What is the MCAT?
What is the MCAT?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple choice exam that most medical schools in the United States and Canada require for admission. It’s developed and administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). More than 85,000 students take the MCAT every year.
The MCAT is designed to test not only what you’ve learned in your science courses, but also how well you can apply that knowledge to new situations, can you think critically, and how well can you analyze information. Medical schools use your MCAT score to help determine if you are academically prepared for the rigors of medical school.
What’s on the MCAT?
The MCAT has four main sections, and each section focuses on different subjects and skills.
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
This section tests your understanding of the basic physical and chemical principles that underlie the functions of the human body. Subjects include general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biology, and biochemistry. You will need to use math, logic, and science knowledge to answer questions based on short passages and standalone questions.
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
This section does not require any outside science knowledge. The CARS section focuses purely on reading comprehension and reasoning. You will be given passages on topics like ethics, philosophy, history, or cultural studies, and asked to evaluate arguments, find meanings, and draw conclusions.
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
This section tests how well you understand biological processes and how they are built on biochemistry and molecular biology. Subjects include biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and general chemistry. This section evaluates your ability to apply biological concepts to living systems.
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
This section focuses on how behavior, culture, and social systems influence health and decision-making. Subjects include psychology, sociology, and biology. It helps test your understanding of human behavior and social science as it relates to medicine.
Each science-based section contains 59 questions, and you have 95 minutes to complete it. The CARS section has 53 questions and is 90 minutes long. In total, the MCAT is about 7 hours and 30 minutes long, and this includes scheduled breaks.
How many questions are on the MCAT?
The total number of questions on the MCAT is around 230. Each section has a mix of passage-based questions (where you read a passage and answer several questions about it) and discrete questions (standalone questions that don’t relate to a passage).
This mix is designed to test not only your memorization of facts but also how well you are able to interpret new information and how well you can apply it in a scientific or critical thinking context.
How is the MCAT scored?
Each of the four sections is scored individually on a scale of 118 to 132. The section scores are then added together to give you a total score ranging from 472 to 528.
A score of 510 or higher is typically considered strong and competitive for many medical schools. However, the definition of a “good” score depends on the schools you are applying to. Some schools may look for higher scores on individual sections, while other schools consider the overall score more heavily.
Why is the MCAT important?
The MCAT is one of the most important parts of your medical school application. Admissions committees use it to gauge your academic readiness and to compare applicants from different schools and backgrounds.
While your GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and extracurriculars all matter, a strong MCAT score can significantly improve your chances of getting accepted. On the flip side, a low score may hurt your chances of acceptance, which is why many students choose to retake the test if they don’t score within their target range.
When can you take the MCAT?
The MCAT is offered multiple times per year, usually between January and September. Test centers are located across the United States, Canada, and in many international locations. You can register for the MCAT through the AAMC website. Registration for January through June test dates open in October, and for test dates in July through September registration opens in February.Most students take the MCAT during their junior or senior year of college, once they have completed key science classes like biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. That way, they have already learned much of the content that will be tested.
MCAT Testing Limits:
- You can take the MCAT up to 3 times in a single calendar year
- Up to 4 times within any 2-year period
- A lifetime maximum of 7 total attempts
How to prepare for the MCAT?
Studying for the MCAT takes dedication. You will want to have a solid plan. Most successful students begin preparing at least 3 to 6 months before their test date, depending on their background, and spend around 300 to 400 total hours studying.
Smart Prep Strategies:
- Create a study schedule and stick to it.
- Use official AAMC materials, including question packs and full-length practice tests.
- Practice regularly with high-quality question banks that include explanations to help you understand your mistakes.
- Take full-length practice exams under real testing conditions to build stamina and track your progress.
MCAT overview chart
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Exam Length | ≈7.5 hours (includes breaks) |
| Number of Sections |
4 total, in a fixed order 1. Chem/Phys 2. CARS 3. Bio/Biochem 4. Psych/Soc |
| Questions per Section | 53–59 questions |
| Total Questions | ≈230 total |
| Section Lengths |
Chem/Phys: 95 min CARS: 90 min Bio/Biochem: 95 min Psych/Soc: 95 min |
| Scoring per Section | 118–132 |
| Total Score Range | 472–528 |
| Competitive Score | 510+ |
| Test Frequency | Offered January–September annually |
| Attempt Limits |
3 times/year 4 times/2 years 7 times lifetime |
| Typical Study Time | 3–6 months |
| Recommended Study Hours | ≈300–400 hours |
| Main Subjects Tested | Biology, Biochemistry, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology |
| Passage Types | Mix of passage-based and discrete (standalone) questions |
| Accepted by | Nearly all U.S. and Canadian med schools |
| Registration | Through AAMC (opens months in advance) |
