MCAT Blog
Best MCAT Study Materials (2026)
Step-by-Step MCAT Study Guide
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If you’re planning to apply to medical school, you already know the MCAT is one of the most important components of your application. It can feel overwhelming, but with a clear strategy and the right resources, the process becomes manageable, structured, and far more effective.
This guide breaks down how to prepare for the MCAT, which study materials to use, and how to use them strategically, with up to date AAMC data and accurate recommendations.
Table of Contents
- What Is the MCAT?
- When Should I Take the MCAT?
- What Is the Average MCAT Score? (Updated Data)
- What Score Should I Aim For?
- What Is the Structure of the MCAT?
- Which MCAT Study Materials Should I Use for Each Section?
- CARS Section
- Science Sections (Bio/Biochem + Chem/Phys)
- Psych/Soc Section
- Practice Questions
- How Should MCAT Study Materials Be Used?
- Which MCAT Assessment Tools Should I Use?
- How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the MCAT?
- High-Yield MCAT Strategies
- When Should I Retake the MCAT?
- How Do I Register for the MCAT?
- How Much Does the MCAT Cost?
- Final Thoughts
What Is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
or a full overview of the test format and content, check out the official MCAT exam overview
You’ll need the MCAT for admission to:
- Allopathic (MD) medical schools
- Osteopathic (DO) medical schools
- Most Canadian & Australian medical programs
- Many Caribbean programs
- Some podiatry (DPM) and veterinary (DVM) programs
The MCAT assesses your ability to reason scientifically, analyze complex passages, interpret experiments, and apply foundational science knowledge.
When Should I Take the MCAT?
You should take the MCAT when the following are all true:
1. You’ve finished the prerequisite courses
Ideally, you’ve completed:
- Intro Biology I & II
- General Chemistry I & II
- Organic Chemistry I
- Biochemistry
- Physics I
- Intro Psychology
- Intro Sociology
2. You’re prepared academically
You’ve completed content review and practiced enough questions to perform consistently.
3. You can receive your score before applying
Scores are released about one month after your exam.
Details: https://students-residents.aamc.org/mcat-test-day/about-mcat-score-reporting
4. You have time for a potential retake
Many applicants test in January–April, leaving room for a retake if needed.
There is no strategic advantage to taking the MCAT early if you are not ready, never sacrifice preparedness, even if you have to push back application. Although it may lengthen your med school timeline, so will a less than ideal score.
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What Is the Average MCAT Score? (Updated Data)
Many online sources list outdated numbers. Here are the current ones:
Average score for all MCAT examinees (2023–2024): 506.4
Average MCAT for MD matriculants: 511.7
AAMC Accepted Applicant Data (A-16):
https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/students-residents/interactive-data/accepted-applicants
Average MCAT for DO matriculants: ~504–507
AACOMAS & school-reported data.
This means the national average is now ~506, not 501 or 502 as older blogs state.
What Score Should I Aim For?
This depends on your target schools:
- Top-tier MD (e.g., Hopkins, Harvard, NYU): 517+
- Mid-tier MD: 514–516
- Most state MD programs: 510–513
- DO programs: 502–508
Use AAMC’s MSAR to check each school:
https://mec.aamc.org/msar-ui/#/landing
Once you’re within a school’s typical range, additional points often bring diminishing returns, and your time is better spent on essays, research, and clinical experiences.
What Is the Structure of the MCAT?
The MCAT is a computer-based, multiple-choice, 7.5-hour exam.
It consists of 4 sections:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys)
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/Biochem)
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc)
Each section is scored 118–132, for a total of 472–528.
Structure info:
https://students-residents.aamc.org/about-mcat-exam/whats-mcat-exam
Which MCAT Study Materials Should I Use for Each Section?
Below is an updated breakdown of the highest-yield resources.
CARS Section
CARS is often the most challenging section because it tests reasoning, not memorization.
Best CARS Resources
1. AAMC CARS Question Packs + Full-Length Exams
Most representative materials.
- QPack 1: $15
- QPack 2: $15
- CARS Bundle (all QPacks): $76.50
AAMC Store: https://students-residents.aamc.org/shop-mcat
These should be completed twice.
2. Jack Westin CARS
Daily passages, high-quality explanations, and strong representation.
Students often find them challenging, which is good for skill-building.
https://jackwestin.com
3. UWorld CARS
More difficult and word-heavy than AAMC, but excellent for sharpening reasoning.
UWorld Pricing (as of 2025):
- 90-Day: $249
- 180-Day: $299
- 360-Day: $349
https://gradschool.uworld.com/mcat/
Science Sections (Bio/Biochem + Chem/Phys)
These sections require both content knowledge and analytical skills.
Content Review (Updated Recommendations)
1. Kaplan 7-Book Subject Review (Recommended)
Comprehensive and accurate.
Price: ~$180
https://www.kaptest.com
2. Princeton Review Books
Clear explanations, easier to digest.
Price: ~$120
https://www.princetonreview.com
3. Khan Academy (Free)
Great for biochem, metabolism, and psych/soc.
https://www.khanacademy.org
These should be your primary content sources.
Practice Questions (Most Important)
1. AAMC Section Bank (High Yield & Updated)
Includes:
- 100 Bio/Biochem
- 100 Chem/Phys
- 100 Psych/Soc
- Price: $45
https://students-residents.aamc.org/shop-mcat
Still the single most representative question resource.
2. UWorld MCAT
Extremely high-quality explanations and excellent for learning.
3. AAMC Question Packs
Older questions from pre-2015 MCAT.
Lower yield but useful 1–2 weeks before the exam.
Psych/Soc Section
Arguably the most straightforward section — mostly memory-based.
Best Psych/Soc Content Resources
1. Kaplan Behavioral Sciences Book
Accurate and thorough.
Price: ~$39
2. Princeton Review Psych/Soc
Useful summary charts and visuals.
3. Khan Academy Psych/Soc Notes (100-page version recommended)
Widely used because they’re concise and effective.
4. Miledown’s Anki (P/S Deck)
High yield for terms and definitions.
Practice Questions
- AAMC Section Bank (100 P/S questions)
- UWorld P/S
Both align closely with the actual exam style.
How Should MCAT Study Materials Be Used?
More resources ≠ better preparation.
Quality, consistency, and strategy matter most.
1. Choose 1 primary content resource per section
Do not mix multiple full book sets. This way, you can also limit content review to just a month or so and move onto higher return-on-investment study phases.
2. Start questions early
Don’t wait to “finish content review.”
Questions teach content.
3. Use active reviewing
A high-yield method:
- Do a block of questions, ideal 59 of them in tutor mode
- Mark correct/incorrect without explanations
- Redo incorrect questions
- If still incorrect → review content
- Add weak points to Anki
This drastically improves retention.
4. Space your subjects
Rotate subjects throughout the day to improve focus and memory.
5. Limit note-taking
Passive transcription doesn’t create long-term memory.
Focus on:
- Questions
- Flashcards
- Summaries
- Active recall
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Which MCAT Assessment Tools Should I Use?
AAMC Full-Length Exams (Most Predictive)
AAMC Sample Test → good first diagnostic
AAMC FL 1–4 → extremely predictive
Each exam: $35
Schedule:
- FL1: Weeks 2–3
- Then one exam every 7–10 days
Blueprint (Next Step) Exams
More difficult than AAMC; good for extra practice.
Princeton Review Exams
Less representative but can help with stamina.
How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the MCAT?
Typical timelines:
- 2 months: Full-time, intense
- 3–4 months: Ideal for most students
- 6+ months: Part-time or busy schedule
Avoid extremely long timelines — they increase burnout and forgetting.
High-Yield MCAT Strategies
- Start questions early
- Blend content + practice
- Use active recall
- Track weaknesses weekly
- Prioritize AAMC materials
- Space subjects
- Keep notes minimal
These strategies consistently correlate with high scorers.
When Should I Retake the MCAT?
You may consider a retake if:
- Your score is well below your target
- You have a major section imbalance
- You can realistically improve 4–5+ points
- Your practice test scores do not match your target schools’ ranges
MCAT limits:
- 3 times/year
- 4 times/2 years
- 7 times lifetime
Schools see all attempts.
How Do I Register for the MCAT?
How Much Does the MCAT Cost?
- $335 to register
Fee Assistance Program (FAP) available:
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/applying-medical-school-process/fee-assistance-program/
Final Thoughts
The MCAT is challenging, but success comes from a combination of strategic resource selection, consistent practice, and strong reasoning skills. By using updated materials, prioritizing high-yield resources, and following a structured approach, you can build a competitive score and set yourself up for a successful application cycle.
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