Best MCAT Prep Books – 10 Choices To Get You Ready

The Medical College Admission Test serves as a critical requirement for prospective medical students worldwide throughout their admissions journey. This standardized examination evaluates problem-solving abilities, written analysis skills, and scientific knowledge across various medical concepts. Since the exam encompasses both science and non-science questions, students must prepare across a broad spectrum of subjects.

Four sections of multiple-choice questions determine the MCAT’s scoring structure. While the average score among all test-takers sits at 500, most successful M.D. applicants achieve scores of 507 or higher, placing them in the 75th percentile. Given the competitive nature of medical schools requiring the MCAT, having comprehensive preparation resources becomes absolutely essential. 

The Princeton Review reports that high-performing students dedicate 200-300 hours to studying. Experts recommend beginning your preparation 4-6 months before the exam date. Starting with an online practice test helps assess your current performance level. You can access the most popular free practice test through The Princeton Review. After completing a practice test, you’ll clearly understand which topics require focused MCAT study attention. 

Your next step involves purchasing the necessary review materials. You’ll want to leverage high-quality MCAT study books and prep books. So, which MCAT prep books deliver the best results? Let’s explore the top options.

Top MCAT Preparation Books

The following ten books represent the premier resources for MCAT preparation. These materials will familiarize you with test content, effective study strategies, and extensive practice questions.

1. MCAT Prep Books 2020-2021 by Test Prep Books

MCAT Prep Books 2020-2021 delivers a comprehensive study guide, practice test questions, and thorough answer explanations. This resource perfectly suits students aiming to either pass the exam or achieve 75th percentile scores. Beyond explaining test fundamentals, it helps elevate your score regardless of your starting performance level.

The book features test-taking strategies and questions across multiple categories, including chemistry, biology, and psychology. Through detailed answer explanations, you’ll avoid repeating mistakes and consistently improve your test scores. 

2. 7 Full-length MCAT Practice Tests by The MCAT-prep.com Authors & Editors

This preparation resource offers five full-length practice tests in print and two additional online exams. The complete package contains 1,610 MCAT practice questions formatted according to AAMC standards. You’ll practice, review, and enhance your performance through comprehensive answer explanations, interactive discussion boards for every question, and multimedia-enhanced solution explanations.

These Gold Standard simulated tests prepare you thoroughly for exam day by replicating the MCAT’s timing structure, questions per section, and passage distribution. 

3. MCAT Workout by The Princeton Review

This revised 3rd edition provides over 735 practice questions and passages designed to ensure your MCAT success. For comprehensive exam mastery, this book delivers everything you need. Featuring passage-based questions and strategic solutions developed by Princeton Review MCAT experts, you’ll approach test day with complete confidence.

The resource includes expert guidance, targeted practice for every test section, and detailed step-by-step explanations that help you learn from your mistakes. 

4. MCAT Verbal Practice by Bryan Schnedeker 

MCAT Verbal Practice features 108 passages specifically designed for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning (CARS) section. Book purchasers gain access to a free full-length practice exam and a complimentary half-length diagnostic test. Students already familiar with reading strategies who need to sharpen their skills will find this resource invaluable. 

Beyond the extensive passage collection, this book includes 12 timed practice verbal sections that simulate the actual test day experience. 

5. The Princeton Review MCAT by The Princeton Review

For achieving your highest MCAT score, this comprehensive resource proves essential for subject review. This all-in-one guide prepares you thoroughly with in-depth content reviews, proven test-conquering strategies, and four full-length online practice exams. The Princeton Review delivers unmatched content coverage through topic-by-topic subject reviews, question-specific strategies, and numerous visual diagrams.

Students seeking effective strategies for tackling each question type will find this resource perfect. Combined with visual explanations and complimentary online resources, The Princeton Review has crafted the definitive, authoritative MCAT preparation guide.

6. MCAT 528 Advanced Prep by Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep’s MCAT 528 Advanced Prep was developed by experts behind the MCAT Prep course, which has helped more students gain medical school acceptance than all other major MCAT courses combined. These specialists have merged subject review with high-yield questions to create the ultimate MCAT preparation resource.

This guide helps you organize your review process and focus on areas requiring improvement. With expert commentary and questions aligned with AAMC guidelines, you can trust this prep book’s comprehensiveness. Containing more than 500 practice questions, this resource offers more questions than any other advanced MCAT book available, making it your complete study solution. 

7. MCAT Physics and Math Review by Kaplan Test Prep

This physics and math review book has been updated to reflect the latest MCAT materials. With its streamlined and intuitive design, the book offers a more manageable review experience, making test preparation easier and more realistic than ever. You’ll discover efficient strategies, hundreds of practice questions, and comprehensive subject review.

Built on AAMC materials, this book delivers the most testable content available. You’ll master all essential equations and visualize complex scientific concepts. With expert guidance and realistic practice, this MCAT review provides everything needed to excel in the physics and math sections.

8. MCAT General Chemistry Review by Kaplan Test Prep

Purchasing this book grants you access to Kaplan Test Prep’s expert advice in print format plus complimentary online resources. The book features chapter profiles showing each chapter’s testing frequency and category alignment. With 15 multiple-choice questions concluding each chapter, you’ll test your knowledge and progressively improve your practice test scores.

Kaplan Test Prep experts have incorporated learning objectives and concept checks to ensure you concentrate on each chapter’s most crucial information. For achieving high chemistry scores on your MCAT, this serves as your complete resource. 

9. MCAT with Online Tests by Jay B. Cutts M.A.

In this newly revised Barron’s Test Prep manual, Jay B. Cutts delivers comprehensive science review, timing strategies, and critical analysis and reasoning guidance. Drawing from extensive MCAT training experience, the author has developed proven strategies to help you achieve high test scores.

This latest edition contains detailed science review chapters, thorough coverage of the newest content areas, and carefully designed practice MCAT tests that closely mirror the actual exam. 

10. The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam by Association of American Medical Colleges

This comprehensive MCAT exam overview contains 120 practice questions, detailed answer explanations, and valuable tips for exam preparation beyond traditional prep books. The revised fifth edition includes the exact 120 practice questions from the fourth edition of the AAMC’s MCAT prep exam. 

Beyond providing identical practice questions, you’ll receive detailed information about each section’s structure, holistic admissions processes, and additional valuable insights.

Enrolling in an MCAT Prep Course

While MCAT prep books offer significant study benefits, enrolling in an MCAT prep course provides far more comprehensive and complete understanding of MCAT topics. Prep courses help eliminate study gaps while ensuring thorough coverage of all material. These online courses allow you to progress at your own pace while mastering everything necessary for success.

Many MCAT prep courses are available, but our top recommendation would be Magoosh MCAT Prep.

Magoosh MCAT Prep

The Magoosh MCAT Prep course ensures you’re completely prepared for the MCAT challenge. This course includes over 380 review videos, practice tests, more than 700 practice questions, and customizable study schedules tailored to your needs. Magoosh MCAT Prep also provides 24/7 email support and guarantees at least a 10-point score improvement or full money-back refund. Consider Magoosh MCAT Prep as your comprehensive preparation solution.

Final Thoughts: MCAT Preparation Success

Practice tests included with the books above will help you assess your MCAT readiness. You’ll gain exposure to exam-style practice tests while accessing expert advice and proven test-taking strategies. You can also retake the initial free practice test you completed before studying with these resources to measure your improvement. 

If you lack confidence about taking the MCAT, explore Kaplan Test Prep’s MCAT flashcards for quick information review. Consider supplementing your preparation with MCAT review courses as well. With your combined arsenal of review courses, practice tests, study books, and flashcards, you’ll be exceptionally equipped to achieve upper-range MCAT scores.