Is MCAT Tutoring Worth It For You? This Is How To Decide…

It's a good question...

Is it worth it for every student to get tutored for the MCAT?

You might expect us to say "yes", but to be honest, tutoring isn't for everyone.

Of course, there are the obvious few who shouldn't get tutoring like if you're just starting MCAT prep. Why not try to study yourself first and see if you can increase your scores continuously and hit your MCAT score goal?

However if you've been studying for a really long time and your score is still average or below average, you have a problem that needs fixing and studying even more in the same way isn't going to help.

Then there are those who aren't open to getting advice. Sometimes it's the ego that gets in the way - "I don't need the help... I can do this on my own". Working with a student who isn't open is pointless. The changes won't show up and it will be a waste of time and money.

We get it - it's hard to admit that you need a "tutor" when you've spent your whole life dominating exams on your own. But the MCAT is different.

The exams you've done well on - thousands of others have also done well on them. The MCAT is an exam that was designed to pull out those who are exceptional. To become exceptional, it's okay to get some help.

The pros of tutoring are endless. It's going to help your score and we all know that. The con is that it costs money. That's literally the only downside...

So the question really isn't if tutoring is 'worth it'...

The question is, is MCAT tutoring worth the money?

Is MCAT Tutoring Worth The Money?

Which is why some people say that "tutoring isn't for me because I don't want to spend that kind of money." 

Our first thought to that is that a med-school education costs > $200,000 when all is said and done. Even the most expensive tutoring costs less than 1-2% of that (our tutoring costs less than 0.2% of that). What's such a small amount when it comes to getting a competitive score on the most important test of your career? An exam that will literally determine if your future includes you as a physician.

If someone doesn't have the ability to see the big picture like this, who can't differentiate between 'spending' and 'investing', tutoring isn't for them because with every tutoring session they'll be feeling a sense of 'lack', counting every minute and not absorbing the top scorer insights as a result. 

Tutoring is also not for those who don't have a sense of urgency. The urgency for tutoring increases as your situation becomes worse...

Is It Worth It For Retakers To Get MCAT Tutoring?

Maybe you took the MCAT once (or more than once) already but just can't figure out why your score isn't getting to where you need it to be. This is the point where it becomes worth it to get outside help and get someone to take a look at your situation. At this point, you've likely given it all you have and you need to be extremely sure that this time, you're doing it right.

Should NonTrads Get MCAT Tutoring?

If you've been out of school for a really long time, your situation is unique and getting personalized guidance becomes extremely beneficial as opposed to going at it all alone - which is likely not something you're used to anymore. A lot of nontrads feel like they're behind and value time completely differently. Nontrads will definitely benefit from tutoring.

Aiming For The Top MCAT Percentiles

If you're scoring near 510 but just can't make it there. Or if you're scoring at a 510 but are aiming for 515+ or even 520+, a generic MCAT prep course isn't going to be enough. Most prep courses are made for 'all' premeds. There's no 'advanced' material for those who are aiming to be in the top few percentile...

This is where tutoring becomes worth it because you get someone to give you targeted advice for your individual weaknesses.

At this point, you probably don't know where you can improve anymore. But getting an MCAT Master's perspective will help you constantly improve, getting your score in the range that some of the top med-schools require.

Relying On The MCAT for Med-School Applications

If you're relying on the MCAT to make up a for a low GPA or another shortcoming on your med-school application, you're in a state of urgency. The MCAT means more to you than the average person.

At this point, when it literally determines if med-schools open up to you, you should be prepared to do anything it takes to get your score up and one-on-one guidance from a top scorer becomes a no-brainer.

Those Who Value Time (This Is The Key)

This is what it all boils down to. Those who will benefit most from MCAT tutoring are those who understand the value of time. All of the situations above, like retaking, force you to place an high importance on time. Think about it for yourself and your situation...

How much is your time worth?

Top MCAT scorers put extreme importance on their time. If you’re not worrying about the MCAT anymore, you can put your focus and energy into applications, working, and so much more other stuff - including taking a well-deserved break and actually enjoying your time (especially if it's the summer).

But none of that can happen if you're trying to "reinvent the wheel" and figure out the MCAT game by yourself, instead of getting guidance from someone who has already beat it.


If you’re going to be a doctor, think like a doctor now - value your time at $150+ per hour. There's a quote that says "You don't attract what you want, you attract who you are."

Get in the mindset of a med-student. Get in the mindset of a doctor. When you value your time at that level, you're priming your mind to opportunities that can get you to that vision which you've already claimed as your own.

You start recognizing how the last hour you spent studying in the same way you've always studied that hasn't gotten results, is a waste. When you place extreme importance on your time, you start thinking of 'how to hack' your challenges, so you can spend minimal time and get maximum results.

That's what MCAT Mastery is all about - giving you the tools, resources, and even the mentors that will fast-track your MCAT score, by showing you the highest-yield methods for beating this particular exam.

When you value your time at this level, you start thinking "how can I get more out of this hour than I'm already getting?"

That's when you start thinking like those who are the most successful people in the world. That's when you start doing the simple things like meditating and sleeping well, and the more sophisticated things like meticulously tracking your progress on charts. That's also when you start understanding the value of mentors; those who can fast-track your success and save you weeks and months of time. In other aspects of life, mentors save you years. 

They've made the mistakes. They've wasted the time. Now you can can benefit from that...

If you want this to be the last time you ever have to write the MCAT, so that you never have to waste more time (weeks and months) studying for it again, signing up to be mentored by a top MCAT scorer might be the smartest thing you can do to ensure your doctor future.

We're passionate about your success and we are ready to give it our all to get your score to the point where it unlocks med-school doors...

And gives you the knowing that you're on your way to becoming the doctor you were meant to be.

You got this, 

The MedLife Mastery Team
Your MCAT Success Mentors