You don't need to spend thousands to prepare for the MCAT. Here are the best free resources available, organized by how to use them effectively.
Not every student can afford a $2,000 prep course, and that's okay. There are genuinely excellent free resources available for MCAT preparation. The key is knowing which ones are worth your time and how to use them strategically.
Tier 1: Essential Free Resources
Khan Academy MCAT Collection
Khan Academy partnered with AAMC to create free MCAT prep content covering all four sections. The video lessons are clear and well-organized, making this the best free content review resource available.
Best for: Content review, especially for students who learn well from video lectures. Limitation: No adaptive technology or personalized study plans.
Anki (Spaced Repetition Flashcards)
Anki is a free flashcard app that uses spaced repetition to optimize memorization. The MCAT community has created excellent shared decks (MileDown, Jacksparrow2048) covering high-yield topics.
Best for: Memorizing amino acids, metabolic pathways, psychology terms, and other high-yield content. Limitation: Requires discipline to use daily; doesn't teach concepts, only reinforces them.
AAMC Free Practice Resources
AAMC offers some free practice materials, including a half-length diagnostic exam. While their paid materials are essential (and worth the $200–$300 investment), the free offerings provide a starting point.
Best for: Getting an initial diagnostic score and understanding AAMC question style.
Tier 2: Valuable Supplements
Reddit r/MCAT Community
The r/MCAT subreddit is one of the most active and helpful study communities online. Students share study schedules, score reports, resource recommendations, and moral support.
Best for: Community support, study tips, and motivation.
YouTube Channels
Several YouTube channels offer quality MCAT content for free:
- Organic Chemistry Tutor — Excellent for chemistry and physics
- AK Lectures — Strong biochemistry content
- Khan Academy — Comprehensive across all sections
Jack Westin Daily CARS Practice
Jack Westin offers free daily CARS passages with community discussion. This is one of the best ways to build CARS skills without spending money.
Best for: Daily CARS practice and building reading comprehension stamina.
How to Build a Free Study Plan
- Weeks 1–8: Content review with Khan Academy videos + Anki flashcards daily
- Weeks 9–12: Practice questions from free sources + Jack Westin CARS daily
- Weeks 13–16: AAMC practice materials (worth the $200–$300 investment even on a tight budget)
When to Consider Investing
Free resources can get you far, but they have limitations. If you're scoring below 505 after 2–3 months of self-study, or if you're struggling to stay consistent, a structured course may be worth the investment. The most affordable quality option is Wizeprep's self-paced course [blocked] at $999.
For a complete comparison of paid options, see our Best MCAT Prep Courses [blocked] rankings.