What is the MCAT?

The MCAT, or the Medical College Admission Test, is the admission test for medical schools, created by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). It is essentially the culmination of the science courses you take throughout your undergraduate education (biology, chemistry, physics, etc) altogether in one standardized exam to be used as a metric for medical school applications. It assesses “problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.”

Breaking Down the MCAT

The MCAT is quite daunting, the exam itself spanning over the course of 7.5 hours, but broken down, it becomes a little more digestible.

  • Time: 95 minutes (1 hour 35 minutes)
    Questions: 59 (44 passage-based; 15 discrete)

    • General chemistry
    • Organic chemistry
    • Introductory physics, biochemistry
    • Foundations of biological processes
    • Scientific reasoning, research methods, and data analysis

  • Time: 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes)
    Questions: 53 (all passage based)

    • Reading comprehension
    • Argument analysis
    • Inference and reasoning
    • Understanding tone, bias, and structure
    • Ability to apply ideas beyond the passage

  • Time: 95 minutes
    Questions: 59 (44 passage-based; 15 discrete)

    • Introductory biology
    • Biochemistry
    • Organic and inorganic chemistry
    • Cellular processes
    • Genetics, evolution, physiology
    • Data interpretation and scientific inquiry

  • Time: 95 minutes
    Questions: 59 (44 passage-based; 15 discrete)

    • Introductory psychology
    • Introductory sociology
    • Behavioral and sociocultural determinants of health
    • Mental processes, social structures, and health disparities and demographics

Additional Miscellaneous Information…

The MCAT costs ~$330. This fee may be waived with AAMC Fee Assistance.

It is completely normal to take the MCAT multiple times, but the rules for retaking it are different than usual:

  • You can take the exam up to 3 times in a one year period
  • You can take the exam up to 4 times in a two year period
  • You can only take the exam up to 7 times in your lifetime
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Breaking Down MCAT Scores

The MCAT is not scored on a scale of 0-100, rather, it’s scored more like the SAT (400-1600). The MCAT is scored between 472 to 528 (total score), whereas each section is scored individually on a scale of 118 to 132. The median for each section is 125 points, which culminates to the average MCAT score being a 500.

Average MCAT Score = 50th Percentile

Total Score = 500 Section Score = 125

Good MCAT Score = 80th Percentile

Total Score = 511 Section Score = 128

High MCAT Score = 95th Percentile

Total Score = 518 Section Score = 130

Amazing MCAT Score = 99th Percentile

Total Score = 524 Section Score = 131

Steps to an Amazing Score

    Step 1: Understanding the Basic Format of the Exam

    The MCAT is taken digitally on a computer and scores are typically released about a month later. Calculators are not allowed.

    KEY RESOURCES: Review the AAMC outline to understand what topics are on the MCAT, then keep track of challenging areas in a spreadsheet called “MCAT AAMC Topics” for focused study.

    Step 2: Utilizing a Study Schedule

    Setting a study schedule is absolutely key to performing well on the MCAT. Find your sweet spot whether it is 4 hours a day or 8 hours a day and plan a monthly schedule based off of that

     

    2 month, 3 month, 4 month, 6 month study schedules

    4.5 month ultimate study schedule 

    Step 3: Utilizing Overview/Comprehensive Review Sheets

    Utilize Review Sheets whether they are your own, the Kaplan Quick Sheets, or the MCAT review sheets, to serve as a basis for a concise storage of information. These are great to serve as the meat of all of your content so you remember the major concepts of MCAT content

    Kaplan Quick Sheets 

    MCAT review sheets

    *Optional* Step 4: Utilizing AAMC

    AAMC official prep bundle: This is the one item that is quite expensive yet often essential to a high MCAT score. It is the MOST reliable, and comprehensive study materials that align CLOSEST with the MCAT.

    Despite the fees, you can also apply to the AAMC Fee Assistance Program if eligible.

    Quick Links

    MCAT Resources

    Anki

    Pre-Med Track

    Costs