Medical student · Top-percentile MCAT scorer
Last updated: October 2026
The short answer
For most 2026 test-takers we rank UWorld #1 for question quality, Blueprint #2 for structured video teaching and realistic full-lengths (Self-Paced from $999 on sale, regular $1,499), Kaplan #3 for classroom-style teaching and the widest schedule, Princeton Review #4 for its 515+ guarantee, Prep101 #5 for Canadian students, and Magoosh #6 as the budget option at $399. If you want one course and one Qbank, the common pairing is Blueprint plus UWorld, with the AAMC materials as your calibration set.
Prices and course contents checked against each provider’s official site on 26 September 2026. Blueprint, Prep101 and Princeton Review all run time-limited sales, so confirm the live price before you buy.
Finding the right MCAT prep course can help you organize your preparation and work on weak areas. Find out which prep course can help you get ready for the test that future doctors need to take.
If you’re absolutely serious about becoming the best doctor you can be, then you need to take the time and effort to find the best MCAT prep course for you. What you need to realize is that just about every US medical school will factor in your results in the Medical College Admission Test to determine if you can handle the hard work that medical studies require.
The MCAT isn’t the type of exam that you can just wing. To do well here, you have to study seriously, and doing this on your own may not be your best option. The best MCAT prep course can systematically cover every subject that may come up in the test, while you also get the most effective strategies for studying for the test and then taking it.
Quick answer: the best MCAT prep course depends on how you like to study and what you can spend.
- Best overall: UWorld MCAT — the question bank high scorers recommend most after the official AAMC materials; the Core course ($599) includes 3,000+ questions, books and 2 UWorld exams. AAMC materials are included with Comprehensive, not Core.
- Best for video-led study: Blueprint MCAT — Self-Paced from $999 on sale with 16 full-length exams (10 Blueprint + 6 AAMC) and a 5,000+ question Qbank.
- Best for books and Anki: Kaplan MCAT — the most practice material (21 full-lengths including 7 AAMC, 12,000+ questions), and its books match the popular free Anki decks.
- Most in-depth books: Princeton Review — Self-Paced from $1,599, with 515+ guarantee programs.
- Most live teaching: Prep101 — 154 hours of live online instruction.
- Budget supplement: Magoosh — $399 for 12 months.
Every course below was compared on price, practice material, live instruction and guarantees, using each provider’s official website. See how we review test prep courses.
MCAT Prep Courses Compared (2026)
| Course | Best for | Price & access | Practice questions | Full-length exams | Live instruction | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 UWorld MCAT Official site ↗ |
Question bank | Core $599; Comprehensive $1,199 | 3,000+ | 2 UWorld in Core; Comprehensive also includes 7 AAMC | None (self-paced) | — |
| #2 Blueprint MCAT Official site ↗ |
Best value | Self-Paced from $999 on sale (3 or 6 months); Live Online from $1,999; 515+ Course from $2,999 (often on sale) | 5,000+ | 10 + 6 AAMC | 40+ hours (Live Online); 80+ hours (515+) | Score increase; 515+ on the 515+ Course |
| #3 Kaplan MCAT Official site ↗ |
Most practice | Varies by format (On Demand, Live Online, In Person, 515+); check Kaplan’s site | 12,000+ | 21 (incl. 7 AAMC) | Live Online and In Person options | 515+ or +15 points on Bootcamp, Premium Tutoring and 515+ Course |
| #4 Princeton Review MCAT Official site ↗ |
Self-paced + books | Self-Paced $1,599 (6 months) or $1,999 (12 months) | 4,900+ | 18 | 90+ hours of topic sessions (Self-Paced) | Money-back & satisfaction guarantee; 515+ guarantee on 515+ programs |
| #5 Prep101 MCAT Official site ↗ |
Live classes | Self-Paced CA$995 (sale); Live Online CA$2,895; 515+ CA$3,995 (sale) | 12,000+ | 25 | 154 hours (Live Online) | 515+ on the 515+ course |
| #6 Magoosh MCAT Official site ↗ |
Budget | $399 (12 months) or $379 (1 month) | 740+ | Up to 3 | None | +10 points |
Prices and features checked on each provider’s official website on September 21, 2026. Prices change often, so confirm before you buy. Prep101 lists prices in Canadian dollars.
How we ranked these courses
We compared every course on the same five criteria: how closely its practice exams match the real MCAT, the quality of its answer explanations and lessons, how much official AAMC material it includes, study tools and flexibility, and price for what you get. Our MCAT reviewer, Nathan M., contributed his preparation experience and feedback from fellow students. We compare those insights with the prices and features listed by each provider. His recommendations distinguish resources he used himself from those he recommends for other study needs. No company pays for its position. Read our full review process.
Reviewer’s takeaway — Nathan M. (Medical student · Top-percentile MCAT scorer)
Build a plan with three parts: content review, recall practice and exam-style questions. Start with official AAMC practice material, then add a question bank or course where you need more help. Give review as much attention as completing new questions.
Watch: How to Study for the MCAT (100th Percentile Scorer) – Prep Tips & Strategy
Which MCAT Prep Course Fits You? Quick Guide
| If this sounds like you… | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I can study on my own and want the essentials | AAMC official materials + UWorld Core ($599) | High scorers most often pair the official AAMC exams with a strong question bank. |
| I want a complete course with realistic full-lengths | Blueprint Self-Paced (from $999 on sale) | 10 full-length exams that run harder than the real test, good for stamina and finding weak spots. |
| I learn best from books and flashcards | Kaplan books + a free Anki deck, then UWorld | The most popular free Anki decks follow Kaplan’s chapter order. |
| I need live classes to stay on track | Prep101 Live Online or Blueprint Live Online | Prep101 has the most live hours (154); Blueprint Live Online starts at $1,999. |
| I want a score guarantee | Kaplan, Princeton Review or Blueprint 515+ programs | Read the current terms first: guarantees usually require attendance and homework. |
| I’m on a tight budget | AAMC Fee Assistance Program + UWorld Core or Magoosh | Fee Assistance cuts MCAT registration to $145 and includes the official AAMC prep materials. |
Whatever you buy, every plan needs three things: the official AAMC practice exams, a question bank you review thoroughly, and a schedule you can keep. A course is worth paying for mainly when you need outside structure or live teaching.
The Best MCAT Prep Courses of 2026, Ranked
Here’s a list of the best options you can take to make sure you’re not wasting your time and money:
#1. UWorld MCAT
What stood out in our research: UWorld is the question bank students on r/Mcat and Student Doctor Network recommend most often after the official AAMC materials, mainly for its detailed answer explanations. Our MCAT reviewer, Nathan M., recommends it to most students: get the AAMC practice exams first, then UWorld. Choose Core if you want the books and question bank and will obtain AAMC materials separately. Comprehensive bundles those official materials and video lessons.
Pros: highly rated answer explanations; print and digital books; adaptive study planner; 7-day free trial. Comprehensive adds the AAMC materials.
Cons: no live classes; only 2 UWorld full-length exams; Core excludes the Comprehensive video lessons and AAMC bundle, so budget for any additional resources you need.
UWorld is best known for its question bank, and it now sells two full MCAT prep courses: Core for $599 and Comprehensive for $1,199. Both include 3,000+ MCAT-level questions, eight print and digital books, 2 UWorld full-length practice exams and a study planner. Comprehensive adds video lessons, flashcard quiz questions and the AAMC materials, including 7 AAMC exams. There is no live class option, and a 7-day free trial is available. Check UWorld’s site for exactly what each tier adds.
Our pick for students who want to learn by reviewing practice questions; choose the package around the materials you already own.
#2. BluePrint MCAT
What stood out in our research: Blueprint’s full-length exams are the part students praise most. They run harder than the real MCAT and usually score lower than AAMC exams, which makes them excellent for stamina and finding weak spots, though not for predicting your test-day score. Its Qbank gets more mixed reviews. With 10 full-lengths in the Self-Paced course from $999 on sale, it is our pick for students who prefer a structured, video-led course.
This was once known as the Next Step brand, but they’re known as Blueprint now. They’re very proud of their reputation since they offer hard evidence that their students actually improve with the Blueprint MCAT prep course.
The students who didn’t complete all of the lessons or didn’t even take 4 of the practice exams still managed to increase their MCAT scores by an average of 9.8 points. Those who completed at least 90% of the lessons and took a minimum of 4 practice exams enjoyed an average increase of 10.4 points in the MCAT scores.
Heck, some even managed to increase their scores by as many as 21 points!
Personalized
The study planner tool is customizable, with hundreds of video explanations with live review sessions six days a week; these are separate from the scheduled Live Online course. You’re able to tailor the MCAT preparation to your particular needs, shoring up your current deficiencies.
Accurate MCAT Representation
Here you get lots of practice exams that are basically like the real thing. In fact, you get 10 full-length exams.
That means you won’t be unfamiliar with the format and the questions asked when you’re taking the real MCAT. You also get detailed test performance analytics that will tell you which areas need even more focus when you study.
The Blueprint prep course offers 5,000+ different “passage-based” questions, and these cover every content section in the real MCAT. You also enjoy the advanced filtering feature, so you’re able to tackle the questions that you need to review more. That way, you won’t waste too much time tackling questions that you already know how to answer properly.
Top Instructors
The online course offered by Blueprint is the brainchild of 99th instructors. These are the best of the best, as they all scored at least 524 points. They’re the real experts who know what’s really needed in an effective MCAT prep course.
The current instructors in the Blueprint lineup aren’t slouches either. In fact, fifty of them scored at least 520 points when they took the MCAT themselves. These experts really know what they’re talking about, as they’ve succeeded where so many others didn’t.
Guaranteed Score Improvement
So how confident is the Blueprint brand in the effectiveness of their MCAT prep course? They’re so confident that it will work for you that they offer a guarantee that your score will absolutely increase. If it doesn’t, you get your money back.
Pros
- 160 learning modules,
- 30 learning modules with special emphasis on experimental design and statistical reasoning
- Personalized study planner
- Advanced Qbank filtering
- Sophisticated analytics
- Smartphone app
- 5,000+ question Qbank
- 10 full-length MCAT practice exams
- Expert instructors
Cons
- Access length depends on the package; check that it covers your exam date
- Live instruction costs extra: Live Online starts at $1,999 and the 515+ Course at $2,999
Code SRACK
Save 15% on eligible Blueprint MCAT courses with SRACK
Bottom line: Lots (and lots) of practice questions and practice tests
BluePrint MCAT’s Official Website
#3. Kaplan MCAT
What stood out in our research: Kaplan’s review books are the easiest to study with, because the most popular free MCAT Anki decks follow their chapter order. It also has the most practice material of any course we compared. The caution from students on r/Mcat: live classes move quickly and assign a lot of work, so it’s easy to fall behind.
Reviewer’s takeaway — Nathan M. (Medical student · Top-percentile MCAT scorer)
Use review books to connect ideas across subjects, then test those connections with questions. For Psych/Soc, practice distinguishing similar terms in unfamiliar scenarios rather than memorizing definitions alone.
This is another famous brand name in the prep course industry, and it’s been around for about 8 decades now. It’s a safe bet they know what they’re doing.
Lots of Offerings
Kaplan’s MCAT options include On Demand, Live Online, In Person, 515+ and tutoring formats. Every course includes 21 full-length practice tests (7 of them from the AAMC), 12,000+ practice questions and a 7-book subject review set. Kaplan loads its prices dynamically on its website, so check the current price for the format you want.
So, which one do you get? Kaplan helps with that too with 3 questions to filter your needs. They ask you about how much time you have before the MCAT, whether you’re a solo studier or you absolutely need an authority figure to provide some structure. You’re finally asked if you need 1-on-1 support. Your answers reveal the plan that suits your preferences and circumstances.
Guarantee
Kaplan backs its Online Bootcamp, Premium Tutoring and 515+ Course with a 515+ guarantee: a score of 515 or higher, or a 15-point improvement, depending on your starting score and subject to its terms.
Plenty of Content
Aside from getting all the official AAMC practice materials, you receive:
- Live or on-demand lessons
- 12,000+ practice questions
- Adaptive Qbank with thousands of practice questions
- 21 full-length practice tests, including 7 from the AAMC
- And 7 subject-review books
Practice Tests
The 21 full-length practice tests (7 of them from the AAMC) give you a real test of the actual MCAT, so you won’t be surprised at what you encounter when you take the MCAT for real. You’ll be very familiar and comfortable with the type of questions you get and the length of time needed to complete the exam.
Heck, you may even practice questions that may actually come up on the real MCAT. Even if you fail to answer a question correctly in the practice test, if it comes up again for real, you’re more likely to get it right the next time.
However, another benefit of these practice tests is that they’re all diagnostic. They give you a more accurate view of your strengths and weakness at the time you take the practice test. You can then focus more on the areas you’re not doing well in when you resume your online classes and practice questions.
Pros
- Proven track record
- 21 full-length practice tests
- Plenty of different options
- Thousands of Qbank questions
- 7-book subject review set
Cons
- Definitely pricey
- Access length depends on the package; check that it covers your exam date
Bottom Line: You have to pay for Kaplan quality, but you get what you pay for—an MCAT prep course that really works for you
Kaplan MCAT’s Official Website
#4. The Princeton Review
What stood out in our research: Princeton Review’s books go deeper than Kaplan’s, which is great for learning a topic but slower for quick review. Students generally treat its full-length exams as hard practice rather than accurate predictors. If you’re paying for a 515+ guarantee program, read the current terms closely, since guarantees usually come with attendance and homework requirements.
If we’re in the mood to nitpick, we can point out several things we don’t like about the Princeton Review MCAT prep course.
One of these things is the actual brand name. We feel it’s misleading because this company doesn’t really have a formal partnership or association with Princeton University. A lot of students, however, seem to think so and Princeton Review isn’t actually going out of its way to clarify this point.
The second main issue is that the various MCAT prep courses they offer aren’t exactly cheap. They’re actually quite expensive, and it’s as if Princeton Review has forgotten that MCAT test-takers aren’t earning big bucks just yet.
But then again, the premium quality of the Princeton Review for the MCAT is undeniable. Plenty of people also say that while you spend more here, you get a lot of bang for your buck. You’re not wasting your money, time, and effort at all.
Lots of Different Options
Instead of a single template, you have a wide range of MCAT prep courses from Princeton Review.
- Self-Paced (online). This is the most affordable way into Princeton Review’s MCAT prep: $1,599 for 6 months of access or $1,999 for 12 months. It includes 18 full-length practice tests and 4,900+ practice questions, and you can study anywhere at your own pace.
- Ultimate. This adds live instruction to the self-paced materials. Princeton Review doesn’t list the price on its course overview page, so check its site for current tuition.
- MCAT 515+. Princeton Review’s guarantee course promises a 515+ score or a 15-point increase, or your money back, subject to its terms. Check Princeton Review’s site for current tuition.
- Immersion. There’s a difference between learning a language like Japanese from a teacher and learning the language and culture by living in Japan for a time. That same principle is set here with the Immersion option. This gives you more than 860 hours of instruction and support, including 195 hours of live instruction. On-demand tutoring will be available 24/7, and you’ll have a one-on-one personalized study manager along with 6 subject matter specialists as your MCAT instructors. This guarantees a score of at least 515, putting you in the 92nd
Pros
- Available med school admissions strategies
- Even the self-paced option offers more than 500 videos to review
- Thousands of practice questions with detailed explanations
- 18 full-length practice tests on the Self-Paced course
- 10 review books at least, including 3 books exclusive to Princeton Review
- 12 months of access
- Scoring guarantees
Cons
- Not really cheap
- Takes a lot of time to get through 500 videos
Bottom line: You pay a lot, but you get a lot in turn—including guarantees
The Princeton Review MCAT’s Official Website
#5. Prep101 MCAT
What stood out in our research: Prep101 offers the most live teaching of any course here and 25 full-length exams in every course. It prices in Canadian dollars, so US students should convert before comparing.
Prep101 is a Canadian company, so it lists prices in Canadian dollars. The Self-Paced course lists at CA$1,795 (on sale for CA$995 when we checked), Live Online costs CA$2,895, and the 515+ course lists at CA$4,995 (on sale for CA$3,995). Every course includes 25 full-length exams, 44 mini exams, 11 CARS exams and 12,000+ practice questions. Live Online adds 154 hours of instruction across 55 lessons, three classes a week, and the 515+ course adds tutoring boosters, weekly one-on-one coaching and a 515+ score guarantee. Read our full Prep101 MCAT review .
Bottom line: the most live instruction of any course here, with the most full-length exams.
#6. Magoosh MCAT
What stood out in our research: Magoosh works best as a low-cost supplement. With 740+ questions and up to 3 shortened practice exams, pair it with the AAMC materials and a question bank rather than using it alone.
The Magoosh brand is a testament to the fact that there’s an exception to every rule, and they prove that an effect MCAT prep course doesn’t have to be expensive at all. The main reason why Magoosh is so highly regarded is that they offer effective options at such a low price. It’s doubtful that Magoosh is willing to abandon that unique selling point.
2 Basic Options: Price and Access Time
If you check the 2 options available, you’ll find that there’s only 1 actual option here. That’s because you have a really great deal, alongside a really bad one.
The excellent choice is the more expensive (but not by much) 12-month premium. You pay $399 and you get access for 12 months. That’s about $33 per month.
That’s way more reasonable with the other ostensibly “cheaper” option. You only pay $379, but that only gives you a 1-month access time. On a per-month basis, that’s just too expensive in comparison.
The Plan
You actually have a single plan here, since the only difference between the 2 options is the length of the access period.
Your plan includes:
- The ability to pause your account, so you can study for 2 weeks, take a 1-month break, and study for another 2 weeks and it all counts as just a month of access
- A study plan on your dashboard to constantly remind you of your schedule
- At least 380 content review topics covering the most crucial topics, offering “big picture” coverage
- More than 740 practice questions
- 3 shortened MCAT practice exams, designed to look exactly like the questions you’d get on the real MCAT
- Detailed explanations for every practice question
- Email support from MCAT tutors
- A guarantee that your score will improve by at least 10 points
Pros
- Very affordable (especially the 12-month option)
- 7-day trial available
- Helpful videos for every question you get wrong on AAMC practice tests
- Coverage of all MCAT subjects
Cons
- Too few questions for 12 months of study
- Only a handful of practice tests and they’re the shortened versions
Bottom Line: This is affordable for a reason, as it works best as a supplementary review course after taking a more comprehensive MCAT prep course.
Magoosh MCAT’s Official Website
Other MCAT Prep Options We Considered
These didn’t make our ranked list, mostly because they offer fewer full-length exams or less practice material than the courses above, but each can suit a specific need.
Dr. Flower’s MCAT
Dr. James L. Flowers actually came out with the first MCAT prep manual called the “Harvard Manual”, which became the template for many of the other MCAT books that followed. An online MCAT prep course is an obvious step up, and the brand has been around for 35 years.
Different Study Plans
You have several options when it comes to your MCAT study plan, so you can tailor it to your specific circumstances. The MCAT Challenger course is popular, as it’s quite comprehensive.
If you don’t have much time, there’s the Cram Session study plan that lets you squeeze in as much review as you can handle even shortly before the real MCAT. If you’re deficient in a specific topic, you have study plans like the Physics Booster that focuses on certain areas.
Coverage
The Comprehensive plan lets you prepare for the MCAT in just 8 weeks, which covers 292 concepts with 2,621 practice questions. This is a daily study schedule, with 4 hours of study each day.
The 12-week plan tackles 313 concepts with 3,406 practice questions, while the 16-week plan covers 345 concepts with 4,200 questions.
Pros
- Customized plans
- Affordable
- Maintainable 4-hour daily schedule
- Email support for MCAT-related questions
Cons
- No full-length practice tests
- 4-month access at the most
Bottom line: This may not be the most comprehensive option, but for its price, it’s a nice refresher option.
Dr. Flower’s MCAT’s Official Website
MCAT Self-prep
It’s a truism in the MCAT prep course industry that there are very few cheap options that are actually any good. So, it’s understandable if you’re skeptical about a brand that bills itself as the “Home of the Free MCAT Prep Course”.
The Free Course
Technically, this is true. They do offer a free course, starting with 10 content modules with 150 lessons that you can complete easily enough. The eCourse section allows access to more than 300 hours of video content. If you don’t have that much time, you can still play the videos at 2x time regular speed and you’ll still be able to understand them.
Other features include MCAT study tips, MCAT Question of the Day, email support, and a Facebook study group.
The Upgrade
The MCAT Self Prep folks make money here by following the “free app” approach. Sure, you can use the free course, but you also can upgrade the course.
You still get the video collection and the 10 modules, and with the paid models the experience is entirely ad-free
- Paid upgrades. MCAT Self Prep sells several paid tiers on top of the free course, adding things like a customized study plan, score tracking, flashcards and a larger practice question bank. Check its site for current prices, because they change often.
Access
This offers lifetime access, so don’t worry about time running out. They will just trust that you won’t improperly share the course with friends and family.
Pros
- Unlimited access
- Offers free and affordable options
- Mastery courses available
- Score improvement guarantee with paid versions
Cons
- No live online classes
- No practice tests and no analytics
Bottom Line: This offers a wide range of pricing options, but the plans are geared towards DIY students.
Self-prep MCAT’s Official Website
The Gold Standard MCAT
This has also been around for the last 25 years, so it’s safe to say they have a track record with lots of experience to use.
Different Plans
Gold Standard offers several self-paced plans at different price points and access lengths. Check its site for current pricing.
The features will depend on which plan you get, with 3,000 practice questions to start with and 10,000 practice questions for a few of the more premium plans.
You can go with just 2 full-length practice exams, up to 20 for true tracking and customization of your study plan.
Curiously, their Platinum Package Plus offers resources from other MCAT prep providers. The Kaplan and Princeton Review MCAT courses are part of the package, along with other resources.
Pros
- Lots of different options
- Wide range of prices
- Combines the resources of other top brands
- Can go up to 20 practice tests
Cons
- Mostly self-paced, no live-online option
- No real tracking tools
Bottom Line: You can choose different options from a wide range of price points, and you can even combine the self-paced offering of other top brands.
The Gold Standard MCAT Official Website
Kaplan vs. Princeton Review: MCAT Prep Course Comparison
It’s clear that plenty of students attest to the overall effectiveness of the Kaplan and the Princeton Review MCAT prep courses. Which leads to the natural question: which one is better for you?
To answer that question, let’s compare the details of the 2 MCAT prep courses.
Practice Tests
While both give you the AAMC MCAT tests, they also have their own versions of the practice tests.
They’re both good, admittedly. But a lot of people say that comparatively speaking, the Kaplan tests are better.
The main problem with The Princeton Review tests is that they’re not too similar to the question style that appears in the real MCAT. Also, you get the feeling that Princeton Review really values memorization and calculation.
Winner: Kaplan
Price
Princeton Review’s Self-Paced course costs $1,599 for 6 months of access. Kaplan loads its prices dynamically on its website, so compare its current On Demand price before you decide.
Check both providers’ current prices, because sales change the gap between them often.
Winner: Princeton Review
Access Time
Compare the same access length before judging price: Princeton Review offers six- and twelve-month self-paced options, and Kaplan’s access depends on the package.
On a “per month” basis, Princeton Review is a comparative bargain.
Winner: Princeton Review
Do You Need an MCAT Prep Course?
It’s technically true that some people can still do well in the MCAT even if they prepare for the test on their own. Others, on the other hand, will absolutely do better with a systematic MCAT prep course instead of just the DIY approach.
So how do you know if you stand to benefit a lot from an MCAT prep course? Here are some signs that indicate how much you really need a form prep course for the MCAT:
You’re Not Satisfied with Your Projected Score
It’s easy enough to find an MCAT practice test you can take for free. This test can then reveal just how well you’re able to deal with the real thing without any sort of preparation.
If you’re like most future doctors, you can get your score and realize that you can improve it. If that’s your reaction, then you should seriously consider a proper prep course for the MCAT.
Self-Discipline is Your Weakness
Some students realize that they don’t find it easy to maintain a proper study schedule. After all, they’re young, and it’s sometimes hard to resist the siren call of parties, dates, and generally just goofing off.
An MCAT prep course, on the other hand, can really make sure you stick to the plan. At the very least, you’re aware that you’re throwing good money away when you goof off.
Prep courses with real tutors also help you emotionally, when you need motivation and encouragement to continue. The feedback the tutors offer can also guide you on your studies.
You Can Afford a Prep Course
You may want to save up for a proper MCAT prep course, as some of these aren’t cheap at all. Think of it as an investment—the money you earn down the road.
The mean salary of doctors in the US is close to $300K per year, as a Medscape Report indicated. It does depend on your specialty, and if you become a neurosurgeon you may end up earning more than $650K a year.
Of course, you’re not limited to just the expensive prep courses. Some budget options are very reasonably priced, and may do almost just as well for you.
Benefits of a Good MCAT Prep Course
A terrific MCAT prep course can offer a definitive improvement for your projected MCAT score. In fact, some of the best MCAT prep courses may even guarantee that your score will improve if you’ve taken the test before.
If you haven’t taken the test before, they still give you a diagnostic test to see where you’re currently at. They can promise with confidence that you’ll improve on your diagnostic test performance once you’re done with the course.
This diagnostic test may even shed light on the MCAT areas you need to focus on more. That way, you don’t waste too much time covering test subjects you’re already an expert in.
The best prep courses offer carefully chosen tutors, and most of them have extensive experience in offering study plans for MCAT preparation. These prep courses also often offer realistic test formats and questions you can practice on so that you’re familiar with the test when you take the MCAT for real.
Editorial note: Start with official AAMC practice material, then choose additional resources for the gaps in your preparation. We favor UWorld for extra question practice. A course may be worth the additional cost if scheduled lessons and a study plan help you stay consistent.
Choosing MCAT resources
Make a list of what you need: content review, question practice, full-length exams or scheduled teaching. Avoid paying twice for resources already included in a course. Leave enough time between practice exams to review your reasoning, including answers you guessed correctly.
Conclusion
For most students, the best MCAT prep plan in 2026 starts with the official AAMC practice exams plus UWorld, our #1 pick for its question bank and explanations. If you want a complete course with structure and realistic full-length exams, Blueprint (#2) is the best value. Choose Kaplan if you learn best from books paired with Anki, Princeton Review if you want the most in-depth books or a score guarantee, and Prep101 if live classes keep you on track. Whatever you pick, spend as much time reviewing practice questions as answering them.
More MCAT Guides
- Head-to-head comparisons: Kaplan vs Princeton Review MCAT , Blueprint vs Princeton Review MCAT
- Specialized resources: Sketchy Medical review
- Current discounts: Kaplan MCAT promo codes , Blueprint MCAT promo codes , Princeton Review promo codes , Prep101 discount code
- About the exam: MCAT sections, how long the MCAT is, how hard the MCAT is , what to bring on test day , how many times you can take the MCAT , how much the MCAT costs, free MCAT practice tests
- Scores and applications: what’s a good MCAT score, score percentiles: raw to scaled , how long MCAT scores are valid , sending scores to AACOMAS , how much the MCAT counts in your application , what medical school really costs
FAQs
Is an MCAT prep course worth the money?
For most students, yes, if it gets you more full-length practice exams and a structured plan than you would build yourself. Students who are disciplined and already scoring near their target can often self-study with the AAMC practice materials plus a question bank such as UWorld.
What is the cheapest full MCAT prep course?
Among the courses we compared, UWorld’s Core course ($599) includes its question bank, books and two UWorld exams, but AAMC materials cost extra, and Magoosh ($399 for 12 months) is the cheapest full course. Blueprint’s Self-Paced course (currently from $999 on sale) includes 10 Blueprint full-length exams plus the 6 AAMC exams.
Which MCAT prep course has the most practice tests?
Prep101 includes 25 full-length exams in every course, and Kaplan includes 21 (7 of them from the AAMC).
Just how hard is the MCAT?
There are many ways to describe the MCAT, but “easy” isn’t a word you’d use to describe it. It’s difficult, to say the least. There’s simply no way you can just wing it and do well.
Which section is the most difficult section of the MCAT?
The popular opinion is that the most difficult part of the MCAT is the CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills). But there’s hard evidence to back up this belief because this section generally has the lowest mean score among all the MCAT sections.
How long does the MCAT take?
The test technically takes more than 6 hours to complete. That’s not taking the other relevant time periods into accounts, such as the early travel time (you don’t want to be late), the check-in process, and the breaks in between the test sections. All in all, it will take at least 8 hours from start to finish.
Are MCAT prep courses worth the money?
Thousands of future doctors who have taken these prep courses have answered a resounding “yes” to this question. The demand for this service continues to be strong, precisely because lots of people know that the prep course cost is worth the benefits.
Just how long should you prepare for the MCAT?
For best results, you may want to reserve at least 6 months for your MCAT preparation. Some students even go with a full year of studies to really make sure they’re ready.
Which is the best MCAT prep course?
For most students, UWorld is the best MCAT prep resource: we recommend it for additional question practice after the official AAMC materials, and its $599 Core course includes books and two UWorld exams; the AAMC bundle belongs to Comprehensive. If you want a full course, Blueprint is the best value, currently starting at $999 on sale with 16 full-length exams (10 Blueprint + 6 AAMC). Kaplan has the most practice material, and Prep101 offers the most live instruction (154 hours).
Conclusion
If you’re serious about getting into a good medical school to become a proper doctor, you need to take the MCAT seriously. It’s the one exam that can very much dictate your career in the years to come.
Pay for additional teaching or structure only if you need it; a larger content library is not automatically a better fit. Customize your study plans to account for your weaknesses, using the study method that works best for you.
Of course, buckle down and study. Take the course seriously. Even the best MCAT prep course won’t do you much good if you don’t use it properly!
