Compare MCAT prep options
Gold Standard offers three self-paced online MCAT prep options: the monthly Crash Course for complete preparation, the one-year Home Study Package for comprehensive support, and the MCAT CARS Booster for focused CARS practice.
Choose your prep path
Choose the Crash Course for flexible monthly prep across all four sections, the Home Study Package for a one-year plan with 15 full-length tests, or the CARS Booster for CARS-only practice.
Complete online prep
Flexible monthly prep
Best for: students who want complete, affordable MCAT prep without a long commitment.
One-year comprehensive prep
All-in-one preparation
Best for: students who want Gold Standard and current AAMC materials, an exam-style noteboard and MD guidance.
Targeted CARS prep
CARS-only practice
Best for: students who only need more CARS strategy, timed practice and review.
Not all three are complete courses. The Crash Course and Home Study Package cover all MCAT sections. The CARS Booster is a targeted option for CARS practice only.
Side-by-side comparison
Use the table to see the meaningful differences without opening multiple pages.
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| Feature | Crash Course | Home Study Package | CARS Booster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Flexible complete prep | Complete one-year prep and support | Focused CARS improvement |
| Coverage | All four MCAT sections | All four MCAT sections | CARS only |
| Price and access | $49.95 monthly | $799 for one year | $69 for 3 months |
| Test attempts | Unlimited during access | Unlimited during access | Unlimited during access |
| Gold Standard full-lengths | 2 plus GS-Free | 7 plus GS-Free | — |
| CARS practice | 5 CARS tests | 5 CARS tests | 5 CARS tests |
| AAMC Official Prep | — | All current materials | — |
| Erasable noteboard | — | Included | — |
| MD coaching | — | 30-minute session | — |
| Purchase | Buy Crash Course | Buy Home Study | Buy CARS Booster |
Home Study Package
Bring Gold Standard content review, 15 full-length MCAT practice tests, current AAMC materials, CARS preparation, an exam-style erasable noteboard and personal guidance into one one-year package.
Review for all four MCAT sections with interactive chapter questions, strategies, 30+ hours of science videos and one study schedule.
7 Gold Standard exams, GS-Free, 5 AAMC exams and 2 free AAMC exams, with unlimited attempts during access.
All current AAMC Official Prep materials included with the package.
5 timed CARS tests with content different from the CARS passages in Gold Standard full-length exams.
Double-sided with a cover page and nine graph-paper pages, plus the same type of marker used on the MCAT.
One 30-minute MD coaching session, plus peer-tutor discussion boards attached to questions, chapters and videos.
Practice-only options
If you mainly need realistic full-length exams, you may not need a complete course. Start with GS-Free or compare Gold Standard MCAT practice-test packages.
Questions before you choose
Clear answers about access, billing and which option fits different study needs.
Yes. The Crash Course, Home Study Package and CARS Booster are self-paced online MCAT prep options. Their included tests can be attempted an unlimited number of times during the applicable access period.
An MCAT course can be worthwhile if you want content review, a study schedule and practice resources in one place. If you have already completed content review and mainly need full-length exams or CARS practice, a smaller product may be more economical.
The Crash Course covers all four sections with flexible monthly billing. The Home Study Package is the most complete option, adding a full year of access, all current AAMC Official Prep materials, an exam-style erasable noteboard and a 30-minute MD coaching session.
Yes. The Crash Course is a monthly subscription that can be canceled or upgraded. Cancel before the next renewal date to avoid another monthly charge.
Yes. The package includes all current AAMC Official Prep materials in addition to Gold Standard exams, content review, the MCAT CARS Booster, an erasable noteboard and MD coaching.
No. It is a focused CARS product with 5 timed tests, strategies, warm-up exercises and explanations. Students who need preparation for all four MCAT sections should choose the Crash Course or Home Study Package.
You can purchase Gold Standard practice exams separately or begin with the free 230-question GS-Free diagnostic. Compare MCAT practice tests.
