AAMC Free Resources – Pathway to Medicine

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC®) is the organization that administers the MCAT®, manages the AMCAS® application system, and collects data on medical education in the United States and Canada. Because the AAMC® writes the MCAT® and oversees the application process, its official resources are the most authoritative and accurate preparation materials available. Many of these resources are free or available at reduced cost through the Fee Assistance Program. This page catalogs every free AAMC® resource relevant to pre-med students, organized by category, so you can access everything the AAMC® offers without spending money you do not have.

Free MCAT Preparation Resources

MCAT® Official Prep Hub: The AAMC® maintains a free online hub that serves as the central access point for all official MCAT® preparation materials. The hub includes a free half-length diagnostic exam, the official MCAT® content outline (which details every topic tested on the exam), a free CARS Diagnostic Tool for assessing your baseline reading comprehension ability, and a free Flashcard app covering key science and behavioral concepts. Start here before purchasing any paid preparation materials. The diagnostic exam provides your baseline score across all four sections, which is essential for building a targeted study plan. See our MCAT® preparation guide for how to integrate these resources into your study timeline.

Khan Academy® MCAT® Collection (Free, AAMC® Partnership): In 2015, the AAMC® partnered with Khan Academy® to produce a free MCAT® preparation collection. This collection includes video lessons, practice passages, and standalone questions covering all four MCAT® sections. It is the only free preparation resource developed in direct collaboration with the organization that writes the exam. The content is aligned to the official MCAT® content outline and is accessible through the Khan Academy® website at no cost. See our Khan Academy® guide for detailed usage strategies.

MCAT® Content Outline (Free): The official MCAT® content outline is a detailed document listing every topic, subtopic, and skill tested on the exam. It is organized by section and by foundational concept. Download this document and use it as a checklist for your preparation. If a topic appears on the content outline, it can appear on the exam. If it does not appear on the outline, you do not need to study it for the MCAT®. This document eliminates guesswork about what to study and helps you allocate your time to the highest-yield content areas.

Fee Assistance Program

The AAMC® Fee Assistance Program (FAP) provides significant financial support for medical school applicants who demonstrate financial need. Benefits include a reduced MCAT® registration fee (typically reduced by more than half), free access to all AAMC® official MCAT® practice products (the full suite of practice exams, section banks, and question packs that normally cost several hundred dollars), reduced fees for AMCAS® application submissions (free applications to a set number of schools), free access to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database, and other fee waivers. Eligibility is based on income, family size, and other financial factors. Apply through the AAMC® website well before you register for the MCAT® or submit your AMCAS® application. If you qualify, the FAP effectively eliminates the cost barrier to MCAT® preparation and medical school application.

Application and Admissions Resources

AMCAS® Application Guide (Free): The AAMC® publishes a comprehensive guide to the AMCAS® application each application cycle. The guide covers every section of the application, including biographical information, coursework entry, work and activities descriptions, personal statement requirements, and letter of recommendation submission. Download the current year’s guide from the AAMC® website before you begin your application. See our AMCAS® application guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.

Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR): The MSAR is a searchable database containing detailed profiles of every MD-granting medical school in the United States and Canada. Each profile includes admissions statistics (MCAT® scores, GPAs, acceptance rates), curriculum information, tuition and financial aid data, and application requirements. The MSAR is a paid resource (approximately $28 per year), but it is free for FAP recipients. It is the most comprehensive and authoritative source for comparing medical schools and is essential for building an informed school list. See our school list builder guide.

Experiences, Extracurriculars, and Achievements (Free Webinars): The AAMC® hosts free webinars throughout the year covering topics like building your application, writing your personal statement, preparing for interviews, and understanding financial aid. These webinars are available live and as archived recordings on the AAMC® website. They provide official guidance directly from the organization that processes your application.

Data and Research Resources

AAMC® Facts and Figures (Free): The AAMC® publishes annual reports on medical school enrollment, applicant demographics, acceptance rates, and workforce data. These reports are free and available on the AAMC® website. Use them to understand the competitive landscape, identify trends in medical education, and inform your career planning. Key data points include the average MCAT® score and GPA for matriculants, the demographic breakdown of medical school classes, and specialty match rates.

CiM (Careers in Medicine) Resource (Free for Students): Careers in Medicine is an AAMC® program that helps medical students explore specialties and plan their residency applications. While primarily aimed at students already in medical school, pre-med students can access some CiM content to explore different medical specialties, understand training pathways, and begin thinking about long-term career goals. Some resources require a medical school affiliation to access.

AAMC® PREview Exam (Free Practice): The AAMC® developed the PREview professional readiness exam, which assesses pre-professional competencies like ethical responsibility, cultural awareness, and reliability. Some medical schools now use PREview as part of their admissions process. The AAMC® offers free practice materials on its website. Check whether your target schools require or consider PREview scores.

How to Access These Resources

All free AAMC® resources are accessible through the AAMC® website (aamc.org). Create a free AAMC® account to access the MCAT® prep hub, download the content outline, and register for webinars. If you are eligible for the Fee Assistance Program, submit your FAP application before registering for the MCAT® so that your reduced fee and free practice materials are available when you need them. Bookmark the AAMC® website and check it regularly for new resources, updated guides, and upcoming webinar dates.

AAMC® Video Resources and Webinar Archive (Free): The AAMC® maintains an extensive library of free webinar recordings covering topics such as how to write a compelling personal statement, how to prepare for interviews, how to navigate the financial aid process, and how to use the AMCAS® application system. New webinars are added throughout the application cycle. These recordings provide direct guidance from AAMC® staff and admissions experts, making them among the most reliable sources of application advice available. Check the AAMC® website regularly for new webinar dates and archived recordings.

AAMC® Anatomy of an Applicant (Free): The AAMC® publishes aggregate data profiles showing the MCAT® score ranges, GPA distributions, and acceptance rates for applicants across different demographic groups and academic backgrounds. These data tables help you understand where you stand relative to the applicant pool and can inform realistic expectations about your competitiveness. The data is updated annually and is available free on the AAMC® data reports page.

References

Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). “MCAT Official Prep Hub.” AAMC, 2025. https://students-residents.aamc.org/prepare-your-mcat-exam/mcat-official-prep-hub. Accessed March 2026.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). “Fee Assistance Program.” AAMC, 2025. https://students-residents.aamc.org/fee-assistance-program/fee-assistance-program. Accessed March 2026.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). “AAMC Facts and Figures.” AAMC, 2025. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports. Accessed March 2026.
Khan Academy. “MCAT Test Prep.” Khan Academy, 2025. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat. Accessed March 2026.