AAMC MCAT Official Practice Exams

When it comes to MCAT practice tests, one set towers above all others: the official AAMC Practice Exams. These are the only full-length practice tests created by the Association of American Medical Colleges — the organization that develops, writes, and administers the real MCAT exam.

If you're serious about scoring well on the MCAT, these practice exams aren't optional — they're essential. Every top-scoring student and every MCAT tutor will tell you the same thing: prioritize AAMC materials above all else.

Summary Table

AAMC MCAT Practice Exams Overview

The AAMC offers six scored full-length practice exams, each containing 230 questions across all four MCAT sections. These exams are designed to closely mirror the actual MCAT in content, difficulty, question style, and format.

Here's the full lineup:

• Practice Exam 1 — Free. 230 questions with scaled score and percentile rank. Uses questions from previously administered MCAT exams.
• Practice Exam 2 — $35. Same format and scoring as Exam 1.
• Practice Exam 3 — $35. Same format and scoring.
• Practice Exam 4 — $35. Same format and scoring.
• Practice Exam 5 — $35. Formerly the "Free Practice Exam" (now paid as of recent AAMC updates).
• Practice Exam 6 — $35. The newest addition to the lineup.

All exams include explanations for every answer choice in every section, plus links to Khan Academy lessons for targeted content review.

AAMC MCAT Practice Tests Review For 2026

Score Accuracy and Predictiveness

This is where AAMC practice exams truly shine and where no third-party test can compete. Because these exams use questions written by the actual MCAT developers and are scaled using real MCAT data, the scores you receive are the best predictor of your actual exam performance.

Community data from r/MCAT consistently shows that AAMC practice exam scores correlate very strongly with real MCAT scores, typically within 1–3 points. Third-party exams from Blueprint, Kaplan, or Princeton Review can be deflated or inflated by several points because they use different question styles and scoring curves.

Question Quality

AAMC practice exam questions are pulled from previously administered MCAT exams, which means they test the exact same skills and content you'll see on test day. The passage complexity, question phrasing, and answer choice construction all match the real exam.

Third-party test companies do their best to approximate MCAT-style questions, but there's always a subtle difference in how they're written. AAMC questions have a particular style — especially in CARS — that's difficult to replicate. Students who practice exclusively with third-party materials sometimes struggle on test day because the question style feels unfamiliar.

Answer Explanations

Every practice exam includes explanations for all answer choices (not just the correct one) across all four sections. This is incredibly valuable for learning — you can understand not only why an answer is right but why each wrong answer is wrong.

The explanations also include links to relevant Khan Academy lessons, so if you realize you have a content gap, you can immediately review the underlying material.

The Testing Interface

AAMC practice exams use the exact same online interface you'll encounter on test day. This includes:

• Highlighting and strikeout tools
• The navigation panel for flagging and reviewing questions
• Section timing and break structure
• The same look and feel as the real exam

Familiarity with this interface is an underrated advantage. Students who've never used the AAMC interface before test day sometimes waste time figuring out the tools instead of focusing on questions.

Pricing

All paid exams come with a 1-year subscription. The Online-Only Bundle includes all AAMC practice products (practice exams, question packs, section banks, and more) at a significant discount.

If you qualify for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP), you can access all products at a 35% discount — making each exam just $22.75.

How Many Should You Buy?

At minimum, you should complete Practice Exam 1 (free) and at least 2–3 additional paid exams. Ideally, complete all 6 — the $175 total cost for Exams 2–6 is one of the best investments you can make for your MCAT prep.

How to Use AAMC Practice Exams Strategically

The order and timing of when you take these exams matters:

1. Early prep: Take Practice Exam 1 (free) as your first scored practice test to establish a baseline.
2. Mid-prep: Take Exams 2–4 at regular intervals (every 2–3 weeks) to track progress.
3. Final prep: Save Exams 5 and 6 for the last 2 weeks before your real exam. These are your final dress rehearsals.

Always take practice exams under realistic conditions:

• Full timed sections with no pauses
• Take all scheduled breaks
• Simulate the full 7.5-hour exam day
• No phones, notes, or distractions

Who AAMC MCAT Practice Exams Are Best For

• Every MCAT student — these are non-negotiable regardless of your prep strategy
• Students in the final 4–8 weeks of prep who need accurate score predictions
• Self-studiers who want the most representative practice material available
• Students who've been using third-party tests and want to calibrate their actual performance level

When You Might Look Elsewhere

• If you need more than 6 full-length practice tests — supplement with Blueprint (up to 15 FLs) or Kaplan (12+ FLs)
• If you want adaptive practice or detailed performance analytics — third-party platforms offer more robust dashboards
• If you're very early in prep and want low-stakes practice — use third-party tests first and save AAMC exams for later
• If cost is a barrier — check if you qualify for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program for 35% off

Final Verdict

AAMC Practice Exams are simply the most important practice tests you'll take during your MCAT prep. Nothing else comes close in terms of question authenticity, score accuracy, and predictive value. Third-party tests are useful for building stamina and practicing strategy, but when it comes to knowing where you actually stand, only AAMC scores truly matter.

Start with the free Practice Exam 1 to get your scored baseline, then work your way through the paid exams as you progress through your prep. Visit the AAMC Store to get started.

AAMC MCAT Practice Exams FAQs

How Much Do AAMC MCAT Practice Exams Cost?

Practice Exam 1 is free. Practice Exams 2–6 cost $35 each with a 1-year subscription. The full Online-Only Bundle (all AAMC products) is $323.70. FAP-eligible students pay $22.75 per exam.

Are AAMC Practice Exams Harder Than the Real MCAT?

AAMC practice exams are designed to match the real MCAT's difficulty level. Most students find them very similar to test day, which is why their scores are so predictive. Some students report the real MCAT CARS section feeling slightly harder, but overall difficulty is closely aligned.

How Accurate Are AAMC Practice Exam Scores?

Very accurate. Community data from thousands of test-takers shows AAMC practice exam scores typically predict real MCAT scores within 1–3 points. They're significantly more accurate than any third-party practice test.

Should I Take All 6 AAMC Practice Exams?

Yes, if possible. Each exam offers unique questions and another data point for predicting your score. At minimum, take Practice Exam 1 (free) and 2–3 paid exams. The more AAMC exams you complete, the more confident you can be in your score prediction.

When Should I Start Taking AAMC Practice Exams?

Most students start AAMC practice exams about 6–8 weeks before their test date, taking one every 1–2 weeks. Save the last 1–2 exams for the final two weeks before your real exam as dress rehearsals. Use third-party practice tests earlier in your prep.

Can I Retake AAMC Practice Exams?

You can review your answers after completing an exam, but you generally cannot fully reset and retake it. This is why it's important to take each exam under realistic conditions — you only get one shot at an authentic score from each one.