The short answer: MCAT prep costs range from $0 (AAMC free materials) to $10,000+ (Altius immersion). Most students spend $300–$2,500, depending on whether they self-study or use a full course.
What does MCAT prep cost in 2026?
Total MCAT prep spending, including registration, official materials, and a third-party course, typically runs
- Budget (self-study): $400–$700
- Mid-range (QBank + AAMC): $700–$1,500
- Full course: $1,500–$3,500
- Premium / live instruction: $3,500–$10,000+
1. AAMC Official Prep Cost: $0–$324
These are the only materials written by the people who actually write the MCAT. Non-negotiable for every student regardless of which course they use.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Unscored Sample Test | Free |
| Practice Exam 1 | Free |
| Practice Exams 2–6 | $35 each |
| CARS Diagnostic Tool | Included in bundle |
| Section Banks (Vol. 1 & 2) | Included in bundle |
| Question Pack Bundle (6 packs, 720 Qs) | ~$90 |
| Online-Only Bundle (all products, 2,710 Qs) | $323.70 |
Best buy: The online-only bundle at $323.70 includes everything, all 7 practice exams, all question packs, section banks, and the CARS diagnostic tool. Buying individual exams ($35 each) adds up faster.
2. Blueprint MCAT Cost — $1,099–$5,500+
Best overall course for most students. Most practice questions, most accurate tests, and best CARS analytics.
| Plan | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Paced | from $1,099 | 160 modules, 5,000+ Qs, 15 full-lengths, 6 books |
| Live Online | from $1,899 | All of above + 40+ hrs live instruction |
| 515+ | from $2,399 | All of above + 80 hrs live + score guarantee |
| Tutoring — Core | from $2,250 | 16 hrs tutoring + Self-Paced access |
| Tutoring — Premium | from $3,150 | 25 hrs tutoring + Self-Paced access |
| Tutoring — Elite | from $5,500 | 40 hrs tutoring + Self-Paced access |
Score guarantee: Available on select plans. Completion requirements apply.
3. Kaplan MCAT Cost — $1,599–$3,400+
Best live instruction. Most full-length practice tests (18). Tests run ~8 points harder than real MCAT by design.
| Plan | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| On Demand (self-paced) | ~$1,599 | 7 books, 18 FLs, on-demand video |
| Live Online | ~$2,699 | All of above + live classes |
| In Person | ~$3,199 | All of above + in-person classes |
| Bootcamp | ~$3,400 | Intensive format, small groups |
| Private Tutoring | Custom pricing | Add-on to any course |
Score guarantee: 515+ score or 15-point improvement, depending on starting score. Completion requirements apply.
4. Princeton Review MCAT Cost — $1,600–$9,429+
Strongest score guarantee in the industry (515+ or money back). Best fit for students targeting top-tier scores.
| Plan | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Paced (6 months) | ~$1,600 | 500+ MedFlix videos, 16 FLs, 10 books |
| Ultimate Course | ~$2,899 | 123 hrs live instruction, 18 FLs |
| 515+ LiveOnline | ~$3,500 | 123 hrs live, 515+ score guarantee |
| 515+ Immersion (online) | ~$7,300 | 195 hrs live, 24/7 on-demand tutoring |
| 515+ Immersion (in-person, campus) | from $9,429 | Above + on-campus housing option |
| Private Tutoring — Targeted (10 hrs) | ~$3,299 | |
| Private Tutoring — Comprehensive | ~$11,000 |
Score guarantee: 515+ or money back on qualifying plans. Requires baseline score of 505+.
Get 15% off Princeton Review MCAT
5. UWorld MCAT Cost — $290–$1,199
Best answer explanations in the industry. A QBank, not a full course — best paired with AAMC materials or used by confident self-studiers.
| Product | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Prep Books (UBooks, 8 books) | ~$290 | 6 science + 2 CARS books, 450 concept checks |
| QBank (standalone) | from $339 | 3,000+ Qs, 2 full-lengths, AI tutor (UAsk) |
| Comprehensive Prep Course | from $1,199 | Books + QBank + video lessons + study planner |
| Core Prep Course | from $599 | QBank + 2 full-lengths + study planner |
Score guarantee: Not offered. No live instruction.
6. Altius MCAT Cost — $999–$10,000+
Most personalized prep available. Built around 1-on-1 mentoring from instructors who scored 520+. Highest average student score reported (516.4). Also offers a free 30-day trial.
| Plan | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Paced | $999 | Study manual, AAMC bundle, 10 full-lengths, portal access |
| Elite Classroom | ~$1,900 | 24 live classes, small-group sessions |
| Silver (mentoring) | ~$3,400 | Small-group classes + 1-on-1 mentoring |
| Gold (mentoring) | ~$5,000 | More 1-on-1 sessions, personalized plan |
| Platinum (mentoring) | $4,500+ | Most intensive mentoring tier |
| Summer Immersion | up to $10,000+ | Intensive in-person or online bootcamp |
| Free Course | $0 | 30-day access to Elite Classroom content |
Average student score: 516.4 (reported by Altius).
Full cost comparison at a glance
| Provider | Cheapest option | Mid-tier | Premium | Score guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAMC | $0 (free) | $323.70 (bundle) | — | N/A |
| Blueprint | $1,099 | $1,899 | $5,500+ | Select plans |
| Kaplan | $1,599 | $2,699 | $3,400+ | 515+ or +15 pts |
| Princeton Review | $1,600 | $2,899 | $9,429+ | 515+ or money back |
| UWorld | $290 | $599 | $1,199 | None |
| Altius | $0 (free trial) | $1,900 | $10,000+ | Not standard |
What does MCAT prep actually cost for the average student?
Most students land in one of three real spending buckets:
Budget self-study ($400–$700) AAMC Online-Only Bundle ($324) + UWorld QBank ($339). No live instruction. Requires strong self-discipline and a solid science background.
Standard prep ($1,400–$2,200) Blueprint Self-Paced or Kaplan On Demand + AAMC Bundle. Covers the large majority of students who want structure without paying for live classes.
Live instruction ($2,700–$3,500) Blueprint Live Online, Kaplan Live Online, or Princeton Review Ultimate. Best for students who need external accountability or are targeting 515+.
FAQs
How much does MCAT prep cost on average?
Most students spend $1,200–$2,500 on a third-party course plus $324 for AAMC official materials. Budget students can prepare for under $700 using UWorld’s QBank and AAMC materials alone.
What is the cheapest legitimate MCAT prep option?
AAMC’s free materials (Unscored Sample Test + Practice Exam 1) plus free Khan Academy content costs $0. Adding the AAMC Online-Only Bundle ($323.70) gives you the most important paid materials. Altius also offers a free 30-day course trial.
Is the AAMC bundle worth buying?
Yes, non-negotiable. These are the only materials written by the people who write the real exam. The Online-Only Bundle at $323.70 is the single most important purchase any MCAT student makes, regardless of which course they use.
Do MCAT prep courses go on sale?
Yes. Blueprint, Kaplan, and Princeton Review all run promotions multiple times per year, including Black Friday, seasonal sales, and back-to-school periods. Discounts typically range from 10–20% ($100–$500 off). Check MCATClub’s verified discount codes before purchasing any course.
What does MCAT prep cost for retakers?
Retakers don’t necessarily need to buy a full course again. UWorld QBank ($339) + AAMC bundle ($324) = ~$663 total, which is sufficient for retakers who need targeted practice rather than a full content rebuild. See our Best MCAT Prep for Retakers guide →.
Prices verified June 2026. Prices change frequently; confirm on the provider’s website before purchasing. Affiliate note: MCAT Club may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
