Most Popular MCAT Prep Books & Resources 2024: Pros & Cons List

February 20, 2024

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Looking for the best MCAT prep books? There are hundreds of published resources out there to aid in your review and prep for the MCAT.

It’s understandable that since it’s the hardest exam you've written yet, there are going to be MANY options and MCAT prep books to choose from. We want to make sure you're not like most premeds who will be buried upon piles and piles of MCAT prep books, which will only bring you unnecessary stress.

You should only be reading the most effective, most recommended material. In this post, we cover just that.

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We compiled a great list for you of the best MCAT prep books in the market in 2020. These books are tried and tested by top scorers, but in case you needed any more testimonies, we put up a pros and cons list to hike up the deciding factor.

Kaplan MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review + Online Materials

MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2020-2021: Online + Book + 3 Practice Tests (Kaplan Test Prep)

Pros:

  • Comprehensive and in-depth
  • Questions and “star feature” is similar to what can be expected on the actual exam
  • Detailed graphical representations of concepts
  • Effective quizzes at the end of each chapter
  • Provides access to great online resources

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • No full-length practice test
  • Detail-oriented than concept-oriented
  • Too in-depth; not the best for those pressed for time

Honorable Mention:  MCAT Biochemistry Review Book

Examkrackers MCAT Complete Study Package 10th Edition

Examkrackers Mcat Study Package

Pros:

  • Best for those time-crunching their MCAT review
  • Plenty of examples to make concepts digestible
  • Contains useful tips and tools for memorization
  • Questions are strategically placed in each chapter
  • Visual and no-nonsense

Cons:

  • Not too comprehensive, especially on certain topics
  • Fewer examples on Psychology and Sociology
  • CARS section doesn’t have a ‘real life’ concept

Sterling Test MCAT Prep Books

Sterling Test Prep MCAT Practice Tests- Chemical & Physical + Biological & Biochemical Foundations

Pros:

  • Updated every month guaranteed to cover new exams
  • More than 1, 200 questions for specific subjects
  • Contains detailed explanations for both the right and wrong answers
  • Responsive support team
  • You can create your own bundle or plan to personalize which books you want

Cons:

  • Only contains an overview of the topics
  • Study guide doesn’t extract information from the passage
  • You’ll need to learn the topics elsewhere

Princeton Review MCAT Subject Review Complete Set

The Princeton Review MCAT Subject Review Complete Box Set, 3rd Edition: 7 Complete Books + 3 Online Practice Tests (Graduate School Test Preparation)

Pros:

  • Provides a brief explanation for every question
  • 1000 practice questions at the end of each chapter
  • Practice tests are similar to exam
  • Summary and glossaries at the end of each chapter
  • Has 7 complete books that cover all parts of the MCAT

Cons:

  • Potentially outdated content
  • Psychology section doesn’t provide visual explanations
  • Lots of editing errors

Kaplan MCAT Flashcards + App

Kaplan MCAT Flashcards + App

Pros:

  • 1000 flashcards
  • Contributes to a fast and fun learning experience
  • Key concepts narrowed down succinctly
  • Covers terms, definitions, and concepts
  • Easy, no-nonsense, and time efficient

Cons:

  • Lacks durability

MCAT Mastery Strategy Courses

MCAT_Strategy_Crash_Course
Course Screenshot - Mehul

Pros:

  • Research backed MCAT study strategies used by 90+ percentile scorers
  • Strategies compiled by recent test takers, who know what the MCAT is like today!
  • PDF format to download and start using right away
  • Affordable
  • Tutors who not only know how to help you do well on the MCAT but get into medical school too!
  • Weekly office hours with tutors

Cons:

  • No physical resources

AAMC Practice Material: The Best Full-length MCAT Practice Exam Resources

Best Free Resources for the MCAT: Khan Academy

Bio/Biochem Khan Academy Videos
Chem/Phys Khan Academy Videos
CARS Khan Academy Practice

The MedLife Mastery Team
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We're a team of future doctors passionate about giving back and mentoring other future doctors! All mentors on the team are top MCAT scorers and we all are committed to seeing you succeed in achieving your physician dreams ???? To help you achieve your goal MCAT score, we take turns hosting these Live MCAT Courses and are also available for 1:1 private tutoring!

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The Free Top Scorer MCAT Strategy Video Course

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  • Cultivate the right MCAT success mindset
  • Know how to study as a retaker to ensure this is the last MCAT prep
  • And much more!

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