If you’re trying to get into medical school, you absolutely need to have the right study materials. The MCAT is a highly complex exam that’s going to test you on everything that you know and have learned up to this point. And trying to do that all from memory is definitely not a good idea. Instead, you want to get some of the best MCAT prep books you can find to help you learn the right material.
We have done the research on some of the best MCAT resources to help you, whether you’re taking a course or you’re trying to self-study. No matter where you are in your study process, each of these books is going to help you push yourself along. Before you know it, you’re going to be ready to head in for your exam. But first, you need to know what the best MCAT prep guides are and how to go about studying right.
If you want to just get back to studying, get our top choice for MCAT prep books for self study here.
Last update: 2024-05-03
Our Favorites for Best MCAT Prep Books for Self Study
The first category is our favorite books to help you with your MCAT. These books should be enough to help you study without the use of other aides or even a course. If you want to self-study, you need high-quality books, and that’s where we’re going to start you out. Our favorites go in-depth with all the different areas of the exam. More than that, they’re going to make sure you’re fully prepared for the format of the exam.
MCAT Self-Study Toolkit 2020-2021 by Kaplan Test Prep
When it comes to studying for the MCAT, you want as many tools as you can get, and that’s precisely what the MCAT Self-Study Toolkit is all about. You’ll get guided examples in areas of behavioral sciences, biology, and biochemistry, as well as scientific articles and open-ended questions. You’ll get CARS content, high yield badges that will showcase the most essential information and concept summaries that make it easier for you to see what information you need most. On top of that, you’ll get the most important equations highlighted in these sections.
The quick sheets section shows you the most critical information overall, throughout the entire text, and the chapter profiles show you which areas are tested more or less. You’ll have online access to additional information as well as three full-length practice tests to get an idea of the actual testing environment. MCAT Self-Study Toolkit is designed by Kaplan Test Prep and includes practice questions, multiple-choice questions, videos, quizzes, and a great deal more to make sure you’re ready for the exam when the time comes. You’ll also have more information about how different concepts relate to the real world and what it takes to pass your exam.
Why Choose This MCAT Book:
- Three full-length practice tests included to get an idea of the real exam
- Includes online access to practice tests, quizzes, videos, questions and more
What Makes This MCAT Book Unique:
- Highlights the most crucial information with high yield badges and concept summaries
- Provides guided examples including real-world tie-ins to information and concepts
- Kaplan Test Prep (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 3288 Pages - 12/03/2019 (Publication Date) - Kaplan Publishing (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-03
Princeton Review MCAT Subject Review Complete Box Set, 4th Edition by The Princeton ReviewÂ
With The Princeton Review, you’ll get a boxed set of 7 different books that cover all areas of the MCAT, including biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, general chemistry, physics and math, psychology, and sociology. You’ll also get books on critical analysis and reasoning to make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of what will be on the exam. Included in this set are also three full-length practice tests that will help you understand more about what you’re learning and simulate the real testing environment.
There are thousands of questions between the online platform and the end-of-chapter sections, as well as illustrations, diagrams, tables, and more in full-color. The summaries at the end of each chapter make it easier to review the information presented, and there are even techniques and strategies offered within the text to make it easier to take the exam. The glossaries make it easy to find information that you need, and each of the books is organized in a simple manner to make sure you can review the information the way you want. You’ll get in-depth coverage of everything, as well as updated information always available through the online platform.
Why Choose This MCAT Book:
- Provides seven texts related to each of the different components of the MCAT exam
- Includes three full-length practice tests to get an idea of the real testing environment and process
What Makes This MCAT Book Unique:
- Includes illustrations, tables, diagrams and more in full-color to make them easier to understand
- Offers online tools including practice tests and additional questions plus the latest updates on the exam
- The Princeton Review (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 2976 Pages - 11/08/2022 (Publication Date) - Princeton Review (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-04
Examkrackers MCAT Study Package by Jonathan Orsay
With Examkrackers, you’re going to get information and textbooks on each of the different subjects that are tested on the MCAT. In fact, you’ll have six books total, and they include full-color visual images on each page. You’ll get information that links the concepts that you’re learning with the real-world and different disciplines so you can get a better understanding of just what you’re getting into and how the MCAT applies in real life. You’ll also have 32 topical exams that mimic the format of the actual MCAT exam to give you a better idea of what to expect.
You’re going to have 24 questions for each of the different lectures, and you’ll have proven strategies and tips that you can use in the actual exam. The texts here and all of the information included will provide you with a full review of everything that appears on the exam. You can use these texts as a supplement to review some of the information, or you can dive deep with all of the information and lectures that are included. There are plenty of test questions and practice quizzes that will help you get a better understanding of what to expect when test day comes.
Why Choose This MCAT Book:
- Includes six prep manuals on each of the essential components of the exam
- 32 topical exams that mimic the actual format of the exam for practice
What Makes This MCAT Book Unique:Â
- Offers proven strategies related to test-taking to help you improve your performance
- Questions in each of the chapters and lectures to help cement your understanding of the topics
- Chemistry Book
- Physics Book
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Book
Last update: 2024-05-04
Runner Ups for Best MCAT Prep Books for Self Study
If you still feel like you need some advice and assistance, our runner ups are going to help you out. These books aren’t quite as in-depth as the favorites category, but they’re still going to give you a lot of information. You just might not get quite as much out of each one. That doesn’t mean they’re not essential guides or that you should skip over them, however.
The Princeton Review MCAT by The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review MCAT offers a great deal of information related to your MCAT, including covering each of the different subjects in a topic-by-topic review. You’ll get illustrations and diagrams as well as tables that depict the information that you need in order to fully understand what the exam will cover, and each of the most important formulas for the exam is also included. There’s even a reference guide included that tears out of the book so you can take it with you and study anything you need on the go.
There are strategies included in The Princeton Review MCAT to make sure you know how to answer the different types of questions that will be asked. You’ll also have access to 4 full-length practice exams that include detailed explanations for each of the answers. The index makes it easy to find any of the information that you need so you can focus on areas you’re struggling in most, and the guide-book goes in-depth about each of the different subjects, so you have a comprehensive understanding of what’s next.
Why Choose This MCAT Book:
- Includes tear-out reference for easy studying while you’re on the go
- Includes four full-length practice tests to get a better idea of the actual exam
What Makes This MCAT Book Unique:
- Provides strategies for taking the test including what to do for each of the different types of questions
- Illustrations, diagrams, and tables make it easier to understand each of the concepts being discussed
- The Princeton Review (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 1312 Pages - 12/18/2018 (Publication Date) - Princeton Review (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-04
MCAT Prep Books 2023-2024 by Test Prep Books
With MCAT Prep Books, you’re going to have test-taking strategies as well as information on each of the different areas of the MCAT exam. You’ll learn about critical analysis and reasoning skills as well as getting plenty of practice questions to make sure you truly understand what you’re learning and how it can be applied to the different areas of the exam. Not to mention all of the questions have detailed explanations to go along with the answers so you can make sure you know why each of the answers is what they are.
You’ll get everything you need to start preparing for the exam quickly, including the detailed information that you need on areas of biological and biochemical foundations, chemical and physical foundations, and psychological, social, and biological. All of these areas relate to biological systems, living systems, and behavior, providing you with the information you need in order to pass your MCAT exam. There are even comprehensive reviews for each section of the test with information about each of the different areas and pieces of content you’re likely to see.
Why Choose This MCAT Book:
- Offers test-taking strategies to help you do better on the overall test-taking portion of the exam
- Provides detailed explanations for each of the answers for the provided practice questions
What Makes This MCAT Book Unique:
- Detailed information on each of the different concepts that are covered on the exam
- Easy to read and understand concepts and subjects related to testing
![MCAT Prep Books 2023-2024: MCAT Study Guide Review and 2 Practice Tests for the AAMC Exam [7th Edition]](https://www.conqueryourexam.com/wp-content/plugins/aawp/public/image.php?url=YUhSMGNITTZMeTl0TG0xbFpHbGhMV0Z0WVhwdmJpNWpiMjB2YVcxaFoyVnpMMGt2TlRGc1MwWkdhRVZXY1V3dWFuQm58MTcxNTAzMTcxNw=)
- Rueda, Joshua (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 338 Pages - 11/03/2022 (Publication Date) - Test Prep Books (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-04
Value Pick for Best MCAT Prep Books for Self Study
The final category is our value pick books. These are the books that are going to help you focus on specific areas of the MCAT. On top of that, these books are going to be inexpensive for you to pick up. So, if you’re on a budget or you only really need more help in one area, then you might want to look at these books. They’re still great books, but not quite as all-encompassing.
MCAT Flashcards + App by Kaplan Test Prep
Anyone who is looking to study while on the go is going to need flashcards. Instead of creating your own flashcards, you can go with the MCAT Flashcards + App from Kaplan Test Prep. You’ll get over 1000 cards that go over all of the most critical material related to the exam. MCAT Flashcards goes over behavioral sciences, biochemistry, biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. You’ll get information related to terms, definitions, concepts, and other essential areas of each of the subjects to make sure you know all of the information.
With MCAT Flashcards + App, you’ll know all about the different concepts that you need to pass your exam, and you can take them with you wherever you go and whatever you happen to be doing. That makes the MCAT Flashcards an excellent option for those who need a way of studying while on the train, traveling, between classes, or anywhere else where they might only have a short period of time to study at any given moment. You’ll get all of the most critical pieces of information in a way that’s easy to memorize quickly and accurately.
Why Choose This MCAT Book:
- Flashcards are easy to review while you’re on the go or when you don’t have a lot of time
- Cards cover information for all of the crucial areas and concepts related to the MCAT
What Makes This MCAT Book Unique:
- Provides terms, definitions, and concepts related to each of the areas of the MCAT
- Information is written and verified by experts in the field to ensure all questions and answers are accurate
- Kaplan Test Prep (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 1000 Pages - 07/07/2020 (Publication Date) - Kaplan Test Prep (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-04
How to Choose the Best MCAT Prep Books for Self Study for You
For those who still want to get even more books or who aren’t sure these are the best options, let’s take a look at how to choose your own. Each of these tips will help you figure out what the best MCAT prep books actually are and how you’re going to use them. By using these tips, you should be more than ready to pick out the rest of the books you want to get ready.
How Far Along Are You?Â
Have you been studying for a long time, and you’re ready to start amping things up? Maybe you’re just getting started studying, and you need a more comprehensive review process.
How far along you are and how long you’ve been studying is going to be an essential part in the process of finding the right books to study from.
How Much Time Do You Have?
If you don’t have a lot of time to study, you may want to look at shorter books or those with shorter chapters. You may also want to look at books that have flashcards or cheat sheets for easier studying in short bursts.
If you have a lot of time to study, you may be able to get a textbook that has a lot more information or goes over things in a more comprehensive way.
What Areas Do You Need to Study?
If you’re struggling in specific areas, you can get review guides that focus only on those areas. If you are struggling with the entire test, you may want to look for a comprehensive review book that will go over each of the different areas of the exam.
Look for a guide or a book that’s going to focus on what you’re actually struggling with and where you need a little more advice.
Wrapping Things Up: The Best MCAT Prep Books for Self Study
In summary, here are the best MCAT prep books for self study we looked at today:
Last update: 2024-05-03
When it comes to choosing your MCAT prep books, you want to make sure that you choose something you can really learn from. That starts with the books at the top of our list under our favorites, and the one we like the best is MCAT Self-Study Toolkit. You’ll get all of the information that you need to pass your exam as well as guide-books for each of the different areas that the test covers and plenty of practice exams.
In the runner up category, you’re going to want to look at The Princeton Review, where you’ll get practice tests as well as plenty of information about each of the different sections of the exam. And finally, our value pick is the MCAT Flashcards + App, where you’ll get 1000 flashcards that cover all of the most essential terms and concepts so you can study them no matter where you are or what you’re doing at the time.
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