Kaplan Releases New MCAT Biochem & Bio Books
Kaplan has released its _MCAT Biochemistry Review_ and _Biology Review_ for 2025-2026, targeting students planning for future exams. The books feature hundreds of new practice questions and expert-designed study plans focused on high-yield topics like metabolic pathways and experimental data interpretation.
The "Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems" section, which these books target, comprises 59 questions to be answered in 95 minutes. This section is heavily weighted toward biology (65%) and biochemistry (25%), making a strong foundation in these subjects critical for a high score. While commercial prep books provide structure, the gold standard for practice questions remains the official material from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The AAMC develops the actual exam, and its question packs and full-length practice tests are considered essential for simulating test-day conditions and question styles. For a student targeting a 2028 exam, the immediate focus should be on mastering prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics. Successful MCAT candidates typically dedicate 3-6 months to intensive, focused study, a phase that would begin in late 2027 for a spring 2028 test. Kaplan is a long-standing leader in the test prep market, often ranked highly for its comprehensive course structure. However, competitors like UWorld are noted for realistic, AAMC-style practice questions with detailed explanations, while services like Blueprint are praised for their engaging video lessons. The MCAT has increasingly emphasized scientific inquiry and reasoning skills, requiring students to interpret data, evaluate research design, and solve problems using scientific principles rather than just recalling facts. This shift means that success hinges on moving beyond content review and engaging in extensive practice with passage-based questions. Ultimately, most high-scoring students create a hybrid study plan. They often use a primary content resource like Kaplan's books to build a knowledge base before transitioning to practice-heavy resources, especially the AAMC Section Bank and Question Packs, in the final months before their exam.
