Score improvement depends on your starting point and study intensity, but most students see meaningful gains with focused preparation. If you're struggling with foundational concepts, you might improve 3-5 points over several months of consistent study. If you're already scoring in the mid-range, improvements of 1-2 points require targeted work on your weakest topics. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps identify exactly where you're losing points and builds efficient study strategies.

The Biological Sciences section gives you 95 minutes for 44 questions—roughly 2 minutes per question—but many students get stuck on dense biochemistry passages or complex calculations. The key is developing a strategic approach: quickly identify what each question is really asking, skip questions that seem too time-consuming initially, and return to them if time allows. A tutor can help you practice this pacing strategy with real passages and teach you to recognize question types that typically consume more time.

The MCAT integrates both, so studying them together is more effective for the test. However, if you have significant gaps in either area, targeted review of foundational concepts separately can help. For example, understanding enzyme structure and function (biochemistry) directly applies to metabolic pathways (biology). Personalized tutoring allows you to address weak areas while showing how they connect to the broader test content.

Start with untimed practice to build content knowledge, then gradually introduce timing constraints. Take full-length practice tests under test conditions to identify patterns in your mistakes—do you struggle with specific topics, or is it mostly a pacing issue? Review every question you miss, not just the ones you guessed on, to understand the reasoning. Working with a tutor helps you analyze your practice test results strategically and adjust your study plan based on what's actually holding you back.

Test anxiety often peaks when you encounter unfamiliar passages or feel rushed. Building genuine confidence through repeated practice with real MCAT questions is the most effective antidote. Develop a pre-test routine that calms your mind, practice strategic skipping (moving past difficult questions to build momentum), and remember that you don't need to answer every question perfectly to score well. A tutor can help you practice these strategies and build the content mastery that naturally reduces anxiety.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors in Manhattan who specialize in MCAT preparation and have deep expertise in biological and biochemical sciences. You can specify your goals—whether you're aiming for a specific score, need help with particular topics, or want comprehensive section prep—and get matched with someone who fits your needs. Most tutors offer flexible scheduling and can work around your study timeline.

Your first session typically focuses on assessment and planning. A tutor will likely review your diagnostic scores, identify which topics or question types are causing the most trouble, and understand your timeline and target score. You might work through a practice passage together to see where you struggle and how the tutor explains concepts. This session sets the foundation for a personalized study plan tailored to your specific needs.