Let's face it - preparing for the MCAT is a marathon, not a sprint. And just like any marathon, having the right equipment makes all the difference between crossing that finish line triumphantly or stumbling halfway through. I've seen countless pre-med students waste precious study time (and money) on subpar practice materials, only to be shocked when their actual MCAT score doesn't reflect their practice results.

After helping hundreds of students through WozPrep boost their MCAT scores, I've developed a no-nonsense approach to selecting practice materials that actually work. So let's cut through the marketing fluff and get straight to what you need to succeed.

Start With a Solid Diagnostic

Before diving into full-on MCAT studying, you absolutely need to know where you stand. Take Blueprint's free half-length exam as a diagnostic - this will give you a clear picture of your baseline and highlight which areas need the most attention.

The diagnostic isn't about getting a perfect score; it's about identifying your weaknesses so you can strategically allocate your study time. Once you've pinpointed your problem areas, you can transition to content review (check out our detailed guide for more on this phase).

AAMC Materials: Non-Negotiable Resources

You ABSOLUTELY MUST purchase the AAMC online bundle. These materials are created by the same people who write the actual MCAT, making them the most representative practice you can get.

Yes, the $310 price tag might seem steep, but this is your medical career we're talking about. If you need to pick up extra shifts at work to afford this bundle, do it. Your future self will thank you. For those genuinely unable to afford these materials, AAMC does offer a fee assistance program that provides these resources for free, along with discounted MCAT registration fees. You can learn more about this program here.

Full-Length Practice Tests

The Online-Only MCAT Official Prep Bundle includes these critical full-length practice exams:

MCAT Official Prep Practice Exam 1
MCAT Official Prep Practice Exam 2
MCAT Official Prep Practice Exam 3
MCAT Official Prep Practice Exam 4

Plus these additional resources:

MCAT Official Prep Free Practice Exam (Scored)
MCAT Official Prep Free Sample Test (Unscored)

When to Take AAMC Practice Exams

For most students, I recommend scheduling one full-length exam per week during the six weeks leading up to test day. For example, if your MCAT is scheduled for May 10, you might take practice exams on May 3, April 26, April 19, and so on.

Dedicate an entire day to taking the exam and the following day to reviewing it thoroughly. With your first couple of practice tests, you might need more than one day for review as you identify content gaps and create Anki cards (see our guide on effective Anki use). As you progress through your prep, review time typically decreases as your knowledge base grows and your review process becomes more efficient.

Simulating Test Day Conditions: This Is Non-Negotiable

When taking practice exams, you must simulate actual test day conditions. I cannot stress how important this is! Psychology teaches us about content-dependent effects - your performance is tied to the environment in which you learn and practice.

This means:

Wake up at the same time you will on test day (usually around 6 AM)
Drive to a location that IS NOT YOUR HOME (a local library works perfectly)
Begin your exam promptly at 8 AM
Sit through the entire 7.5-hour experience with only the designated breaks

I learned this the hard way. When I took my first two practice exams starting at noon, and then switched to 8 AM starts, my score dropped by 5 points. I've seen similar patterns with countless WozPrep students. Don't make this mistake!

Other critical test-day simulation tips:

Leave your phone in the car - no distractions
Pack and eat lunch exactly as you plan to on test day
Take breaks that match the actual MCAT timing
Don't skip breakfast - fuel your brain properly

Practice Questions: Quality Over Quantity

For all practice questions, timing is crucial. Always set a timer and hold yourself to the allotted time limits - generally 10 minutes per CARS passage, 8 minutes for other passages, and 4 minutes for discrete questions. For a deeper dive into section timing, check out our article on MCAT timing.

DO NOT IGNORE THIS ADVICE. Working under realistic time constraints is essential for MCAT success.

CARS Practice Materials

The AAMC bundle includes these Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills resources:

MCAT Official Prep CARS Diagnostic Tool
MCAT Official Prep Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Question Pack, Volume 1
MCAT Official Prep Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Question Pack, Volume 2
Online Practice Questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam

You absolutely must complete all of these CARS questions if you want to succeed on this challenging section, especially if you're starting with a low baseline score or if English isn't your first language.

I've seen too many students postpone CARS practice until the last minute, thinking they can cram it in. This is a huge mistake! CARS improvement doesn't come from flashcards or content review - it requires consistent practice over time to develop the necessary critical thinking and analytical reading skills.

Supplemental Practice Materials

UWorld

If you feel the AAMC materials aren't sufficient, you might consider UWorld's question bank (available here). Many consider UWorld to be was the second-best resource after AAMC, particularly for B/B, C/P, and P/S sections.

While their explanations are detailed, the questions often don't mirror the AAMC's style as closely as they claim. I recommend reviewing every problem explanation, regardless of whether you answered correctly. Creating Anki cards for concepts you missed - not just specific questions - can help solidify your understanding.

UWorld is generally more difficult than actual AAMC material, which can be both a benefit and a drawback. Master UWorld, and AAMC questions may seem easier, but don't be discouraged if your UWorld scores aren't where you want them to be.

Blueprint

Blueprint offers one free full-length exam that you should consider taking before starting your six weeks of AAMC practice tests. You can access this free resource here.

They also sell additional practice exams, but many students do not need more than the 6 AAMC exams and 1 free Blueprint exam. If you've exhausted other options and desperately need more practice, you can purchase their exams here, but I'd recommend them as a last resort.

WozPrep: Free, High-Quality Practice That Mirrors the Real MCAT

Unlike the expensive options mentioned above, WozPrep offers an extensive library of FREE practice questions that closely mirror the actual MCAT's style and difficulty. Our CARS practice collection is particularly comprehensive, containing passages that target the exact reasoning skills tested by the AAMC.

What sets WozPrep materials apart is our commitment to teaching the underlying thought process rather than just providing answers. Each question comes with detailed explanations that walk you through the logic needed to arrive at the correct answer - developing the critical thinking skills that commercial prep companies often neglect.

The best part? You don't need to choose between quality and affordability. Access our complete question library and see the difference for yourself.

Making Anki Cards From Practice Questions

Doing practice questions without capturing what you learn is like leaving money on the table. One of the most powerful techniques I've seen boost MCAT scores is turning practice questions into targeted Anki cards.

Here's the truth: simply reviewing questions isn't enough. When you get a question wrong (or right for the wrong reasons), you need a system to ensure you never make that mistake again. This is where creating custom Anki cards becomes your secret weapon.

The real value comes from identifying exactly what concept tripped you up and creating a card that specifically addresses that knowledge gap. Don't just screenshot the question - extract the underlying principle that will help you with similar questions in the future.

I've developed a comprehensive guide on how to transform practice questions into high-yield Anki cards that actually stick. Check out the complete methodology at How to Turn MCAT Practice Questions into Powerful Anki Cards.

Final Thoughts

The quality of your practice materials directly impacts your MCAT performance. AAMC resources are an absolute must for anyone studying for the MCAT, but supplementing with other practice questions, whether from WozPrep, UWorld, or Blueprint, can give you the extra edge you might need on test day.

Remember - timed practice under test-day conditions, along with using Anki so you never make the same mistake twice, is the key to converting your hard work into the score you deserve. Don't just study hard; study smart.

Top MCAT Practice Materials to Ace Your Exam in 2025 | Expert Guide