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Whether you intend to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) examination soon after completing your undergraduate degree or after years away from higher education, Varsity Tutors can help you find the right Philadelphia MCAT preparation strategy that fits your learning and scheduling needs. The MCAT is one of the most rigorous graduate school admissions exams, and it makes sense to take advantage of professional resources as you begin to prepare.
Top medical schools such as the Drexel University College of Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, and Temple University School of Medicine all use the MCAT as part of their admissions requirements because it is recognized as being an excellent predictor of how well a candidate will do in medical school. Keep reading to learn more about what you will encounter on the exam and how Varsity Tutors can help you with your Philadelphia MCAT prep endeavors.
What can Philadelphia MCAT prep cover?
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior are the four sections of the MCAT. You will have a total of just over six hours to complete these sections; however, you will be in the testing environment for 7.5 hours to accommodate instructional time and breaks. Your MCAT score is actually five scores. You will receive a score for each of the four sections and a combined score that reflects them all.
Individual sections of the MCAT last no more than 95 minutes and have fewer than 60 questions each. All portions of the test contain reading passages followed by sets of questions related to those passages. Some of the sections have additional stand-alone questions unrelated to provided reading selections.
The focus of the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems portion of the MCAT include physical and chemical principles of living systems, functions of the various systems of the human body, and chemical, and the chemical and physical principles that explain the operating mechanisms of the human body. In the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section of the test, the focus is on reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and analytical skills. The focus of the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems portion of the exam include foundational concepts of biochemical and biological studies, scientific inquiry, processes only found in living organisms, and reasoning skills. In the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section of the MCAT, the focus is on evaluating those skills you must utilize to interact with a population of diverse patients successfully, how behavior impacts physical health, social issues, and mental health.
Philadelphia MCAT prep can help you prepare for all of the skills and concepts evaluated by the examination.
How can a Philadelphia MCAT prep class help me prepare?
Taking a prep class gives you an expertly designed learning path intended to provide you with access to all of the skills and concepts covered on the test according to a clearly defined schedule to help you get from point A to point B with minimal distractions and stress. You can choose between two and four-week classes, so you don't spend too much or too little time preparing for this important exam.
To support students when they are ready to begin preparing, our MCAT classes are modular. This design means that topics are covered in individual sections. With this format it is possible to have new portions of classes starting every week, so students can jump in when they're ready.
Online classrooms mean you don't have to worry about adding a commute to your study time, but you still get the benefits of interactive live instruction. Your teacher will deliver lessons to the class and may then foster group conversations or activities to help make the information more relatable and memorable.
One of the often overlooked benefits of taking a class is the peer interaction you can experience. Working alone as you prepare for the MCAT can be an isolating experience that may derail your motivation. When you surround yourself with other high-achievers with similar goals, you are more likely to remain focused and persist through learning challenges. If you do find yourself struggling with a skill or concept, you can always reach out to your instructor for clarification.
How is working with a Philadelphia MCAT tutor different from taking a course?
When working with a professional tutor, you have more individual time with your instructor. Additional one-on-one time translates into being able to ask more questions, more personal feedback, and sessions custom designed for your learning style, MCAT goals, and academic needs. This degree of personalization is impossible in a course because the teacher must deliver content applicable to all of the students, manage group learning tasks, and answer individual questions.
Private tutoring also offers more scheduling flexibility. When you enroll in a course, you must choose a class time from the options available. When you schedule a session with a personal instructor, you have more control over when you meet. You can schedule meetings with your private instructor during the week and on weekends. Whether you're an early bird or you work all day and need evening sessions, working with a private tutor means you'll be able to get the professional MCAT prep support you need to help you work towards your learning goals.
Private sessions can be a lifesaver for students who have hectic schedules but want to make preparing for the MCAT a priority. Greater flexibility and the option to narrow your prep focus to the precise skills and concepts you need to make it a more manageable proposition.
How can I get started with the right Philadelphia MCAT prep solution for me?
Varsity Tutors can help you quickly enroll in a Philadelphia MCAT prep course or connect with a skilled MCAT tutor. Both options can help you work towards your MCAT scoring goal more efficiently. If you're ready to give yourself the support you deserve as you work towards becoming a doctor, contact Varsity Tutors today.
Shayan: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
I'm a pre-health student at the University of Pennsylvania, and have an extensive background in the sciences. I can also rock the SATs and MCAT, so I've got that going for me. I love learning with students and trying to make the tedious work of learning as fun as possible. I think and teach in examples and make abstract concepts easily understandable. I also love sports, adventures, travelling!... My teaching philosophy is to teach in a way that makes materials understandable, accessible, and applicable to the real world!
Education & Certification
- University at Buffalo - Bachelors, Biology, General
- University of Pennsylvania - Current Grad Student, Pre-Health
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- Test Prep
- Science
- Nutrition
- +26 subjects
Samantha: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...neuroscience major at the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution. I have over three years of experience as a researcher in diverse fields, including breast cancer, pediatrics, and autism genetics. I have three years of experience tutoring undergraduate students at Penn and postgraduate students. I primarily tutor for the MCAT, but also have extensive experience tutoring college science courses, including general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience, which are all relevant subjects...
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Bachelor in Arts, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- SAT
- MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Biochemistry
- +31 subjects
Steven: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...concentration in organismal physiology. During my college years, I was a peer tutor who would help struggling classmates in many math and science subjects. I also served as a merit badge counselor in my Boy Scout troop, teaching scouts (ages 12-17) in subjects such as First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. These experiences inspired me to continue this passion, striving to make learning a fun, insightful, and a lifelong process while helping students learn in the...
Education & Certification
- Drexel University - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- SAT Subject Test in Biology E/M
- AP Calculus AB
- ACT
- +51 subjects
Kaitlin: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...chemistry to explain a reaction as a narrative of molecular interactions, rather than beginning with a complex problem. In the context of shifting careers, I have also taken a number of standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, GRE, and MCAT. My approach with these tests emphasizes strategy over content; a particular vocabulary word may or may not appear on the actual test, but knowledge of how to approach a passage and its correlated questions will...
Education & Certification
- Wesleyan University - Bachelors, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- GRE
- GRE Subject Tests
- Homeschool
- +138 subjects
Kimberly: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...together will be difficult or confusing, and I will guide our work to hone in on exactly where the difficulty lies. While working to use our time efficiently, I also believe that an intense, lecture-driven approach is rarely conducive to fostering an atmosphere of curiosity and willingness to try. Therefore, I will regularly solicit feedback, encourage questions, and assess what methods work best for you so that I can adjust my approach accordingly. Having tutored...
Education & Certification
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Bachelors, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- GRE Subject Tests
- GRE
- IB Chemistry SL
- +94 subjects
Matthew: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...graduate (C/O 2019) at University of Delaware where I received a bachelors degree in Chemistry with a minor in Biological Sciences. I mainly tutor for the DAT, which I scored in the 98th percentile when I took it myself! I also provide application advice for applying to Dental school. After taking my DAT, I applied to 8 dental schools and was accepted to 7 of them! In my undergraduate semesters, I often took up multiple...
Education & Certification
- University of Delaware - Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry
- University of Connecticut - Doctor of Medical Dentistry, Predentistry
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- LSAT
- DAT
- OAT
- +61 subjects
Claire: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
Hi! My name is Claire and I'm excited about the opportunity to work with you! I graduated from Amherst College in 2015 with a degree chemistry and plan to matriculate to medical school this August. I'm comfortable tutoring elementary- through college-level science, math, English and Spanish and have significant test-prep experience, including SAT, AP and MCAT exams.
Education & Certification
- Amherst College - Bachelors, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- SAT
- AP Chemistry
- Test Prep
- +55 subjects
Moin: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...with me as a 3rd author. For the past year, I have re-enrolled at Drexel University College of Medicine to take graduate-level classes such as two semesters of Biochemistry as well as Graduate Neuroscience and a medical school course titled Medical Neuroscience. From May 2021 to January 2022, I conducted spinal cord research at Drexel University College of Medicine, where I studied the functional interaction between locomotor and respiratory networks in the spinal cord of...
Education & Certification
- Arcadia University - Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Substitute
- MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- +19 subjects
Anthony: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...I have experience with developing mission sustainability plans for U.S. military bases that enhance long-term sustainability of testing and training operations. I have developed workshops and educational programs on goal setting, plan implementation, and stakeholder development. I have presented at national conferences on the topic of climate change adaptation planning and water management planning in water-stressed areas. I have also volunteered as an AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador for the state of New Jersey and assessed the...
Education & Certification
- Dickinson College - Bachelors, Psychology and History (2)
- Temple University - Masters, Law and a Masters of Environmental Studies at Penn
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- LSAT
- PCAT
- AP World History
- +42 subjects
Kaylette: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...Although I am very passionate about learning, I make sure all my students have fun. During a typical tutoring session, I try to incorporate videos, textbooks, and models to help the student stay engaged. I make my sessions interactive in hopes of creating an environment where students can learn the material in a style that is most effective for them. In addition to Anatomy, I also tutor Physiology, Biology, General Chemistry, Physics, and elementary math....
Education & Certification
- Temple University - Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
- Drexel University - Master of Science, Biological Sciences
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- High School Biology
- Anatomy
- +16 subjects
Gaby: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...students the material. I am proficient in personality and learning skills typing which helps me customize the tutoring experience for my students. I am passionate about the use of technology so expect to use many technological tools for educational purposes. In my experience helping struggling students prepare these tools can be of great help breaking the ice into the material before and after sessions. I am a firm but kind in my teaching ability and...
Education & Certification
- Philadelphia University - Bachelor of Science, Pre-Med
- University of the Sciences in Philadelphia - Master in Public Health, Public Health
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- Public Health
- NCLEX
- Genetics
- +42 subjects
Tom: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...the most interesting science because it deals with life and how living things function (my goal is to go to medical school, so I have a great deal of interest in living things). I like to incorporate real life examples as well as demonstrations into my tutoring to help students better grasp concepts, especially ones that are more abstract (for example, using the analogy of water slides to explain flow dynamics in physics or using...
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Bachelor in Arts, Biology (Neurobiology Concentration)
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- Physics
- Other
- Algebra 2
- +42 subjects
David: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...passionate about the sciences, I incorporate them into my everyday life and teach with enthusiasm and creativity. I recognize that every student has different styles and rates of learning, so I cater my lessons to best align with each student. I will never ask my students to work beyond their capabilities, but I will strive to show them they are capable of far more than they may initially think. Through providing an interactive and engaging...
Education & Certification
- Loyola University Maryland - Bachelor of Science, Physics, Biology
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine - Doctor of Medicine, Medicine
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- Science
- College Physics
- MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- +41 subjects
Emily: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...of all different learning styles and creating a plan that helps them achieve their potential. Tutoring allows me to keep my skills in the sciences fresh, while helping other students. I am passionate about the sciences and like to apply concepts I learn in class to real life situations. In my first year of dental school I completed a rigorous biomedical science curriculum including anatomy (with cadaver dissection) and physiology. I received honors in these...
Education & Certification
- Villanova University - Bachelors, Biology, General
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Grad Student, Dentistry (DDS)
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- DAT
- GRE
- Honors Chemistry
- +24 subjects
Rachel: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...taker, and I am passionate about helping students achieve their academic potential! I have tutored elementary school through college students in reading comprehension, math, SAT prep, and chemistry, and even started an afterschool engineering program for elementary school students. I am a strong proponent of framing intelligence as a muscle that is strengthened over time rather than an innate characteristic. While I'm not tutoring, I enjoy cooking, reading, and playing with dogs.... I believe anyone can learn anything given the right mindset. I'm a huge proponent of what Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck calls the "growth mindset" - the belief that intelligence is a muscle strengthened over time, not something we are born with. I strive to instill in my students that failing, whether it's a bad grade, a missed question, or a low score, is simply an opportunity for growth, not a reflection on one's intellectual capabilities.
Education & Certification
- Georgetown University - Bachelors, Human Science; Minor: Math
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- AP Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Math
- +46 subjects
David : Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...to be a successful educator. My prior experiences include over 10 years of teaching, tutoring, and educating over a wide range of both community and academic settings ranging from the collegiate to post-graduate level. I have highlighted some of these experiences in the following paragraph. During my undergraduate years, I worked as a TA in both the "Introduction to Biology" and "Biochemistry" courses, where I was responsible for both private and group tutoring. While earning...
Education & Certification
- Cedarville University - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
- Jefferson Medical College - Doctor of Medicine, Medicine
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- High School English
- Chemistry
- World History
- +46 subjects
Akash : Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering with a focus in prosthetics. Since graduation, I have worked as a medical assistant and then went on to receive a Masters of Biomedical Sciences from UMDNJ - Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Currently, I am pursuing a degree in Osteopathic Medicine at Rowan University. I enjoy helping others and often find myself tutoring my classmates in basic sciences such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physiology. Although I can tutor...
Education & Certification
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - Unknown, Biomedical Sciences
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- PCAT
- OAT
- SAT Mathematics
- +56 subjects
Mark: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...graduate school) I was a researcher at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, where I used histochemistry, in vivo electrophysiology, and behavioral assays to test efficacy of potential treatments for some of the most toxic chemical weapons on Earth. My academic background includes psychology, behavioral neuroscience, and neuropharmacology. I am quite knowledgeable in experimental design and statistical analysis. I look forward to helping others succeed in their academic goals.... I strive to see things from my students' perspectives when I teach. I will probe with questions to understand what they actually know rather than what they tell me they know, and I'll build on their understanding from there.
Education & Certification
- Towson University - Bachelor of Science, Psychology
- University of Maryland-Baltimore - Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- High School Biology
- Math
- Statistics Graduate Level
- +11 subjects
Sameer: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...joys of tutoring and working with a young child who looks to you for more than just the answers to his homework. Starting from when I was twelve, I have been a tutor to many kids of all ages and learning abilities from grades four to sophomore year of college. My goal is to not only teach, but to inspire in all aspects and areas of growth. For this reason, I have worked with special...
Education & Certification
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- Anatomy
- High School Physics
- Middle School Math
- +41 subjects
Margaret: Philadelphia MCAT test prep instructor
...an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Scranton. My combination of education and experience in various analytic roles over the past decade in non-profit and commercial industry give me a unique perspective in applying the principles of public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics in the real world. I enjoy helping others understand the foundations of these and related scientific concepts. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my husband and my 10...
Education & Certification
- University of Scranton - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
- New York Medical College - Master in Public Health, Epidemiology
Subject Expertise
- MCAT
- Neuroscience
- Medicine
- High School Biology
- +10 subjects