MCAT Resources
*note: I will continue updating and adding resources to this post as I come across them!
What resources do I NEED to purchase?
You absolutely should purchase all of the Official AAMC materials: Practice exams, question bundles, guides, etc. All of these resources are made by the same people who make the MCAT so they are the most representative of the actual exam! Some of the questions are actually from previous MCAT exams. These will be the most accurate predictors of what you will see on test day. If you can only select one, go with the practice exams. The AAMC also has a financial assistance program that significantly reduce the cost of both the actual exam and the AAMC materials.
See this short post about how to effectively use the AAMC materials.
Another paid resource I would absolutely recommend is the UWorld question bank. I found their explanations exceptionally helpful and detailed.
Which test prep company books should I use?
Most prep books will be useful. This and this website provides a strong comparison of each set of books.
Free Resources
My Favorite Free Resources
KA MCAT Database: This spreadsheet changed my life. It categorizes and links ALL KA videos so you can easily find them
Jack Westin CARS Passage of the Day: Fantastic free resource for CARS! Daily passages are sent to your email for practice. Great way to start off your morning and get in the grove of studying.
AAMC MCAT Interface by Jack Westin: Google Chrome extension which makes AAMC practice material appear in the MCAT interface format!
I Want A High MCAT Score Lab Techniques: An 18 page document summarizing high yield lab techniques
Review Sheets
MilesDown 90 Page Review: This 90 page document contains extremely condensed review sheets that contains all of the principles and equations that you need to know for the MCAT. I highly recommend annotating these sheets with more information about each principle as you read.
Kaplan Quicksheets: These 24 sheets contain every major subject you may encounter on the MCAT. If you can explain everything on these sheets in your own words and understand how the ideas connect, you are golden.
I Want A High MCAT Score Lab Techniques: Goes over all lab techniques. SUPER important to fully know and understand all of these lab techniques for passage based questions!
Premade Anki Decks
MilesDown: Contains 2,900 cards with information covering all MCAT sections.
RebopBebop's Deck: Based on Kaplan Books
u/lecompositor's Biochemistry Anki Deck: 390 card deck containing everything Biochemistry!
Free Diagnostic/Practice Exams
Note that scores on third party practice exams aren’t always accurate for your test day score- so don't get too down on yourself for score. See this article (or this summary video) for additional information. Keep in mind that there is It isn't always true that you will do better on your actual MCAT. Definitely use the average of your AAMC practice tests as your best estimator of your score!! For me, I was scoring in the 503-509 on Princeton Reviews earlier on in my studying, 515 average on AAMC material close to my test, and 514 on the real deal!
Question of the Day
General Youtube Channels
Bio/Biochem
Visuals
YouTube
Organic Chemistry Tutor: Specifically helpful for Macromolecules
Van Does Chemistry: helpful for biochemistry
Armando Hasudungan: helpful for immunology related topics. I find the physiology playlist helpful!
Science Simplified: Metabolic pathways
Other
Chem/Phys
Youtube
Chad’s Prep: Orgo/gen chem/physics summary videos
Lea4Sci: Organic Chemistry ROYALTY! Also fantastic for learning to do MCAT math without a calculator.
Organic Chemistry Tutor: Organic chemistry
Van Does Chemistry: MCAT Chemistry and Physics Information
Other
Psych/Soc
Guides
Other
For specific topics
For P/S stuff: Bozeman Science, thetrevtutor, handwritten tutorials, psychexamreview, crashcourse, neuroscientifically challenged.
I also like dr Matt and dr mike for anatomy/physiology stuff (I listen to their podcast as well.)
I find finding the character of a local meeting place easier to approach when there is a familiar situation to start from. An ordinary conversation can become part of the reason people remember a place. That practical perspective helps me frame local pub culture as a theme for Abbeyinnderby. I would be interested in an example that shows how the idea works in an ordinary situation. What makes a local meeting spot feel welcoming to a first-time visitor?
Thinking about following curiosity through everyday information, I find the smaller practical questions more interesting than a quick conclusion. A clear question can turn a casual interest into something easier to explore. It is the kind of question I would keep in mind when thinking about 2welve and 2welve learning ideas. I would rather explore one useful example carefully than pretend that the whole subject is already clear. How do you decide which detail deserves a closer look before moving on?
I like thinking about communicating ideas to the right audience through small observations rather than trying to reach a conclusion immediately. A clear explanation of a practical benefit can be more useful than a string of enthusiastic claims. I would connect Seamonstermarketing with digital marketing ideas through an ordinary example rather than a broad claim. That is the part I would keep thinking about after moving on to something else. What would make a short message feel relevant rather than intrusive?
The idea of understanding the basics of solar energy gives me a reason to slow down and consider the details. Following the path from sunlight to electricity makes an unfamiliar system easier to picture. That practical perspective helps me frame solar energy education as a theme for Pro Solar. I am still thinking through the practical side, because the context can change what seems useful. Which questions would help a beginner understand the role of each part of the system?
What interests me about building confidence through manageable learning goals is how a broad idea becomes part of an ordinary day. A clear first step can make a difficult subject feel more approachable. It is the kind of question I would keep in mind when thinking about Practicalresources and practical learning skills. That is the part I would keep thinking about after moving on to something else. How do you decide what to practise when a topic initially seems too broad?