If you’ve ever tried juggling MCAT prep with school, work, or just… life, you know it’s no joke. The MCAT isn’t something you can just “wing.” It takes months of discipline, focus, and sometimes a little frustration too. That’s why so many people (myself included) sign up for mcat exam preparation classes  they give structure, a sense of direction, and some accountability when motivation dips.

But here’s what most folks don’t tell you: even with the best prep classes, the journey isn’t smooth. These programs help, sure, but they also come with their own set of hurdles. Some of them are mental, others are about time, and a few just come down to figuring out your own way to learn.

I remember thinking, “If I’m paying for help, shouldn’t this be easier?” But it doesn’t always work like that. Prep classes are tools  and like any tool, you need to know how to use them right. So, let’s talk about the real challenges students face in mcat preparation classes, and maybe along the way, you’ll see a bit of your own experience in here too.

1. Balancing Class Time and Self-Study

When I first joined my mcat exam preparation classes, I honestly thought, “Great, now someone will just tell me exactly what to do.” And for a while, it was nice    lectures, schedules, assignments. But I quickly realized that showing up to class wasn’t enough.

Prep classes move fast. You cover so much material that if you don’t take time after each session to review and process, it piles up. I’d leave class with pages of notes, promising myself I’d go over them later    and then life happened. Before I knew it, I was two topics behind and feeling guilty about it.

The truth? You can’t rely on the class alone. You have to carve out your own study rhythm. Think of it like a workout: the class is your personal trainer, but you’ve still gotta lift the weights yourself.

2. Information Overload Is Real

The first few weeks of mcat preparation classes feel like drinking from a firehose. There’s just so much. Biology, chemistry, psychology, physics, CARS    all tossed at you one after another. And the instructors mean well, but they have a lot to cover in not much time.

At first, I tried to write down everything the teacher said. My notes looked impressive    until I realized I didn’t actually remember any of it. It took me a while to stop obsessing over covering everything and instead focus on understanding.

If you try to memorize the ocean, you’ll drown in it. But if you focus on the tides    the patterns, the big ideas    you’ll stay afloat. The MCAT isn’t testing your memory as much as your ability to think through problems. Once I got that, things started making a lot more sense.

3. Figuring Out Your Learning Style

This one hit me later than I’d like to admit. Not all mcat exam preparation classes fit every student. Some people love lectures. They sit there, absorb everything, and walk out feeling confident. Others (like me) need to see it, draw it, or talk it out loud before it sticks.

At first, I blamed myself for not keeping up. I thought, “Maybe I’m just not good enough for this.” But that wasn’t it. I just learn differently. Once I accepted that, I started mixing up my methods    using flashcards, diagrams, even talking concepts out loud to myself like a weirdo. And you know what? It worked.

If your class doesn’t match your learning style, it doesn’t mean you’re behind. It just means you need to adjust your tools a bit. Find what clicks for you.

4. Staying Motivated When You’re Tired of Studying

MCAT prep can feel like a marathon that never ends. Some days you’re pumped up, ready to crush passages. Other days, you stare at your books and feel like throwing them out the window. Trust me, I’ve been there.

Even the best mcat exam preparation classes can’t keep you motivated all the time. There will be weeks when you’re tired, burned out, or just plain over it. For me, what helped was setting smaller goals    finishing one topic, doing one practice test, or even just studying for an hour instead of three.

It’s amazing how much difference that makes. You start to feel progress again. And honestly, it’s okay to take breaks. You’re not a machine. The people who make it through MCAT prep aren’t the ones who never get tired    they’re the ones who get tired and keep going anyway.

5. The Comparison Trap

This one’s brutal. In mcat preparation classes, you’re surrounded by ambitious, smart people. And sooner or later, someone’s going to casually mention their 520 on a practice exam, and you’ll sit there thinking, “Why can’t I do that?”

I fell into that trap hard. Every time someone scored higher, I’d panic. I even changed my whole study plan trying to copy what they were doing    which made me more confused. Eventually, I realized we all start at different places. Maybe that person majored in biochemistry or has been prepping for a year already. You can’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter ten.

The only person you should compete with is your past self. If your score is going up    even slowly    you’re winning.

6. Adjusting to Online or Hybrid Learning

These days, a lot of students take an mcat prep course online, and while it’s super convenient, it’s also kind of tricky. There’s something nice about rolling out of bed, opening your laptop, and calling it “class,” but let’s be real    it’s also easier to get distracted.

I can’t tell you how many times I sat down to watch a lecture and somehow ended up scrolling through my phone or doing literally anything else. It took me a while to treat my online sessions like real classes    phone on silent, notes ready, brain engaged.

The upside? Once you build that discipline, online learning gives you freedom. You can rewind lectures, study at your own pace, and skip the commute. It’s all about structure. Create your own, and it actually works surprisingly well.

7. The Pressure of Test Anxiety

Even after months of studying, some of us still freeze up on test day. That was me. I’d take full-length practice exams and do fine, but once it was the real thing, my mind would suddenly go blank.

Mcat exam preparation classes helped with strategies, but managing anxiety was something I had to learn myself. I started doing full-length tests under real conditions    same time of day, timed breaks, no phone. At first, it was nerve-wracking, but the more I did it, the less intimidating it became.

And here’s something that sounds silly but really works: breathing. Before each section, I’d take a slow breath, remind myself, “You’ve studied for this,” and start. It calmed my brain just enough to focus.

Learning to Overcome the Tough Parts

After all that, I’ve realized something: every challenge has a hidden lesson. The point of mcat preparation classes isn’t to make the process easy    it’s to teach you how to push through when it’s hard.

Here’s what really helped me:

1. Make your own schedule. Classes give structure, but you have to personalize it.
   
   

2. Be consistent. Even short study bursts count.
   
   

3. Find your people. A small study group or even one friend makes a huge difference.
   
   

4. Stop chasing perfect. Aim for progress. Perfection just stresses you out.
   
   

5. Take care of your brain. Eat, sleep, and don’t study till you hate it.
   
   

The MCAT isn’t just testing your science knowledge    it’s testing your patience, focus, and mental endurance. And honestly, those are the same skills you’ll need in med school.

FAQs

Q1: Are mcat exam preparation classes really worth it?
For a lot of students, yes. They give you structure, strategy, and accountability    especially if you struggle with self-discipline. But they’re not a magic fix.

Q2: How long do people usually take these classes?
Most students go for 3–6 months, depending on how much review they need and how strong their science foundation is.

Q3: Can I just take an mcat prep course online instead?
Totally. Online options can work just as well if you’re self-motivated and stay on schedule.

Q4: What’s one big mistake students make in prep classes?
Trying to memorize everything instead of understanding the “why” behind it. The MCAT loves reasoning questions, not just facts.

Q5: How do I stay motivated through it all?
Remember your “why.” Remind yourself what kind of doctor you want to be. Some days that reminder is all that keeps you going.

Helpful Resources

A few tools that really helped me along the way:

• AAMC official materials for realistic practice.
  
  

• UWorld MCAT QBank (amazing explanations).
  
  

• Anki flashcards for remembering tricky facts.
  
  

• Khan Academy videos when you just need things simplified.
  
  

• Study groups or online communities for moral support.
  
  

Conclusion

At the end of the day, everyone in mcat exam preparation classes struggles with something    time, motivation, burnout, you name it. But that’s part of the process. Those struggles teach you how to manage pressure, adapt your style, and stay consistent even when things feel impossible.

If you’re in the middle of it right now, take a breath. You’re not behind. You’re learning, just like everyone else. And every hour, every frustration, every small win is bringing you closer to your goal.

This journey’s tough, but so is medicine. You’re already building the resilience you’ll need later. So keep showing up    one class, one chapter, one practice test at a time. You’ve got this.