How to Survive Medical School Entrance Exams: Tips, Tricks & More

Passing the medical entrance exam is the 1st step to getting into most medical schools. It's normal for the material to seem like a lot, but with the right tools and plans, you can easily set yourself up for success.

This guide has all the information you need to help you ace your exams, including study tips, common mistakes, and how to get ready with confidence so you can get into your dream medical university.

Key takeaways of the blog include:

• Planning ahead, and following through with your plan, is essential for passing your entrance medical exams
• Using the study methods most suitable to you can greatly improve how well you perform on test day
• Some common mistakes to avoid are studying too late, only focusing on the content without a plan, not going over the exam structure, and studying alone
• Medlink Students offers complete exam preparation, designed specifically for the university you will be applying to

Understanding the Medical School Entrance Exam

Medical school entrance exams are different depending on where you want to study, and understanding the format of the university you’re applying to is essential for proper exam prep. 

Most medical schools in Europe create their own entrance exams that are specific to their programmes and needs. These tests can be anything from multiple-choice questions to oral interviews.

Focus areas typically include:

• Biology: Human physiology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry
• Chemistry: Organic, inorganic, and general as well as physical chemistry principles
• Physics: Mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, and electricity
• Mathematics: Statistics, trigonometry, algebra, and simple calculus

How to Effectively Prepare for a Medical Entrance Exam

There is a lot more to prepare for medical exam entrance than just learning scientific facts by heart; you also need to have a structured approach that develops your exam-taking abilities and builds your knowledge. 

Here’s a study plan, designed by our doctors to help you maximise your chances of passing your entrance exam:

Weeks 1-2: Assessment and Understanding Your Needs

You need to understand precisely where you stand before you dive into intensive medical study. This means:

• Taking diagnostic practice tests to identify your level and knowledge gaps
• Reviewing the exam formats of the university you’re applying to
• Assessing your current science knowledge against medical school entrance requirements
• Creating a realistic timeline based on your starting point and target universities

Weeks 3-12: Foundation Building

This is where you should star: building your scientific knowledge in each subject based on your assessed level and gaps.

1 important thing to do to help with this is to focus on active learning instead of passive learning. Research demonstrates that active learning, as in learning through problem-solving and discussion, enhances exam scores by nearly half a grade (0.47 GPA) and reduces failure rates from 33.8% to 21.8%.

Weeks 13-20: Exam Strategy and Practice

This is where you should concentrate more on acing the test itself than on learning the material. This includes:

• Weekly full-length timed practice tests. Ideally, look for past exams/tests to practice on
• Analysing your incorrect answers to identify gaps or weaknesses
• Working out time management strategies for each section
• Learning to manage exam-day anxiety and pressure

If you consistently pass your mock exams, then congratulations, you should be ready for the real deal. 1 of the ways to be completely sure is to take previous exams from the university you will be applying to, but these are not always readily available. 

This is where Medlink Students come in. We work closely with 100+ of the best universities in Europe and the Caribbean, and we offer tailored exam prep materials, designed specifically for the medical school you will be applying to. This is all part of our comprehensive Student Success Programme.

Have a chat with one of our student advisors to learn how we turn taking a stressful entrance exam into a success story with near certainty.

The Most Effective Study Techniques For Medical Entrance Exams

Many helpful study methods can improve how much you get done and greatly raise your chances of passing your medical school entrance exam. These methods include:

1. Spaced Repetition

Research shows that spaced repetition has a massive influence on medical school entrance exam success. So, instead of cramming all the information you need to study at once, review materials at increasing time frames:

• Day 1: Learn a new concept
• Day 3: Review the concept
• Day 7: Reviewing again
• Day 14: Final review before moving on to maintenance mode

2. Retrieval Practice

Retrieval practice is using your memory to recall medical concepts you have learned consistently so you can strengthen long-term retention and understanding. This means instead of highlighting textbooks, create flashcards, take practice quizzes, and explain concepts aloud without looking at your notes.

3. Interleaving 

Instead of studying biology for 3 hours straight, mix up topics within your study sessions. Study Biology for 45 minutes, then take a break. Move on to Chemistry for 45 minutes, and break. Then go on to Physics for 30 minutes.

Break it up in small chunks so you don’t burn out and always take a breather in-between sessions. 

Common Entrance Exam Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Every year, thousands of capable students underperform on their medical entrance exams due to preventable mistakes:

Studying too Late

Many students underestimate how long effective preparation should take. While some claim you can prepare in 6-8 weeks, the truth is that the earlier you start preparing, the better.

Focusing Only on Studying Content, Ignoring Strategy

Knowing the material isn’t enough if you can’t apply it under time pressure. Students who practice extensively under exam conditions consistently outperform those who only study content.

Not Reviewing Exam Structure

Depending on the university you’re applying to, make sure you’re reviewing the exact structure of their specific tests. For example, MCAT has 230 test questions, with four test sections. Meanwhile, BMAT only has 35 test questions, with three test sections each. Each exam has its own timing, question styles, and approach. Applying MCAT strategies to IMAT preparation can hurt your performance.

Still wondering which medical school you should join? Book a free consultation with one of our expert advisors, or instead, check out our complete list of the 100+ Best Medical Schools In Europe Taught In English.

Studying in Isolation

Studying for medical entrance exams by yourself isn't only stressful but also makes it harder to find the right resources, practice materials, and expert help. This is where studying with peers or outside professional help becomes invaluable.

How European Medical Entrance Exams Compare to North American Systems

One of the biggest advantages of the entrance exam for medical in Europe is that it's affordable and flexible compared to that in North America:

• While the MCAT is offered only a few times per year and has lengthy registration processes, many European exams, like the IMAT, offer multiple test dates and more flexible scheduling.
• Students from different academic backgrounds can take the European entrance exams because they frequently heavily focus on critical thinking and logical reasoning in addition to scientific knowledge, in contrast to the MCAT's strong focus on coursework in advanced science.
• European entrance exam fees are typically €50-€200 compared to €400 for the MCAT, and preparation resources are often more accessible and affordable.

The Best Resources And Materials for Medical Entrance Exam Success

Official Practice Materials 

Always try to look for official practice exams and sample questions for medical school entrance exams. These provide you with the most realistic expectations of the structure and level of difficulty of the real exam.

Target Preparation Courses

Professional preparation courses give you structured ways to learn and access to important question banks. When picking prep courses, look for ones that teach you both how to review the material and how to take tests from the right strategic approach.

Past papers and Mock Exams

To get used to the pressure of the medical entrance exam, you have to practice taking it as if it were the real thing. In addition, old past papers or exams are great for understanding the kinds of questions asked and how hard they are.

On top of that, every student who signs up with Medlink Students gets access to the Medlink Students app. This app has all of the past papers, practice questions, and proven study methods you need to pass your medical entrance exam in 1 place.

How Medlink Students Supports Your Medical Entrance Exam Success

At Medlink Students, we know that medical school entrance requirements can be overwhelming when you're doing it all alone. That is why our Student Success Programme guides students through every stage of preparation:

• Plan smarter by choosing the right exams, setting realistic timelines, and following a study plan that works for you.
• Practice with past papers, updated question banks, and full mock exams 
• Perform better by strengthening weak areas and implementing test-taking strategies
• Prepare with precision using university-specific materials tailored to each exam’s exact format.

Book a free consultation with Medlink Students today, and let our expert advisors help you create a personalised plan for studying for the entrance exam. We'll look at how ready you are now, suggest the best study materials for your target exams, and help you all the way through your preparation.

FAQ - Medical School Entrance Exam Prep