Key Points
- The Princeton Review is our top MCAT pick. Its 515+ Course costs $3,499 for 123 hours of live instruction, the lowest cost per live hour we found among courses with a score guarantee, and guarantees a 515+ or a 15-point gain based on your starting score.
- UWorld’s full prep course, starting at $1,199, includes the AAMC Official Prep bundle, and AAMC’s own practice materials cost about $336 for the full set, with two practice exams free.
- The 2027 MCAT costs $360, or $145 through the AAMC Fee Assistance Program, which also makes all AAMC online prep free. Admitted students averaged 512.1.
MCAT prep is expensive, and premeds feel it. About 42% of 2025 test takers reported difficulty affording prep courses and materials, according to the AAMC’s post-MCAT survey. With federal borrowing for medical school capped under the new professional degree limits, as our best medical school student loans comparison explains, every dollar spent on prep needs to earn its place.
The good news: the AAMC’s official practice materials are cheap, and more than 90% of test takers use them. The courses below add structure, teaching and extra practice on top of that foundation. Our what is the MCAT explainer covers the exam basics, and our medical school admissions overview shows where the score fits in your application.
512.1
Average Admitted Student
84th percentile, 2025-26
$360
2027 Registration Fee
$145 with fee assistance
7.5 Hours
Total Seated Time
6 hours 15 minutes of testing
472-528
Score Range
Four sections, 118 to 132 each
On This Page
Best MCAT Prep Courses At A Glance
MCAT prep runs from $30-a-month subscriptions to $7,000+ immersion programs. Here’s how our picks compare at regular list prices, since Kaplan, Blueprint and others were running promotions when we checked. Our medical school student loan refinancing page shows what borrowing costs look like after graduation.
Best MCAT Prep Courses (2026)
ProviderBest ForFormatPriceScore GuaranteeThe Princeton ReviewLive classes and a 515+ targetLive online, in person, self-paced, tutoring$199 to $7,349, tutoring $183+/hr515+ or +15 points (515+ Course)View Courses »KaplanMaximum full-length practiceOn demand, live online, in person, tutoring$1,599 to $7,299 listHigher score, or 515+ on top coursesView Courses »UWorldPractice questions with strong explanationsSelf-paced$289 to $1,199+None listedTry Free »MagooshContent review on a tight budgetSelf-paced$379 to $399+10 pointsView Plans »Blueprint MCATLive classes with coachingSelf-paced, live online, tutoring$99/month to $3,799+Score increase, or 515+ on top courseVisit Site »Jack WestinCheap structure and AAMC explanationsSelf-paced, live courses$29.99/month to $4,599Varies by courseVisit Site »AAMC Official PrepReal MCAT-style practiceSelf-pacedFree to about $336NoneView Prep »
Regular list prices checked October 11, 2026. Several providers were running short-term sales. Guarantees carry conditions. The College Investor.
Our Top Pick
The Princeton Review
The MCAT 515+ Course: 123 hours of live instruction, 18 full-length practice tests plus AAMC materials and a 515+ or 15-point guarantee.
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Best MCAT Prep Courses Of 2026
Take the free AAMC Practice Exam 1 or the Unscored Sample Test first. Your starting score decides which guarantee tier you fall into, and it shows if you need content review or mainly practice. Then choose a course that fits your gap, budget and schedule, keeping your medical school application timeline in mind.
Best Overall: The Princeton Review
#1The Princeton ReviewBest Overall
123 Hours
Live instruction
18
Full-length practice tests
The Princeton Review MCAT 515+ Course costs $3,499 for 123 hours of live instruction, offered live online or in person, with flexible attendance and an AI tutor, according to its MCAT prep page. It includes 18 full-length practice tests plus AAMC materials. At about $28 per live hour, it’s the lowest hourly cost of any MCAT course we reviewed that carries a score guarantee, while the Ultimate Course, starting at $2,899 for the same 123 hours, runs about $24 an hour with only a satisfaction guarantee. Our Princeton Review SAT and ACT review covers its teaching style.
The 515+ guarantee depends on your starting score. Students who start below 500 get a full refund for a gain under 10 points and 50% back for a 10- to 14-point gain. Students who start between 500 and 514 get a full refund below 510 and 50% back between 510 and 514. That protection matters on a purchase this large, especially for students already planning to take on medical school loans.
Cheaper options include the Self-Paced course at $1,599 for six months, with 500+ hours of video and a 14-day free trial, and Practice Tests starting at $199 for six full-length exams. Private tutoring ranges from $183 an hour on a 60-hour plan to $329 an hour for 10 hours, which you can compare with our average cost of tutoring research.
Why We Picked It
Among the most live teaching per dollar, in-person and online options, 18 practice tests and a refund schedule tied to your starting score. It’s the strongest all-in-one pick for premeds who want structure, especially those aiming at the 512+ range typical of medical school matriculants.
Drawbacks
$3,499 upfront is a lot for students already stretched thin, and the guarantee requires attendance and coursework. Students starting at 515 or higher aren’t eligible and may get more from AAMC materials plus a question bank like the one in our UWorld review.
Want live MCAT classes with a 515+ guarantee? Compare the Princeton Review’s 515+, Self-Paced and Practice Test options.
Most Practice Tests: Kaplan
#2KaplanMost Practice Tests
21
Full-length tests in every course
$2,399
Live Online, 42 hours (list)
60% Off
For AAMC fee assistance
Kaplan includes 21 full-length practice tests, seven of them from the AAMC, in every MCAT course, plus 12,000+ practice questions and a seven-book review set, according to Kaplan’s MCAT page. List prices run $1,599 for On Demand, $2,399 for 42 hours of Live Online classes and $3,599 for the 84-hour 515+ Course, and Kaplan was running promo codes worth $200 to $1,000 off. Our Kaplan Test Prep review has more.
Kaplan’s 515+ guarantee covers the 515+ Course, Online Bootcamp and Premium Tutoring: students starting at 500 or above are guaranteed a 515+, and students below 500 are guaranteed a 15-point gain. Other courses carry a higher score guarantee. AAMC Fee Assistance recipients get up to 60% off, and Kaplan offers up to 50% off for other students based on their FAFSA Student Aid Index when they don’t qualify for the AAMC program.
Why We Picked It
The largest practice-test library in any course we reviewed, a specific 515+ guarantee on top courses and big discounts tied to financial need. It’s a good fit for students whose weak spot is test stamina, a common gap we hear about from premed students.
Drawbacks
List prices are high, and Kaplan’s “15+ points on average” claim is measured on practice exams, not the real MCAT. Compare the per-hour cost below with our Princeton Review SAT and ACT review.
Need more full-length practice? Every Kaplan MCAT course includes 21 practice tests, with up to 60% off for AAMC fee assistance recipients.
Best Question Bank: UWorld
#3UWorldBest Question Bank
UWorld is the go-to question bank for many premeds. The MCAT QBank starts at $339 with 3,000+ questions, two UWorld practice exams and an AI tutor, and its full MCAT prep course starts at $1,199, according to UWorld. Our UWorld review covers its explanations.
The $1,199 course is a strong value because it bundles the AAMC Official Prep Online Bundle, with seven AAMC practice exams, plus eight review books and 1,300+ video lessons. Buying the AAMC bundle alone costs about $336, so the rest of the course effectively costs about $863. UWorld offers a 7-day free trial but no score guarantee, so plan your own checkpoints with the official exams, as our what is the MCAT explainer suggests.
Why We Picked It
Highly regarded questions and explanations, with official AAMC materials bundled into the $1,199 course. It’s the best self-study pick for premeds who already know the content and need practice, keeping medical school costs in check.
Drawbacks
No live teaching and no score guarantee. Students who need content review from scratch may want a live course from our Kaplan Test Prep review.
Best Budget Course: Magoosh
#4MagooshBest Budget Course
+10 Points
Score guarantee
Magoosh sells the cheapest one-time-purchase MCAT course on our list. Twelve months of Premium costs $399 and includes 380+ video lessons, 740+ practice questions with up to three full-length tests and a 10-point score guarantee, according to Magoosh’s MCAT plans page. Our Magoosh review walks through the platform.
Magoosh also offers a 7-day free trial and a 7-day money-back window. Its three full-length tests are far fewer than other courses, so pair it with the AAMC’s practice exams. A student who buys Magoosh and the AAMC bundle spends about $735, roughly a fifth of the Princeton Review 515+ Course, which leaves more room in a tight premed budget.
Why We Picked It
A full year of video content review for $399 with a 10-point guarantee and a free trial. It’s the right starting point for students who can’t afford a $2,000+ course and want to limit future student loans.
Drawbacks
Only 740+ questions and up to three full-length tests, and parts of the plans page FAQ look out of date. Plan on adding AAMC materials or a question bank from our UWorld review.
Best 515+ Course Alternative: Blueprint
#5Blueprint MCATBest 515+ Alternative
80 Hours
Live lessons and workshops
Blueprint 515+ Course lists at $2,999, often discounted, for 80 hours of live lessons and workshops with two instructors and a personal coach, plus 16 full-length exams that include six from the AAMC, according to Blueprint. It guarantees a 515+ for students with a diagnostic of 500 or higher, or a 15-point gain for those below 500. That’s a lot of support to weigh against your medical school loan budget.
Lower-cost options include practice tests and a question bank starting at $99 a month, a Self-Paced course listed at $1,499 and a Live Online course starting at $1,999 for 40+ live hours. Blueprint offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, and it says its instructors average a 521. Use the trial to compare its style with the courses in our Princeton Review SAT and ACT review.
Why We Picked It
A 515+ guarantee, coaching built in and a no-card free trial. It’s a strong alternative for students who want two instructors and a personal coach, especially those reviewing medical school admissions requirements.
Drawbacks
At about $37 per live hour on the 515+ Course, it costs more per hour than the Princeton Review’s 515+. Blueprint excludes AAMC resources from refunds under its Live Online guarantee, so compare terms with the options in our Kaplan review.
Best Low-Cost Subscription: Jack Westin
#6Jack WestinBest Subscription
$29.99/mo
JW+ subscription
Jack Westin JW+ costs $29.99 a month, cancel anytime, and includes a self-paced course with 450+ new videos for 2026, video solutions to 18 official AAMC products and live office hours, according to its JW+ page. Jack Westin is also known for free daily CARS practice passages. For students on the tightest budgets, that’s the cheapest structured option we found, the kind of savings that adds up alongside our medical school student loan tips.
Jack Westin also sells live courses, including an Intensive course listed at $3,599 with 48+ live hours and a 10-point guarantee. Its 515+ course page gave conflicting figures for live hours and the guarantee when we checked, so confirm details before you enroll. JW+ offers a 7-day free trial, so you can test it before your next medical school application cycle starts.
Why We Picked It
The lowest monthly price for structured MCAT prep, with video walkthroughs of official AAMC materials and free daily CARS practice. It pairs well with the AAMC bundle for students who need to save, as our what is the MCAT explainer recommends.
Drawbacks
JW+ has no score guarantee, and the live course pages had conflicting details. Students who want a clear guarantee should compare the options in our Princeton Review SAT and ACT review.
Essential For Everyone: AAMC Official Prep
#7AAMC Official PrepEssential Practice
About $336
Online-only bundle
90.5%
Of test takers use them
The AAMC, which writes the MCAT, offers two free full-length exams, Practice Exam 1 and the Unscored Sample Test, plus five more practice exams at $35 each, according to the AAMC store. The full Online-Only Bundle costs about $336 for a year and has 2,876 unique questions. A new $70 CARS Question Bank replaced older CARS products on September 30, 2026, according to the AAMC. Our what is the MCAT explainer covers each section.
These materials are the closest thing to the real test. In the AAMC’s 2025 survey, 90.5% of test takers used the official practice exams and 75.2% of them rated the exams “very useful.” Fee Assistance Program recipients get every AAMC online prep product free, so apply before you buy anything, as we recommend in our medical school admissions overview.
Why We Picked It
Real AAMC questions for $0 to about $336, and free for fee assistance recipients. No other prep matters as much, which is why most courses on this list bundle it in, as noted in our UWorld review.
Drawbacks
Practice and explanations, but no teaching or study plan. Students who need content review should add a course, starting with the low-cost options in our Magoosh review.
Which MCAT Prep Course Is Best For You?
The best MCAT prep course depends on what you need most: content review, test practice or both. Students who finished their science prerequisites recently and score within 5 points of their goal often need only AAMC materials and a question bank. Students 10+ points away, or who took biochemistry years ago, usually benefit from a full course. Check score expectations in our medical school admissions overview.
- Best overall: The Princeton Review 515+ Course, with 123 live hours.
- Most full-length practice: Kaplan, with 21 tests in every course.
- Best question bank: UWorld, starting at $339.
- Budget one-time course: Magoosh at $399 for 12 months.
- 515+ guarantee with coaching: Blueprint’s 515+ Course.
- Cheapest structured option: Jack Westin’s JW+ at $29.99 a month.
- Everyone: AAMC Official Prep, free to about $336.
What Is On The MCAT In 2026?
The MCAT has four sections with 230 multiple-choice questions and 6 hours and 15 minutes of testing time, according to the AAMC. With optional breaks and other timed steps, total seated time is about 7.5 hours. Content comes from general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry, psychology and sociology, plus a reading section that requires no outside knowledge, as our what is the MCAT explainer details.
MCAT Exam Format (2027 Testing Year)
SectionQuestionsTimeScore RangeChemical And Physical Foundations5995 minutes118 to 132Critical Analysis And Reasoning Skills (CARS)5390 minutes118 to 132Biological And Biochemical Foundations5995 minutes118 to 132Psychological, Social And Biological Foundations5995 minutes118 to 132Total2306 hours 15 minutes472 to 528
Plus optional breaks, about 7.5 hours seated. Source: AAMC. The College Investor.
There’s no guessing penalty and no curve, according to the AAMC, so answer every question. Official scores come out 30 to 35 days after the exam, and most medical schools accept scores from the past two or three years. The AAMC hasn’t announced changes to the exam’s sections or timing for 2027, so courses built for the current format remain valid, as we note in our medical school admissions overview.
How Much Does The MCAT Cost?
The MCAT costs $360 to register for 2027 test dates, or $145 through the AAMC Fee Assistance Program, according to the AAMC. Rescheduling costs $55 to $210 depending on timing, and canceling 30 or more days ahead refunds $180. Testing outside the U.S., Canada and U.S. territories adds $130. Those costs land on top of medical school application fees.
MCAT Scheduling Fees (2027)
TimingReschedule FeeCancellation RefundFee Assistance Reschedule60+ Days Before$55$180$2530 To 59 Days Before$110$180$4510 To 29 Days Before$210$0$85Fewer Than 10 DaysNo changes allowedNo refundNo changes allowed
Registration is $360, or $145 with fee assistance. Source: AAMC. The College Investor.
How Much The AAMC Fee Assistance Program Saves
The Fee Assistance Program can save more than $500 on testing and official prep. Applicants with household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level get the $145 registration rate, every AAMC online prep product free and free access to the MSAR medical school database. Kaplan adds up to 60% off its courses for recipients. Apply before you register, since benefits aren’t retroactive, and see our graduate school scholarships roundup for more ways to save.
What Fee Assistance Saves On The MCAT (TCI Example)
ItemStandard CostWith Fee AssistanceMCAT Registration$360$145AAMC Online-Only Prep BundleAbout $336FreeTotalAbout $696$145
Savings of about $551 before any course discounts. Source: AAMC. The College Investor.
When Are The 2027 MCAT Test Dates?
The AAMC offers 35 U.S. test dates in 2027, from January 15 to September 11, according to its 2027 testing calendar. All 2026 dates have passed. Scheduling works on three deadlines, 60, 30 and 10 days before each exam, and the 10-day mark is the last chance to change or cancel. Students often test in the year they apply, as our medical school admissions overview explains.
Selected 2027 MCAT Test Dates (U.S.)
Test DateLast Day To Schedule Or ChangeScores ReleasedJanuary 15, 2027January 5, 2027February 16, 2027March 19, 2027March 9, 2027April 20, 2027April 16, 2027April 6, 2027May 18, 2027May 21, 2027May 11, 2027June 23, 2027June 25, 2027June 15, 2027July 27, 2027August 14, 2027August 4, 2027September 14, 2027September 11, 2027September 1, 2027October 12, 2027
Selected dates from 35 U.S. dates. Seats can fill early, so schedule well before the 10-day deadline. Source: AAMC. The College Investor.
The AAMC’s advice is to take the exam when you’re ready, and to test earlier in the year if you might need a retake, according to its MCAT FAQ. You can test three times in one year, four times over two consecutive years and seven times in a lifetime. A no-show counts as an attempt, so reschedule early if your prep runs behind, and protect your premed budget.
What Is A Good MCAT Score?
A good MCAT score is one at or above the average for students admitted to the schools you’re targeting. In 2025-26, applicants averaged 506.3 and matriculants averaged 512.1, according to the AAMC’s FACTS data. A 512 lands at the 84th percentile and a 515 at the 91st, according to the AAMC’s percentile table. Our what is the MCAT explainer covers how schools read section scores.
MCAT Total Score Percentiles (May 2026 To April 2027)
MCAT ScorePercentile52097th51591st51284th51079th50874th50667th50564th50048th
Based on 2023 to 2025 test takers. Source: AAMC. The College Investor.
The average matriculant score has barely moved, staying between 511.5 and 512.1 over the past six cycles, according to the same AAMC data. That stability makes 512 a useful benchmark, and several courses on this list set their guarantees at 515+, a few points higher. Higher scores can also strengthen scholarship applications that reduce your need for medical school loans.
How Much Does MCAT Prep Cost Per Hour?
Live MCAT courses cost about $24 to $57 per hour of instruction at list prices, and the Princeton Review’s 123-hour courses are the cheapest per hour we found. We divided each course’s list price by its published live hours. Self-paced options and question banks cost less in total, as our MCAT explainer notes, but don’t include live teaching.
MCAT Prep Cost Per Live Hour (2026)
CourseList PriceLive HoursCost Per HourPrinceton Review Ultimate (Satisfaction Guarantee Only)From $2,899123About $24Princeton Review MCAT 515+ Course$3,499123About $28Blueprint 515+ Course$2,99980About $37Princeton Review 515+ Immersion$7,349195About $38Kaplan 515+ Course$3,59984About $43Blueprint Live Online$1,99940About $50Kaplan Live Online$2,39942About $57Princeton Review Tutoring$183 to $329 per hour10 to 60$183 to $329
Blueprint counts live lessons and workshops. Source: Provider websites, checked October 11, 2026. The College Investor.
The Princeton Review 515+ Course costs more upfront than Blueprint’s 515+ or Kaplan’s Live Online, but it delivers far more live hours, so the per-hour cost is lower. If you’ll attend most sessions, the bigger course is the better value. If you won’t, a self-paced course plus AAMC materials costs less, a trade-off similar to choosing among medical school loan options.
How Long Should You Study For The MCAT?
Plan on about three months of focused MCAT study at 20 or more hours a week. The median test taker prepared for 12 weeks at about 20 to 23 hours a week in every year from 2014 to 2018, according to the AAMC’s post-MCAT survey, which works out to roughly 240 to 276 hours. Here’s a plan that fits most premed timelines.
- Take AAMC’s free Practice Exam 1 or Unscored Sample Test to set your baseline.
- Apply for the Fee Assistance Program before scheduling if your income may qualify.
- Pick prep for your gap: content review course for big gaps, AAMC materials plus a question bank for smaller ones.
- Take a full-length exam every week or two in the final six weeks, using AAMC exams last since they’re most like the real test.
- Schedule early and keep the 10-day change deadline in mind in case you need more time.
About 30% of test takers took a structured prep course in recent AAMC surveys, so most students prepare without one. The most common tools were the AAMC’s practice exams, used by 90.5% of 2025 test takers. Build from those, and save course money for gaps you can’t close alone, which keeps more of your budget for medical school.
How We Picked The Best MCAT Prep Courses
We reviewed the major MCAT prep providers and kept those with courses built for the current exam. We compared list prices, live hours, full-length practice tests, AAMC material access, score guarantees and free trials, and verified prices on each provider’s site on October 11, 2026. Our editorial standards explain how we handle partner relationships.
Altius Test Prep offers classroom and mentored MCAT courses from $2,699 to $7,499 with strong guarantees, but its added convenience and materials fees made total costs harder to compare, so it didn’t make our ranked list. Compare it with the options above if you want heavy one-on-one mentoring, and weigh the cost against your medical school loan plans.
More Test Prep Rankings From The College Investor
MCAT Prep FAQs
How Many Times Can You Take The MCAT?
You can take the MCAT three times in one testing year, four times over two consecutive years and seven times in a lifetime, according to the AAMC. No-shows count as attempts. See our medical school admissions overview for retake strategy.
Is AAMC Official Prep Enough For The MCAT?
AAMC materials are enough for some students, especially those who recently finished their science courses and need practice more than content review. Students with big content gaps usually need a course. Our what is the MCAT explainer covers what’s tested.
How Much Does MCAT Prep Cost?
MCAT prep ranges from free AAMC practice exams to more than $7,000 for immersion courses. Common choices run from the $336 AAMC bundle to $1,199 to $3,499 for a full course, and about 30% of test takers take a structured course. Fee assistance recipients get AAMC prep free, which helps keep medical school borrowing down.
When Should I Take The MCAT?
The AAMC says to take it when you’re ready, usually in the year you apply. Test earlier in the year if you might need a retake, so you have time to get scores and find another seat. Our medical school admissions overview covers the full timeline.
Did The MCAT Change For 2027?
The AAMC hasn’t announced changes to the exam’s sections, timing or scoring. Changes for 2027 involve scheduling, with 60-, 30- and 10-day deadlines, and prep products, including a new $70 CARS Question Bank. See our what is the MCAT explainer for the format.
