With over ten years of experience in preparing students for the exam, our proven methods, deep knowledge of the content, and highly personal approach guides medical students to elite scores, markedly improving chances of enrolling at top tier MD or DO medical schools.
About the Exam
The MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test), in most cases, is the link between undergraduate study and medical school. The vast majority of undergraduate students who intend on enrolling in medical school must pass a certain score threshold to be a competitive applicant at medical schools, whether the institution adheres to an allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) philosophy of medical approach. But despite its length and rigor, the MCAT need not present a deterrent nor evoke dread in students with a calling to learn and practice medicine. The commitment and vocation of physicians extends well beyond a number earned on a test, regardless of its momentary importance. Additionally, many of our students have invested deeply in their undergraduate learning, working hard to position themselves to contend for limited seats in American Medical Schools; the MCAT is not the most important determinant with regards to the ability and dedication required of world-class physicians, and it need not hold high potential candidates back from earning their white coats. The exam is divided into four parts:
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
95 minutes long; 59 questions; 10 passages; 44 questions are passage-based and 15 are individual
Scores between 118 and 132
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
95 minutes long; 59 questions; 10 passages; 44 questions are passage-based and 15 are individual
Scores between 118 and 132
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
95 minutes long; 59 questions; 10 passages; 44 questions are passage-based and 15 are individual
Scores between 118 and 132
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Reading, Reasoning, Inference, Analysis
90 minutes long; 53 questions; 9 passages; all questions are passage-based
Scores between 118 and 132
* In reality, reading comprehension and stamina play a critical role in each section, independently of a student's knowledge of a subject or discipline. Content mastery is highly important, but application of this knowledge is significantly dependent on a student's ability to read skillfully and efficiently.
Total Testing Time: 375 Minutes (6 hours, 15 minutes)
Test Section Order: Chemical and Physical (CHEM-PHYS), Critical Analysis and Reading Skills (CARS), Biological and Biochemical (BIO-BIOCHEM), Psychological, Social, and Biological (PSYCH-SOC)
Total Questions: 230
Score Range: 472-528
Our Approach
Additional Thoughts for Our Potential Students and Clients
Students pursuing enrollment at one of 170 MD schools or 50 DO schools can customize their program and timeline with us, saving time and money while ensuring a competitive application and successful investment into bringing modern medicine and patient care into the future.
We are known for our customization and personal focus -- we are happy to build out any program structure of your choosing, based on your academic background, time constraints, content challenges, and score expectations.
We integrate our own curriculum with advanced platforms that provide rapid feedback, highlight areas in need of additional focus, and encourage the most efficient improvements without making risky tradeoffs.
Our very small but highly experienced coaches are engaging, knowledgeable, and deeply invested in our students' success in the short and long term. We have a reputation for service and dedication beyond many other programs.
Having worked with medical-school-bound students for a considerable amount of time, we understand that students come from many different academic backgrounds, have certain strengths and weaknesses, and often have a limited amount of time and money to invest in their MCAT exam and medical school applications. We've made it our mission to help students earn the best placements and opportunities regardless of which undergraduate institution or academic background they're coming from.
Typically, future physicians and medical practitioners begin their ascent into medical school having already covered a wide range and appreciable depth of topics that will ultimately apply to their medical education and professional practice. But a high degree of variance exists within this space -- we've had students who have majored in entirely unrelated concentrations successfully pivot towards medicine or similar fields much later than is usually the case. The MCAT affords students this opportunity because of its standardized format (although many institutions have coursework or clinical requirements as well). Due to the wide-ranging distribution of content on the MCAT itself, many students who focused on one area of study during their undergraduate years are then asked to learn a high volume of content that falls outside of these boundaries, given the complex and interdisciplinary nature of medicine and physiology. For this reason, BFA offers students choices on how best to improve score outcomes via our customized and personal approach. Many of our students choose to cover the entirety of the exam to ensure the best possible outcomes, but we've tailored our methods and resources for any student who is searching for guidance on the exam and also the application process that follows.
Under the guidance of our highly experienced and very small team, we combine time-tested methods and strategies with new resources to ensure the finest quality and best value for our aspiring students. Given the expenses and risks incurred by students on the way to and while enrolled in medical school, our aim is to maximize student understanding and placement opportunities while minimizing risk and cost. The future of medicine is now, and students have more to learn than ever before, given advances in genetics, biochemistry, cellular biology, and applied medicine.
Retakes & Policies
Students can take the MCAT up to three times in one testing year; up to four times in a consecutive two-year period; and up to seven times in a lifetime. *Please note that no-shows and voided scores count towards these limits.
The vast majority of MCAT takers have tested either once or twice. A very small fraction of takers has taken the exam four times or more.
Recent data have shown that retakers across a wide range of scores earn higher scores their second time around. Students who scored between the first and third quartiles (approximately 493 - 508) on their first attempt earned the largest increases on the second and third retake. Those below the first quartile and those above the third quartile observe smaller score gains comparatively.
Deciding whether or not to retake the exam depends on several factors, principally the competitiveness of placement in the medical school wherein a student intends to enroll. For example, the median MCAT score at institutions such as Vanderbilt (521), Johns Hopkins (521), Harvard (521), the Mayo Clinic (521), Perelman at University of Pennsylvania (522) demand very high percentile scores (98th percentile); the median MCAT scores at schools such as Baylor College of Medicine (519), University of Texas SOM (518), Case Western Reserve SOM (519), University of Southern Florida Morsani SOM (519), University of Florida COM (516), University of Michigan (518), Emory University SOM (517), Ohio State University COM (516), Standford University SOM (519), and most of the University of California SOMs ( > 515) is at or above the 90th percentile; the median MCAT score at schools such as Texas Christian University SOM (511), Drexel University SOM (512), East Tennessee State University COM (509), Medical College of Georgia at Augusta (513), McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas (513), Loyola Stritch SOM (512), Temple University SOM (512), Indiana University SOM (512), Penn State University SOM (511), Michigan State University COHM (509), Medical College of Wisconsin (510), Rush University UMC (511), St. Louis University SOM (513), Texas A&M University SOM (513), Texas Tech University SOM (512), Uniformed Services University SOM (512), University of Illinois COM (512), University of Kansas SOM (510), University of Minnesota MS (511), University of Missouri-Columbia (509), University of Tennessee COM (512), University of South Dakota SOM (509), University of South Carolina SOMs (510), University of Oklahoma COM (510), University of Nebraska COM (512), University of Missouri Columbia / Kansas City (512/510), Western Michigan Homer Striker SOM (513), University of Wisconsin SOMPH (512), Wake Forest SOM (512) is at or above the 75th percentile.
*The list above represents only a selection of medical schools (all MD) for reference to median scores at each school, given the nationally adjusted percentile scores on the MCAT overall. During the 2016-17 testing year, 64,504 students sat for the exam, whereas by the 2020-21 year, 273,860 students sat for the exam; during the 2024-25 year, the 280,773 students sat for the exam.
Medical School Application Timeline
*This timeline is a generalization that is approximate to most but not all medical schools. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding specific cases for any single school.
The deadline for applicants for most medical schools in the United States falls within the months of October or November, with November 1st being the most common. This means that for students who are choosing not to take a gap year, preparation for the MCAT, sitting for the exam, and then subsequent organization of medical school applications usually begin during Junior Year of undergraduate study.
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Freshman Summer & Breaks
Search for opportunities to participate in research, shadowing, or an internship; this need not be directly associated with medical practice. Volunteering in your community is another key component of preparing for the work of a physician -- even if it's once a week.
Junior Year of Undergraduate ​
An important year. Take upper-level science courses that are aligned with the more challenging material on the MCAT if possible. Consider who you'll choose (or a committee letter) for your letters of recommendation. Begin writing personal statements and essays. Continue to participate in research, volunteering, and medical-related clubs if time permits. Organize a study plan for the MCAT. ​​​​
Junior Year Application Preparation ​
Be sure to ask for letters of recommendation well in advance. Organize your transcripts and check on medical school requirements for coursework. Establish a profile for applications services (AMCAS for MD; AACOMAS for DO) and enter information. Edit essays and personal statements. Take the MCAT as early as you're comfortable with. Submit primary applications. ​​​​
Graduate & Go
to Medical School!
Freshman Year of Undergraduate
Plan appropriate undergraduate coursework with contingencies in place; you can look ahead to which medical schools require specific courses. School counselors should be consulted!
*AP or IB coursework can save a significant amount of time and money when the exams are passed with a score set by the undergraduate institution
Sophomore Year of Undergraduate
Ensure you're on track with appropriate coursework (we can tutor or coach on more challenging subjects) and speak with upperclassmen who intend on going to medical school -- this is a great way to stay informed. Continue with practical or clinical opportunities and volunteer when possible. Becoming an EMT is an attractive option.
Junior Year MCAT Preparation
Students who intend on NOT taking a gap year should begin reviewing and preparing for the MCAT early on in the year. Aligning coursework (e.g. Organic Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry) is very useful. We coach students on content, strategy, and reading elements that can improve scores and reduce time and costs significantly. Be sure to take AAMC practice exams.
Post Applications (AMCAS and/or AACOMAS)
After primary applications have been submitted (usually early June), prepare to receive medical school secondary applications (school-specific), which indicate you're a competitive candidate. Write school-specific responses to secondary essays, often students will take a situational judgment test, and then submit secondary applications. Try to submit secondary applications by August 1st.
Senior Year of Undergraduate​​
Finish undergraduate coursework and double check on medical school requirements. Prepare for medical school interviews and gather information to submit the FAFSA for medical school financing.
Customize Your MCAT Program
Our approach encourages students to customize their program in order to save time and money while not compromising effectiveness or outcome. This approach has a covetable track record of success. Because students come from many different academic backgrounds, customization promotes a balanced approach to the wide-ranging content on the exam. We are happy to help evaluate where subject weaknesses and strengths reside, so that you can best select program elements. You can change your program in light of new information, and we consult with all MCAT students prior to beginning our program.
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Below are an expanded categorization of the four MCAT subdivisions outlined by the AAMC. We've organized concepts to an even more detailed extent, so that you can select the sections that are in need of most improvement. Strategic coaching will parallel the subject tutoring, and this combination yields the best results.
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Please input your relevant information into the following form. Upon submission, your information will be added to your BFA account, and we will customize a general plan for you. Shortly thereafter, we will call the phone number entered here and review, adjust, and set that plan in motion. Our students and clients can opt out of our programs at any time, and please do not hesitate to call with any questions or concerns. Thank you!
Personal Information
Please select the sections you would like to add to your plan. Do not click the submit button until your choices for all sections have been selected. Updates and changes can always be made after the outset of your program.
Thank you! Your information has been submitted.
