Source: Buffalo Prehealth

The AAMC’s has developed an Official Guide to the MCAT(R) Exam, a 400-page publication developed under the direction of the MCAT staff.

Among the content included, are:

  • Passages and questions from actual MCAT exams, with detailed explanations of both the correct and incorrect answers.
  • Tips to help examinees come up with the right solutions
  • “Difficulty levels” of questions, revealing what percentages of examinees answered correctly in the real-life tests
  • Data to help your students determine how likely they are to increase or decrease your scores upon a retake, and by how many points
  • Data that show what percentage of applicants were admitted to medical school, based on MCAT scores and GPAs combined
  • A look at how MCAT scores factor into the admissions decision, with insights from a former associate dean of admissions

The guide is available under a two-tiered pricing schedule. Students may purchase the guide itself for $30, or they may buy an upgraded version for $45 that includes free access to an official AAMC practice test (which, as you know, ordinarily sells for $35 alone). We are pleased to make this low-cost – or, in some instances, no-cost* — preparation resource available to your students.

*Any student who registered for the MCAT exam under the Fee Assistance Program will receive a complimentary copy.
Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Do I Order?
Please order via the AAMC publications page at www.aamc.org/officialmcatguide. Individual and bulk orders may be placed online using a credit card.  If you need to pay by check or simply prefer to speak with someone to place your order, you may contact the publications department at 202-828-0416.

2. Which Practice Test is Available with the Upgraded Purchase?
Students may select any one of the online practice tests currently available for purchase through the AAMC Web site.

3. Will There be a New Edition Every Year?
We expect a revised edition at the end of 2009 for the 2010 testing cycle. Details regarding revised editions after that time have not yet been determined.

All orders should be placed at by clicking on the site. Please continue to direct general MCAT questions to mcat@aamc.org.)

Michelle Sparacino
Director, MCAT Administration & Reporting