You might have heard that the cost of applying to medical school, especially taking the MCAT, can put a dent in your bank account, and that’s not an exaggeration. From registration fees to all the study materials, taking the MCAT can add up to an estimated $1,283 or more. True, that’s a hefty sum, but remember, every penny spent on your MCAT prep is totally worth it in the long run.
I scored a 516 on my MCAT, and I love sharing with you what helped me on my MCAT journey, including the study materials I found were worth the time and the money. Plus, anything you don’t actually need! So, in this post, I’ll unpack the nitty-gritty details of how much it really costs to take the MCAT.
Plus, I’ll show you how you can easily make a money plan to pay for it all!
This post is all about answering how much does it cost to take the MCAT.
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.
How Much Does It Cost to Take the MCAT – Find Out Below
Breaking It All Down: How Much Does It Cost to Take the MCAT?
As we add up the costs of taking the MCAT, we’ll consider expenses like study materials, registration fees, and any other relevant costs to figure out how much to budget for.
Remember, my calculations are based on the study materials I personally suggest using, so your total might vary depending on whether you opt for more affordable or pricier options.
Registration Costs for the MCAT and the Fee Assistance Program
As of 2024, the standard registration fee for the MCAT stands at $335. However, if you’re feeling the financial strain, you may be able to catch a break on this hefty price tag if you qualify for the Fee Assistance Program. If you meet certain criteria, you can snag a reduced fee of $140 under this program.
Now, you might be wondering, do I qualify for this assistance?
To determine whether you meet the requirements, visit the AAMC website section featuring the Fee Assistance Program. There, you can find details on who qualifies based on income levels. You could be eligible for the program if your income or your family’s income falls below a certain threshold.
Also, the eligibility criteria for the Fee Assistance Program have become a bit more flexible recently. You no longer have to disclose your parents’ income. Instead, it’s more focused on your or your family’s current financial situation.
If you qualify for the Fee Assistance Program, you stand to gain a free AAMC bundle and a significant reduction in the registration fee, dropping it to just $140. So, if you can take advantage of this program, your total cost for the MCAT comes to $794. Compare that to the estimated standard cost of $1283, and you’re looking at some substantial savings.
MCAT Reschedule Fee
First things first, it’s always best to schedule your MCAT well in advance to avoid late registration fees. Also, to keep costs down, find a testing location near you. If you need to travel to a testing center, remember to budget for expenses like flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and meals, which can add over a thousand dollars to your overall MCAT costs.
However, if life throws you a curveball and you need to change your test date, be aware of the fees involved in rescheduling your MCAT. You can reschedule your exam up to ten days before the test, but the amount you’ll have to pay depends on how many days you reschedule before the exam date.
Here’s a breakdown for you:
| Deadlines | Regular Reschedule Fee | Cancellation Refund |
| 60 or more days before the exam | $50 | $165 |
| 30-59 days before the exam | $100 | $165 |
| 10-29 days before the exam | $200 | 0 |
If you are eligible for the Fee Assistance Program, the MCAT reschedule fee is a bit lower though:
| Deadlines | Reschedule Fee with FAP | Cancellation Refund |
| 60 or more days before the exam | $20 | $70 |
| 30-59 days before the exam | $40 | $70 |
| 10-29 days before the exam | $80 | 0 |
Total Cost for Materials: My Top 4 Recommendations
You’ll need to invest in a few materials to prepare to do your best on the MCAT. Here are my recommendations for getting the best test prep materials for your money.
- The MCAT Official Prep Complete Bundle from AAMC is definitely a must-have, as the AAMC is the organization behind the MCAT. It’s priced at $294 and gives you access to many official study materials.
- Apart from the bundle, I also recommend taking MCAT practice tests offered by AAMC. Some of these practice tests are free, but if you want to access more, you’ll need to pay extra for each test. So, it’s worth budgeting a bit extra for these practice materials to ensure you’re fully prepared come exam day.
- The Kaplan content review books, priced at $150, also provide a solid foundation for your studies. Pair them with the four Blueprint exams you can opt for, costing an additional $135. While the Kaplan books come with three Blueprint exams, I suggest grabbing the extra four for improved practice sessions during your second study phase.
- While Kaplan’s question bank is included in its package, I highly recommend investing in UWorld’s. It may seem a bit pricey at $369 for six months compared to Kaplan’s offering. However, the UWorld Qbank is considered among the best for MCAT prep, so the investment is worth it for the quality of practice questions you’ll get.
It may seem like a considerable investment, but remember, each resource will help you prepare thoroughly and confidently for the exam. The right preparation now can make all the difference in your future success in performing well on the MCAT.
If you want to stick to the basics when it comes to your MCAT expenses, here are my favorite FREE MCAT resources that can be a great addition, without extra costs:
Optional Costs for Prep Courses or Tutoring
Additional help for the MCAT can vary in cost. As you weigh your options, consider what kind of support you need, how you learn best, and how much you’re willing to invest in your MCAT prep.
MCAT prep courses can range from $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the format and duration you choose. These courses offer different styles, such as self-paced, live online, or in-person classroom instruction, each with its own pricing structure.
If you choose to invest in that extra support, Kaplan is among the best MCAT prep courses on the market. They have different options from on-demand to live courses based on your personal needs.
To get a discount for Kaplan, you can use code “SAVE10MCAT” for 10% off.
For a smaller budget, Examkrackers recently launched a new MCAT prep program for which you can get a monthly membership for a much lower price tag. I used their books for content review back when I was studying for the MCAT and loved them! Although I haven’t taken a look into the course myself yet, they have a free trial so you can get a peek into their program before committing to a full month.
You can also get an extra 5% off for Examkrackers with the code “maggie5”.
Apart from that, you can also opt for MCAT 1:1 tutoring. However, be prepared to pay between $50 and $150 per hour, with the total cost varying based on how many hours you spend with the tutor.
Bonus: My Favorite Resource for Creating Your Own MCAT Study Plan!
I personally used the DIY route and didn’t invest in a prep course or tutoring, which turned out super well for me! One thing I would have loved to have some extra help with though is creating my own personal study plan.
When should I schedule my test date?
How much should I study each day?
How many practice exams?
And how to best review and learn from them?
What are the 3 study phases and how can I best use them?
In my budget-friendly course MCAT Roadmap, I created step-by-step video lessons to guide you through all these burning questions. The best part? This course includes an epic Study Schedule Tool to help you build a study schedule that’s actually realistic for your personal timeline and any other responsibilities you juggle next to the MCAT. Let it be family to-dos, part or full-time work or attending classes while preparing for your MCAT test. This tool helps you to make it work!
I had to figure out all the nitty gritty details by myself. It was A LOT to research and put together before I was able to even get started with my studying. Why not just dive in head first and worry about the details later? Trust me, the MCAT is a beast. You want a clear strategy to avoid wasting your time, to *actually* see continuous progress and end up nailing your target score.
And generic schedules often just don’t cut it. I’ve heard from several MCAT Roadmap students who said that previous schedules were just too stressful for their schedule and ended up burning them out. Not recommended.
Instead, I highly recommend taking full control of your personal study plan, so that you wake up in the morning knowing exactly where you stand and what you need to tackle that day.
Oh, and did I mention it’s super affordable? You’ll love this!
Totaling Up the Cost of Taking the MCAT
When you consider all the costs associated with taking the MCAT, you can see that they can add up pretty quickly. From registration fees to study materials and resources, the total cost can easily reach over a thousand dollars.
MCAT Preparation and Fees (2024 Pricing)
- Registration Fee: $335
- Official Prep Bundle: $294
- Kaplan content review books: $150
- 4 Blueprint exams: $135
- Uworld Qbank: $369 for six months
- (without MCAT prep course, tutoring or MCAT Roadmap)
- Total MCAT Costs: $1,283
How to Make a Money Plan to Cover the Costs of Taking the MCAT
Taking the MCAT is a major step in your journey to medical school, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. With careful planning and smart budgeting, you can navigate the costs associated with the exam and focus on achieving your best possible score.
Start with Saving Money
Make it easier on your wallet by looking for ways to spend less. Follow these five quick and simple steps to find savings.
- See if you qualify for the Fee Assistance Program.
- Check into free MCAT practice tests or low-cost online study resources.
- Consider self-study or group study instead of expensive prep courses or tutoring.
- Plan ahead to avoid those pesky rescheduling fees or losing money due to canceling your exam date.
- Find the closest exam location to cut down on travel expenses as much as possible.
Look for a Side Hustle – 3 Clever Options
If you need to start buying your MCAT study materials ASAP, in the next month or two, you need to make this money fast.
Luckily, I personally consider myself the side hustle queen. I’ll break down for you how to create and save a quick 1,500 bucks—because, honestly, as a premed student, it’s soooo easy to make a little side hustle income.
Consider one of these three nifty side hustles to earn extra cash to cover those MCAT expenses:
- Tutoring—If you aced those science classes and have a knack for teaching, you could easily earn $50 an hour tutoring other students, which will add up fast.
- Babysitting – If playing with kids is more your thing, babysitting could be a great fit. Keeping little humans entertained can be both a fun and profitable side gig.
- Dogsitting — I remember during my grad school days, I used to do a lot of dog sitting. The best part? I got paid to hang out with adorable dogs in some really nice houses – talk about a win-win situation!
So, take a moment to consider what option suits you best. Whether it’s tutoring, babysitting, or dog sitting, pick the one that aligns with your interests and strengths. Earning extra cash will feel like a breeze once you find the right side hustle.
Work Out the Details of Your Money Plan
Once you’ve decided on a side hustle, make a money plan that calculates how much you’ll need to work to cover the costs of taking the MCAT. Here’s my take on how you can make that happen.
- Offer 30 hours of tutoring at $50 per hour. Teaching subjects like physics, chemistry, or pre-algebra to high school students can bring in some good cash. I personally tutored a high school student for $50 an hour in algebra, and it was a breeze.
- Offer your babysitting services for 60 hours at $25 per hour. It’s a practical way to earn some extra cash.
- Charge $50 per night for 30 nights of dog sitting. It’s a standard rate, and if you’re house-sitting for someone out of town for a week, that’s around 3-4 nights each time. Easy peasy.
- Earn around $25 per dog-walking gig ten times a week for six weeks. That’s $1,500 right there. It’s not time-consuming; find some pups near you, take them for a stroll, and you’re done.
All these ideas are super doable. And then, after you save $1,500, you could probably keep going because it fits into your schedule so well. Plus, after you reach your goal for the MCAT expenses, you can start saving for your medical school applications.
Land a Job – 3 Sites to Help You Get Hired
When we’re talking about landing those gigs, where do you even start? I mean, there are tons of options out there. To narrow it down, start with these three sites that pretty much will have you covered.
- Care.com – While you’ll need to pay for a background check, this site has it all, whether you’re into dog sitting, babysitting, tutoring, senior care, or housekeeping. For example, I recently stumbled upon a job posting where someone was willing to pay $25 to $30 an hour to have their meals prepped, cooked, and cleaned up afterward – how cool is that?
- Rover.com – Now, if you’re more of a dog person, then Rover is your go-to. I can vouch for this one because I’ve scored gigs through it, too.
- Tutors.com – I personally landed a tutoring job for a high school algebra class through this site. Once your profile is up and running, you’ll be flooded with requests in no time.
Final Thoughts on Navigating the Costs of Taking the MCAT
We’ve covered all the nitty-gritty details of how much it costs to take the MCAT and some strategies for making a money plan to pay for it all.
While the total cost of the MCAT may seem overwhelming, there are ways to budget and save for it by setting a realistic timeline, researching financial aid options, and exploring free or low-cost prep resources. Then, with careful planning and a bit of resourcefulness, you can successfully snag a side hustle, kick your money-saving plan into gear, and maybe pull in enough cash to cover the MCAT and then some!
