You'll have 95 minutes to answer 59 questions, which works out to roughly 1.5-2 minutes per question. Since many questions require reading dense passages and synthesizing information across psychology, sociology, and biology, pacing is critical. A strategic approach involves: spending 3-4 minutes reading and annotating each passage, then 1-1.5 minutes per question, and reserving 5 minutes at the end for review. Practice tests are essential for developing this rhythm—most test-takers need 10+ full-length practice exams to nail their timing. Tutors can work with you on identifying which question types slow you down and teach you targeted strategies to maintain momentum without sacrificing accuracy.

Start by taking a full-length practice test under timed conditions and tracking which topics and question types you miss most frequently. Common weak areas include distinguishing between psychology and sociology concepts, applying biological mechanisms to behavior, and analyzing complex social scenarios. After reviewing your results, organize errors by: content gaps (missing key concepts), strategy errors (misreading questions), and time pressure mistakes. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can create a diagnostic assessment tailored to your performance, pinpoint the root cause of each missed question, and develop a targeted study plan. This personalized approach is far more efficient than reviewing material broadly.

Most questions rely heavily on passage information rather than prior knowledge, so active reading is crucial. As you read, annotate key claims, study results, and author perspective. Underline methodology and findings, mark transitions between ideas, and jot notes about the main argument. Before diving into questions, take 10-15 seconds to summarize the passage's purpose in your own words. When tackling questions, always reference the passage first—even if you know the psychology concept, the passage context may suggest a different answer. For complex passages mixing sociology, psychology, and biology, pay special attention to how disciplines interact. Tutors can teach you efficient annotation techniques and help you practice pulling information from passages quickly without getting lost in details.

Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of focused preparation, though this varies based on your baseline knowledge and target score. If you're strong in biology but weak in psychology concepts, you may need more time on the social sciences. A typical study schedule includes: 2-3 weeks for content review (covering all topics systematically), 2-3 weeks for practice problems and passage drills, and 1-2 weeks for full-length practice tests and strategic refinement. For Chicago students balancing school and MCAT prep, working with a tutor who creates a customized timeline ensures you're spending study hours efficiently. Tutors can adjust pacing based on your progress, identify where you're gaining ground, and intensify focus on remaining weak areas as test day approaches.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how actively you engage with tutoring. Students typically see improvements of 3-6 points on the full MCAT with focused prep—this section's contribution varies. If you're starting with significant content gaps, expect slower initial progress as you build foundational knowledge. If you're solid on content but struggling with timing or reasoning, improvement comes faster. The key is consistency: students who work with tutors 2-3 times per week and complete their assigned practice between sessions see much steeper gains than those with sporadic sessions. Most importantly, tutoring works best when you're actively practicing and applying what you learn. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who not only teach concepts but also hold you accountable to a study plan and adjust strategy based on your progress.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unfamiliar with question formats. The best antidote is repetition and mastery: taking practice tests under timed conditions builds confidence through genuine competence, not just positive thinking. As you practice more, the section becomes less intimidating and your decision-making gets faster. Beyond content prep, strategic techniques help: deep breathing before starting, reminding yourself that difficulty on some questions is normal, and building in a mental reset after a tough passage. For students in Chicago managing the stress of MCAT prep while balancing other commitments, working with a tutor provides accountability and breaks down the section into manageable pieces rather than feeling like an overwhelming monolith. Tutors also help you practice mentally tough questions—the same ones that trigger anxiety—so you develop genuine confidence in your ability to handle them on test day.