores, a final one-page high-yield sheet, and a written pacing plan.

Week 2: Formula sheet and self-made acid-base/enzyme quiz completed with at least 80% accuracy.

Week 4: Diagnostic exam completed; all missed items categorized; remaining weeks adjusted toward the lowest-scoring domain.

Week 6: All five domains practiced at least once; at least one timed mixed section completed and reviewed.

Week 8: Two full-length timed sections completed with full review; pacing plan finalized.