MCAT Prep Course Reviews

Prep101 MCAT Prep Course Review

Written by MCATcourse.com | May 6, 2025 1:00:46 AM

About the company

Prep101 is a Canadian-based MCAT prep company that has been helping students prepare for the exam since 1999. It stands out for its comprehensive, structured programs that integrate resources from well-known providers like Examkrackers and Altius. With a focus on personalized coaching and extensive live instruction, Prep101 has served over 500,000 students and continues to grow its reputation for rigorous yet supportive MCAT preparation.

Our verdict

Prep101 stands out as one of the most immersive and content-rich MCAT prep programs on the market, offering a rigorous 146-hour live course, in-depth materials from multiple reputable providers, and a structured three-phase learning model that reinforces content mastery. The program’s inclusion of a personal MCAT coach, regular assessments, and one-year access to recordings makes it a solid choice for students seeking structure, support, and long-term study flexibility.

However, this depth comes with trade-offs. The time commitment is substantial, and the vast array of resources—while comprehensive—can be overwhelming without clear prioritization. At $2,695, it's also one of the more expensive options, and the absence of a score improvement guarantee may give some students pause. Still, for students who are highly motivated and want a program that mirrors the intensity of a full academic course, Prep101 delivers a robust, well-supported pathway to MCAT success.

Compared to other courses

Prep101 is a strong choice for students who want a highly structured and intensive MCAT prep experience. It offers more live instruction hours than most other courses, along with detailed lecture notes and frequent full-length practice exams. Compared to Kaplan and Princeton Review, Prep101 leans more into hands-on support and daily class time, which can be great if you need accountability. Blueprint stands out for its sleek interface and on-demand tools, while Examkrackers is ideal for students who want a more concise, strategy-driven review. Magoosh remains the go-to for budget-conscious students, but it doesn’t provide the same level of live guidance. If you're looking for a program that feels like a full-time commitment with plenty of structure, Prep101 might be the right fit.

Service offerings

Prep101’s live online MCAT course offers one of the most structured and intensive prep experiences available, featuring 146 hours of live instruction across lessons, workshops, and in-class exams. Students follow a three-phase learning model with guided readings, in-class practice, and post-lesson assignments, all reinforced by access to interactive hyperbooks, 24 full-length exams, and over 12,000 practice questions. Each student is paired with a dedicated MCAT coach for personalized support, and progress-tracking tools help identify strengths and areas for improvement. With flexible scheduling, one-year access to materials, and expert instructors, Prep101 is ideal for students looking for a highly supportive and immersive MCAT prep program.

  • Live Online MCAT Course: Interactive sessions led by experienced instructors, covering all sections of the MCAT. ​
  • Comprehensive Study Materials: Access to a wide range of resources, including hyperbooks, practice exams, and flashcards.​
  • Personalized Support: Each student is assigned an MCAT coach to tailor study plans and provide ongoing support.
  • Flexible Access: One year of access to course materials, including recorded sessions and additional resources.

What we liked

  • Comprehensive Resources: A wide array of study materials and tools, including hyperbooks, practice exams, and flashcards.​
  • Personalized Support: Tailored coaching and progress tracking through assigned MCAT coaches.
  • Flexible Access: One-year access to course materials, including recordings of all live sessions.
  • Three-Phase Learning Model: Pre-class, in-class, and post-class structure helps reinforce material and ensures thorough understanding.

What we didn't like

  • High Time Commitment: The course requires substantial weekly hours, which may be overwhelming for students with other commitments.
  • Premium Pricing: At $2,695, the course is on the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
  • Overwhelming Volume: The sheer quantity of practice materials and resources can be daunting for some students.
  • No Score Guarantee: Unlike some competitors, Prep101 does not offer a money-back score improvement guarantee.

Students are saying

Here is some of what the community is saying about Prep101, these are comments and posts from actual students discussing Prep101 and not bias testimonial:

  • Thorough Content: Students appreciate the depth and breadth of the material, especially the inclusion of multiple resource providers like Examkrackers and Altius.
  • Effective Instructors: Many reviews praise the instructors for their engaging and clear teaching styles.
  • Strong Support System: The personalized coaching is often highlighted as a key benefit.
  • Challenging Workload: Some students note the heavy workload, emphasizing the need for strong time management.

Marketing vs reality

  • Comprehensive 146-hour course with 55 lessons: Students confirm extensive coverage but note that staying on top of all content requires discipline.
  • Includes materials from Examkrackers, Altius, AAMC: Students value the variety of materials but feel that more guidance on prioritizing resources would be helpful.
  • Assigned personal MCAT coach for tailored support: Generally appreciated, though the quality of support can vary depending on the coach.
  • 1-year access to all course materials: True, and students appreciate being able to review sessions, though some wish for longer live interaction periods.

How to sign-up

  1. Visit the Website: Go to Prep101 MCAT Live Online.
  2. Choose Your Course: Select the Live Online course and any additional resources or tutoring you may want.
  3. Register an Account: Provide your personal details and create a student account.
  4. Payment: Choose a payment plan or pay in full, apply any promo codes if available.
  5. Start Preparing: Gain immediate access to resources and begin scheduling your live sessions.

Change log

  • Posted: May 2025