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What is the definitive guide to Fran Montemurro's study techniques for achieving high MCAT scores?

Updated October 12, 20262 min read

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study techniqueshigh MCAT scoresstudy tips

Answer

From Fran Montemurro

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Hi, I’m Fran Montemurro from Smartswot. Here is a concise “definitive guide” to how Fran studies for high scores on exams like the MCAT:

  1. Design your week
  1. Plan a realistic weekly schedule first (classes, work, rest), then block 3–5 hour focused study windows
  2. Use themes per day: e.g., C/P heavy Monday, B/B Tuesday, full-length or review day later in the week
  1. Work in deep-focus blocks
  1. 50–60 minutes focused, 5–10 minute break
  2. One main task per block: “Review amino acids,” “Do 30 CARS questions,” “Review FL3 chem section”
  1. Active recall > rereading
  1. Close the book and:
    1. Brain dump pathways, equations, definitions
    2. Teach the concept out loud to an imaginary student
    3. Use flashcards (Anki or paper) daily, not occasionally
  1. Spaced repetition
  1. Revisit high‑yield topics on a cycle (same day, 2 days, 5 days, weekly)
  2. Tag cards or topics as “again / good / easy” and stretch intervals as you improve
  1. Practice-driven learning
  1. Start questions early, not “after content is done”
  2. For every practice set:
    1. Do timed blocks
    2. Review every question (even correct ones): Why was each option right or wrong?
    3. Write a 1–2 line takeaway per question set
  1. Elite review habits
  1. Keep an error log: question source, topic, why you missed it, and the fixed “rule”
  2. Revisit this log several times a week and turn patterns into targeted drills
  1. Full-length exam strategy
  1. Simulate test day (same start time, breaks, no phone)
  2. Next day = review day: slow, section by section, identify weak content and test‑taking mistakes
  3. Turn FL review into your next week’s study plan
  1. Environment and energy
  1. Study at a distraction‑light place (library, quiet café, or a consistent desk)
  2. Protect sleep and exercise; tired brains do not encode well
  3. Use music or ambience only if it truly helps focus, not as background noise
  1. Motivation and mindset
  1. Focus on systems, not vibes: “4 focused blocks today” instead of “feel motivated”
  2. Track checkboxes (blocks finished, questions reviewed) to get visible progress
  3. Normalize hard days; adjust instead of quitting the plan

If you want, Fran can help you turn this into a weekly MCAT plan tailored to your timeline, score goal, and weak areas.

What is your test date and approximate current score range (diagnostic or practice FL)?

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