This October, the AAMC will release enhanced free resources and a new, low-cost MCAT Official Prep product to help students prepare for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section. You can learn more and sign up to be notified when these resources are available. Below is a preview and a few operational reminders.
The MCAT Official Prep Sample Test is becoming a FREE Resource
- The MCAT Official Prep Sample Test can help examinees identify their strengths and weaknesses as they begin preparing for the exam. It includes 230 questions and solutions written by the test developers of the actual MCAT exam and will be accessible in the MCAT Official Prep Hub for free in October.
NEW MCAT Official Prep CARS Diagnostic Tool
- The CARS Diagnostic Tool will be the first section-specific diagnostic product by the AAMC that helps examinees identify their areas of strengths and weaknesses in the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section of the MCAT exam. The tool includes the following features:
- Video walkthroughs of how to approach answering two example CARS passage sets
- 28 passage sets for learners to practice with 169 questions that have been created by the developers of the MCAT exam
- Enhanced score reports to help learners evaluate their strengths and weaknesses
- Explanations for all answer choices written by the same developers as the actual MCAT exam
- Enhancements to the question review that enable learners to dive deep into the skills assessed in CARS
- Strategies to improve learners' critical analysis and reasoning skills
The AAMC Fee Assistance Program MCAT Prep benefits will include the new MCAT Official Prep CARS Diagnostic Tool. Individuals who have opted to receive their MCAT Official Prep products benefit in 2020 will be granted access to this product, in addition to all online AAMC MCAT Official Prep products. Please visit our website for more information and the full list of Fee Assistance Program benefits.If you or your students have questions about the Fee Assistance Program, please contact fap@aamc.org or 202-828-0600.
Enhancements to MCAT Official Prep Products and Resources
Updated FREE Road Map to MCAT Content in Sociology and Psychology Textbooks
- The AAMC reached out to more publishers of introductory psychology and sociology textbooks to expand the list of resources and information on where to find the concepts learners will need to know for the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section of the MCAT exam. The Road Map also includes open-access textbooks.
Updated FREE Online MCAT Study Plan Guide
- Creating a study plan is a great way for students to organize their preparation, keep themselves focused, and track their progress. In 2019, the AAMC launched an online version of the How to Create A Study Plan guide in beta and has since made several enhancements based on user feedback.
Enhancement to the Layout of Practice Products in the MCAT Official Prep Hub
- The layout of practice questions in AAMC MCAT Official Prep Question Packs, Section Bank, Online Flashcards, and Online Questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam will change. The passages will now appear on the left with the questions to the right to reduce the amount of scrolling required and improve the practice experience.
Important Operational Reminders
- Between October 1-22, some AAMC MCAT Official Prep products will be unavailable for purchase in the AAMC Store:These products are the AAMC MCAT Official Prep Sample Test, Online-Only Bundle, and Complete Bundle.This will allow us to transition the Sample Test to a free product and prepare to include the new CARS Diagnostic Tool in our bundles.
