Frequently Asked
Questions

Dr. Stuart Donnelly holds advanced degrees and has extensive experience tutoring pre-medical students for the MCAT® exam. With years of dedicated one-on-one instruction, he has developed a deep understanding of each section of the exam and the most effective strategies to help students achieve their target scores.

Dr. Donnelly's philosophy centres on quality over quantity. After an initial complimentary assessment, each lesson becomes increasingly individualised to adapt to your particular strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. He has developed several unique proprietary strategies for all four MCAT® sections: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, and CARS.

Yes — Dr. Donnelly has helped hundreds of pre-med students significantly improve their MCAT® scores over the years. Testimonials from previous students speak to both the effectiveness of his methods and the supportive, personalised learning environment he creates. Please visit the student testimonials page for detailed reviews and success stories.

When selecting an MCAT® tutor, look for someone with proven results, a personalised teaching approach, and deep subject-matter expertise. The best tutor will take time to understand your individual learning style and tailor a study plan around your specific goals. Scheduling a free initial consultation is the best way to evaluate whether a tutor is the right fit for you.

Simply contact Dr. Donnelly via the contact form or phone number on this website to schedule your free initial consultation. During this first session, Dr. Donnelly will assess your current MCAT® knowledge, discuss your target score, and outline a personalised tutoring plan suited to your timeline and goals.

Absolutely not. The initial consultation is entirely free and comes with no obligation whatsoever. It is simply an opportunity for you to experience Dr. Donnelly’s tutoring style first-hand and decide whether it is the right fit for your needs before committing to a package.

For the initial lesson, please bring any previous MCAT® score reports (if you have taken the exam before), your study materials, and a list of the topics or sections you feel least confident about. The more information you can provide, the more tailored and productive your first session will be.

Hourly rates and package pricing are discussed directly during the initial free consultation, as the number of hours required varies depending on your current score, target score, and available study time. Discounted multi-session packages are available to provide the best value for students committing to a comprehensive prep programme.

Please provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson. This allows Dr. Donnelly to offer the time slot to other students on the waiting list. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice may be subject to a cancellation fee, which will be outlined during the initial consultation.

Refund policies for unused sessions within a purchased package are discussed and agreed upon at the time of enrolment. Dr. Donnelly is committed to student satisfaction and will work with you to find a fair resolution in any circumstances that prevent you from completing your agreed-upon programme.

The amount of improvement varies depending on your starting score, target score, the number of tutoring hours, and the effort you put in between sessions. However, students who follow Dr. Donnelly’s personalised study plan and complete all assigned work consistently see significant score improvements. The initial consultation will help set realistic and achievable score goals tailored to you.

Yes, intensive preparation programmes are available for students who have a shorter timeline before their exam date. These programmes involve more frequent sessions per week and a highly focused study plan. An intensive programme is best discussed during the initial consultation so that Dr. Donnelly can assess whether it is the right approach for your situation.

Dr. Donnelly primarily focuses on one-on-one tutoring to ensure each student receives a fully personalised experience. However, small group sessions can occasionally be arranged for students who prefer to study with peers, subject to availability. Please enquire during the consultation if this arrangement interests you.

One-on-one MCAT® lessons offer several key advantages over group courses: the entire session is focused entirely on your personal weaknesses, the pace adjusts to your learning speed, feedback is immediate and specific, and the tutor can pivot the lesson plan in real time based on your progress. This tailored approach is consistently more efficient than a one-size-fits-all group class.