MCAT Content Review Schedule: My 10 Weeks Plan

By Dr. Sarah Johnson • Updated 1/15/2026

Struggling to manage the sheer volume of MCAT content?

You came to the right place.

Below is the approach used by many 520+ MCAT Scorers that will show you how to review the entirety of the MCAT content with a focus on high-yield topics in 10 weeks.

Highest-Yield Topics For A 520+ MCAT Score

When designing a high-yield MCAT content review schedule, it’s crucial to prioritize topics based on their frequency of appearance, fundamental importance, and connection to multiple concepts.

To achieve a 520+ score, your content review must focus intensely on the highest-yield, most heavily-tested, and most interconnected topics.

Here is a breakdown across the four sections:

1. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

This section tests your ability to apply core physics and chemistry principles to biological systems.

In Chem/Phys, your key deliverables should be:

• Electrochemistry mastery (this is a big C/P differentiator).

• Fluids + circulation connection.

• Acid/base buffer calculations.

• Multi-loop circuits + conceptual reasoning.

• Kinematics → Work–energy + fluid dynamics (cardiovascular tie-ins).

Study Tip: Relate physics concepts to physiological processes. For example, relate fluid dynamics to blood pressure regulation and circuit components to nerve impulse propagation. For more physics-specific strategies, see our guide on how to study for MCAT physics.

1. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

This is arguably the most content-heavy MCAT section, with Biochemistry being the single most important discipline.

In BioChem, your key deliverables should be:

• Amino acid chart fully memorized.

• Hormonal control and physiology logic.

• Hormones → pathways → feedback.

• Metabolic regulation UP/DOWN logic.

• Membrane transport + signaling cascades.

In Bio, your key deliverables should be:

• Nervous system + endocrine system integration.

• Organ integration: kidney–lungs–liver–endocrine systems.

• Gene expression, inheritance, pedigrees.

• Nervous system → neuron conduction & brain anatomy.

Study Tip: When studying an organ system (Bio), immediately review the associated hormones, metabolic pathways, or protein structures (Biochem). For example, studying the renal system (Bio) should be paired with reviewing the reabsorption and excretion mechanisms at a molecular level (Biochem/Chem).

1. Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

This section is unique in that it relies on memorizing specific theories and terms. A perfect score is highly attainable through dedicated content review.

In Psych/Soc, your key deliverables should be:

• Sociological theories (functionalist Vs. conflict Vs. symbolic interactionism).

• Behavior + identity theories: recognize from one sentence.

• Research methods + graph interpretation (Distribution curves & research stats).

• Psychological disorders + biomarkers + epidemiology.

Study Tip: Make a point ot summarize each Psych/Soc theory in 1 sentence.

1. Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

CARS is primarily a skills-based section, but familiarity with common humanities/social science themes can provide a slight edge. For detailed CARS strategies and practice techniques, see our guide on how to study for MCAT CARS.

What You Can Skip

Here is a guide to specific low-yield topics you can generally triage (review briefly or skip) if you are pressed for time or aiming for a score below the highest percentile (e.g., 515+):

• Chemical & Physical Foundations (C/P)

Organic Chemistry:

• Extremely obscure reaction mechanisms (e.g., specific named reactions not directly related to biochemical function, like Wittig or Grignard reagents, unless you see them repeatedly in practice materials).

• Detailed synthesis pathways (know the starting and ending molecule, but maybe not every intermediate).

Physics:

• Advanced optics (e.g., lens maker’s equation, detailed aberrations).

• Detailed aspects of nuclear chemistry (e.g., specific nuclear decay types beyond the main three, half-life problems are fine).

General Chemistry:

• Detailed solid state chemistry (crystal structures).

• Very specific colligative properties calculations beyond osmotic pressure.

• Biological & Biochemical Foundations (B/B)

Biology:

• Plant biology/Anatomy (e.g., specific names of plant hormones, vascular tissue structure).

• Niche developmental biology details (e.g., specifics of gastrulation layers beyond the three main germ layers).

• Detailed structure of bacterial cell walls beyond gram-positive/negative basics.

Immunology:

• Highly specific types of antibodies/cytokines (Know the general function of T cells, B cells, innate/adaptive immunity, and the five major antibodies, but deep dives into specific interleukins or complement pathways can be triaged).

Biochemistry:

• Obscure metabolic pathways (e.g., the Urea Cycle, Pentose Phosphate Pathway)

• Memorization of every structure of Krebs Cycle intermediates. Know the inputs/outputs and regulation points, but not necessarily the full drawing/name of every molecule.

• Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations (P/S)

Sociology:

• Very specific, less common sociological theorists (Know the major ones like Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and key concepts like Symbolic Interactionism, but skip hyper-niche thinkers).

• Detailed demographics statistics (Know general trends like urbanization, but not specific percentages or formulas).

Psychology:

• Detailed anatomy of the inner ear/eye beyond the core structures involved in sensation (know the pathway, not the Latin name of every part).

• Specific types of psychological disorders beyond the major categories (e.g., specific phobias vs. generalized anxiety).

Recommendation: Use this list as a study guide to save time. If you have limited study time, you’d rather spend it solidifying a high-yield concept (like enzyme kinetics) rather than reading about one of the above lower-yield topics.

10-Week Optimized MCAT Content Review Schedule

Our recommended MCAT content review schedule spans 10 weeks of focused content study, assuming 25-30 hours of dedicated content review per week (5-6 hours per day, 5 days a week, plus daily review).

Why This Schedule Works

This MCAT content review schedule emphasizes AAMC weighting, interleaving, cumulative retention, and concept-application mastery - all required for elite performance.

• AAMC-Weighted Focus

Allocate more time to heavily-tested subjects like Biochemistry, Biology, and Psychology/Sociology (Behavioral content). This is where most points lie.

• Subject Integration (Interleave Subjects Daily)

Study related subjects in parallel (e.g., Biochemistry alongside Organic Chemistry, Physics alongside General Chemistry) for better conceptual connection, retention, and real-world knowledge transfer.

• Tiered Content Prioritization (Prioritize High-Yield)

Instead of treating every topic equally, allocate more time to high-yield concepts and less to rarely tested ones. This helps maximize your score gain per study hour and reduces burnout from chasing low-impact details.

• Active Recall Discipline

Emphasizing active, multi-modal learning over passive reading allows you to build long-term, flexible knowledge.

Use active learning strategies such as Cornell note-taking, concept mapping, Anki flashcards, and teaching concepts aloud to solidify understanding.​​

• Weekly Cumulative Spirals

Consistently revisit previously studied topics every week so nothing gets forgotten. Instead of learning a chapter once and moving on, spiral back to earlier material while adding new content.

This prevents forgetting as content becomes dense, allowing you to retain everything through to test day.

MCAT Content Review Schedule: Week-by-Week Breakdown

A 520+ isn’t about memorizing everything - it’s about mastering the right concepts and being able to apply them. Rather than merely knowing everything, you should be able to think like the MCAT.

This means that your content review strategy must be targeted, weighted by AAMC importance, and built around active recall and cumulative retention.

Here is a sample structure for your 10-Week optimized MCAT content review schedule, ensuring you cover high-yield foundational topics early on. Keep in mind that the schedule focuses solely on content mastery (not practice exams).

Key Assumptions:

• Total Daily Study Hours: Approximately 4 to 5 hours of active content review.

• Time Allocation: Morning (longest), Afternoon (mid-length), Evening (shortest session).

• CARS: Always dedicated daily time, typically placed in the morning block. Practice the required strategy on 5-7 passages/day.

• Daily Anki Review: 1.5 to 2 hours of Anki per day (reviews + new cards). The best place to fit Anki is immediately following the content session for reinforcement. For detailed Anki optimization strategies, see our guide to studying MCAT using Anki.

Week 1: Argument Structure & Thesis Location

Study different types of arguments (comparison, persuasive, expository).

Analyze examples of published philosophical/social essays to identify where the thesis typically appears (beginning, middle, implied).

Practice summarizing the structure of complex arguments read in external articles.

Week 2: Deconstruct the Argument

Focus on reading to identify the Author’s Main Idea (Thesis) and Author’s Purpose (Why they wrote it).

Every passage should be read with the explicit goal of summarizing these two points in one sentence. Practice summarizing the entire passage in one sentence.

Separate the author’s voice/opinion from cited information (ideas they are quoting or referencing).

Week 3: Tone & Rhetoric

Study how Tone is conveyed through word choice (diction).

Create a list of 20 common CARS tones (e.g., skeptical, ambivalent, supportive, dismissive) and associate them with common rhetorical phrases.

Analyze the rhetorical strategies used in persuasive writing (e.g., use of metaphors, appeals to emotion).

Week 4: Tone, Style, & Perspective

Accurately determine the Author’s Tone (e.g., skeptical, critical, objective, enthusiastic) and the Structure/Logic of the argument (e.g., comparison, rebuttal, cause/effect).

Practice distinguishing between factual statements, the author’s opinions, and your interpretations.

Week 5: Logic and Inference Theory

Study the difference between Deductive and Inductive reasoning.

Understand the concept of “low-level inference” in logic (conclusions that must be true) versus “high-level inference” (speculation).

Analyze examples of flawed logic (fallacies) to train your brain to spot them.

Week 6: Evidence & Inference

Focus on connecting every claim to its supporting evidence in the text. Practice locating the specific lines or phrases in the text that justify the author’s claims.

Work on making low-level inferences - drawing conclusions only supported by the text, avoiding external knowledge, big assumptions, or high-level, speculative leaps.

Week 7: Analyzing Question Stems

Study the different Categories of CARS Questions (e.g., Main Idea, Reasoning Within the Text, Reasoning Beyond the Text).

Memorize and categorize common question stems for each type (e.g., “Which of the following is most analogous to…” is a Reasoning Beyond question).

Practice rephrasing complex question stems into simpler language.

Week 8: “Reasoning Beyond” Application Theory

Study the underlying Rules for Applying New Information (Reasoning Beyond the Text).

Understand that the logic of the passage must be maintained, even if the content changes. Practice mentally generating logical implications (if X is true, then Y must follow) based on hypothetical scenarios.

Week 9: Identifying Functional Roles

Study the Functional Role of Paragraphs and Sentences. Understand the common roles (introduction, counter-argument, evidence presentation, conclusion).

Practice reading a new article and labeling the function of each paragraph or sentence without focusing on the specific content.

Week 10: Final Strategy Synthesis & Confidence

Review all strategies (Thesis, Scope, Tone, Question Type). Write out a simple, 5-step CARS process you will follow when you finally start practice.

Focus on confidence-building and reinforcing the belief that you have built the necessary analytical foundation.

High-Value Active Learning Strategies

Achieving a top score requires a focus on deep understanding and application of content, not just rote memorization.

Overall, throughout your 10-week study period:

• Make 1 concept map / metabolic linkage per day.

• Update your high-yield equation sheet by rewriting it from memory weekly.

• Rebuild Amino acids chart from scratch every week.

• Develop Psych/Soc frameworks summary tables (condition → symptom → therapy).

• Regularly rebuild pathways and flowcharts (metabolism, DNA replication, physiological feedback loops, etc.) entirely from memory.

• Re-explain any 3 system integrations verbally in 3 minutes.

• Teach your 3 hardest concepts (that you are struggling with) aloud or on paper.

• Allow for daily 30-minute interleaved flash recaps across all four sections (brain dumps, mnemonics, flashcards, verbal quizzes).

• Have a “red flag list” that’s updated weekly to help you keep track of your high-yield weakness areas.

• Ask “Why?” and “How?”: After reviewing a topic, ask yourself: “Why does this happen?” and “How would a mutation/inhibitor change this process?”

A Handy MCAT Content Review Mastery Checklist

This checklist provides mastery markers for the most foundational and frequently tested concepts across the Bio/BioChem, Chem/Phys, and Psych/Soc sections.

Meeting these criteria demonstrates you have synthesized the material, moving beyond simple recognition to deep understanding.

This checklist serves as your mastery marker. If you struggle with any item, revisit that content section immediately before moving forward in your MCAT content review schedule.

At mastery level, your knowledge should feel fast, connected, and second-nature.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the MCAT requires more than just reading - it demands strategic, focused effort.

By adhering to this MCAT content review schedule, you transform the overwhelming volume of material into manageable, high-yield blocks of study.

Focus on achieving the mastery markers by consistently making use of active learning to build a rock-solid scientific foundation.

Now that your content knowledge is secured, you are perfectly prepared to move into the high-intensity practice phase and confidently achieve your goal score. To build your personalized study schedule, explore our MCAT study plan builders or check out the best MCAT study plan templates.