Money Saving Tips for the MCAT

Mar 31, 2021

There are many costs associated with becoming a doctor. Undergrad tuition, rent, groceries, car payments, medical school application fees, the list goes on. Although the price to become a doctor is different for all of us, we can all agree it is not cheap. Therefore, saving money at any point in the process is a good idea. In this article, we will share some tips on how to save money for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). 

Buy used MCAT Books 

MCAT books can be very expensive. At the date of this writing, a full set of MCAT books from Kaplan costs $300 and Princeton costs $215. Having new things is nice, but you don’t need brand new books to ace the MCAT. As long as you have MCAT books written after 2015, you have what you need to succeed. 

To save money preparing for the MCAT, we recommend buying used and unmarked books. Try searching for a full set of MCAT books from websites like facebook marketplace, craigslist, offerup, ebay, or letgo. You can also contact students who have recently completed the exam. 

While having MCAT books is a good idea, don’t limit your study methods to book studies. There are many websites that offer free learning tools for premeds. These tools can help you master topics tested on the MCAT. 

Save on MCAT Registration fees 

AAMC offers a fee assistance program that can save you money in MCAT Official Prep materials and MCAT registration fees. If you qualify for the MCAT fee assistance program, your MCAT registration fee is reduced from $320 to $130. Qualifying for the MCAT fee assistance program will also grant you access to many other benefits for your medical school application process. For instance, you can save on MSAR and MCAT official prep materials written by the AAMC. You can also save money on medical school application fees from AAMAS, TMDSAS, and AACOMAS.

Choose a High Value MCAT Prep Course

Choosing which MCAT course is right for you is very important for your success on the MCAT. Keep in mind, the price of an MCAT course is not equal to the value of the MCAT course. In other words, don’t determine the value of an MCAT course based on its price or approved testimonials. Companies usually only showcase their good reviews and hide their bad ones. To make an informed decision, read student forums to figure out what courses have worked for other students. Also, take a look at what is included in each MCAT course when making your decision. 

MCAT prep courses can range from $0 to $10,000. The top 10 best MCAT prep courses in 2023 include: 

  1. Khan Academy MCAT Prep Course
  2. Magoosh MCAT
  3. Kaplan MCAT Prep
  4. Altuis MCAT Prep Course
  5. Aptare Prep MCAT
  6. Blueprint Online MCAT Prep Course
  7. Examkrackers MCAT 
  8. Gold Standard MCAT Prep Course
  9. MCAT Self-prep
  10. The Princeton Review MCAT 

Study Groups

Private MCAT tutors can be very expensive. On some websites, these specialized tutors can cost between $200 and $400 an hour. Instead of paying these high fees, create an online or in-person study group with fellow students. You get the same benefits of group study and mentorship while saving money. Meeting with a study group regularly can also keep you accountable in your studies. 

Check out our post on how to form effective study groups

Conclusion 

In summary, there are many ways you can save money when preparing for the MCAT. The cost of becoming a doctor can be expensive, but with budgeting, hard work and dedication, it will all be worth it. 

Oxidative Phosphorylation Steps 

What is oxidative phosphorylation? Oxidative phosphorylation is the process by which cells produce ATP from glucose through a series of oxidation-reduction reactions and a proton gradient. The process occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and the mitochondrial...

MD-MPH Dual Degree Programs List and Information 2023

An MD-MPH degree is a dual degree program that offers both a medical degree and a master's of public health degree. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about MD-MPH degrees and programs. Table of Contents What is an MD-MPH degree?How long do...

MD-JD Dual Degree Programs List and Information 2023

An MD-JD is a combined medical and law degree. This degree allows you to enter narrow and specialized career paths. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about MD-JD programs. Table of Contents What is an MD-JD degree? How long do MD-JD degrees...

The 3 Main Medical School Applications Every Premed Must Know

There are three stages to the medical school application process: primary applications, secondary applications, and interviews. The primary application is the initial application a medical school receives. Secondary applications (a.k.a. supplemental applications) are...

How to Get Published in a Medical Journal

One of the most effective ways to stand out during medical school interviews is to have research experience under your belt. And even better, publishing your scientific findings in a peer-reviewed academic or medical journal. If this is an endeavour you want to...

What is MSAR? Medical School Admissions Requirements Database

MSAR is an official database that provides medical school admissions requirements for M.D. medical schools in the U.S and Canada. If you're planning on applying to medical school, you've likely come across a ton of different acronyms, including MSAR, AAMC, TMDSAS,...

BS-MD Programs – The Ultimate Guide and How to Get in 2023

A BS-MD degree is a dual degree program that offers both an undergraduate Bachelor's of Science degree and a medical degree. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about BS-MD degrees and programs. Table of Contents What is a BS/MD degree?How long do...

15 Free MCAT Practice Tests

Preparing for the MCAT can be very expensive. Test prep companies can cost over $10,000. Luckily, there are many alternative methods to study and prepare for the MCAT on a budget. One of the most important tasks you can do to prepare for the MCAT is taking practice...

10 Tips for How to Shadow Surgeries

Shadowing a surgeon may seem straightforward--stand in the back and be quiet, but ask questions. However, during the time of surgery, it may seem a little intimidating to ask questions about the procedure. Most likely, the OR will be full of nurses, surgical...

How to Get Shadowing Experience as a Premed

If you want to gain exposure to medicine but don’t have the time commitment to take on a full-time job, shadowing is a great way to show admissions boards that you are invested in medicine. In addition, you can give yourself the chance to determine whether the...