The 7 Best Free Resources to Help You Study for the MCAT

Effective MCAT preparation does not always require a large financial commitment. A robust ecosystem of high-quality free resources exists for MCAT preparation, and pre-med students who know where to look can combine official practice material, content review, free MCAT practice questions, and active-recall tools into a serious study plan without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a prep course.

That said, availability changes. What is free today from the AAMC, Khan Academy, Jack Westin, Blueprint, Kaplan, Anki, or OpenStax may shift tomorrow. Always confirm current access rules and pricing on each provider's website before building your schedule around a resource. At MedTrack Mentors, we provide physician-led admissions guidance grounded in real experience, and this article reflects that practical approach rather than a sales pitch. Free online resources can be utilized for a comprehensive MCAT study plan when you know how to layer them.

Below, we compare seven of the best free MCAT resources side by side, then walk through how to build a study plan from them.

Quick Comparison of the Best Free MCAT Resources

Use this table to decide which free MCAT study resources to explore first based on your needs and learning style.

Resource	Best for	What is free	Account required?	Main limitation
AAMC Free Planning & Study Resources	Understanding the actual exam format and content	Content outline, sample questions, planning tools, links to Khan Academy	Yes – free AAMC account for some materials; PDFs open to all	Limited free question volume; most full length practice exams are paid
Khan Academy MCAT Collection	Content review across all four sections	~1,100 video lessons and ~3,000 review questions	No – most videos accessible without login	No scored full length practice exam; questions are not official AAMC items
Jack Westin	Free MCAT CARS practice and daily reading	Daily CARS passages with explanations, plus some science passages	Yes – free account	Full courses and video breakdowns are paid; passages are not official AAMC
Blueprint Free MCAT Resources	Diagnostic testing and study planning	14-day trial with diagnostic exam, one full length practice exam, selected modules	Yes – free account	Time-limited trial; most content locked after 14 days
Kaplan Free MCAT Resources	Early practice testing and review sheets	Free MCAT practice test + Prep Starter Pack for ~30 days	Yes – free account	One trial per user; access expires; subject to change
Anki	Spaced repetition and active recall	Desktop app free; community MCAT decks available	No account needed for desktop	Not an official MCAT resource; community decks may contain errors
OpenStax	Deep foundational science review	Full digital textbooks in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology	No – open-access website	Textbooks not designed specifically for MCAT prep

1. AAMC Free MCAT Planning and Study Resources

The AAMC creates the MCAT exam, which makes their official free resources every student's starting point. No third-party material can fully replicate the style, difficulty, or scoring logic of the actual MCAT exam.

The AAMC Free Planning and Study Resources page lists several tools you can access without purchasing anything:

• The "What's on the MCAT Exam?" content outline course and PDF, which maps biological foundations, psychological and sociological foundations, critical analysis and reasoning skills, and chemical and physical concepts tested across the four sections.
• The MCAT Sample Question Guide, offering a small set of example items (three questions per section) to illustrate question types.
• Study tips, a six-step planning guide, and webinars that walk you through building a study schedule.
• Direct links to the Khan Academy MCAT Collection and other vetted open-access materials.

The AAMC also offers free sample questions and practice diagnostics for the MCAT. However, AAMC provides official MCAT practice materials for purchase as well, and most scored full length practice exams remain paid products. The AAMC Fee Assistance Program provides free official AAMC prep materials and fee waivers for eligible applicants, which can dramatically reduce costs for qualifying students. This is not a blanket free prep course, but it is worth investigating if cost is a barrier.

You will need an AAMC account and access to the MCAT Official Prep Hub for some materials, while the general planning pages and PDFs are open to everyone.

2. Khan Academy MCAT Collection

Khan Academy, developed in collaboration with the AAMC, offers free MCAT content review across all four sections. Khan Academy offers free video lectures for all MCAT topics, including biochemistry, biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, and CARS practice. Khan Academy offers free MCAT video lectures and practice questions totaling roughly 1,100 video lessons and 3,000 review items.

Khan Academy provides free practice exams for MCAT preparation in the form of passage-based question sets, though these are not full length scored exams in the AAMC format.

How to use it effectively

• After a diagnostic or practice exam, watch targeted videos for weak topics rather than binge-watching entire playlists passively.
• Pause each video to predict the answer before it is revealed, forcing active recall.
• Use Khan Academy to reinforce high yield MCAT concepts and pair it with OpenStax chapters for deeper textbook-style reading when a topic needs more explanation.

The content is free to access with only a basic account. Questions are helpful for content review but may differ slightly in style and difficulty from actual exam questions.

3. Jack Westin Free MCAT Resources

Jack Westin is widely known for MCAT critical analysis and reasoning skills practice, and the platform maintains a generous free tier alongside its paid courses.

Jack Westin offers free CARS passages for MCAT practice, including daily passages with detailed written explanations that walk through reasoning and wrong-answer traps. Jack Westin is known for its archive of free daily CARS passages and exams, making it one of the strongest sources of free MCAT CARS practice available. Beyond CARS, the site also hosts some science practice passages formatted to mimic the MCAT interface.

To get the most from Jack Westin

• Add CARS passages to your routine several times per week to build reading speed, inference, and argument analysis.
• Review explanations thoroughly and keep an error log noting patterns.
• Combine Jack Westin with AAMC CARS material closer to test day for the most realistic calibration.

Some features, including large question banks, video breakdowns, and tutoring, require payment. Confirm which tools are free on the Jack Westin website before planning around them.

4. Blueprint Free MCAT Resources

Blueprint Prep provides free MCAT practice exams and resources through a meaningful free trial that goes beyond a simple teaser. Many test prep companies offer free full-length diagnostic exams for the MCAT, and Blueprint is one of the more generous.

Blueprint currently offers a 14-day free trial that includes:

• A half length diagnostic MCAT exam to establish a baseline score.
• Blueprint offers a full-length MCAT practice exam for free within this trial window.
• A personalized study plan and calendar.
• Selected content modules and two practice sets via their question bank builder.
• Flashcard decks and performance analytics.

No credit card is required to start. However, the trial is time-limited, and most modules lock after 14 days. Blueprint's score estimates are informational tools, not guarantees of any official MCAT score.

Use Blueprint's free practice account and diagnostic early in your prep to gauge your baseline and identify weak sections. Then shift your main timed testing toward official AAMC full length exams as test day approaches.

5. Kaplan Free MCAT Resources

Kaplan supplements its paid MCAT prep course with a targeted set of free study materials centered around a free practice test trial.

The trial grants access to a free MCAT practice test plus a Prep Starter Pack for approximately 30 consecutive days. One free trial is allowed per user, and Kaplan reserves the right to discontinue it at any time. Students must register for a free practice account to receive access.

Beyond the practice test, Kaplan often promotes:

• Short strategy sessions and webinars.
• Kaplan's MCAT Quicksheets, which are free PDF note sheets for review. Kaplan MCAT Quicksheets summarize key concepts for quick review across all tested subjects.
• Email-based study tips when you sign up.

High-yield PDF notes are widely available online for quick referencing, and the Quicksheets are a strong example. Use the free practice test as an early or mid-course checkpoint, review explanations for every missed item, and compare your timing and fatigue patterns with AAMC practice later on. Do not rely solely on one Kaplan practice test as your only preparation.

6. Anki for MCAT Active Recall

Anki is a popular flashcard app for MCAT preparation. It uses spaced repetition for effective memorization, scheduling cards at increasing intervals so you review material right before you would otherwise forget it. Anki is widely used by students preparing for the MCAT, and the desktop version is available for free from Anki's official site.

Anki is a study tool, not an official MCAT resource or question bank. It does not come with official AAMC content. Flashcards can provide quick, high-yield MCAT content review, and Anki provides free flashcard decks for MCAT preparation through its community sharing system.

How MCAT students typically use Anki

• Creating their own cards from content review sessions, practice questions, and full length practice exam mistakes.
• Importing popular community decks. Free Anki decks like MilesDown are available for MCAT study and cover a wide range of tested topics.
• The MCAT Flashcards Video Series offers concise term explanations that can supplement card-based review.

Explicit cautions

• Community decks can contain errors, outdated content, or topics misaligned with the current MCAT exam. Verify information against the AAMC content outline, Khan Academy, or reputable textbooks before trusting any card.
• Keep cards focused on one concept each to avoid cognitive overload.
• Review daily and do not let your review queue build up.

Platform availability: the desktop app is free, the iOS app (AnkiMobile) is paid and supports development, and Android users can download AnkiDroid for free.

7. OpenStax for Foundational Science Review

OpenStax is a nonprofit initiative from Rice University that provides free, peer-reviewed digital textbooks in subjects directly relevant to the MCAT exam. Open-access materials such as textbooks and video lectures are useful for MCAT review, and OpenStax is one of the strongest examples.

Subjects most useful for MCAT study

• Biology and biochemistry fundamentals
• General chemistry and organic chemistry concepts
• Physics with algebra-based coverage of mechanics, fluids, electricity, and magnetism
• Psychology and sociology basics aligned with behavioral sciences

OpenStax textbooks were written for college courses, not specifically as MCAT prep books. They provide depth and explanation but do not include MCAT-style passages or timing practice.

To use OpenStax effectively, cross-reference chapters against the AAMC content outline to focus only on tested material. Pair chapters with Khan Academy videos to see the same concept in two formats, and create Anki cards from key diagrams and example problems. The textbooks are thorough, free, and accessible online or as free PDF downloads, but they may cover material deeper or in a different order than the MCAT requires, so be selective.

How to Combine These Free MCAT Resources into a Study Plan

Free MCAT study materials work best in a structured plan that moves from diagnosis through targeted content review, practice, and refinement.

Phase 1 – Diagnostic and Planning. Use a free half length diagnostic MCAT from Blueprint or a free practice test from Kaplan to determine your baseline. Review the AAMC "What's on the MCAT Exam?" outline and use the AAMC six-step planning guide to map out your study weeks.

Phase 2 – Content Review. Use Khan Academy video lessons and OpenStax chapters for core biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology. Build or edit Anki decks while reviewing to encode high yield MCAT concepts. Balance content review with at least some practice questions each week. Supplementary resources like MedSchoolCoach's MCAT Basics podcast are also free and useful for on-the-go review. MedSchoolCoach provides a free MCAT guidebook with 100 tips, and MedSchoolCoach offers hundreds of unique MCAT practice questions as well, though some of their services are paid. MedSchoolCoach students improve scores by an average of 12 points according to their published data.

Phase 3 – Regular Practice. Incorporate Jack Westin free CARS passages several times per week and any free MCAT practice questions from Blueprint or Kaplan. Use AAMC free sample questions to calibrate to official style. Maintain an error log and revisit weak areas with Khan Academy or OpenStax.

Phase 4 – Spaced Repetition. Use Anki daily to keep previously learned material fresh. Anki uses spaced repetition for efficient memorization across all subjects, mimicking the way you will need to switch between disciplines on the real exam. Podcasts and review sheets can supplement your card reviews during downtime.

Phase 5 – Timed Practice and Review. In the last six to eight weeks, shift toward timed sections and official AAMC full length exams (purchased if needed). For every test, analyze timing, question types missed, and reasoning errors.

Phase 6 – Final Polishing. Prioritize AAMC official materials, your personal Anki deck, and summary review sheets. Use Khan Academy or OpenStax only to patch remaining weak spots rather than starting new topics.

If you want personalized help tailoring this plan to your background and timeline, MedTrack Mentors offers free 20-minute application audits with physician advisors who can integrate MCAT prep into your broader medical school admissions strategy.

Are Free MCAT Resources Enough?

For disciplined, independent learners who can design a schedule, self-motivate, and evaluate their own performance, a mix of AAMC free tools, Khan Academy, Jack Westin, OpenStax, Anki, and limited third-party free practice can be sufficient to prepare for a competitive score.

However, some students benefit from additional support. If you feel overwhelmed and do not know how to start, repeatedly plateau on practice scores, or need external accountability, a structured MCAT prep course or personalized tutoring may be worth the investment. No resource, free or paid, can guarantee a specific MCAT score or medical school admission. Outcomes depend on your starting point, time invested, and study quality.

Physician-led advising from MedTrack Mentors can help you integrate MCAT preparation into the broader admissions picture, including coursework, activities, and timelines. Explore our medical school admissions resources or book a free 20-minute application audit for individualized support.

Common Mistakes When Using Free MCAT Resources

Free resources are powerful, but easy to misuse. Here are the most common pitfalls:

• Collecting too many resources. Downloading every free PDF, course, and deck without a plan leads to overwhelm. Limit your primary tools and stick to a consistent routine.
• Studying passively. Watching lectures or reading notes without answering questions leads to shallow knowledge. Pause Khan Academy videos to predict answers, use Anki, and teach concepts aloud.
• Avoiding timed practice. MCAT performance depends on timing and stamina. Schedule regular timed sections and full length practice exam sessions with realistic breaks.
• Failing to review incorrect answers. Growth happens in the post-test review. Classify each error as a content gap, misread, or reasoning flaw and create follow-up tasks.
• Relying only on third-party questions. Unofficial questions help early on but may not match AAMC style. Transition toward AAMC materials as the exam nears, even if that means purchasing official products.
• Using outdated community decks. Older Anki decks or PDF notes may not reflect the latest MCAT content outline. Cross-check cards against the current AAMC outline and trusted references.
• Waiting too long to take full length exams. Students often delay full length tests out of fear, but these are essential for identifying real weaknesses. Integrate them several weeks before test day, not just in the final few days.

Take Your Free Medical School Readiness Assessment

Knowing which MCAT resources to use is one piece of the puzzle. Understanding where you stand in the full admissions picture is another. Take the free Medical School Readiness Assessment to get a personalized snapshot of your application strength across academics, clinical experience, research, and more — in under five minutes.

Ready for Personalized MCAT and Admissions Guidance?

If you are looking for personalized guidance on MCAT preparation, medical school admissions, or any pre-health pathway, MedTrack Mentors offers physician-led advising for students applying to medical, PA, dental, and allied-health programs. Schedule a free 20-minute application audit to build a strategy tailored to your goals.

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Last medically and editorially reviewed: September 7, 2026. This article is written under the byline of Dr. Mario Tomei, MD, MBA, MHA, CHSE, using his existing credentials and biography as displayed on the MedTrack Mentors website. The information provided is educational. MCAT policies, free-access offers, and resource availability can change at any time. Always confirm details on official provider sites and with the AAMC before making decisions about your study plan.

Reviewed by Dr. Mario Tomei, MD, MBA, MHA, CHSE.