About Gold Standard MCAT Prep

Our Team | Our Brand | We’re Not Afraid to Take the First Steps

Gold Standard MCAT Prep

The Gold Standard MCAT has helped tens of thousands of students improve their chances of medical school admissions. For more than 25 years, we have had a student-centered approach using multimedia to simplify, innovate and to provide extensive practice. We strongly believe in problem-based learning (PBL) and we have constructed our books, videos, online materials and apps with PBL as the foundation.

Since the landmark year when the first edition of The Gold Standard MCAT was released, we have repeatedly distinguished ourselves as innovators in the MCAT preparatory industry.

Gold Standard was founded on innovation. We started with a comprehensive book with pull-out practice tests to simulate the paper exam at the time, MCAT review audio cassettes (yes, that’s how old we are!) which were cross-referenced to the book. Furthermore, we published the MCAT review video CDs (since students did not have laptops with DVD players at that time). We published the Silver Bullet Real MCATs Explained which was the first time students could access detailed explanations to some of the AAMC’s practice materials without having to purchase an expensive prep course.

Gold Standard had online MCAT videos before YouTube existed. We also had online interactive practice tests before the AAMC converted to the computer-based format in 2007. We were the first and only company to reach 10 full-length practice tests which students could take directly from their computer.

gold standard mcat philosophy
gold standard mcat mission statement

Mission Statement

Our goal at the Gold Standard MCAT is to develop and empower future doctors, by providing them with quality educational materials which will aid them to ace the MCATs, and ultimately, towards successful medical careers.

Core Values

Our core values are the means by which we individually and collectively keep our mission alive. They contribute largely as the pillars to our success as a company.

Quality

Striving for premium quality and excellence in our services and products and providing you with only the best there is to offer.

why choose Gold Standard MCAT Prep
  • Other test prep companies hire students to teach, we hire doctors.
  • They have a "center" where you can view additional material. Our center is your computer.
  • Our teachers aced the MCAT, wrote nationally published books, and now give training at MCAT University.
  • We are not cheaper than they are, we are just less expensive.
  • We provide access to up to 20 full-length MCAT practice tests plus an MCAT CARS Booster program, which is simply unprecedented.
  • Our Platinum Program presents a clear study plan, materials, and personal attention.

Why Students Choose Us

Over 30 years of student-centered MCAT prep.

Our team

As an undergraduate student, Brett Ferdinand excelled at the MCAT and was accepted to all the medical schools to which he applied. While enrolled in medical school, he began writing the Gold Standard MCAT textbook and in 1994, published its first edition. The textbook evolved into online practice tests, videos and other tools to simplify the learning experience. Gold Standard MCAT Prep has received content contributions from professionals with university teaching experience, as well as past candidates who aced the MCAT. Our Team’s reputation has been founded on making difficult concepts easier to understand.

Our brand

The Gold Standard MCAT Prep brand was established in 1991. By 1994, we released the first edition of the Gold Standard MCAT textbook which began one of the longest run of editions in the MCAT industry: 16 editions. Over the years, we have not stopped innovating and adapting to the changes in the MCAT format. In 2022, we launched the MCAT Masters Series.

We are not afraid to take the first steps

Gold Standard was founded on innovation. We started with a comprehensive book with pull-out practice tests to simulate the paper exam at the time; MCAT review audio cassettes (yes, that’s how old we are!) which were cross-referenced to the book; and then we published MCAT review video CDs because students did not have laptops with DVD players at that time. We published the Silver Bullet Real MCATs Explained which was the first time students could access detailed explanations to some of the AAMC’s practice materials without having to purchase an expensive prep course. Gold Standard had online MCAT videos before YouTube existed. We also had online interactive practice tests before the AAMC converted to the computer-based format in 2007. We were the first and only company to reach 10 full-length practice tests which students could purchase directly. We also constructed individual forum threads for each of our thousands of online practice questions to encourage student discussions. Along the way, we were encouraged by student comments in our forums and through other forums like SDN about the quality and affordability of our practice tests.

An important factor in our evolving multimedia approach – books, videos, MP3s, apps, online materials, etc. – is adaptability. We understand that students learn differently and have varied academic backgrounds. We make available the tools so that students can learn according to the way they learn best. We cannot be sure about the next technologies or innovations in teaching, but we are sure that the Gold Standard MCAT will have many more ‘firsts’ to come.

Our Specialization

What we know a lot about.

  • The MCAT

  • Natural sciences

  • Education

  • Social sciences

  • Quality preparation materials

Company Statistics

We let the numbers speak for themselves.

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MCATS Experienced
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Gold Standard MCAT Testimonials and Reviews

I received my MCAT scores, and scored slightly higher than I had been scoring on the Gold Standard exams. Dr. Ferdinand does a great job summing up everything an MCAT examinee needs in order to do well on the exam.

Matthew "Grant" Hogan

UT Health and Science Center San Antonio Class of 2018

The MCAT practice tests are really good for strengthening your knowledge of the material and your timing. If you can finish a Gold Standard MCAT with 5 minutes to spare, you can finish any MCAT with plenty of time.

Anitha Menon

student

What you are doing is not a job but a true service to med students. I am VERY happy with the videos. I will recommend these to ALL of my friends to purchase from your website.

Hasan K. Memon

student

Great MCAT practice test.

Joseph Luke

student

Very satisfied with the overall experience, excellent product that Gold Standard MCAT sells.

Justin Dreyfuss

student

I thought Gold Standard was great for MCAT preparation. The science on the PS section was harder than the actual MCAT, which made the real one seem easier.

Kristen Robinson

student

Really enjoyed the MCAT prep I bought from here!

Jerry Hoffman

student

Content of MCAT practice tests was very close to actual test.

Roman Muntyanu

student

MCAT-Prep.com's online courses are among the most affordable in the industry. If you don't have thousands of dollars to spend on an in-person course, MCAT-Prep.com's online courses may be what you're looking for.

Reviews.com

The breadth of content and difficulty of questions that Gold Standard MCAT uses is outstanding. I can’t tell you how many times I found my areas of weakness while using these tests.

Aaron Blackshaw, The Hero Complex

student

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