AAMC MCAT Free Study Tools

Beyond practice tests and question banks, the AAMC offers a comprehensive suite of free study tools that form the backbone of any smart MCAT prep strategy. From the official exam blueprint to a massive Khan Academy video collection, these tools help you plan your prep, review content, and even access paid materials for free through financial assistance.

This review covers every free study tool the AAMC provides and how to get the most out of each one.

Summary Table

AAMC Free Study Tools Overview

The AAMC's free study tools cover multiple aspects of MCAT prep. Here's what's included:

1. "What's on the MCAT Exam?" PDF Content Outline

This is the official exam blueprint — a comprehensive PDF document that lists every foundational concept, content category, scientific skill, and discipline tested on the MCAT. Think of it as the definitive answer to "what do I need to study?"

The outline covers all four sections:

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

For each section, it breaks down the foundational concepts, content categories, and specific topics you're expected to know. This is the document you should use to build your study plan and ensure you're not wasting time on content that won't appear on the exam.

2. "What's on the MCAT Exam?" Content Outline Course

This is the interactive version of the PDF outline, available through the MCAT Official Prep Hub. It includes everything in the PDF plus:

• Links to open-access textbooks covering each content area
• Links to Khan Academy lessons aligned with each topic
• 120 free practice questions from the retired Official Guide to the MCAT Exam

The interactive course is significantly more useful than the PDF alone because it connects each topic directly to free learning resources.

3. Creating Your MCAT Exam Study Plan Guide

The AAMC's study plan guide walks you through the process of building a personalized study schedule. It covers:

• How to assess your starting point
• How to set a target score
• How to allocate study time across sections
• Recommended study timelines
• Tips for maintaining consistency

4. Khan Academy MCAT Video Collection

The Khan Academy MCAT Collection is one of the most valuable free MCAT resources anywhere. Created by Khan Academy with funding and support from the AAMC and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, it includes:

• 1,100+ video lessons covering all four MCAT sections
• 3,000+ review questions for practice
• Content aligned with the official AAMC exam outline

This is a massive free resource that many students use as their primary content review tool, either as a standalone study aid or alongside a prep book.

5. Practice with Exam Features Tool

This interactive tool lets you explore the MCAT's testing interface before taking a real practice exam. You can practice with:

• Highlighting text in passages
• Striking out answer choices
• Flagging questions for review
• Using the navigation panel
• Keyboard shortcuts

It also includes 12 example questions so you can experience the interface with real content. Taking 30 minutes to go through this tool before your first full-length practice exam can save you confusion and lost time on test day.

6. "How I Prepared for the MCAT Exam" Student Stories

The AAMC features success stories from students who performed well on the MCAT. These profiles include:

• Their study schedules and timelines
• Resources they used
• Strategies that worked (and didn't)
• Advice for future test-takers

These stories are particularly helpful for students who don't have pre-med mentors or aren't sure what a realistic study plan looks like.

7. Premed Webinars

The AAMC hosts premed webinars covering a wide range of topics including MCAT prep, the AMCAS application, the Fee Assistance Program, and general advice for navigating the medical school admissions process.

8. Fee Assistance Program (FAP)

The AAMC Fee Assistance Program isn't a study tool per se, but it deserves special mention because it can dramatically expand your access to MCAT prep materials. If you qualify based on family income, the FAP provides:

• Free access to all AAMC official prep products (practice exams, question packs, section banks — normally $300+)
• Reduced MCAT registration fees
• Free AMCAS application fee waivers
• 35% discount on AAMC products if you don't qualify for full FAP but are still eligible for reduced pricing

AAMC Free Study Tools Review For 2026

The Content Outline Is Non-Negotiable

Every MCAT student should download and reference the content outline throughout their prep. It's the single most authoritative document on what the MCAT tests. Without it, you risk studying topics that aren't on the exam or missing topics that are.

The interactive Content Outline Course takes this a step further by linking each topic to free learning resources. If you're self-studying on a budget, you can literally build your entire content review plan around this course and Khan Academy — all for free.

Khan Academy: The Best Free Content Review

The Khan Academy MCAT Collection is a massive resource that many students underutilize. With 1,100+ videos and 3,000+ review questions, it covers the same content you'd find in a paid prep course — just without the structured study plan, practice exams, and tutoring support.

The videos are well-produced and break down complex topics into digestible lessons. They're particularly strong for Psych/Soc content, where many students need the most foundational review.

One caveat: the Khan Academy MCAT content was created around 2015 as part of a collaboration with the AAMC. While the core content is still relevant (the MCAT content outline hasn't changed drastically), some topics may not reflect the very latest exam emphasis. Use it as a supplement to the current content outline, not a replacement for it.

The Study Plan Guide Fills a Real Gap

Many students know they need to study for the MCAT but don't know how to structure their time. The AAMC's study plan guide provides a framework for building a schedule based on your timeline, baseline score, and target score. It's not as personalized as what you'd get from an MCAT tutor or an AI-powered prep course, but it's a solid starting point for self-studiers.

Who AAMC Free Study Tools Are Best For

• Every MCAT student — the content outline and exam features tool are universally useful
• Self-studiers building a prep plan on a budget
• Students who learn well from video content (Khan Academy collection)
• First-generation or low-income students who may qualify for the Fee Assistance Program
• Students early in their prep who need to understand the MCAT landscape before choosing paid resources

When You Might Look Elsewhere

• If you need a structured, day-by-day study plan — consider an MCAT prep course instead
• If you want personalized guidance and accountability — an MCAT tutor can fill that gap
• If you need up-to-date, exam-specific content review — paid prep books or courses may be more current than Khan Academy
• If you want AI-driven study recommendations — third-party platforms offer more adaptive features

Final Verdict

The AAMC's free study tools are the foundation every MCAT student should build their prep on. The content outline tells you exactly what to study, the Khan Academy collection gives you 1,100+ free video lessons to learn from, and the Fee Assistance Program can unlock hundreds of dollars in free prep materials.

These tools won't replace the need for practice exams, question banks, and potentially a structured prep course — but they ensure you're starting your prep journey with the right map and the right resources.

Access all free AAMC study tools at the Free Planning and Study Resources page.

AAMC Free Study Tools FAQs

How Much Do AAMC MCAT Study Tools Cost?

All the study tools reviewed here are completely free. Some require an AAMC account (also free) to access through the MCAT Official Prep Hub.

What Is the AAMC Fee Assistance Program?

The FAP is a financial assistance program that provides free access to all AAMC official prep products, reduced MCAT registration fees, and AMCAS application fee waivers to eligible students based on family income. If you qualify, it saves you over $300 on prep materials alone.

Is the Khan Academy MCAT Course Still Relevant?

Yes. The core MCAT content hasn't changed significantly since the course was created. However, it's best used alongside the current AAMC content outline to ensure you're covering the latest exam emphasis. The videos are particularly strong for Psych/Soc and Biology content review.

Can I Prepare for the MCAT Using Only Free AAMC Tools?

You can build a solid foundation, but most students benefit from additional paid resources — particularly AAMC practice exams and question banks. If you qualify for the Fee Assistance Program, you can access all AAMC products for free, which gives you a comprehensive prep toolkit at no cost.

What's the Best Free AAMC Tool to Start With?

Start with the "What's on the MCAT Exam?" content outline. It tells you exactly what's tested and helps you plan which topics to study first. From there, use the Khan Academy MCAT Collection for content review and the study plan guide to structure your timeline.

How Do I Apply for the Fee Assistance Program?

Visit the AAMC FAP page to check eligibility requirements and submit your application. The program is based on family income, and approval typically takes a few weeks. Apply early — before purchasing any AAMC products.