I am currently studying for my MCAT and was wondering what are some of the best resources to use to study. Anything other than the AAMC bundle as I want to wait until I am closer to my test date to purchase it.
There is a separate MCAT forum available but here is a list of the most commonly used resources:
content review:
- Any textbook set: many people like the kaplan books, however I've heard that UWorld Just came out with their own set which have been well received
- Khan academy if you prefer videos over reading text
- Jack Westin has articles posted for specific topics which are helpful
- Other youtube videos
- review the official AAMC guide to see the different topics they test
Anki:
- if you haven't used anki before this is a good time to learn how and see if it enhances your prep.
- look up "the Anking" on youtube and watch his anki-101 playlist to learn how
- most common premade decks that you can download are: Jacksparrow, Milesdown, Anking deck (you need to pay a subscription), pankow.
- all premade decks can be found on the r/AnkiMCAT reddit
- additionally I would recommend making your own cards as you go through practice questions to help fill content gaps
Practice problems:
- UWorld is highly recommended by myself and many other successful test takers
- All AAMC question banks and section banks
- Jack Westin: excellent free practice for CARS and they have thousands of practice questions for all other topics. Probably the best free question bank out there
- Khan academy: In my opinion their CARS passages are pretty good, I can't comment on other sections.
- Other question banks: Every major test prep service (ie. kaplan, blueprint, etc.) has their own practice question banks offered and you can purchase them if you need more practice. Many students I've talked to believe these third party questions tend to be overly difficult or have a higher amount of low yield content.
Practice Full Length Exams:
- AAMC Full Lengths (do all of them)
- Blueprint Full Lengths: they have a free half length exam, and a free full length, as well as 10 additional full lengths you can buy. The general consensus is that third party full lengths tend to be slightly less representative and slightly more difficult than the AAMC full lengths. However I would recommend blueprint first before other third part exams
- All other test prep services: ie. kaplan, TPR have full lengths, same advice as above.
Let me know if you have any additional questions.
Good Luck!
