Best MCAT Tutoring Services

Written By Arturo Toro

Here is a comprehensive list of the best MCAT tutoring services with their advantages, disadvantages, and approximate costs so you can better navigate all the available options and make a decision you’ll be happy with on your exam prep journey : )

9 Best MCAT Tutoring Services

Kaplan Test Prep

Pros:

  • Well-established name in standardized test preparation. Let's face it, the Kaplan name is totally ubiquitous at this point.
  • Experienced instructors. A lot of these folks are excellent, some of my fellow tutors from college worked at Kaplan as SAT tutors.
  • Personalized study plans. A hallmark of all the best MCAT tutoring services, is building a plan together with you as opposed to adopting a one size fits all approach.
  • Live online classes.
  • Practice tests and interactive study materials. Be careful with these! It's always hard to tell how close third party tests are to the real deal. Don't use them as much to measure your progress, focus on what you're getting on the AAMC full length exams as your benchmark.
Cons:
  • May be more expensive compared to some other options. Particularly with the purchase of a large package which can often end up having you pay for things that aren't necessarily necessary.
  • Limited flexibility in scheduling for live classes. This is a little painful, there's nothing worse than sitting through a class you don't necessarily need

Cost:

Kaplan MCAT tutoring can range from around $150 to $400 per hour, with the price decreasing as the number of hours purchased increases. Typically, purchasing a larger package with more hours will result in a lower cost per hour compared to purchasing fewer hours individually.

Princeton Review MCAT Tutoring:

Pros:
  • Renowned for high-quality study materials and expert instruction. Another giant name in tutoring and exam prep.
  • One-on-one sessions with experienced tutors. Getting to work together individually is again, a huge plus.
  • Tailored approach to suit individual learning styles and goals. 
  • Access to a wide range of third party study resources. If while using this system, you find these helpful more power to you use them all you like. I wouldn't tell someone to use this exclusively for these. The Princeton review or Kaplan both have incredible books that are totally fine when used on their own for content review.
Cons:
  • This could hit your wallet a bit harder than some of the others on this list. 
  • Limited availability of tutors may lead to scheduling constraints. With great demand and public renown comes a cost,  you may find yourself waiting at whatever the virtual equivalent of a line is.

Princeton Review MCAT tutoring can range from around $150 to $350 per hour, with the price generally decreasing as the number of hours purchased increases. Like Kaplan, purchasing a larger package with more hours usually results in a lower cost per hour compared to purchasing fewer hours individually.

Jack Westin MCAT Tutoring

Pros:
  • Strategic Approach: Jack Westin MCAT Tutoring employs a strategic approach to MCAT preparation, focusing on core concepts and critical thinking skills rather than rote memorization. I think this is the way to go in general. The best MCAT tutoring services will emphasize ideas and concepts over memorization. This is not an exam that flashcards will get you through, you need to be able to reliably interpret data and roll with the punches.
  • Daily MCAT Passages: They provide daily MCAT passages, offering consistent practice to enhance comprehension and analytical skills, ensuring students stay sharp and engaged. The online free CARS passages are something I have recommended to students especially those struggling with CARS.
  • Expert Feedback: Students receive expert feedback on their performance, helping them identify strengths and weaknesses, and guiding them on areas needing improvement.
  • Affordable Option: Compared to some other tutoring services, Jack Westin MCAT Tutoring may offer a more budget-friendly option, making quality MCAT preparation accessible to more students. This is huge for us, definitely some of the best MCAT tutoring out there. Anyone that is working to make tutoring more accessible should be celebrated. Learning is a right and shouldn’t be prohibitively expensive.
Cons:
  • Limited Personalization: While the program offers valuable resources and feedback, the level of personalization in tutoring sessions may be limited compared to one-on-one tutoring services. This is certainly an issue I’ve heard students describe. Different people have different learning needs.
  • Self-Directed Learning: Some students may struggle with the self-directed nature of the program, requiring a high level of self-discipline and motivation to stay consistent with daily practice. One of the things people often want most out of a tutor is someone who can help them stay motivated and consistent.
  • Less Interactive: Compared to live tutoring sessions, Jack Westin MCAT Tutoring may lack the interactive component that some students find beneficial for clarifying concepts and asking questions in real-time. Whenever we make new slides for a class, Frances and I are constantly talking about how we want to ask a question at least on every slide. It’s not fun 
  • Varied Effectiveness: The effectiveness of the program may vary depending on individual learning styles and preferences, with some students benefiting more from a more personalized and interactive approach.

Cost

Jack Westin MCAT tutoring may range from around $100 to $200 per hour for one-on-one sessions. Group tutoring sessions might have lower costs per hour, depending on the number of students in the group.

Medschool 4 All (yeah I couldn’t resist throwing our name in there ;))

Pros:

  • We are real live medical students who just went through the entire process that you are going through so we answer questions that go beyond the requirements of the MCAT on topics like personal statement writing and interview preparation.

  • We have among the best MCAT tutoring rates available. Finding a rate of less than $100/h would be challenging with most tutoring programs.

  • We put our small size to good use to more flexibly schedule sessions to work around our students’ schedules.

Cons:

  • The same reason that we’re able to offer our services for so low, we’re quite small. With only two active tutors as of writing this, we must work harder to accommodate people’s schedules.

  • With the exception of our personalized MCAT schedules and slides we provide, we are unable to provide the same depth of third party resources such as recorded classes with quizzes or practice exams.

Cost:

$50/h for one-on-one tutoring and $30/h for group tutoring.

Magoosh MCAT Prep:

Pros:
  • Affordable and accessible MCAT preparation. Have to emphasize this since we are all about making tutoring accessible, the best MCAT tutoring is sometimes the one you can afford especially if you really need the help
  • Expert tutors offering personalized guidance over a user-friendly interface.
  • Flexible pricing options. This is nice, not being forced to buy everything as one big package is a big deal.
  • Comprehensive study resources including video lessons and practice questions. I've made my thoughts on third party resources clear...they're ok, maybe not worth what they cost.
Cons:
  • May lack the depth of content compared to more established providers.
  • Limited availability of live tutoring sessions may not suit all learning preferences. Struggling to find a tutor that is a good fit for you is a big deal, not all tutors are equal and there is nothing worse than shelling out hard-earned cash for sub-standard teaching.

Cost

As of January 2022, Magoosh offers MCAT tutoring as part of their comprehensive MCAT prep packages rather than standalone tutoring services. The cost of these packages can vary based on the duration of access and any additional features included. However, Magoosh generally offers more affordable options compared to some other tutoring services.

Their MCAT prep packages typically range from around $200 to $400 for several months of access, which includes video lessons, practice questions, and other study materials. Within these packages, personalized tutoring sessions may also be available, typically adding to the overall cost.

MCAT-Prep.com:

Pros:
  • Comprehensive online tutoring services specifically designed for the MCAT exam.
  • Experienced tutors providing personalized instruction.
  • Diagnostic assessments and customized study plans. BE CAREFUL WITH THIRD PARTY EXAMS. It is difficult to say whether they reflect your true score.
  • Flexible scheduling options. 
  • Focus on individualized support. Key. Tutoring is about realizing that no one-size fits all and that different analogies will have different people feeling that Aha! moment where they finally get a concept.
Cons:
  • Pricing may be higher compared to some budget-friendly alternatives.
  • Availability of tutors may vary, impacting scheduling flexibility.

Cost

As of January 2022, MCAT-Prep.com primarily offers comprehensive MCAT prep courses rather than standalone tutoring services. The cost of these courses varies depending on the duration of access, the level of support included, and any additional features such as practice questions, practice tests, and study materials.

While MCAT-Prep.com may offer tutoring or personalized coaching as part of their package options, they may not offer standalone tutoring services like other companies such as Kaplan or Princeton Review. Hence why it’s harder to do a per hour estimate.

Next Step Test Prep:

Pros:
  • Specialization in MCAT preparation.
  • Individualized attention with customized study plans.
  • Expert tutors providing targeted instruction.
  • Access to practice tests and personalized feedback.
Cons:
  • Pricing may be higher compared to some competitors.
  • Limited availability of tutors may impact scheduling flexibility.

Cost

As of January 2022, Next Step Test Prep offers MCAT tutoring services that vary in pricing depending on the package and the number of hours purchased. Generally, the cost per hour of receiving MCAT tutoring from Next Step Test Prep ranges from approximately $150 to $300 per hour.

The actual cost per hour may vary based on factors such as the level of customization, the experience level of the tutor, and any additional features included in the tutoring package. The best estimate would be obtained directly from their website.

MCAT Self Prep:

Pros:
  • Flexible and affordable online tutoring services.
  • Expert tutors providing personalized guidance.
  • Focus on self-directed learning.
  • Individualized support.
  • Study materials and practice questions available.
Cons:
  • May lack the depth of support compared to more intensive tutoring programs.
  • Limited availability of live tutoring sessions.

Cost

As of January 2022, MCAT Self Prep primarily offers self-study resources rather than personalized tutoring services. However, they do offer some tutoring options, typically in the form of one-on-one online tutoring sessions.

While specific pricing details may vary, MCAT Self Prep tends to offer more affordable tutoring options compared to larger test prep companies. The cost per hour of receiving MCAT tutoring from MCAT Self Prep may range from approximately $50 to $150 per hour, depending on the level of experience and expertise of the tutor.

Altius Test Prep:

Pros:
  • Comprehensive MCAT tutoring services.
  • Personalized instruction and study materials.
  • Expert tutors providing support throughout preparation.
  • Focus on high-quality instruction.
  • Individualized support to build skills and confidence.
Cons:
  • Higher pricing compared to some budget-friendly options.
  • Availability of tutors may vary, impacting scheduling flexibility.

Cost

As of my last update in January 2022, Altius Test Prep offers MCAT tutoring services that typically range from around $150 to $300 per hour. The actual cost per hour may vary based on factors such as the tutor's level of experience, the package selected, and any additional features included.

Altius Test Prep is known for its highly individualized tutoring approach and experienced tutors, which may contribute to the slightly higher cost compared to some other tutoring services.

Conclusion:

Best Overall Program: Princeton Review MCAT Tutoring
Renowned for high-quality study materials, expert instruction, personalized sessions, and access to a wide range of study resources.

Most Affordable Program: Difficult to say 
Pricing varies very widely between packages so it's hard to establish a clear winner. Jack Westin is in the lead in my head but I know Magoosh is known to be pretty affordable as well. They both provide affordable and accessible MCAT prep with flexible pricing options, making quality tutoring accessible to more students.

Most Personalized Program: Next Step Test Prep
Offers individualized attention with customized study plans, personalized feedback from expert tutors, and a focus on maximizing each student's potential.
Most Third Party Resources: Kaplan Test Prep
Offers a wide range of third-party study resources, including practice tests and interactive materials, to supplement the tutoring program.

With all this in mind, you should have all the info you need to find the best MCAT tutoring for you and your particular needs. If you have any questions about what makes a good MCAT tutor I’m considering writing a separate post about that and happy to answer any questions you may have over email.

Arturo Toro
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