Is Scoring 190+ in MDCAT Actually Achievable?
The short answer is yes, absolutely. Every year, hundreds of students score above 190 in the MDCAT. In the 2025 exam, the top scorer achieved 198 out of 200, and approximately 2-3% of all test-takers scored 190 or above. These are not geniuses or students with extraordinary natural ability — they are disciplined individuals who followed a structured strategy and put in consistent effort over several months.
What separates a 170-scorer from a 190-scorer is not intelligence but strategy. A student scoring 170 is already knowledgeable enough to score 190 — they just need to eliminate careless mistakes, optimize time management, and strengthen specific weak areas. The journey from 170 to 190 is about refinement, not starting from scratch.
Consider this: 190 out of 200 means you need to get 190 questions right. That allows room for 10 wrong answers across 200 questions. With Biology (80 MCQs), you can afford to lose 3-4 marks. With Chemistry (60 MCQs), 3 marks. Physics (40 MCQs), 2 marks. English (20 MCQs), ideally 0-1 marks. This is entirely achievable with the right preparation.
Subject-Wise Target Scores for 190+
Breaking down your overall target into subject-wise goals makes the challenge feel manageable and gives you clear benchmarks to track your progress during preparation.
Biology
95-97%76-78 / 80
Your strongest scoring potential. Focus on accuracy over speed.
Chemistry
92-95%55-57 / 60
Most room for improvement through practice. Master Organic reactions.
Physics
90-95%36-38 / 40
Conceptual clarity is key. Practice numericals until they become automatic.
English
95-100%19-20 / 20
Easiest to score full. 30 minutes of daily practice is enough.
Total Target: 186-193 out of 200. These ranges account for the natural variation in exam difficulty. If you consistently score in these ranges during mock tests, you are well on track for 190+ on exam day. Remember, the actual exam often feels harder than mocks due to nervousness, so aim for 193+ in practice to comfortably land at 190+ on the real day.
The Ideal Daily Study Routine
Consistency beats intensity. A well-structured 8-10 hour daily routine with breaks is far more effective than irregular 14-hour marathon sessions. Your brain needs time to process and consolidate information, which happens during breaks and sleep.
6:00 - 6:30 AM
Wake up, freshen up, light exercise or walk
6:30 - 9:00 AM
Biology study session - Fresh mind for memorization
9:00 - 9:30 AM
Breakfast break
9:30 - 12:00 PM
Chemistry study session - Reactions and numericals
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Lunch, prayer, short nap (20 min max)
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Physics study session - Concepts and problem solving
3:00 - 3:30 PM
Snack break, light stretching
3:30 - 4:30 PM
English practice + MCQ solving on PrepMDCAT app
4:30 - 6:00 PM
Outdoor activity, sports, socializing
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Dinner and relaxation
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Revision session - Notes, flashcards, weak topics
9:00 - 10:00 PM
Light reading, relaxation, sleep by 10 PM
This schedule gives you approximately 8.5 hours of focused study with adequate breaks for meals, exercise, and mental recovery. The morning sessions are intentionally allocated to Biology and Chemistry because these are memory-intensive subjects and your recall ability is strongest in the morning. Physics, which requires more analytical thinking, is placed in the afternoon when your brain is warmed up.
The evening revision session is crucial. This is when you review what you studied during the day, go through flashcards, and address any weak points you identified. Studies show that reviewing material within 24 hours dramatically improves long-term retention. Never skip this session.
MCQ Practice Strategy: How Many Questions Daily?
The number of MCQs you should solve daily depends on your preparation phase. Here is a progressive approach that builds your speed and accuracy over time without causing burnout.
Foundation Phase (Months 1-2)
30-50 MCQs per dayFocus on quality over quantity. Solve topic-wise MCQs immediately after studying each chapter. Read the explanation for every question, even the ones you get right. Your goal is to understand the reasoning, not just the answer.
Practice Phase (Months 3-4)
80-120 MCQs per dayMix subjects in your daily practice. Start timing yourself - aim for 1 minute per MCQ. Maintain an error log where you write down every wrong answer with the correct explanation. Review this log weekly.
Mastery Phase (Months 5-6)
150-200 MCQs per dayInclude full-length mock tests in your count. Focus on mixed-subject practice to simulate real exam conditions. At this stage, you should be able to solve most MCQs in under 45 seconds.
Mock Test Strategy for 190+
Mock tests are the single most important preparation tool in the final 2-3 months. They simulate the real exam experience and reveal exactly where you stand. Without regular mock tests, you are essentially walking into the MDCAT blind.
Start taking full-length mock tests (200 MCQs, 210 minutes) at least 8 weeks before the exam. In the first 4 weeks, take one mock test per week. In the final 4 weeks, increase to 2-3 mock tests per week. By exam day, you should have completed at least 15-20 full-length mocks.
The mock test itself is only half the value. The real learning happens during analysis. After each mock, spend at least 2 hours reviewing every wrong answer. Categorize your mistakes into three types: conceptual errors (you did not know the topic), careless errors (you knew the answer but made a silly mistake), and time-pressure errors (you ran out of time). Each type requires a different fix.
Mock Test Analysis Framework
Conceptual Errors
Go back to the textbook/notes for that topic. Study it again thoroughly, then solve 20 MCQs on that specific topic. This type of error requires the most effort to fix but yields the biggest improvement.
Careless Errors
These are the most frustrating because you knew the answer. Common causes: misreading the question, selecting the wrong option, or making calculation mistakes. Develop a habit of reading each question twice and double-checking numerical answers.
Time-Pressure Errors
You ran out of time and had to rush or guess on the last few questions. Fix this by practicing speed — solve MCQs under strict time limits. Also learn when to skip a difficult question and come back to it later.
Proven Revision Techniques
The difference between a good student and a great MDCAT scorer often comes down to how effectively they revise. Here are the techniques used by top scorers.
Spaced Repetition
Review material at increasing intervals: 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 30 days. This scientifically proven technique moves information from short-term to long-term memory. The PrepMDCAT app uses this method automatically with its flashcard system.
Active Recall
Instead of re-reading your notes passively, close the book and try to recall everything from memory. Write down what you remember, then check against your notes. This forces your brain to actively retrieve information, strengthening neural pathways.
The Feynman Technique
Try to explain a concept in simple language as if teaching a 10-year-old. If you cannot explain it simply, you do not understand it well enough. This technique reveals gaps in your understanding that passive reading misses.
Error Log Review
Maintain a notebook or digital document where you record every MCQ you get wrong. Include the question, correct answer, and your reasoning for why you got it wrong. Review this log before every mock test. Over time, you will notice patterns in your mistakes.
Time Management During the MDCAT Exam
You have 210 minutes for 200 questions, which averages to 1 minute and 3 seconds per question. This might sound comfortable, but without a deliberate time management strategy, many students end up rushing through the last 30-40 questions. Here is a proven approach used by 190+ scorers.
First Pass (150 minutes)
Go through all 200 questions. Answer every question you are confident about immediately (target: 150-160 questions). For questions you are unsure about, make your best guess AND mark them for review. Never leave a question unanswered.
Second Pass (45 minutes)
Return to all marked questions. With a fresh perspective, you will often see the correct answer more clearly. Change your answer only if you are genuinely confident in the new choice. Research shows that first instincts are correct about 70% of the time.
Final Check (15 minutes)
Quickly scroll through all 200 questions one last time. Check that you have not accidentally left any question unanswered. Do not second-guess yourself at this stage — only change answers if you spot an obvious error.
One critical rule: never spend more than 2 minutes on any single question during the first pass. If you cannot figure it out in 2 minutes, mark your best guess and move on. Spending 5 minutes on one difficult question costs you time that could have been used to correctly answer 3-4 easier questions later in the paper.
Mental Health and Stress Management
MDCAT preparation is a marathon, not a sprint. The mental and emotional toll of months of intense studying can be significant, and ignoring your mental health will ultimately hurt your performance. Top scorers are not those who study the most hours — they are those who study the most effective hours while maintaining a healthy balance.
Anxiety about the exam is normal and even helpful in small doses — it keeps you motivated. But when anxiety becomes overwhelming, it impairs concentration, disrupts sleep, and reduces your ability to recall information during the exam. Recognize the signs of excessive stress: persistent headaches, insomnia, irritability, loss of appetite, and inability to concentrate.
Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Sleep 7-8 hours every night at the same time. Your brain consolidates memories during sleep, so cutting sleep to study more is counterproductive. Students who sleep adequately score higher on tests than those who pull all-nighters.
Exercise Regularly
30 minutes of physical activity daily (walking, jogging, sports) releases endorphins that reduce stress and improve mood. Exercise also increases blood flow to the brain, improving cognitive function and concentration.
Take Regular Breaks
Use the Pomodoro technique: study for 25-50 minutes, then take a 5-10 minute break. After 4 sessions, take a longer 30-minute break. This prevents mental fatigue and maintains high concentration levels throughout the day.
Stay Connected with Family and Friends
Isolation during preparation is tempting but harmful. Spend time with your family during meals, talk to friends regularly, and maintain at least one social activity per week. These connections provide emotional support and perspective.
Avoid Comparing Yourself with Others
Every student has different strengths, starting points, and learning speeds. Comparing your progress with classmates creates unnecessary anxiety. Focus on improving YOUR score from YOUR last mock test. The only competition that matters is with yourself.
Practice Mindfulness or Prayer
Spend 10-15 minutes daily in meditation, deep breathing, or prayer. This calms your nervous system, reduces cortisol levels, and improves focus. Many top scorers credit their calm exam-day performance to a regular mindfulness practice.
Remember that the MDCAT, while important, is not the only path to a successful career. If the pressure feels overwhelming, talk to a trusted adult, teacher, or counselor. Your health and well-being are more important than any exam score. A calm, confident mindset on exam day is worth more than 100 extra hours of stressed studying.
Finally, believe in yourself. You have put in the work, followed a structured plan, and practiced consistently. Trust your preparation. On exam day, take a deep breath, stay focused on one question at a time, and give your best. The score will take care of itself.
PrepMDCAT Editorial Team
Written by doctors, educators, and MDCAT experts who have analyzed the strategies of thousands of 190+ scorers to bring you this comprehensive guide.