With one quick Google search, you can easily find a ton of seemingly amazing free MCAT resources just waiting for you to click on them. Even though you may feel like you should use all of them to make extra sure you ace the exam, if you’re not careful, you could actually derail your MCAT studying. In no time, you’ll quickly become super overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there.
So, instead, I’m going to simplify things and share the exact five categories of free supplemental MCAT resources I’d use if I were studying for the MCAT right now. I’ll show you where to find them and how to use them effectively to maximize your MCAT studying. So, get ready to leave resource overwhelm behind and make the most of only the best free MCAT resources!
This post is all about best free MCAT resources.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
List of Best Free MCAT Resources
MCAT Podcasts (to Maximize Your Studying)
If you want to squeeze in more study time for the MCAT and like to absorb information through audio, podcasts can be a helpful resource! Especially if you have a long commute or enjoy listening while you’re out for a run, using that time to listen to educational podcasts can be a great way to boost your studying. Even an hour a day of listening can add up over time and help you maximize your study efforts.
Instead of overwhelming yourself with a ton of different podcasts, I recommend focusing on the following two specific categories depending on where you’re at in your study journey in your MCAT prep.
MCAT Mastery
If you’re still in the early stages of researching and gathering resources, check out MCAT Mastery to get ideas on how others have tackled the exam. It’s all about soaking in different study tips and strategies to help you craft your own personalized game plan.
Content Review Podcasts
Once you’re knee-deep in your study schedule, listen to podcasts that are more focused on content review (like GroSeries) with some bonus strategy tips thrown in. Perfect for those daily commutes when you want to sneak in a bit of studying here and there.
Tips for Choosing the Right MCAT Podcasts for You
By taking the time to plan ahead and find the right podcast for you, you can make your MCAT study routine more enjoyable and effective. Here are two simple ways to choose the best MCAT podcasts for you.
Align Your Episodes with Your Studies
Plan ahead and pick podcast episodes based on what you’re studying. For example, if you’re studying gluconeogenesis on Tuesday, find a podcast episode on that topic (e.g. from the MedSchoolCoach Podcast) to listen to the night before to reinforce your learning, or to give you a first pass at the material before you dive into your study session. Or if you are struggling with CARS, make it a habit to listen to episodes from The MCAT CARS Podcast to expose yourself to the best tips to tackle it with confidence.
Choose a Podcast that Engages
Do a podcast trial run before you commit. Listen to a few episodes from different podcasts and see which host you connect with the most or find the most enjoyable. Choose a podcast that you vibe with the most and keeps you engaged during your commute or study breaks. After all, you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your listening experience.
Free MCAT Practice Questions (to Double Down on Your Weaknesses)
You likely already have UWorld or your AAMC bundle as paid options and are doing passage-based practice questions from those resources. So, here are three examples of how to make the most of these free-practice questions.
For Content Review: Need Help Getting Concepts to Click?
You know that feeling when you’re diligently going through your content review, answering the questions at the end of each chapter, but things just aren’t quite sticking? You just feel like “I’m not quite getting it”, so maybe you watch a video on that specific topic and then you try more practice questions.
Bam! Hop over to resources like Khan Academy or Jack Westin and dive into some additional free practice questions focused specifically on that tricky topic. Spend some time with those questions until you start feeling like the lightbulb in your brain flickers on, and you go “Aha! I get it now!”
Remember, your content review phase is like your first pass, so you don’t have to master it. However, if you want that extra boost and confidence, these additional practice questions can be your secret weapon.
Wanting Clarity for Passage-based Practice
You keep running into this one topic that just trips you up every time – like physics equations involving mirrors and images. You’ve read the answer explanations over and over, but it’s just not clicking. Here’s what to do.
Again, head over to resources like Khan Academy or Jack Westin and tackle 10 to 20 questions specifically on mirrors and images. Focus on truly understanding the concepts, the equations, and the methods. Once you start to pick up on the patterns and themes, you’ll feel more confident tackling similar questions in the future.
Looking to Improve with CARS Practice
CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) was a big weakness for me. I knew I had to put in the time to turn it into a strength. So, if you’re in the same boat—maybe you’re great at Physics or Organic Chemistry but struggle with CARS—make those free practice questions really come in handy with this strategy.
Set aside some time each day to hit your weak spots head-on. Grab a set of 10 free practice questions and tackle them at the beginning or end of your study session. It’s all about setting a daily routine to chip away at those weaknesses strategically, without feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of practice questions available.
The AAMC MCAT Essentials Book (to Know All the Test Day Details)
One resource that often gets overlooked but is super critical is the AAMC MCAT Essentials Book. It’s like your backstage pass to knowing all the nitty-gritty details for test day. I know it might sound a bit boring, but it’ll save you from any last-minute panic attacks about test day logistics.
So, whether you just registered for the MCAT or already know your MCAT test date, please, please, please read the AAMC MCAT Essentials. They update this guidebook every year. You will learn important information, such as, what you can bring on test day and logistical information you need to know.
It’s so much better to know sooner rather than later. You don’t want to be that person who realizes the day before the test that holy moly they can’t bring a calculator. Imagine studying for months with one, and then bam, no calculator allowed. Your world would feel like it’s just crashing down around you.
YouTube Videos (to Give you Help on a Specific Topic)
Sometimes, you hit a bump in the road while studying for the MCAT and find yourself stuck or frustrated about a particular topic. Or, after reading an answer explanation or a textbook chapter, you just need some extra help. Then, take the next step, go to YouTube, and search for that specific topic.
Here are a few go-to sources for when you need support with a specific topic.
Armando Hasudungan
I love the way Armando breaks down complex topics visually. If you’re a visual learner like me, it’s absolutely fantastic how he draws out a concept. Say you’re struggling with a biochem concept, check out his videos for a clear explanation that will make things click.
MCAT Mnemonic Monday
Need help keeping those tricky concepts straight in your head? For example, after reading a biochemistry chapter, you’re thinking, “I need a way to make this stick. Even though I understand it, I’m not going to remember it.” Then, head to the MCAT Mnemonic Monday videos by Med School Coach. They’ve got a whole series dedicated to helping you remember those pesky details from your study sessions.
Jack Weston CARS Strategy Video
Unless you’re a rockstar with the CARS section, Jack Weston’s top six CARS strategy video might just be your saving grace. Give it a watch and see if his tips can level up your CARS game.
Khan Academy
For comprehensive content review and practice questions, you can always go to the Khan Academy for free videos. Plus, they’re affiliated with the AAMC, so they’ll have videos on any topic that you’re reading in content review or doing practice questions on.
Especially if you find that videos help you study more effectively, consider this strategy: use your content review books to map out which chapters you’ll tackle each day. You can skim through them briefly, but then hop on over to Khan Academy to watch the videos.
Free Review Sheets (to Help Organize Information)
If you’re anything like me and you love having a quick overview or making those handy one-page cheat sheets packed with all the key info, then this category of free resources is perfect for you. These resources will help you create comprehensive review sheets with all the important information nicely chunked together.
MCATBros Psychology & Sociology Content Review Document
One must-have tool that many successful students swear by is the MCATBros Psychology & Sociology Content Review Document. It’s basically a condensed version of the textbook, specifically focusing on psychology and sociology terms.
This review sheet is a game-changer for those who prefer studying a list of vocabulary words to memorize rather than going through a whole textbook. I personally didn’t use it, but I’ve heard so many success stories from students who solely relied on this review sheet for their MCAT prep.
Kaplan MCAT Quicksheets
When I was studying for the MCAT, I found the Kaplan MCAT Quicksheets super helpful because they give you a high-level overview of everything you need to know. Plus, they’re perfect for creating your own equation sheet for test day.
I’d suggest taking a look at these Quick Sheets early on in your study plan. They’re perfect for creating your own equation sheet to bring with you on test day. You can plan out exactly what you want to include on your sheet and have it all organized and ready to go.
MileDown MCAT Review Sheets
These MCAT review sheets are super helpful when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the vast amount of information you need to absorb for the MCAT. It’s a PDF document with around 90 pages packed with terms and visuals from all sections of the MCAT.
Imagine you’ve just finished reading a few chapters on biochemistry and your head is spinning with all the information. Instead of spending hours flipping through your notes trying to organize them, you can turn to the MileDown review sheet. It gives you a high-level overview of the key points, making it super easy to create your own condensed study guide.
Struggling to get started?
With so many topics to study, generic study plans out there that leave you even more stressed out and a small budget that just doesn’t allow for a $5,000 prep course – I have an alternative for you.
My online course MCAT Roadmap gives you step-by-step instructions and an epic Study Schedule Tool so you can create the study plan that is perfect for you! No more guessing games and procrastination fights. Instead, wake up in the morning knowing exactly what to study each day.
This course also includes tips and strategies to choose your ideal test date, everything you need to know about how to best use the 3-phase study module, ready-made templates for the review of your FL practice exam, and much more.
The best part? It’s super affordable, since I know what it’s like to be a premed on a tight budget and want you to crush your MCAT right from the start!
Defeating Resource Overwhelm with The Best Free MCAT Resources
Tackling the MCAT can be super overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to sift through all the resources out there. Hopefully, now you have a clear idea of which free resources are worth your time and how to use them effectively throughout your MCAT study journey. Happy studying, and best of luck on your MCAT journey!
Links to Free MCAT Resources Mentioned Above
- MCAT Mastery Podcast
- UWorld MCAT Test Prep and Practice Questions
- AAMC MCAT Official Prep Complete Bundle
- AAMC MCAT Essentials Book
- Armando Hasudungan – YouTube
- MCAT Mnemonic Monday videos by Med School Coach
- The Keys to CARS Success – My Top MCAT CARS Tips – Jack Weston
- Khan Academy videos on YouTube
- MCATBros Psychology & Sociology Content Review Document
- Kaplan MCAT Quicksheets
- MileDown MCAT Review Sheets
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