Test-Prep Programs: Essential or Extra??

Cynthia Warrick, PhD RPh

The Supreme Court decision that blocks college admissions decisions based on race is making test scores a greater measure for admissions.  In doing so, that places Black, Latino, and American Indian test takers at a huge disadvantage.  According to the US Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics, the mean score of high school seniors taking the SAT and ACT by race in 2023 are listed in the following table. The maximum score on the SAT is 1600 and the maximum score on the ACT is 36.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the mean scores for both SAT and ACT saw a decline. Consistently across 28 years of test score data, American Indian/Alaska Native, Blacks, and Hispanic students have the lowest mean test scores compared to Asian and White students.  This is important information for Black and Brown students with aspirations of careers in medicine, because several studies have found that students’ SAT and ACT scores to be statistically reliable predictors of MCAT scores. Data from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) on the Total MCAT average score for applicants to US Medical Schools in 2023-2024 shows similar results by race; American Indians and African Americans scored lower on the MCAT (496.3/497.5) compared to White and Asian applicants (507.8/509.1).  For American Indian, Alaska Native, African American, and Hispanic applicants to US medical schools, MCAT test prep will be essential to making their admissions application most competitive, especially if their ACT or SAT scores are lower than Asian and White counterparts. 

When is the best time to start test prep?  My answer is “As Soon As Possible.”  Starting test prep in freshman year will also help students be better test takers in their undergraduate years to help raise their GPA to a competitive level: 3.77 is the average for matriculants in US Medical Schools. 

Which test prep program should be considered?  That depends on time, resources, and areas needed for improvement.  The first step is to find out what is required for Medical School admissions or any of the other health profession schools. For medicine, the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) website under Resources & Services for Premeds, Students, & Applicants. https://www.aamc.org/

The AAMC site has information about medical school admission requirements, applying to medical school, the MCAT, practice tests, and the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP).  Check lists on how to prepare for applying to Medical School are also located at AAMC. https://students-residents.aamc.org/preparing-medical-school/10-things-do-prepare-applying-medical-school

For test prep programs, Kaplan and the Princeton Review are probably the best known and most expensive MCAT test prep programs.  The best free resource is Khan Academy, which will be available until 2026.  https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat  Working through the 15 sections in Khan Academy while taking the courses in College will help reinforce the content and help you prepare for the demanding schedule of the Kaplan or Princeton Review.  The Noble Academy provides scholarships to help cover the costs of the Kaplan test prep. https://www.mcatking.com/scholarships  Other highly rated MCAT test prep programs that cost less than Kaplan and Princeton are: MCAT School and Blueprint.  U.S. News & World Report, the college ranking company, devotes a webpage on MCAT Test Prep.  https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/mcat-test-prep

Many colleges and universities offer students access to free test prep from Kaplan.  Following up with advisors and/or Deans about these resources and integrating test prep into your regular study schedule will make the difference in getting admitted into medical school and other health professions and biomedical research graduate programs. One thing is for sure, you’ve got to be committed to make and take the time.