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. 

Secondaries Fees List | Medical School Applications 2023

In this article, we share a list of secondary application fees for M.D. medical schools in the United States. Medical school applications are expensive. From the AMCAS, TMDSAS, and AACOMAS primary applications, to secondary application fees, to interview flights and...

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...

5 Topics to Write About in Your Optional Secondary Essays for Medical School

In the secondary application process, most medical schools will include an optional essay prompt that allows candidates to share any additional information they haven’t included in their primary application. Although these essays are optional, filling them out shows...

How to Gain Trust from Faculty and Professors

Before we discuss tips on how to build professional relationships with faculty and professors, let’s discuss why it is a good idea. Medical school admissions members understand that professors play a vital role in your career endeavors. Not only do they educate you,...

7 Ways to Force Yourself to Stay In and Study When You Have Zero Motivation

Exam season is coming up. Consequently, you have to dedicate the next few days to studying. The only problem is you’d rather do anything but study. Maybe the class you are studying for is not particularly interesting. Maybe you rather be socializing with...

MD-MBA Programs List and How to Get in 2023

An MD-MBA is a Medical Degree and a Master’s of Business Administration. Understanding business can be the game changer for your career in medicine. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about MD-MBA programs. Table of Contents What is an MD-MBA...

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...

Productive Ideas for Your Gap Years Before Med School

In the premedical/medical school admissions world, the term “gap year(s)” refers to the years in between your undergraduate career and medical school career. According to a 2019 survey administered by the AAMC, 43.9% of 15,151 medical students took 1-2 gap years,...

How to Attend Medical School for Free

In this article, we will explore three main options that can help you to attend medical school for free or with minimal cost!

Absolute Threshold vs Difference Threshold

In this post, we'll discuss the difference between absolute threshold vs difference threshold and how it relates to psychology. Before we discuss absolute threshold vs difference threshold, let's back up and discuss sensory thresholds. Sensory threshold is defined as...