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The Best MCAT Test Prep Courses

What's the Best Online MCAT Prep on the Market?

While the answer to that question is going to depend on your specific needs (tutoring vs. online classes, directed study vs. self-paced prep), the MCAT itself is unavoidable if you dream of being a doctor. Standing for the Medical College Admissions Test, the MCAT is a valuable metric that can set you apart from your peers in the gauntlet of admissions to prestigious and well-regarded medical institutions.

Scoring well on the MCAT is critically important in the medical school admissions process. Admissions committees use MCAT scores as a standardized metric to assess the academic preparedness of applicants. A strong MCAT score can significantly enhance an applicant's chances of gaining admission to their desired medical school, opening doors to a fulfilling career in medicine.

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 MCAT Test Prep Course Reviews

UWorld Review Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award 5 Star Rating

UWorld

5 Star Rating Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Specialists in reasonably priced MCAT test-preparation, Uworld is by far the top choice on our list. Their flash-card based, easily comprehensible preparatory materials can fit into any kind of study plan. Instead of focusing on recordings of various lessons and lectures, Uworld leverages its mobile/online format for interactive, well-explained study questions and prep. If budget-conscious, self-paced prep is first on your list, Uworld is an excellent choice, and its mixture of quality and relative affordability have earned it the top spot on our list.

Blueprint Review 4.5 Star Rating

Blueprint

4.5 Star Rating

Promoting their module-based, customizable mix of module-based MCAT learning, Blueprint provides some of the best-value self-lead and live-online courses on our list. While Blueprint tends towards a higher price than their competitors, that price will get you access to integrated module-based study plans, office-hours support across every plan, plus MCAT scoring instructors and tutors who scored 517+ themselves. In short, while Blueprint is expensive, we think that out of the pricey self-lead and live-online MCAT courses out there, Blueprint offers some of the best value for the money.

Wyzant Review 4 Star Rating

Wyzant

4 Star Rating

Wyzant is an online job board for tutors looking to find students. When compared to other tutor-brokers on our list, Wyzant is incredibly easy to use, with simple search and rating functions, a wide range of tutors-by-price, and a 1-hour refund guarantee. If you're looking to add one-on-one tutoring to your MCAT prep, Wyzant is one of the best places to do it.

Prep 101 Review 3.5 Star Rating

Prep 101

3.5 Star Rating

With expensive (but slightly less pricey than some) MCAT offerings, Prep 101 can be a good choice for those looking for a well-reviewed MCAT course online. While Prep 101 doesn't have any super-premium boot camps or the intensive tutoring services of their competitors, they offer some good materials for a competitive price, and are well worth your consideration if you need the accountability of a teacher and classroom for your MCAT prep.

Kaplan Review 3.5 Star Rating

Kaplan

3.5 Star Rating

Founded in 1938, Kaplan is one of the largest test prep companies out there. Simultaneously, they are one of the most expensive on our list. With a wide range of pricing options, Kaplan can be a good choice if you need your test prep to be heavily structured. However, independent learners would do best to avoid high-price, inclusive packages such as Kaplan's.

The Princeton Review Review 3.5 Star Rating

The Princeton Review

3.5 Star Rating

The Princeton Review is infamous for its advertising practices (which seem to follow you everywhere across the web). While they are persistent advertisers, their products are priced at a premium, and overall comparable (but not the best) to other live-online and self-led MCAT classes. If you need a heavily structured class, then The Princeton Review should be on the roster for your MCAT prep. Otherwise, you would be better served with less heavily-directed MCAT materials.

Magoosh Review 3 Star Rating

Magoosh

3 Star Rating

As a highly-regarded Silicon Valley ed-tech startup turned test prep staple, Magoosh is well known for their low-priced plans, and for being an excellent place to work. When it comes to their MCAT, however, we find that their bare-bones approach is just a bit too bare compared to the robust offerings of their competitors. So, while they have a 10+ score guarantee and are great for your budget, don't expect anything groundbreaking from Magoosh.

Varsity Tutors Review 3 Star Rating

Varsity Tutors

3 Star Rating

While Varsity Tutors offers a nice range of vetted and well-qualified tutors, we are extremely disappointed that they use foot-in-the door techniques by hiding their actual prices behind a phone call. While this isn't a huge deal, there are tutoring brokers out there that will tell you prices beforehand, and they won't force you into a sales pitch just to find out a price. In short, there are better MCAT tutoring platforms out there, and we recommend you check out those competitors before going with Varsity Tutors.

Peterson's Review 2.5 Star Rating

Peterson's

2.5 Star Rating

Peterson's is a test-prep company that appears to gain most of its customers through strategic partnerships with the U.S. military. As their focus primarily seems to lie in providing CLEP test materials for ex-military members seeking college credit, their MCAT offerings are not ideal. While friendly for your pocketbook, and not necessarily terrible, for MCAT test prep there are better budget options out there than Peterson's.

MCAT Prep Review 2 Star Rating

MCAT Prep

2 Star Rating

MCAT Prep offers some very slim preparatory materials that - while seemingly budget - are overpriced for what you actually receive. With a poorly-updated website and little in the way of office hours support, no score guarantee, and few prep materials offered, MCAT Prep does not offer good value for the price, and we do not recommend it as a viable option for your studies.

Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

The MCAT is designed to assess a wide range of skills and knowledge crucial for success in medical education and practice. Beyond evaluating factual knowledge, the test looks at critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. These qualities are indispensable for medical professionals who must navigate complex medical cases, make timely decisions, and adapt to rapidly evolving medical advancements.

The MCAT also mirrors the evolving demands of the medical field. Medicine is becoming increasingly integrated and patient-centered, requiring professionals to understand not only the scientific aspects of health but also the socio-cultural and ethical dimensions. The MCAT's inclusion of sections that assess psychological, social, and ethical concepts acknowledges the need for physicians who are empathetic, culturally competent, and capable of delivering holistic care.

While far from perfect, the MCAT provides a benchmark for comparing applicants from diverse educational backgrounds, ensuring that medical schools admit students who possess the foundational knowledge required for their rigorous curricula. By incorporating an emphasis on natural sciences, critical analysis, and reasoning, the MCAT tries to ensure that candidates are well-rounded and equipped to tackle the interdisciplinary nature of modern healthcare. This uniform evaluation method helps institutions make informed and fair decisions when considering a large pool of candidates.

Before you start browsing our curated list of MCAT preparatory services, we have a few tips that might serve you well as you do your due diligence:

  • Time: First, do you have enough for a class, and second, how well can you manage your schedule? Be honest with yourself about your ability and availability, and choose a self-paced or live-online class accordingly.
  • Money: MCAT test prep is just plain expensive, even more so if you choose to take a class. As such, be strategic about which prep you choose based on your needs: a well-made self-paced prep package could net you higher scores than a mid-tier, ineffective classroom.
  • Score Guarantees: Many services come with various refunds and "score guarantees" , but contain caveats around them. Whether you have to establish a baseline score, or complete all provided coursework, be sure to check the parameters of their guarantee before you buy the service.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews we have done our due diligence to make your MCAT test preparations less strenuous (and, hopefully, less expensive). With a bit of elbow grease and determination, you will be able to improve your score. So take a deep breath, and start preparing with our curated list of the top MCAT test prep available today.

The Best MCAT Test Prep Courses Compare MCAT Test Prep Courses Compare MCAT Test Prep Course Reviews What are the best MCAT Test Prep Courses Best MCAT Test Prep Course Reviews

MCAT Test Prep Course FAQ

MCAT is short for "Medical College Admission Test". If you're looking to become a doctor, you'll need a competitive score on this test to get into the med school of your choice. The test is 7 hours and 30 minutes long, and it evaluates your skills in the areas of problem-solving, critical thinking, scientific concepts and more.
That depends on where you take the exam. In the United States, expect to pay $320. Prices can go up from year to year too.
Not only is the test expensive, but you're limited to how many times you can take it: three times in a single testing year, four times in two consecutive years, and seven attempts total over your lifetime. Plus, you might have to delay your entry into med school if you don't get a good score in time for admissions. A test prep program can help you get the best score possible the first time you take it, or improve your score right away if you didn't do well on your first attempt.
Some MCAT test prep providers will refund your money if your score doesn't improve by a certain number of points or if you don't get at or above a particular minimum score. To be eligible for those guarantees, you'll usually have to provide proof that you completed their entire prep program, as well as your before-and-after scores.
That depends on the type of MCAT test prep you select. Obviously if you choose anything with a live feature (e.g. tutoring, face-to-face classes, and so on), you'll be constrained to those scheduled times. But, the majority of MCAT test prep materials are designed to be used at your convenience, since you'll likely be fitting in your studies around school and work.
Whichever you prefer. If you live in a metropolitan area, you're more likely to find options for in-person classes and face-to-face tutoring, but even if you can only attend virtual lessons there are programs that offer them. Alternately, if you don't have the time for (or interest in) live test prep, you'll have many choices among 100% online platforms that let you study when and where you wish.
It's a wide spectrum: from $10 for a single practice test to $6499 for a summer intensive or bootcamp experience. Fortunately, there are several MCAT test prep options that give you ample practice questions, instructional videos, and full practice exams for under $500.
Start by thinking about your ideal learning environment: is it face-to-face with a skilled instructor, or is it on a tablet or mobile device while you commute to and from work or school? Decide which of those delivery methods is the best fit for you, and choose a program with that structure that fits your budget. Finally, it's always a good idea to see what other students have said about the MCAT test prep you're considering, to ensure that it's truly helping people prepare for - and score well on - the exam.
The Best Reviews of MCAT Test Prep Courses