MCAT Tutoring FAQ — Common Questions Answered

Rates vary based on the number of hours you book and whether you choose in-person or online sessions. Dr. Donnelly offers several package options at different price points to accommodate a range of budgets. During your free consultation, Stuart will recommend the package that best fits your goals and timeline — with absolutely no pressure to commit. Call 917-568-2473 or use our contact form for current pricing details.

You choose the duration that works best for you: 1-hour, 1.5-hour, or 2-hour sessions. Most students find that one or two sessions per week at a consistent time slot produces the best results. Sessions are available Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, giving you plenty of flexibility around work, classes, or other commitments.

This depends on your starting point, target score, and exam date. Students preparing for 3 to 6 months typically book between 20 and 60 hours of tutoring. Those on tighter timelines or pursuing very high scores may benefit from more intensive schedules. Stuart will assess your situation during the free consultation and recommend a realistic plan.

Because Dr. Donnelly's schedule fills up quickly and he frequently has students wait-listed for open slots, he asks for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to reschedule or cancel. Sessions cancelled without sufficient notice are charged at the standard rate. This policy ensures that every booked slot is used productively.

Yes. When you purchase a multi-session package, each lesson is discounted from Stuart's standard hourly rate. In return, Dr. Donnelly commits to holding availability in his schedule for your sessions. Because his time is in high demand, unused lessons from a purchased package are non-refundable. Contact us for details on available packages.

Absolutely. The majority of DoctorMCAT students now study via Zoom and consistently achieve the same outstanding score improvements as in-person students. Online sessions have an added advantage: they can be recorded, so you can replay complex explanations or strategies whenever you need to revisit them.

In-person lessons are held at our Manhattan office on the Upper West Side: 750 Columbus Avenue, Suite 3G, New York, NY 10025. The office is fully equipped with all necessary teaching materials and provides a focused, distraction-free study environment.

Yes. Homework assignments reinforce what was covered during each lesson and allow you to practice independently between sessions. Students who complete their homework consistently progress noticeably faster. Stuart tailors the homework difficulty and volume to your current level so it challenges you without being overwhelming.

The 30-minute consultation is completely complimentary with no obligation. Dr. Donnelly will evaluate your current preparation level, discuss your target score and test date, and outline a recommended study plan. You will also get a firsthand look at his teaching style so you can decide if private tutoring with Stuart is the right fit for you.

Dr. Donnelly provides all necessary teaching materials, so you do not need to bring anything beyond a means of payment. Some students prefer to bring their own notebooks for personal notes, but it is not required. For online sessions, you just need a computer with a stable internet connection and a quiet workspace.

If you have any diagnostic scores or previous MCAT results, share them with Stuart before your first session — this helps him build your personalized plan faster. Beyond that, no advance preparation is required. Stuart meets you where you are, whether you are starting from scratch or retaking the exam after previous attempts.

None at all. You are free to decide whether to continue after your first session. That said, most students are eager to reserve their regular time slot right away — Stuart's schedule fills up quickly, and securing a consistent weekly slot ensures you stay on track toward your target exam date.

You can reach Dr. Donnelly by calling 917-568-2473, emailing dr.stuart.donnelly@gmail.com, or filling out the contact form on our website. Because Stuart accepts a limited number of students each year and his schedule fills quickly, it is advisable to reach out well in advance to secure your preferred time slot.

Dr. Stuart Donnelly holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford and an Honors degree in Mathematics and Physics. He has over 20 years of dedicated MCAT tutoring and teaching experience at institutions including George Washington University and the French International School in Hong Kong. Stuart is also the author of several best-selling test prep books in Wiley's "For Dummies" series. View his full profile here.

Stuart's methodology centers on quality over quantity. After an initial diagnostic assessment, every lesson is increasingly tailored to your specific weaknesses, learning pace, and exam goals. He has developed proprietary passage-based strategies — unavailable elsewhere — that teach you the most efficient way to handle each MCAT section. His patient, step-by-step style builds both conceptual understanding and test-day confidence.

Over two decades, Dr. Donnelly has helped hundreds of students improve their MCAT scores significantly and gain acceptance into top-tier medical programs. You can read verified testimonials, including specific score improvements, on our Student Reviews page. Each review is from a real student and can be verified upon request.

Students who commit to a full tutoring program typically see composite increases of 10 to 15 points. Some students have gained as many as 17 points. Your results will depend on several factors: your starting level, how frequently you attend sessions, and the time and effort you invest in practice and homework between lessons. Stuart will give you an honest assessment of what is achievable during your consultation.

Most students benefit from 3 to 6 months of structured preparation. However, Dr. Donnelly also designs intensive programs for students with shorter timelines — including those retaking the exam on a tight schedule. The earlier you begin, the more flexibility you have to build a thorough foundation. During your free consultation, Stuart will recommend an ideal start date based on your exam schedule and current readiness.

Retakers are among the students who benefit most from private tutoring. Stuart will analyze your previous score report to identify exactly where you lost points, then build a targeted plan to address those specific areas. Many of his most dramatic score improvements — including jumps of 13 and 17 points — have come from students who had already taken the exam one or more times before.

Dr. Donnelly maintains a comprehensive library of materials from all the major publishers — including AAMC, Kaplan, ExamKrackers, Princeton Review, and Berkeley Review. He selects the specific passages, practice tests, and exercises most relevant to your needs rather than requiring you to purchase a particular set. Stuart will advise you on which additional resources, if any, are worth your investment.

Yes. Dr. Donnelly can design a private intensive course for students who need rapid score improvement on a compressed timeline. These programs involve multiple sessions per week over a period of two to six weeks. Because Stuart's availability is limited, it is best to book intensive courses as far in advance as possible to ensure you get the schedule you need.

Private lessons allow you to progress at your own ideal pace without competing for a teacher's attention or sitting through material you already know. Stuart customizes every session around your individual weaknesses, which accelerates your improvement far beyond what a standardized group curriculum can achieve. Many students who previously struggled in group settings find that they flourish in the private lesson environment, where they can ask questions freely and receive immediate, personalized feedback.

Group classes are generally not offered because each student has unique needs that are best addressed through individual attention. However, if two students at similar levels wish to study together — for example, friends preparing for the same test date — joint sessions can be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Contact Stuart to discuss whether this option would work for your situation.