MCAT Study Planner

Best Free MCAT Resources: Ultimate Compilation

MCAT Planning

By Dr. Sarah Johnson • Updated 11/2/2025

We’ve scoured the internet to bring you the ultimate list of free MCAT prep resources, covering everything from official practice tests and question banks to content review, study tools, podcasts, and more.

I think we found all the free resources out there.

You’re welcome.

Let’s dive in!

1. Official AAMC Free Resources

Your first stop should be the official AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) freebies. These are provided by the test-makers themselves, so you know they’re high yield.

Here are the key official AAMC MCAT resources you can access for free via the AAMC Prep Hub:

Includes a PDF content outline, plus links to open-access textbooks and Khan Academy lessons covering the same content. Also provides 120 free practice questions from the retired Official Guide to the MCAT Exam.

AAMC MCAT Prep Guidance

The Fee Assistance Program is not a study resource per se, but it can grant you free prep materials that normally cost money, which is a big help.

2. Free Full-Length Practice Tests

Doing full-length practice exams under realistic conditions is one of the best ways to prepare for the MCAT. Luckily, many test prep companies offer a free full-length MCAT (or at least part of one).

Here are the free MCAT practice tests you should snag:

Just as well, the platform also offers a half-length diagnostic exam which you can use to establish your performance baseline.

The platform additionally offers 8 CARS-only full-length section tests for extra Critical Analysis and Reasoning practice.

Study Tip: Treat these free exams like real tests - use proper timing, no interruptions, and review your answers afterward. The more you simulate test day, the more comfortable you’ll be when the real MCAT comes around.

3. Free Practice Question Banks & Daily Practice

Beyond full-length exams, you’ll want a steady diet of practice questions to master MCAT material.

Here are some great sources of free practice questions, question banks, and “question of the day” resources:

These questions were developed with the AAMC’s input, so they’re high-quality. They’re organized by section (Chem/Phys, CARS, Bio/Biochem, Psych/Soc).

Khan Academy is 100% free - a lifesaver for content and practice.

Varsity Tutors Free MCAT Practice Questions

You can also access additional free sample questions within the practice test section.

Each sample question comes with a fairly detailed answer explanation.

It’s not a full Qbank (the bulk of AAMC Qbanks are paid), but there are some freebies on their “Free Planning and Study Resources” page that give you extra official practice.

It’s basically a huge repository of practice MCQs gathered from various sources, and a great resource if you’re burning through questions rapidly.

These question-of-the-day practice problems can be a nice low-effort way to keep the MCAT on your mind each day. Try answering several over breakfast!

4. Free Content Review Materials

The MCAT covers a lot of content. Fortunately, there are ample free MCTA study resources that you can use to learn and review all the science material (and psychology, sociology, and CARS skills) tested on the exam.

We’ll break down free content review by format: visual resources and reading material.

4.1 Video Lessons & YouTube Channels

Some people learn best by watching and listening. If that’s you, you’re in luck - there are hundreds of free MCAT video lessons online.

Here are some top-notch ones:

These videos were created in partnership with the AAMC, so they hit all the high-yield points. If you need a concept explained from scratch, Khan Academy is a go-to.

Science Simplified MCAT Lesson

Consistently updated, the channel also provides study schedules, downloadable materials, and community engagement through email lists and WhatsApp groups.

She teaches tricks for handling logarithms, scientific notation, and mental math, which are useful since the MCAT doesn’t allow calculators.

And of course, there are many random one-off videos for specific tricky concepts.

The Reddit community often shares links to such gems. When you hit a wall on a topic, chances are someone has made a free video to help.

4.2 Free Books, Study Notes, Guides, & Cheat Sheets

If you prefer reading or need a concise summary, the MCAT community has produced amazing free study guides and cheat sheets over the years.

Here are some must-haves:

These are completely free to download as PDFs. They’re written at an undergraduate level, which is great for MCAT content review. For example, OpenStax Biology or Psychology can serve as content references if you need to read up on a topic in depth.

These sheets are gold - they include diagrams, formulas, and summaries of each topic. Many students praise MileDown’s guide for being the perfect balance of breadth and depth.

There’s also a condensed 86-page version of the same, for quicker review. Many students use one of these for Psych/Soc prep, especially because Khan Academy psych/soc videos cover the MCAT content list really well.

Physics Formulas Master Equation Sheet

Having a formula cheat sheet is great for quick reference (and to ensure you’ve memorized all constants and formulas by test day). There is even a 2-page Physics Equations and Units Quiz Sheet that’s really handy for testing your recall. For a complete guide to mastering MCAT physics concepts and strategies, see our article on the best way to study for MCAT physics.

The guide consolidates proven tactics, dispels ineffective strategies, and presents a step-by-step framework focused on deliberate practice, error analysis, and exam-specific reading skills.​

5. Study Schedules & Strategy Guides

Free MCAT study resources aren’t just for content - you can also find help to plan your study schedule and learn MCAT strategies for success.

Beyond content, you should also practice strategies for passages and questions.

These can give you a day-by-day plan of what to study, when to take practice tests, etc. - all without a counselor or paid tutor. For detailed, ready-to-use study plan templates and schedules, see our guide to the best MCAT study plan templates or our detailed 1-month MCAT study schedule.

This guide is essentially a free blueprint for MCAT prep from start to finish.

Some highly-rated examples include:

These informative Reddit posts (which you can find on r/Mcat or r/MCAT2) are free to read and contain personal strategies, section-specific tips, and even encouragement to get your mindset right.

Sometimes a fellow student’s perspective is exactly what you need!

Their focus tends to be on study hacks and test-taking strategies from top scorers.

Examkrackers’ Free MCAT Strategy Book

Examples include:

The free Jack Westin CARS resources at your disposal include:

6. Flashcards & Anki Decks

Flashcards are a proven method for memorizing the vast amount of information for the MCAT, and the king of flashcard apps is Anki.

Anki is a free flashcard program that uses spaced repetition to maximize retention. You can download it for free on your computer or phone. Anki might have a bit of a learning curve, but it’s absolutely worth it, not just for MCAT, but it’ll help in med school too.

There are great free tutorials on YouTube to get you started with Anki, showing you how to make cards, use image occlusion, etc.

Premade MCAT Anki decks are pre-built collections of flashcards designed specifically for MCAT preparation, created and shared freely by high-scoring students or content experts.

These decks save time as they provide extensive, organized coverage of MCAT topics such as biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology, with well-structured questions, detailed explanations, images, and mnemonic aids.

For a comprehensive review comparing the top Anki decks, see our guide to the best Anki decks for MCAT.

Some popular MCAT Anki decks include:

Honestly, there are dozens of free-to-download MCAT Anki decks out there (the Anki community is prolific!). Don’t get overwhelmed; pick one deck that suits your style and stick with it.

If Anki isn’t your thing, there are other flashcard resources:

Quizlet MCAT Flashcards

However you do flashcards, remember to practice active recall. Don’t just read the backs of cards; try to recite or write out answers before flipping.

Anki’s spaced repetition will handle scheduling reviews for you, which is a huge plus for long-term retention.

7. Free Courses, Classes, & Tutoring Opportunities

Believe it or not, you can even get course-like structured prep and tutoring for free if you know where to look.

Here are some opportunities:

7.1 Free MCAT Courses

This free MCAT course includes:

Many students use MCAT Self Prep’s free course as a structured roadmap for self-study.

Its curriculum is built as a 12-module program, each module representing about 1 to 2 weeks of study, and intended to be completed over 3 to 6 months, depending on your background and pace.

This free MCAT course includes:

The free MCAT course includes:

High Yield MCAT Prep Free Course Modules

7.2 Free MCAT Classes & Webinars

These live and online webinars led by expert instructors cover key MCAT topics, study techniques, admissions advice, and subject-specific review sessions. They are regularly scheduled throughout the year and accessible with free registration.

Sometimes they also have trial bootcamps, trial classes giving you a preview of their course, personal statement writing workshops, and admissions strategy events.

These live or recorded offerings allow students to sample Blueprint’s dual-instructor live teaching style, obtain actionable prep advice, and experience how top scorers approach the exam.

These sessions are accessible online and serve both as open workshops for MCAT strategy and as demonstrations of the Jack Westin teaching approach.

7.3 Free MCAT Tutoring / Mentorship Opportunities

Amazingly, there are organizations that provide free one-on-one tutoring for MCAT, especially aimed at helping those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds.

You get up to 50 hours a year of free MCAT tutoring/mentoring.

7.4 Scholarships For MCAT Courses

If you prefer a structured course but can’t afford it, some test prep companies and organizations offer scholarships:

This makes Kaplan’s MCAT courses more accessible to those who otherwise could not afford them.

Between free courses like MCAT Self Prep and scholarships for big-name courses, you might not need to pay for a comprehensive class at all. It requires some proactive searching and applications, but the free MCAT resources are there.

8. Podcasts & Other Audio Resources

When you’re tired of reading or when you’re on the go (driving, at the gym, etc.), podcasts can be a great way to learn MCAT content and strategies passively.

Here are a few popular (and free) MCAT-related podcasts to check out:

The MCAT Podcast

Pro-tip: if you’re new, sort the episodes from oldest to newest and start at the beginning - they cover foundational stuff early on.

It’s motivational because you hear from students who nailed the exam from various backgrounds - they share what resources they used, how they studied, and tips for success. Sometimes a little inspiration and knowing others overcame challenges can boost your own confidence.

The 4 podcasts mentioned above are well-established and have a lot of episodes to keep you busy. You can find them on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc., for free.

While podcasts won’t replace content studying, they’re awesome for reinforcing concepts and learning strategy in a more relaxed format.

9. Subreddits

Reddit can be a gold mine for free MCAT prep if you know where (and how) to look. Many premed students share notes, Anki decks, free practice materials, and tips.

Here are the most useful MCAT-related subreddits:

The community often shares high-quality free and paid prep resources and has user-ranked study materials to help prioritize what’s critical for the exam.

It provides holistic pre-med advice, including MCAT study planning, time management, and applying to medical school, which can indirectly support MCAT success.

To effectively use subreddits as a free MCAT resource hub, focus on the following strategies:

Reddit MCAT Pinned Posts

In summary, subreddits like r/MCAT and r/premed serve as invaluable hubs for free MCAT prep resources, community support, and study strategies.

Using their curated compilations, wiki guides, and community interactions while cross-validating information ensures a robust, no-cost supplement to your MCAT study plan.​

Aside from what we have already mentioned in the article, here are some additional MCAT-related Reddit posts you may find invaluable:

Wrapping Up

With all these free resources at your fingertips, you can craft a robust MCAT study plan without spending a fortune.

From official practice tests to community-made notes and tutoring programs, the pre-med community and organizations have made sure cost isn’t a barrier to quality MCAT prep.

Pick and choose the resources that fit your learning style - for example, use Khan Academy videos for weak content areas, do practice questions daily from various sources, incorporate Anki for memorization, and schedule a free practice exam every few weeks to track your progress.

Studying for the MCAT is definitely a lot of work, but with these free tools, you’ve got everything you need to succeed.

Good luck, and happy studying! You’ve got this.

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Written by

Dr. Sarah Johnson

Last updated 11/2/2025