Field notes
The alex.study blog
Notes on MCAT prep, how Alex thinks, and what we're learning from students using alex.study.
Jun 20, 2026
Are the AAMC Section Banks Harder Than the MCAT?
Yes, the AAMC Section Banks are harder than the real MCAT, by design. Here's how much harder, what your section bank score means, and the one mistake that wastes them.
Jun 20, 2026
How Long Should You Study for the MCAT? (Pick Your Timeline)
3 months? 4? 6? The right MCAT timeline isn't a number you pick. It's your diagnostic-to-goal gap divided by the hours you can actually study. Here's the math.
Jun 20, 2026
MCAT Psych/Soc: The Fastest Section to Improve (If You Know Why You're Missing Points)
Psych/Soc is the fastest MCAT section to improve, but only if you know why you're missing points. The two failure modes, how to tell which is yours, and the fix for each.
Jun 20, 2026
Should You Retake the MCAT? (And How to Actually Improve the Second Time)
Most retakers score the same because they studied more, not differently. How to decide if you should retake the MCAT, and how to actually improve the second time.
Jun 5, 2026
MCAT Content Review Strategy: The Two Traps
Most MCAT students either grind content review too long or jump to practice too early. Here's how to tell which trap you're in, and how to get out.
Jun 5, 2026
When to Start Studying for the MCAT (2027 Test Dates)
Forget the generic 3-to-6-months advice. Your MCAT start date depends on your target test date and the gap between your diagnostic and your goal score. Here's how to pick it.
Jun 1, 2026
How to Review MCAT Full-Lengths (The Miss List Method)
Re-reading explanations isn't reviewing. Here's the method that actually moves your score: build a shrinking miss list, re-test it, and clear it by test day.
Jun 1, 2026
MCAT CARS Strategy: Stop Memorizing, Start Reading
If you read the passage and still miss the questions, you're in storage mode when you need comprehension mode. Here's the one shift that actually fixes CARS.
Jun 1, 2026
MCAT Self-Study vs Tutor: What the Score Data Actually Shows
Total focused hours and baseline strength predict MCAT scores more than any specific method. The honest data, the survivor bias, and what it means for your decision.
May 29, 2026
Best MCAT Tutors in 2026: What They Cost and What You're Really Getting
An honest, price-transparent comparison of Princeton Review, Blueprint, Kaplan, Wyzant, and AI-native coaching. No affiliate spin, no hidden numbers.
May 29, 2026
3 Months Until My MCAT. Where Do I Actually Start?
Everyone says take a diagnostic first. They're right, but not a timed MCAT exam. Here's the distinction that saves you weeks of studying the wrong things.
May 29, 2026
My MCAT Score Is Stuck at 506. Here's Why.
Three full lengths. Same score. That's not a ceiling, it's a review problem. Alex explains exactly what to change after your next practice test.
May 29, 2026
How to Build an MCAT Study Schedule That Actually Works
Generic week-by-week schedules ignore the most important variable: you. Here's how to build an MCAT study plan from your diagnostic results, not from chapter one.
May 27, 2026
Is an MCAT Tutor Worth It? A Financial-Advisor's Take
MCAT tutors cost $3,000 to $9,500. Here's an honest ROI breakdown of when it pays off, when it doesn't, and what you're really buying for that money.
May 26, 2026
How Much Does an MCAT Tutor Cost? (There's a Third Option)
MCAT tutors cost $160–$330/hr. Self-study is cheap but you're flying blind. Here's what the numbers actually say, and why most students are choosing wrong.
May 26, 2026
MCAT Tutor vs Self-Study: What Most Pre-Meds Get Wrong About This Decision
The real question isn't "tutor or self-study?" It's what you actually need a tutor for. Most students are solving the wrong problem. Here's how to think about it.
May 26, 2026
Why Your MCAT Score Isn't Improving (It's Not What You Think)
Most MCAT students who plateau are studying just as hard as before. The problem isn't effort. It's that nothing is telling them whether their effort is pointed at the right things.