Guide 3 · Exams
The MCAT, PREview and Casper
Almost every U.S. medical school requires the MCAT. The average 2025 matriculant scored 512.2 A smaller group of schools also uses a situational judgment test: 14 schools required the AAMC PREview for the 2026 cycle, and Casper is required or recommended by roughly 40 medical schools.5,6 Check each school's requirements before you register.
1The MCAT
| Section | What it covers | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical and Physical Foundations | General and organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry | 118–132 |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) | Reading passages from the humanities and social sciences | 118–132 |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations | Biology and biochemistry | 118–132 |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations | Psychology and sociology | 118–132 |
| Total | About 7.5 hours of seated time, including breaks | 472–528 |
The exam structure and scoring come from the AAMC.1 In the 2025 cycle, the mean MCAT score was 506 for applicants and 512 for matriculants.2 With the Fee Assistance Program, the registration fee drops to $145 and you get the official AAMC prep bundle free.3
2Study resources
| Resource | Why use it | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| AAMC official practice exams and question packs | Written by the test maker; the closest to the real exam | Paid, or free with the Fee Assistance Program3 |
| UWorld MCAT question bank | A large bank of practice questions with detailed explanations | Paid subscription |
| Khan Academy MCAT collection | Free videos and practice passages covering MCAT content | Free |
| Full-length practice tests | Build stamina and show where you stand | Included with the AAMC bundle |
Full-length review. After each practice test, spend as long reviewing as you spent taking it. Sort every missed question by cause: content you didn't know, misreading the question, or running out of time. This is advice from tutors and advisors, not a data-backed rule.
3Scheduling, time and stress
Test-prep companies citing AAMC data put the average study time around 240 hours, about 20 hours a week for three months, and many recommend 300 or more.4 That's like a part-time job on top of classes or work, so plan for it honestly.
Tips
- Choose a test date first, then count backward to build your schedule.
- Plan to finish by spring of the year you apply, so your score is ready when applications open.
- Take a full-length practice test every week in the last month, on the same weekday and time as your real exam.
- Schedule one full day off each week. Burnout costs more study time than rest does.
- If you work or care for family, a longer plan with fewer hours a week is a normal and valid choice.
About stress. Feeling overwhelmed during MCAT prep is common, and it doesn't mean you're not cut out for medicine. If stress affects your sleep, eating or mood for weeks, talk to your campus counseling center. Postponing a test date is also an option.
4AAMC PREview
The AAMC PREview professional readiness exam is a situational judgment test. You read short hypothetical scenarios about working with others and rate how effective each possible response is. It lasts about 75 minutes and is multiple choice.5
- Schools: 14 required it and 16 recommended it for the 2026 cycle.5
- Cost: about $100–105.3,5 With the Fee Assistance Program, your first registration is free.3
- Preparation: the AAMC's official practice questions under timed conditions. Advisors suggest about 5–8 hours of prep; commercial courses aren't necessary.7
5Casper and Duet
Casper, from Acuity Insights, is another situational judgment test. It mixes typed answers and short recorded video answers to realistic scenarios, takes about 90–110 minutes, and you can't go back and change answers. Trained raters score it, and you receive a quartile score.6
- Cost: $85, which sends results to up to seven programs, plus $18 for each additional program.6
- Duet: a free, untimed 15–20 minute survey about which school features you value most. There are no right or wrong answers.6
- Dates: Casper is offered only on set dates, so register early and take it before your secondaries are done.7
References
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Taking the MCAT exam. students-residents.aamc.org
- University of Connecticut Pre-Health. National data, 2025 cycle (reporting AAMC FACTS data). premed.uconn.edu
- Blueprint Prep. How to apply for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program. February 9, 2026. blueprintprep.com
- Blueprint Prep. How long do I need to prep for the MCAT? blueprintprep.com
- Med School Insiders. 2026 AAMC PREview schools. Updated August 31, 2026. medschoolinsiders.com
- Shemmassian Academic Consulting. Casper, Snapshot, and Duet: everything you need to know. shemmassianconsulting.com
- University of Colorado Boulder Pre-Health. Casper, Duet, and AAMC PREview. colorado.edu