The best MCAT prep is a combination: something to learn the content (a course or prep books), a large question bank, and the AAMC's official practice exams. The AAMC offers two free and five low-cost full-length exams. Choose between a course and self-study based on how much structure you need, not on price alone.
This page compares the ways to prepare. For how to schedule your study once you have chosen, see how to study for the MCAT.
The MCAT has four sections, each scored from 118 to 132, for a total of 472 to 528 (AAMC). Whatever products you choose, you need:
Prep courses bundle the first two, and sometimes give you the third. Self-study means assembling them yourself.
According to the AAMC, its official prep includes:
The online bundle includes all of them, 2,876 unique questions. Most students save the full-length exams for the last 6 to 8 weeks, when the scores best predict test day. The AAMC's Fee Assistance Program includes free official prep for eligible students.
Courses from the major providers combine video or live lessons, books, a question bank, their own practice tests and a study schedule. Some include the AAMC materials. They suit you if:
They are the most expensive option. Before buying, check whether the course includes the AAMC materials or you will need to buy them separately, and how closely its practice tests match the real exam.
Self-study usually means a set of prep books or free videos for content, a third-party question bank, the AAMC bundle and a flashcard deck. It costs a fraction of a course and lets you spend time only where you need it. It suits you if you are disciplined, have taken the prerequisite courses recently, and are comfortable following a schedule like those in how to study for the MCAT.
If your science background is thin, self-study takes longer; see MCAT prep without a science background.
One-to-one tutoring is the most targeted and the most expensive option. It works best added to self-study, for one or two specific problems such as CARS strategy or a stubborn science section, rather than as your whole preparation.
| If you... | Consider |
|---|---|
| need structure and accountability | A course, plus the AAMC materials if not included |
| are disciplined and on a budget | Prep books or free videos, a question bank, the AAMC bundle |
| have one weak section | Self-study plus targeted tutoring for that section |
| qualify for AAMC fee assistance | Free official prep, plus free content review |
Whichever option you choose, flashcards are how most students keep content review from fading. Upload your prep books or notes to StudyCards AI to make cards, and export them to Anki. For setup, see Anki settings for the MCAT and the MCAT flashcards guide.
Try StudyCards AI FreeThere is no single best product. Almost every successful plan combines content review (a course or prep books), a large question bank, and the AAMC's official practice exams, which are written by the test maker.
Not on their own for most students. The AAMC sells practice exams and question banks, not content review. They are essential for practice, especially in the last two months, but you need another source to learn the material.
Seven: two free (Practice Exam 1 and an unscored Sample Test) and five low-cost exams, each with 230 questions, according to the AAMC.
It is worth it if you need structure, accountability or live teaching. If you are disciplined and comfortable building your own schedule, prep books plus a question bank and the AAMC materials cost much less and work well.
Some. The AAMC offers two free full-length exams, and its Fee Assistance Program includes free official prep products for eligible students. Free content review and community flashcard decks are also available.
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