Preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a critical step on your journey to medical school. One of the most pivotal decisions youâll make is choosing the right study materials. Among the plethora of options, the official MCAT prep resources from the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) stand out as the undisputed âgold standardâ for effective practice.
However, navigating the AAMCâs resources can sometimes feel overwhelming. While the quality of their materials is exceptional, the AAMCâs website and organization of these resources arenât always the most user-friendly. This article serves as your comprehensive guide to understanding the AAMCâs official MCAT prep materials, explaining how to effectively integrate them into your study plan, and demonstrating how strategic utilization can save you both time and money compared to relying solely on third-party resources.
Understanding the AAMC Official Practice Suite
The AAMC, the very organization responsible for creating and administering the MCAT, also develops and releases official practice materials. These resources are derived from previously administered, scored MCAT exams, ensuring unparalleled accuracy and relevance. You can purchase these materials directly from the AAMC.
Given their origin, AAMC official practice resources are inherently the most authentic representation of the actual MCAT exam. They also offer excellent value. For under $300 (at the time of writing), you gain access to nearly 3,000 practice questions, thoughtfully distributed across full-length exams and targeted practice tools.
The term âAAMC resourcesâ typically refers to the AAMC MCAT Official Prep Online-Only Bundle, or the AAMC MCAT Official Prep Complete Bundle which includes a physical copy of The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam. This comprehensive bundle encompasses 14 distinct resources, including full-length practice tests, focused question packs, and other specialized question sets. These 14 resources, along with two complimentary full-length exams (the âSample Testâ and âFree Practice Examâ), represent the entirety of AAMC-released materials since the 2015 MCAT revision. While individual resources and smaller bundles are available, purchasing the complete bundle offers approximately a 15% cost saving. Keep an eye out for new resource releases, typically in October or November.
A Detailed Look at AAMC MCAT Practice Questions
As of early 2023, the complete suite of official AAMC practice resources contains a total of 2,849 questions. Hereâs a breakdown by resource type:
- Practice Exams: 1380 questions (6 exams * 230 questions each)
- Question Packs: 720 questions (6 packs * 120 questions each)
- Section Bank: 300 questions (3 sections * 100 questions each)
- Official Guide Questions: 120 questions
- Independent Question Bank: 150 questions
- CARS Diagnostic Tool: 179 questions
Letâs delve into each of these resources to understand their specific purpose and how to best utilize them in your MCAT preparation.
Practice Exams: Simulating Test Day
The AAMC provides two free practice exams: the âFree Practice Examâ (scored) and the âSample Testâ (unscored). Additionally, four scored practice exams (labeled âPractice Exam 1,â âPractice Exam 2,â etc.) are available for purchase. These are all full-length, four-section exams with 230 questions, mirroring the actual MCAT format. The scored exams, with the exception of the Sample Test, provide realistic score predictions upon completion.
Effective strategies for using practice exams include taking one exam early in your prep to establish a baseline score, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and gauge your current performance level. Subsequently, integrate practice exams into your study schedule every one to two weeks leading up to your official MCAT test date. This allows you to track your progress, adapt your study plan, and build test-taking stamina.
Question Packs: Targeted Subject Review
There are six Question Packs available, each focusing on a specific subject area: Chemistry, Physics, Biology (two packs), and CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) (two packs). Each pack contains 120 questions dedicated to its subject matter. The science question packs (Chemistry, Physics, and Biology) feature a combination of passage-based and non-passage-based questions, reflecting the MCATâs question format.
Itâs important to note that the AAMC platform presents each Question Pack as a single 120-question section upon initiation. However, this does not necessitate completing the entire pack in one sitting. For optimal learning, utilize Question Packs for shorter, focused practice sessions, reviewing your answers immediately afterward. Answer a manageable number of questions per session, conclude your practice to review your performance, and revisit the pack later. While this approach might involve navigating through previously seen questions, it allows for targeted review and prevents burnout. This is simply a quirk of the AAMCâs online interface. đ
Section Bank: Realistic Section Practice
The Section Bank comprises three blocks of 100 questions each, with each block dedicated to one of the MCAT science sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/Biochem), and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc).
Similar to Question Packs, the Section Bank incorporates both passage-based and non-passage-based questions. However, unlike Question Packs, the Section Bankâs question mix and skill assessment are more representative of a genuine MCAT section. For instance, the Chem/Phys Section Bank block includes questions spanning General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry, and assesses all four of the AAMCâs Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning Skills.
Like other AAMC resources, each Section Bank block loads as a continuous 100-question set. However, these blocks are designed for distributed practice and review over multiple study sessions, not for completion in a single sitting. Embrace revisiting these questions over time, even if it involves some extra clicks.
Official Guide Questions: Valuable Older Questions
The full title of this resource is âMCAT Official Prep Online Practice Questions from the Official Guide to the MCAT Exam.â These are essentially digital versions of the 120 practice questions found in the AAMCâs book, The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam. These questions are among the oldest in the AAMCâs collection and may exhibit some age. Nevertheless, they remain scientifically sound and accurately test the content and skills assessed on the current MCAT exam. They offer a valuable source of additional practice, particularly for reinforcing foundational concepts.
Independent Question Bank: Discrete Practice
The Independent Question Bank is a collection of 150 science-section questions without accompanying passages. âIndependentâ is the AAMCâs official terminology for passage-free questions, commonly referred to as âdiscreteâ questions in MCAT prep circles. While âindependentâ questions constitute approximately 25% of science-section questions on the actual MCAT and full-length practice exams, they comprise 100% of this resource.
These questions cover six science subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, and Biochemistry, with 25 questions per subject. The questions are formatted realistically, mirroring MCAT question stems, answer choices, and overall style. However, they are generally considered slightly simpler than the average question encountered on scored practice exams.
This resource is particularly beneficial for students seeking to solidify their understanding of fundamental science concepts, definitions, and formulas through direct application. If youâve encountered references to âAAMC Online Flashcards,â this is the resource previously known by that name. (Practice questions are indeed more descriptive than flashcards!)
CARS Diagnostic Tool: Dedicated CARS Practice
The CARS Diagnostic Tool is unique, offering features beyond practice questions, such as a CARS section diagnostic, a countdown timer, and instructional videos. However, its primary value lies in providing additional CARS practice.
Within the CARS Diagnostic Tool are 179 supplementary CARS questions. Notably, this represents the most recent dedicated CARS practice material released by the AAMC, which many believe aligns more closely with the current MCAT examâs CARS section. Given the critical importance of CARS performance for many medical school applicants, consider this resource as an extra-large CARS Question Pack, even if you donât utilize its other features.
Accessing Official AAMC MCAT Prep Resources
AAMC Official Prep resources are available for purchase directly from the AAMC website. They are also frequently included in bundles with third-party MCAT prep products. When evaluating prep options, carefully review the included materials to determine if AAMC resources are part of the package. For example, Sketchyâs MCAT Prep Essentials course integrates Sketchyâs review course with AAMC resources and a study planner, offering a comprehensive approach with an MCAT score guarantee. Explore Sketchyâs MCAT site for further details.
Regardless of your chosen prep method, we at Sketchy wish you success in your MCAT journey!
