Best MCAT Prep Books – 2022 Guide

If you are getting ready to take the MCAT, you might agree with this statement:

Best MCAT books

With all of the MCAT study guides out there, determining the best MCAT prep books to help you ace the MCAT and get the best bang for your buck is a tricky task.

With all that is on the line with the MCAT exam, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with the idea of finding the right MCAT study guide for your needs. Fortunately, through the process of studying for the MCAT myself, I did a bunch of research and figured out which MCAT prep books and guides are top notch and which ones should, for most people, be avoided.

Best MCAT Books – 2022 Guide

Some MCAT books and resources are long and meant for deep studying while others are meant for rapid quizzing and recall. Whether you need a core MCAT review book or an MCAT study resource to use on the go, read on to learn more about which MCAT prep books and guides made the cut for this article, particularly if you are looking to buy right now.

1. Kaplan’s MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review – Best MCAT Prep Books

Kaplan has been a leader in the MCAT review for decades and the Kaplan MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review is the baby of their expertise. For anyone unwilling to drop big bucks on a Kaplan review course (we get it) and wants something that goes deeper than Khan Academy, this book is a nice option. It’s not to say that someone should not indulge in both the Kaplan course and the Kaplan MCAT books but, in our opinion, the Kaplan MCAT Complete 7 Book Subject Review is a handy replacement for the course.

Recently updated, Kaplan’s MCAT Complete 7 Book Subject Review is a visually appealing MCAT prep review series that contains nice color diagrams and images to assist with digesting concepts. What the pages lack in durability, they make up for in high-impact content. Anyone who seriously commits to digesting these Kaplan volumes will definitely feel more at ease on the day of the big test. In fact, using the Kaplan series as a core study text and layering on additional practice tests and flashcards may be the most efficient way out there using self-study of the best MCAT books to ace the test.

This book features multiple volumes:
– MCAT Biochemistry Review
– MCAT Physics and Math Review
– MCAT Biology Review
– MCAT Organic Chemistry Review
– MCAT Behavioral Sciences Review
– MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Review

Newer editions of this book are not much different than older editions which might make one question whether to get an older edition instead.

These books are fairly thorough although we very occasionally felt wanting a bit more on certain explanations. Images in Kaplan’s MCAT Complete Review also came across as a bit confusing at times. That being said, we found that Kaplan’s MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review had the right balance of detail and conciseness, particularly when compared to the other options out there. MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review is a great choice as a standalone MCAT review book or, better yet, as the core of an MCAT study program in conjunction with other materials like flash cards.

Summary Points

MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review is a great choice for people who want a comprehensive way to absorb the core MCAT material on their own schedule.

Pros
  • Comprehensive package that covers all topics
  • Like taking the Kaplan course at home
Cons
  • High price point may deter some people.

2. Princeton Review MCAT Subject Review – Best Value Book

Princeton Review has been another stalwart in the world of MCAT prep for a long time. While review courses have been their big focus for many years, they have extended into MCAT test prep books to complement their class offerings. Their main series, the Princeton Review MCAT Subject Review, is another good choice as a core study manual when preparing for the MCAT exam.

The Princeton Review MCAT Subject Review is a thick package and features multiple volumes:
– MCAT Biochemistry Review
– MCAT Biology Review
– MCAT Physics and Math Review
– MCAT General Chemistry Review
– MCAT Organic Chemistry Review
– MCAT Psychology and Sociology Review
– MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Review

The Princeton Review MCAT Subject Review set includes lots of practice questions and three full tests so you can test your knowledge after reading the materials. We liked the diagrams and color images as well as the summaries in each chapter that help the reader digest the materials. There is also some test-taking strategy information but nothing groundbreaking.

The Princeton Review MCAT books can be dense reading and, possibly, contain more information than needed to ace the MCAT.

One drawback about the Princeton Review MCAT Review package is that it is a bit of a slog reading through it. In general, this comes with the territory of MCAT studying but we found this to be slightly worse than average in this regard. Additionally, one might consider skimming through certain sections like psychology and then using lectures from the Khan Academy for a more comprehensive review.

All in all, the Princeton Review MCAT Review is a solid choice for MCAT exam prep and is typically a bit cheaper than the Kaplan MCAT package.

Summary Points

The Princeton Review MCAT book is a close second to Kaplan for overall preparation. While dense, it is arguably the best value for anyone looking for something comprehensive at a lower price point.

Pros
  • Comprehensive MCAT prep at a reasonable price
  • Nicely organized text, images, and practices tests
Cons
  • Dense and hard to read at times.

3. Examkrackers MCAT Complete Study Package – Most Concise

A nice book, the Examkrackers MCAT Complete Study Package is currently in its 10th edition. On the range of MCAT books, the Examkrackers MCAT package is easier to read than some other review books. Structured like the other review books, the Examkrackers MCAT package offers an overview of the core MCAT content as well as some paired questions and timed exams.

The Examkrackers MCAT Complete Study package offers just the right amount of content for someone who just wants a study resource to pass the MCAT. It does not go into excessive detail about esoteric topics and the depth of information is reasonable. Said another way, the book seems to be aligned with the AAMC objectives for the MCAT.

Some might find the Examkrackers MCAT review to be too concise if one is looking for a fuller background of knowledge during study preparation.

One drawback is that the 10th edition is not much different from the 9th edition if you already have that one. Additionally, there might be a misprinted version of the 10th edition of the Examkrackers MCAT book going around as some versions reportedly are missing a handful of pages. From what we can tell in our reviews, this problem seems to be corrected but drop us a comment if you have had a different, recent experience!

Summary Points

The Examkrackers review reveals a concise yet comprehensive MCAT study package for anyone interested in a no-frills MCAT review series.

Pros
  • Limited scope of material focused on helping one just pass the MCAT
Cons
  • Newer volume not much different from cheaper, older volumes.

4. Kaplan MCAT Flashcards – Best Flash Cards

In addition to the review books, Kaplan also releases a set of flashcards to help with MCAT exam prep. Many people make notes on cards during their own preparation and you can think of these as a shortcut to all of the hours you will need to prepare your own.

The Kaplan flashcards are a nice addition to the book series for ongoing practice and to stimulate recall of core concepts. They are well-organized and highlight a variety of terms that one might encounter while taking the MCAT. There is also an accompanying app although one does not have to buy the Kaplan flashcards in order to get access to the app (you typically just need a Kaplan account).

Kaplan flashcards are useful for rapid fire review but are quite flimsy.

Unfortunately, one big problem with the flashcards is that they lack durability. The material is quite flimsy and can present major issues if one is using them on the go.

While the Kaplan flashcards may fall apart during your study process, they should definitely be considered as an adjunct to one of the core review packages for anyone who wants to juice up their study process.

Summary Points

The Kaplan MCAT flashcards are a great addition to a primary review book or course.

Pros
  • Best MCAT flash cards for studying on the go
Cons
  • Will require a core MCAT prep text for comprehensive review.

5. Barron’s MCAT Flash Cards

Is it just us or does anyone else find it a bit strange that Barron’s produces MCAT cards? Isn’t Barron’s a financial newspaper? Nonetheless, here we are favorably reviewing Barron’s MCAT flash cards as part of our MCAT review guide.

Barron’s MCAT flash cards, like most card format study guides, are most helpful for rapid review of core concepts as an adjunct to a primary review text or while on the go. Barron’s MCAT flash cards are broken into Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry Physics, Psychology and Sociology sections.

The Barron’s MCAT cards are packed full of information in dense text. Because of this, these cards should not be used as a primary resource but rather a memory jogger once one has absorbed more information from a review text. Unfortunately, we did find errors from time to time.

Some might find Barron’s MCAT Flash Cards excessively dense for flash cards. Additionally, they could be made in a more durable fashion.

The physical structure of the Barron’s MCAT cards is a little better than the Kaplan cards but not by much. The good part is that they are a nice size and include a hole with a key-ring metal holder to make flipping through the cards a bit easier. The bad part is that they are also flimsy and will rip or bend easily which is bad for any of you out there who like to keep your books and cards in perfect condition.

Summary Points

Barron’s MCAT Flash Cards are highly informative and a useful pocket adjunct to a primary review text.

Pros
  • Highly compact material for flash cards
Cons
  • Flimsy durability.

6. Official Guide to the MCAT Exam – AAMC Guide

While there are a number of reasons not to get this MCAT book, there is one main reason to get it – it is produced by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the official organization that produces the MCAT. Think about everything that you have committed from a both money and time perspective and how much is on the line with the MCAT. Is it worth shooting yourself in the foot because you did not take time to intensively study the official guide?

The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam covers a number of topics related to the MCAT, including how to think about preparing for the test. This MCAT prep book discusses the rules of the test, how the MCAT exam is scored, and details and tips related to taking the MCAT exam. While this information may seem obvious or trivial, it is actually vitally important because being surprised on the day of the actual MCAT exam could disrupt your game and ruin the months of effort that you put into studying for the MCAT.

The Official Guide to the MCAT exam does include 120 practice questions with solutions. Given that these questions are written by actual writers of the MCAT exam, they are all worth doing – even multiple times.

The Official Guide to the MCAT exam is not comprehensive and can be hard to read.

The Official Guide to the MCAT exam is not light reading as one might expect. Also, this MCAT prep book should not e used as a standalone text as it really provides a bare bone outline of information compared to the breadth of information that one will find on the MCAT exam.

Summary Points

The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam book’s main merits is that it is produced by the AAMC itself and, given everything that is on the line, is worth the extra cost for most people.

Pros
  • Official guide produced by the MCAT exam makers themselves.
Cons
  • Difficult to read at times.
  • Will require an additional core study volume.

7. MCAT Prep Book: MCAT Secrets

The MCAT Prep Book: MCAT Secrets Study Guide includes sections covering the physical sciences (chemistry and physics) and verbal reasoning (critical thinking and reading comprehension). It also includes a detailed section covering the biological sciences with an overview of the skin, respiratory, musculoskeletal, digestive and excretory systems. Filled with practice questions accompanied by explanations with rationales, the MCAT Prep Book: MCAT Secrets Study Guide was released in 2017 and has been updated to reflect current MCAT information.

The MCAT Prep Book: MCAT Secrets Study Guide is laid out intuitively. Organized by sections, this MCAT prep guide is easy to navigate through and understand. The strategy and test-taking sections in the MCAT Prep Book: MCAT Secrets Study Guide will help you think through how to organize yourself on the day of the test. The MCAT Prep Book: MCAT Secrets Study Guide is also much cheaper relative to other MCAT prep guides and its no-frills approach will appeal to many MCAT test takers.

Summary Points

The MCAT Prep Book: MCAT Secrets Study Guide is a recently updated MCAT prep guide that provides a value-oriented, no-frills approach to MCAT prep.

Pros
  • Recently updated and well-organized to improve studying efficiency.
Cons
  • Lack of color pictures and bare bones approach may feel inadequate to some.

8. Sterling MCAT Biology & Biochemistry Questions

The Sterling Test Prep series is a lesser known contributor to the MCAT preparation world, especially when compared to Kaplan and Princeton Review. One reason for this is likely that distribution of the Sterling MCAT Biology & Biochemistry Questions book is more limited and it is not as easy to find unless your are looking for it or happen on it in your search for the best MCAT book. In our opinion, the Sterling MCAT test prep series is actually quite underrated and the MCAT books generally provide additional materials for anyone who wants a little more prep.

The Sterling MCAT Biology & Biochemistry Questions book features over 1,000 questions. The highlight of this MCAT book is that it features highly detailed answers to the questions. Not only do they review the correct choice but they also explain in detail why the incorrect choice is wrong. The level of detail in the Sterling MCAT Biology & Biochemistry Questions book will help fine-tune your ability to discriminate between right and wrong answers when taking the MCAT.

Some might find the Sterling MCAT Biology & Biochemistry Questions a little too heavy on Biology and light on Biochemistry. Additionally, the questions may be a little too detailed for anyone who is looking for a resource that is simply optimized for MCAT performance.

Summary Points

The Sterling MCAT Biology & Biochemistry Questions MCAT book is a nice resource for additional practice questions for the MCAT exam.

Pros
  • Underrated, quality source of practice questions
Cons
  • Needs a biochemistry section upgrade.

9. MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review – Best MCAT Psychology Guide

For anyone looking for a specific MCAT study guide focused on psychology, the MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review is an option to review. Put together by the Princeton Review, the MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review is a useful guide for added psychology and sociology practice in preparation for the MCAT.

Containing helpful summaries, illustrations and tables, the MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review will hone your MCAT psychology skills efficiently. Example of topics covered in the MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review include overall strategy, biological foundations of behavior, personality and motivation, identity and environmental issues, social structure and memory. The MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review also has practice question with detailed explanations. On top of that, the MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review also contains three practice tests (full-length) which provides added reps in terms of your MCAT practice. The MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review is structured to match up with what one will see on the MCAT exam.

MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review can alternate between overly dense and light on material at times.

Studying for the psychology and sociology portion of the MCAT exam is dry as it is and the MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review does not help. This MCAT psychology review guide is dense and reads like a textbook. When it’s not reading like a textbook, there are times when it feels like paragraphs are just fillers and have no real value to add. Nonetheless, given the alternatives out there, the MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review guide is one of the best MCAT psychology study guides out there for people looking for additional practice in this area.

Summary Points

MCAT Psychology & Sociology Review is a useful study guide focused on the MCAT psychology & sociology sections.

Pros
  • Well-structured and organized.
  • Reasonably priced.
Cons
  • Text is dense and hard to read at times.

10. MCAT 528 Advanced Prep 2019-2020

The MCAT 528 Advanced Prep 2019-2020 is a recently updated MCAT prep guide from Kaplan. Featuring detailed questions that accompany a general subject review, the MCAT 528 Advanced Prep 2018-2019 extends Kaplan’s study courses and detailed MCAT prep books into additional materials to help you prepare for the MCAT. The MCAT 528 Advanced Prep is written by many instructors who teach for Kaplan and edited by doctors, providing a thorough overview for MCAT preparation. Additionally, the hundreds of questions available through the book and the online component round out the benefits of the MCAT 528 Advanced Prep guide.

The MCAT 528 Advanced Prep is organized in four separate sections with subchapters that address specific aspects of the MCAT. The MCAT 528 Advanced Prep also helps think through MCAT test-taking strategy, skills and key concepts in a unique way.

The MCAT 528 Advanced Prep does not offer a great bang for your buck.

Some might feel that the organization of the MCAT 528 Advanced Prep is confusing at times and that there are unnecessary aspects such as a notes section. Additionally, the content can feel sparse at times and might make you wonder if you are getting the best bang for your buck. Regardless, the MCAT 528 Advanced Prep does provide bonus testing materials for anyone who wants that extra edge on their MCAT exam.

Summary Points

MCAT 528 Advanced Prep is a good complement that provides additional MCAT questions to help prepare for the big day.

Pros
  • Kaplan-quality materials and questions.
Cons
  • A little expensive given the overall amount of material covered.

MCAT Exam – Background Information

The MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is a multiple-choice test that is used as a qualifying exam for most US and Canadian medical schools. Overseen by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), the MCAT has been constructed to evaluate the intellectual potential of medical school applicants.

Whether one is going into Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Pediatrics, the MCAT is a hurdle that everyone has to get through in order to get to the next phase of training.

Best MCAT Books vs. MCAT Prep Course

With all that is at stake with the MCAT exam, it is tempting to spend every available resource on preparing for the exam. That being said, there is a limit to shelling out unlimited amounts of money on an MCAT prep course as most of the courses start at $1500 and go up from there.

MCAT prep courses began in a day when it was harder to find a good fit as far as MCAT prep books go. In the days of the internet, it is much easier for people taking the MCAT to evaluate different MCAT book options and find one that fits with the budget. On the flip side, it is much easier for a board review company like Kaplan or even an individual, motivated medical writer to produce the content needed for an MCAT prep book and publish it in a paper or digital format.

Another major issue to consider is how motivated you are to set up an MCAT study schedule and study on your own. Some people find it very difficult to self-motivate for something as tedious as MCAT studying and, as a result, would benefit from the structure of an MCAT review course. If you are one of those people, spending big money on an MCAT review course will almost certainly make you more committed to following through with your MCAT study schedule.

So, going back to the main question, is an MCAT review course worth the extra cost of buying one or more MCAT review books? With the exception of people who really need the structure of an MCAT review course, we would say that the best MCAT review books almost always provide a superior value with minimal, if any, loss of performance. For anyone who is on the fence, consider the fact that you can get almost every one of the best MCAT books out there and still spend less than a course. After that, the only thing you will need is to establish and commit to a study schedule and that is definitely a skill to start practicing if you are planning on going to medical school!

Best MCAT Books vs. MCAT Flashcards

One question that sometimes comes up is whether MCAT study flashcards can replace the need to one of the best MCAT books for studying. After all, people who are studying for the MCAT have just spent years of time taking classes in biology, chemistry and other related subjects. Because of that, shouldn’t the knowledge that is tested on the MCAT be easily jogged out of one’s memory with the help of flashcards rather than having to read another long textbook filled with the same MCAT information in a different format?

In our opinion, MCAT flashcards can assist with the learning from one of the best MCAT prep books but are not a replacement. Great MCAT review books will give you approaches to thinking about problems as they pertain to taking the MCAT – a very specific way of thinking about them – even if those approaches have little relevance to how you will eventually think about similar problems as a doctor. The point of utilizing a good MCAT book as part of your studying is to train your mind to think as an MCAT test taker and be successful at solving problems in that context.

MCAT Exam Prep

Preparing for the MCAT exam requires the same level of focus, concentration and consistency that would be required when preparing for an athletic event like a marathon or a similar activity. On the day of the MCAT, you will need mental acuity to pull out memorized information and the stamina to sit through a long test. In short, you will need to have your mental, physical, and emotional “A” game and, given all that is at stake, preparation is key.

As outlined throughout this article, there are number of quality MCAT prep books and guides to help you prepare for the MCAT exam. Used correctly, these MCAT resources will give you the intellectual and academic foundation to help you pass the test. While the costs can add up, the small improvements that come from a dedication to the additional resources will, for many people, be worth it.

While building an intellectual foundation for the academic portion of the MCAT exam using the best MCAT books and study guides is critical, it is also important to prepare psychologically and physically. In addition to studying your MCAT books in the weeks leading up to the MCAT exam, exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet are also beneficial. If possible, avoid stimulants like coffee in the weeks before the test to help stabilize your energy levels throughout the day.

Being your best on the day of the MCAT will also require some temporary social adjustments. For some people, that will mean skipping that party on a Saturday night so you can stay focused and go to bed at a reasonable hour. If possible, find other people who you like who are also studying for the MCAT so you can hold each other accountable with study schedules to make sure you are staying on point with your MCAT studying.

This may all seem excessive but passing the MCAT is a major step towards your journey to medical school and it is worth taking seriously!

MCAT Practice Exams

It cannot be stated strongly enough that simulating the MCAT with practice exams before you take the actual test is highly beneficial. While one can spend weeks memorizing the tiniest pieces of knowledge in the best MCAT books, no amount of memorization will replace applying what you have learned in a MCAT test practice setting ahead of the big day.

On top of that, it is highly beneficial to create an environment that replicates the physical environment of the real MCAT test before you actually take the test. Find a place with a single desk that is away from noise, mobile devices, and distractions. Set up a clock to simulate the actual time you will have on each section of the MCAT and get to it. Creating some anxiety and stress before you take the MCAT with an actual MCAT practice exam will help your studying leaps and bounds above what just studying the best MCAT prep books out there will do for you.

The Actual MCAT Exam

The MCAT exam is offered over 20 times per year through Prometric Testing, a company that has thousands of testing locations worldwide. Most commonly, people take the MCAT exam in the spring of their junior year of college so they can apply to medical schools in the summer and fall. The MCAT test starts at 8:00am in the morning and is 7 1/2 hours long. The MCAT consists of over 230 questions and it is multiple choice. Even if you are doing well on the exam, the difficulty of the test questions on the MCAT exam supposedly does not change or adapt to your performance. Once you have completed the MCAT test, results typically arrive within 40 days.

During the MCAT exam, you are not allowed to use calculators, phones, timers, or other electronic devices and phones cannot be brought into the testing room. Currently, an individual can take the MCAT exam up to 7 times.

MCAT Exam – Sections Overview

The MCAT consists of four sections, each with their own unique characteristics. Some people wonder why the MCAT even needs to cover these specific topics. After all, if you are at an accredited university, shouldn’t these topics be part of a standard premed curriculum?

These sections on the MCAT exam do help medical schools evaluate your understanding of topics related to your advancement as a medical doctor. If an applicant scores in the middle of the MCAT bell curve, it usually means that they have an adequate foundation of knowledge to graduate from medical school. People who score on the higher ends of the bell curve typically have stronger academic abilities and may even be top performers in medical school, assuming that their personalities are up to the task. On the other hand, people who are at the low end of the MCAT scoring curve may lack the basic academic ability to survive a rigorous medical program or lack the motivation to prepare for an important test like the MCAT with the best MCAT prep books and review guides.

While this selection of sections may not be perfect as far as evaluating one’s potential as a doctor, they do provide a good structure to evaluate some aspects of an applicant’s talent. Also, the AAMC does evaluate and revise the MCAT from time to time based on feedback and will most likely continue to revise the MCAT from time to time.

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
This section is 95 minutes long and consists of 59 questions. The MCAT questions in this section consists of passages that test your ability to recall and reason through the material. Information covered in this section includes the function of organisms (how they grow and reproduce), metabolism and cellular processes. The majority of the questions will pull from introductory biology classes but this section also pulls from biochemistry, general chemistry and organic chemistry.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
This section is 95 minutes long and consists of 59 passage-based questions. This section of the MCAT is designed to assess your understanding of how tissues, organs and systems function at both biochemical and mechanical levels. The questions cover general and organic chemistry, biochemistry and physics. You might find a little biology in this MCAT exam section as well.

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
This MCAT exam section is 95 minutes long and consists of 59 questions. Primarily drawing from psychology material, this section also includes sociology materials. You will need to apply statistical methods to solve MCAT questions related to the intersection of the hard sciences and the softer side of medicine as it relates to behavioral health.

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
This section of the MCAT is 90 minutes long and consists of 53 questions. Sometimes known as CARS, this section does not pull from specific science class materials but rather covers a broader range of topics in humanities and social sciences. Instead, it is designed to test your critical thinking abilities. You will read complex, detailed passages that draw from a wide range of disciplines and then answer questions that assess your ability to think critically about the information.

MCAT Exam Scoring

A 500 total score (125 on each section) on the MCAT exam is considered average, or 50th percentile. The highest score someone can get on the MCAT exam is 132 and a lot of study preparation is needed to get to that mark. To get to the 85th percentile, you will need to score between 510 and 520. Different schools have different average marks and you should consider what target score you want to get on the MCAT based on these averages. Clearly, the higher MCAT score you get, the better! If you feel like you bombed the test and want to void your MCAT score so it does not appear on your testing history, you will need to do so immediately after the exam.

MCAT scores are good for 3 years and a person can take the MCAT up to three times in a single year and seven times total. Most schools will not accept MCAT scores that are older than two years.

MCAT Exam Prep – Recent Changes

Not too long ago, the MCAT exam was changed which definitely affected the studying process. The changes were meant to bring a more rigorous approach to evaluating candidates for medical school. We are here to break down the changes that occurred in the most recent update.

First of all, a new section was added to the MCAT exam which opened a whole new category as far as MCAT prep books and materials go. This new section, called Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior, was meant to address topics related to the social and “softer” interplay of social sciences and biology.

Additionally, some major structural changes occurred on the MCAT exam which made it more challenging. The content of passages and questions on the MCAT exam were revised to provide more of a medical focus to questions as opposed to just purely understanding scientific topics like chemistry. With that change, an increasing amount of focus has been put on biochemistry.

These changes in the MCAT exam do add a bit of a challenge but, regardless, the top MCAT prep books will help you prepare adequately if used appropriately.

MCAT Exam Testing Tips

Reading the best MCAT books and guides can only go so far as to preparing you for the actual MCAT exam. The real key to acing the MCAT is applying what you have learned effectively on the day of your MCAT test. While this sounds easy in principle, it can actually be quite difficult. First, you will be answering questions across a wide range of topics and subjects, making getting into an MCAT test-taking rhythm more challenging. Second, you will be under a higher level of stress on the big day. For most people, this stress will impair your memory and recall unless you are ready for it. Finally, during the MCAT test, you will be thrown curveballs as questions will appear for which you have not trained at all, testing your resolve and resilience throughout the MCAT exam itself.

Fortunately, there are some little tricks that you can practice ahead of time to help you while you are taking the MCAT exam. After all, the questions are written a specific way by a small group of writers and most of the MCAT questions have been analyzed and tested to make sure they are accurate. Here are some strategies and tactics that might be useful for you as you take the actual MCAT test:

1. Study the question and answers deeply
Read and focus deeply on what the question is actually asking. It is tempting to jump on an answer choice when you see some key words that cover a topic you know well or questions that you have seen many times while doing MCAT practice questions. Because of this, it is a good idea not to make assumptions on what the right answer is until you have fully absorbed the meaning behind the question and the answer choices. After all, one word can make what seems like the right answer to be wrong.

2. Eliminate the wrong answer choices early
On standardized tests like the MCAT, it is often easier to select an answer choice when there are fewer answer choices available. By eliminating incorrect choices early, you will be able to focus in on the likely answer choices and reduce the cognitive burden of having to choose from more choices. In most cases, there are clearly a few answer choices that are wrong on any MCAT exam question and eliminating them from consideration will help you focus on the possible correct choices quickly.

3. Review remaining answer choices
Once you have narrowed down possible answer choices, start comparing them. How are these particular MCAT answer choices the same and how are they different? What main aspect of them is really different when you compare them against one another. Often, tiny differences in wording will make the right answer choice for this particular MCAT question quite clear.

MCAT Exam – Still Relevant?

With all this work involved with preparing for and taking the MCAT (not to mention the cost), it is fair to ask if the MCAT is even relevant in one’s preparation to become a doctor. One study looked at the value of the MCAT and its relevance to PGY-1 performance and only found a weak association. Later exams, such as the USMLE Step 1, seemed to have more relevance in terms for future residency performance. Given all of the USMLE 1 study prep that goes into passing that exam, this should not come as much of a surprise. Another study found that MCAT performance did have some association with eventual performance on the USMLE Step 1 and 2 exams. In another study, it was found that undergraduate grade point averages and MCAT exam scores were strong predictors of academic performance in medical school all the way up to graduation. This effect was seen across the medical schools studied. These studies suggest that the MCAT is still relevant as a predictive tool for medical school and early residence performance. And, until something changes in those associations, putting in MCAT prep time with quality MCAT study materials is a good idea.

Best MCAT Books – Final Thoughts

Congratulations on your decision to go to medical school. The skills one learns as a doctor and the act of giving health to others provides most doctors with a lifetime of professional satisfaction. While taking the MCAT can seem like a daunting task, just remember that it is a necessary hurdle that many people have gotten through before you. By focusing your energy and effort and spending time and resources on the best MCAT books to prep and study for exam, you will be one step closer on a longer journey to joining the doctor club. Best of luck on the MCAT exam!

This information is meant for informational purposes and is not intended to be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.