Students must take a standardized test as part of their application to health professions school. Each test differs somewhat in the subject matter. They all test reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, problem-solving ability, and subject area knowledge.
While our advice focuses on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the entrance exam for medical, podiatric, and some veterinary schools and postbac programs, the advice on study strategies holds true for other health professions.
HPA Resources
A two-page google doc handout detailing the composition of the exam, preparation, scoring, and timing.
FAQs on topics including MCAT Timing, MCAT Study Tips, Princeton Courses & MCAT Prep, MCAT Prep Courses, and MCAT Scores.
Panel Recordings & Notes
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Creating an MCAT Study Plan (March 2023)
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MCAT Student Panels
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- October 2022
- February 2022
- October 2021
- access passcode: HPAMCAT21!
- notes (google doc)
- March 2021 notes (google doc)
- September 2020 and earlier notes (google doc)
HPA Lending Library
Stop by the HPA office to comparison shop between resources or borrow books to use in your test prep.
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MCAT materials available to borrow
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- Berkeley Review
- Blueprint
- Examkrackers
- Examkrackers, 1001 Questions supplement
- The Gold Standard
- Next Step
- Kaplan
- Princeton Review
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DAT materials available to borrow
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- Barrons
- The Gold Standard
- Kaplan
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GRE materials to borrow
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- The Official Guide to the GRE, ETS
AAMC MCAT Basics
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) administers the MCAT.
Scheduling, Deadlines, Score Release Dates
This year's MCAT calendar.
How long are scores valid?
Access a free report with the oldest and latest scores considered for this application year by each school.
Using MCAT in Student Selection
Information used by medical schools to determine how to use MCAT in admissions.
Fee Assistance Program
Apply for fee assistance prior to registering for MCAT to maximize the benefits.
AAMC MCAT Prep Materials
The AAMC provides many free or low-cost study materials. The AAMC's official question packs and sample tests are highly recommended:
Test Prep Companies & Resources
HPA does not officially promote, sponsor or recommend any test preparation company - we gather information for our students and make it available to them.
Advice on choosing resources
About half of our applicants take prep courses, while the other half self-study using AAMC and other resources. Choose resources that fit your learning style, budget, and preferences.
Student recommendations
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Princeton students have used the prep companies and free resources listed below -- critically evaluate the test prep companies before committing to one
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MCAT
- Altius (offers free practice exam)
- Anki (flashcard decks) including the Milesdown deck
- Berkeley Review
- Blueprint (formerly NextStep Test Prep): offers free diagnostic and one free full length exam
- Chad’s Prep YouTube channel
- Examkrackers
- Gold Standard (offers free 1/3 length exam, sample study plan)
- GroSeries - podcast hosted by a med student, recommended especially for psyc/soc (Apple podcast) (Spotify)
- Jack Westin - free weekly review sessions, free daily CARS passages, question banks, other resources.
- Kaplan (offers free practice exam; sample 3-month study plan)
- Princeton Review (offers free practice exam)
- Student Doctor Network 100 day MCAT Study Schedule
- U World (7 day free access)
DAT
*note that HPA does not officially promote, sponsor or recommend any test preparation company - we gather information for our students and make it available to them.
Test Prep Offers and Ads
We share discounts, presentations, and other resources from test prep companies that reach out to us here.
Standardized Tests for Other Health Professions
Dental Admission Test
required by dental schools
Optometry Admission Test
required by optometry schools
Pharmacy College Admission Test
required by many pharmacy schools
Graduate Record Exam
required by veterinary, public health, others