New Free MCAT Textbook! MCAT OpenReview Physical Sciences
- Mark Lee
- Dec 1, 2025
- 3 min read
By: Mark Lee
December 1, 2025
For many students on the health professions pathway, the hardest part of the MCAT isn’t just the content... It’s also the cost. Test prep books, question banks, subscriptions, and the exam itself quickly add up, creating real barriers for talented students from limited financial backgrounds.
At Brain Brew, we believe that access to high-quality learning resources should not be limited by one's financial means. That’s why we’re excited to announce the release of MCAT OpenReview: Physical Sciences, a free, open-source textbook designed specifically for the MCAT’s physical sciences content—and tightly integrated into an AI-powered active learning environment.
This new resource launched on November 30, 2025.
What is it?
MCAT OpenReview: Physical Sciences is a curated, MCAT-focused compilation of open-access material drawn from OpenStax’s leading textbooks:
College Physics 2e
University Physics Volume 1
Chemistry 2e
Biology 2e
Anatomy and Physiology 2e
Organic Chemistry 10e
The goal was to synthesize expert content into one coherent, structured resource and then modernize it by embedding it in a fully AI-powered learning environment. The book is organized according to the official AAMC MCAT Foundational Concepts for the physical sciences. We started from the AAMC outline, identified the key topics, then mapped them back to specific sections in OpenStax.
Why open-source?
MCAT prep has become a multi-million-dollar industry. For many students, especially those from underrepresented or lower-income backgrounds, the combination of application fees, exam costs, and commercial prep resources can be restrictive.
We built MCAT OpenReview: Physical Sciences to make pursuing the health pathways more accessible. Taking inspiration from open-source publishers like OpenStax, we compiled expert-validated materials to make it easy to navigate, review, and apply.
Furthermore, we sought to modernize these resources by incorporating it in an AI-integrated learning platform: Brain Brew. Historically, top students often have access to better resources such as courses and private tutoring. By embedding the resource into Brain Brew, we sought to make active learning tools such as personalized flashcards, practice questions, and Socratic tutoring sessions more widely available.
Who we made this for
MCAT OpenReview: Physical Sciences is designed for:
Premed students beginning or deep in their MCAT prep
Post-bacc and career-changer students who need a structured, exam-focused physical sciences refresher
Tutors and instructors who want a free, high-quality resource to recommend or build from
Built by physicians, for future physicians
Having experienced the rigors (both intellectual and financial) of this path ourselves, we are dedicated to improving health education resources. This resource was compiled by Mark Lee, MD, and Rahul Grover MD, both graduates from top (and expensive) medical schools and residency programs. Through these experiences, gained a sincere appreciation for clear teaching styles and practical study strategies, and seek to improve education in this spirit.
How to get started
Go to www.brainbrewai.com
Create a free account
Go to Discover an Expert Resource
Find MCAT OpenReview: Physical Sciences in our community library
Start reading, and supplement with your favorite active study tools:
Generate flashcards from sections
Ask the AI to quiz you on a topic
Use the AI to explain a confusing passage in simpler terms
Build customized study sessions around your weak spots
What’s next
Physical Sciences is the second textbook in the MCAT OpenReview Series. We released Biology and Biochemical Sciences in August of 2025. We are working hard to make resources for Chemical and Behavioral sciences, tentatively planned for January and February 2026, respectively. In the mean time, please follow-us on social media for updates! If you have any questions or requests, feel free to email support@brainbrewai.com
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