Many students struggle with distinguishing between similar psychological theories and remembering which researcher is associated with which concept—this requires active recall practice beyond passive reading. The section also demands strong reading comprehension since questions often present complex scenarios requiring you to apply concepts rather than just recognize definitions. Additionally, students frequently underestimate the biological component, which requires understanding neurotransmitter systems and brain anatomy alongside behavioral principles.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and study intensity, but most students see 2-4 point gains (on the 118-132 scale) with focused, strategic preparation over 8-12 weeks. If you're scoring in the 120s, reaching the 125+ range typically requires targeted work on your specific weak areas—whether that's distinguishing experimental designs, mastering neurotransmitter functions, or improving passage reading speed. Working with a tutor helps you identify exactly where you're losing points and develop personalized strategies to address those gaps.

Start by taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions to establish your baseline and identify patterns in which question types or topics trip you up. After each test, spend time analyzing not just wrong answers but also questions you guessed on correctly—understanding why the right answer is correct matters as much as recognizing wrong answers. Use this data to prioritize your content review: if you're missing questions on neurobiology, dedicate focused study time there before taking your next practice test.

With 59 questions in 95 minutes, you have roughly 1.5 minutes per question—but passage-based questions vary in complexity. Practice reading passages quickly while identifying key information, and learn to recognize when a question is testing straightforward recall versus requiring deeper analysis. Many students benefit from flagging difficult questions early and returning to them after completing easier ones, which builds momentum and confidence while ensuring you don't run out of time on solvable problems.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have strong backgrounds in psychology, neurobiology, and MCAT preparation and understand the specific demands of this section. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss their experience with the Psych/Social/Bio section, their track record helping students improve scores, and their approach to teaching both content mastery and test-taking strategy. Many tutors offer a first session to ensure you're working with someone who understands your learning style and goals.

Your tutor will likely assess your current knowledge level, review your practice test performance if you have it, and identify your specific weak areas—whether that's distinguishing psychological theories, understanding neurotransmitter pathways, or managing test anxiety. Together, you'll develop a personalized study plan that prioritizes the topics where you're losing the most points and establishes a timeline for improvement. This foundation helps your tutor tailor subsequent sessions to your exact needs rather than generic content review.

Confidence on test day comes from deep familiarity with content and proven test-taking strategies—both areas where personalized tutoring makes a real difference. Your tutor can help you practice managing time pressure, develop strategies for approaching unfamiliar question formats, and work through challenging concepts until they feel solid rather than shaky. As you see improvement in practice tests and feel more command over the material, anxiety naturally decreases because you're genuinely prepared rather than hoping to get lucky.