MCAT Guide

Best MCAT Prep Courses 2025: We Tested Kaplan, Princeton & More

The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is widely considered the most difficult standardized test in the world. It is a 7.5-hour marathon that tests not just your knowledge of biology, chemistry, and physics, but your ability to think critically under extreme pressure.

Your MCAT score is the single most important number in your medical school application. A score of 515+ opens doors to top-tier MD programs, while a score below 500 can make admission nearly impossible.

With stakes this high, choosing the right prep course is critical. You are going to spend 300+ hours studying; you don’t want to spend them with a course that doesn’t work for you.

We have tested the biggest names in the industry-Blueprint, Kaplan, The Princeton Review, and UWorld-to help you decide.

Quick Summary: Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Blueprint MCAT - The most modern, engaging, and effective course on the market.
Best Score Guarantee: Princeton Review - Their 515+ Guarantee is the gold standard for high achievers.
Best QBank: UWorld - The questions are indistinguishable from the real thing. Essential for every student.
Best for Live Classes: Kaplan - The reliable giant with the most flexible schedule.

1. Blueprint MCAT - Best Overall

Verdict: The “Netflix” of MCAT prep. High-production videos meet powerful analytics.

Blueprint (formerly Next Step) has taken the MCAT world by storm. While Kaplan and Princeton Review feel like old textbooks digitized, Blueprint feels like a modern tech product.

The “Cinematic” Video Lessons

Let’s face it: studying organic chemistry is boring. Blueprint knows this. Their video lessons are filmed in a studio with professional lighting, animations, and green screens. They use humor and visual metaphors to explain complex topics. If you are a visual learner, this is the only choice.

The Study Planner

The hardest part of MCAT prep is organizing your time. Blueprint’s Smart Study Planner does it for you. You input your test date and your “off days,” and it generates a day-by-day schedule. If you miss a day, you click “Rebalance,” and it automatically shifts your tasks.

The 515+ Guarantee

Blueprint offers a 515+ Score Guarantee on their flagship live course. If you don’t score a 515 (90th percentile), you get your money back or a free extension. (Terms apply, obviously).

Pros:

Most engaging video content in the industry.
Incredible analytics that show you why you missed a question (e.g., “You switched your answer from right to wrong”).
Includes all AAMC official practice materials.

Cons:

Expensive ($2,000+ for live courses).
The mobile app is good but not perfect.

Read our full Blueprint MCAT Review

2. The Princeton Review - Best Score Guarantee

Verdict: A rigorous boot camp for students who need a top score.

The Princeton Review is not here to be your friend. They are here to get you into med school. Their curriculum is dense, academic, and notoriously difficult.

The 515+ Guarantee

This is their claim to fame. If you have a starting score of 505+, they guarantee you will hit a 515. That is a massive promise. A 515 puts you in the running for almost any medical school in the country.

The “Hard” Questions

Students often complain that Princeton Review’s practice tests are harder than the real MCAT. This is by design. They want you to feel over-prepared on test day. If you can handle their physics passages, the real AAMC physics will feel like a breeze.

Pros:

Best score guarantee in the business.
Massive library of hardcopy books (if you like paper).
Subject matter expert instructors (often PhDs).

Cons:

Lectures can be dry and long.
The interface feels dated compared to Blueprint.
Very expensive ($3,000+ for the 515+ course).

Read our full Princeton Review MCAT Review

3. Kaplan MCAT - Best for Live Instruction

Verdict: The safe, reliable choice with a massive network of teachers.

Kaplan is the Coca-Cola of test prep. They are everywhere. If you want a traditional classroom experience-whether online or in-person-Kaplan has the most options.

The “Kaplan Method”

Kaplan focuses heavily on strategy. They teach you how to triage a passage, how to identify question types, and how to eliminate wrong answers. Their books are the industry standard for content review (even students taking other courses often buy the Kaplan books).

The Channel

Like their LSAT course, Kaplan offers “The MCAT Channel”-a library of live and recorded workshops on specific topics. Struggling with Amino Acids? There’s a workshop for that.

Pros:

Excellent hardcopy books (7-book set).
Flexible class schedules (morning, noon, night).
Official partner of the AAMC (meaning their practice tests are very accurate).

Cons:

No specific “515+” guarantee (just a “higher score” guarantee).
Some students find the strategies too rigid.

Read our full Kaplan MCAT Review

4. UWorld - The Essential Add-On

Verdict: You cannot study for the MCAT without this.

UWorld is not a “course” in the traditional sense (no videos, no classes). It is a Question Bank. But it is the best Question Bank on the planet.

Why It’s Mandatory

The explanations in UWorld are legendary. They don’t just tell you why A is right; they tell you why B, C, and D are wrong, with full-color diagrams and charts. Most top scorers use a “hybrid” approach: they take a content course (like Blueprint or Kaplan) and supplement it with UWorld for practice.

Pros:

Explanations are better than any textbook.
Interface mimics the real MCAT exactly.
Questions are perfectly representative of the current exam difficulty.

Cons:

It’s just questions (no lessons).
Expensive for “just” a QBank ($300+).

Read our full UWorld MCAT Review

Comparison Table

Provider	Rating	Price	Key Features

Buying Guide: How to Choose

1. Content vs. Strategy

Content Weakness: If you forgot everything from Freshman Biology, you need a course with strong content review videos. Blueprint is best for this.
Strategy Weakness: If you know the science but keep running out of time or falling for traps, you need strategy. Kaplan excels here.

2. Your Budget

$3,000+: You can afford the Princeton Review 515+ or Blueprint 515+. These are “all-inclusive” resorts.
$2,000: Standard Live Online courses from Kaplan or Blueprint.
Under $1,000: Blueprint Self-Paced (often on sale) or a DIY mix of UWorld + AAMC Materials + Khan Academy (Free).

3. The “CARS” Factor

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) is the section that kills most premed dreams. It requires no science knowledge.

Jack Westin offers a free “CARS Passage of the Day.” We highly recommend using this regardless of which course you buy.

FAQ

When should I start studying?

Most students need 300 to 500 hours of prep. If you are studying full-time (40 hours/week), that’s 3 months. If you are studying part-time (20 hours/week), that’s 6 months.

Is a course worth the money?

If it gets you into medical school a year earlier, yes. The opportunity cost of missing a year of physician salary ($200k+) dwarfs the cost of a $2,500 course.

Can I just use Khan Academy?

Khan Academy has great content videos (and they are free!), but they lack the strategy and the realistic practice questions. We recommend using Khan Academy to patch holes in your knowledge, but using UWorld or AAMC for practice.

Final Verdict

If you want the best all-around experience with the highest chance of keeping you engaged, go with Blueprint.

If you are a high-achiever who wants a guaranteed elite score and doesn’t mind a grueling workload, go with Princeton Review.

And whatever you do, buy UWorld.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best MCAT prep course in 2025?

Blueprint is the best overall MCAT prep course for 2025, offering engaging video content, AI-adaptive study planning, and highly representative practice tests. For score guarantees, Princeton Review's 515+ course is the gold standard. UWorld is essential as a supplementary question bank.

How much does MCAT prep cost?

MCAT prep courses range from $0 (Khan Academy) to $4,000+ (Princeton Review with tutoring). Blueprint costs $1,699-2,799, Kaplan costs $1,799-2,699, and UWorld QBank costs $299-499. Most students spend $2,000-3,000 total on prep materials including AAMC official materials.

Is Blueprint or Kaplan better for MCAT?

Blueprint is better for visual learners who want engaging, modern content and adaptive study planning. Kaplan is better for students who prefer strategy-focused instruction and unlimited live class access through The Channel. Both are excellent choices with strong score improvement records.

How long should I study for the MCAT?

Most successful students study 3-6 months for the MCAT, dedicating 300-500 total hours. Full-time students often study 15-25 hours per week over 4-6 months. Students aiming for 515+ typically need 400-500 hours of focused preparation.

What MCAT score do I need for medical school?

For competitive MD programs, aim for 512+ (83rd percentile). For top 25 MD programs, target 515+ (91st percentile). For top 10 schools, aim for 520+ (97th percentile). DO programs typically accept scores of 505+ (59th percentile). Always check specific school data on MSAR.

Is UWorld enough to study for the MCAT?

UWorld alone is not sufficient because it lacks structured content review and full-length practice tests. Use UWorld as a supplementary question bank alongside a content course like Blueprint or Kaplan, plus AAMC official materials. Many top scorers use this combination approach.

Should I use AAMC materials for MCAT prep?

Yes, AAMC materials are essential. They are created by the test makers and are the most representative of actual MCAT questions. Save the 4 AAMC full-length practice tests for the final month of your prep. Use third-party courses for content review and early practice.

Can I improve my MCAT score by 10 points?

Yes, a 10-point improvement is achievable with dedicated study. Students starting below 510 often see 10-15 point improvements with 300-400 hours of focused preparation over 3-4 months. The key is consistent practice, thorough content review, and strategic use of practice tests.