Ultimate MCAT FAQ
Here is the only FAQ you will need for the MCAT. We took your most asked questions, and had our best tutors answer them.
You probably already know what the beast actually is. The purpose of the 7.5-hour Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is to evaluate the fundamental scientific knowledge and critical thinking abilities of potential medical students.
The MCAT exam is a must for medical school admission if you want to become a doctor. Your MCAT score is seen by admissions committees as a predictor of your ability to succeed in medical school. While there are other factors that admissions committees take into account, doing well on the MCAT is a must if you want to be taken seriously by prestigious (or any) medical schools.
The MCAT is broken into four multiple-choice sections. Each part is worth 132 points, for a total possible score of 528.
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys)
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/BioChem)
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc)
You have 95 minutes to finish each of the following sections: 1, 3, and 4. These three parts each have 59 questions, 44 of which are passage-related and 15 of which are stand-alone(discretes). You have 90 minutes to finish Section 2, CARS, which has 53 passage-related questions.
Sections 1, 3, and 4 of the MCAT necessitate a deep comprehension of scientific facts and concepts, as well as the ability to integrate knowledge from many disciplines using advanced investigation, deduction, and reasoning skills. These sections require the most "content" studying, and generally takes the longest for people to master. Section 2 (CARS) varies from the other three portions in that it does not need memorization. CARS is specifically intended to measure your critical thinking and reasoning abilities. This portion requires you to read and consider texts from a variety of humanities and social sciences areas, followed by an analysis and response to questions concerning what you have just read. To perform well on CARS, you must be able to quickly understand and analyze what you read. It is a difficult skill, but one that our MCAT tutors are specialized in helping you with.
The MCAT takes 7.5 hours to complete with breaks, not including the time spent signing in and getting settled. Without breaks, the MCAT takes 6 hours and 15 minutes to complete. That being said, we strongly advise you to take advantage of each break to catch your breath, grab some food (protein bars are your best friend), and reset before moving on to the next section.
You get three optional breaks during the MCAT exam, which means you can rest after finishing each section. The first break lasts 10 minutes, the second 30 minutes (for lunch), and the final 10 minutes. Prior to the test, there is an optional 10-minute instruction. We recommend using these first 10 minutes for a "brain-dump," where students usually jot down the things they're most likely to forget. We talked about it above, but we'll list everything here: Optional tutorial: 10 minutes
Chem/Phys: 95 minutes
Optional break: 10 minutes
CARS: 90 minutes
Optional lunch break: 30 minutes
Bio/BioChem: 95 minutes
Optional break: 10 minutes
Psych/Soc: 95 minutes
The MCAT is fully multiple-choice. The score range for each of the four MCAT parts is 118-132, giving a total perfect score of 528. The lowest possible score is 472. Each of the four areas accounts for 25% of your final score. Exactly how the score is calculated and "curved" is unknown and is a proprietary secret. However, the AAMC is extremely good at what they do, and they usually write an exam that follows a normal curve every time. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys)
Score Range: 118-132
Number of Questions: 59 total (44 passage-related, 15 standalone)
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
Score Range: 118-132
Number of questions: 53 total (all passage-related)
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/BioChem)
Score Range: 118-132
Number of Questions: 59 total (44 passage-related, 15 standalone)
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc)
Score Range: 118-132
Number of Questions: 59 total (44 passage-related, 15 standalone)
A good MCAT score is unique to each individual and is heavily influenced by the schools to which you choose to apply. While a perfect MCAT score is 528, most medical schools recommend that students have a minimum MCAT score of 500, which equals 125 in each of the four sections. However, in order to be competitive, you must usually aim for a score above 511 (for an allopathic medical school). Osteopathic medical schools accept students with lower scores, so the general rule of thumb is to aim for a score of 503 for Osteopathic medical schools, but also keep the whole applicant in mind (Holistic Acceptance Practices). However, keep in mind that these average numbers change often.
Average statistics of recently accepted medical school students can offer you a rough indication of what to expect, but if you have specific medical schools in mind, you must look up on what is expected at each institution.
The average MCAT score for recent matriculants who apply through AMCAS is 511.70, and the average MCAT score for recent matriculants applying via AACOMAS is 503.90.
Keep in mind that these are only averages. To be competitive, aim for a score that is significantly higher than the average.
The Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) database is the absolute best resource for determining how your MCAT score and GPA compare to students who have previously been accepted to the schools you're applying to.
Your milage may vary with this question, but we'll give you our honest opinion.
The MCAT is a difficult exam, no doubt about it. Many companies teach that is not a test of content but rather a test of how you think. However, these companies get it wrong. It's unfortunately a test of both. Having an absolute grasp and mastery of MCAT content, then being able to implement the information into a cohesive picture is absolutely necessary to do well on this exam. What you'll also notice on test day is that many MCAT questions are mixed into the various sections. For example, you'll notice there are some biophysics questions in the Bio/Biochem section, or maybe some Bio in the Chem/Phys section. You have to be ready to deal with these types of curveballs on test day.
Aside from the test's difficulty, you should plan to spend at least eight hours at the testing center on the day of the test. Some of that time will be spent settling in and taking breaks, but you will still devote 6 hours and 15 minutes to material alone. It's a long test, and you will need testing stamina. That comes slowly, and like any muscle in the body, it can be trained.
Some students score very well and do it quite easily. Others (most students) will have to study long hours and put in a lot of work to score equally well. The key is to know and understand how you study, which can be completely different than how you studied in your undergraduate classes. We try and connect you with the best MCAT Tutors so that you get the score you want.
You can register for the MCAT exam at the AAMC website. To access AAMC services, you must first register an account, if you do not already have one.
The MCAT test calendar changes every year. Your test date determines when you should begin studying. We recommend spending 3-6 months studying before the test date. We have found that three months is optimal if you can devote 40 hours or more each week to learning.
This one is a doozy to answer, and the short answer is - it's complicated.
While AAMC offers a free practice test, students report that it is easier than the actual MCAT. To receive something as near as feasible to the real MCAT, you'll need to pay for one or more of the AAMC's full-length practice examinations with scaled scoring. It is absolutely recommended to go through all of their practice exams, but later in your studying, to better guide you.
According to the majority of test takers, preparation exams are more difficult than the actual MCAT. The AAMC MCAT practice exams are as similar to the real thing as possible because they are written by the same test developers that write the MCAT. Many students indicate that their actual MCAT score was extremely close to what they got on the AAMC practice tests (or their average, rather). Premier MCAT Prep practice exams are always on the cutting edge and are being updated as the AAMC adds new potential content. Our exams are generally within 2 points of your actual exams, unlike the other companies which inflate or deflate your score depending on how they want you to score.
The best time to take the MCAT is primarily determined by your post-college plans and you in general—are you intending to enter medical school right away, or do you want to take a year off? It is largely depending on your current level of preparation for the MCAT as well, as some students may be in non-STEM related degree programs.
If you intend to attend medical school, we recommend taking the MCAT during the summer after your sophomore year. If you intend to take a year off after college, take the MCAT in the summer between your junior and senior years, when the knowledge of university is still fresh in your mind.
Well, you will never be truly, 100% prepared to take the MCAT. There will always be a few questions that you didn't know, and that's okay! This is a personal decision, primarily based on three major elements.
How well are your MCAT studies going?
Your scores from practice tests
Your personal state of mind (confidence, timetable, etc.)
It is crucial to remember, however, that delaying your MCAT could be detrimental to your score, as the longer you study, the more likely you are to forget content you covered at the beginning of your studies.
Official MCAT scores are released 30 to 35 days following your exam date.
This answer varies by the medical school you are applying to, so you should refer to them for any specifics. But the general rule of thumb is that MCAT scores are not accepted after they are three years old.
Standard MCAT enrollment is $330. However, this price has risen throughout the years and is projected to climb further. Registration in the Fee Assistance Program is $135. If you are testing outside of the United States, Canada, or US Territories, you will be charged a $120 international fee in addition to the registration cost. Before you may choose your test date and location, you must first acquire final approval for the AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program.
If you believe that your existing physical or mental disability or condition may have a negative influence on your MCAT performance, you should apply for MCAT accommodations. MCAT accommodations are changes to the MCAT's standard testing circumstances made for students with a medical condition or impairment that may impair their performance on the MCAT. They can greatly improve your score, being given more breaks or more time for the exam. Pregnancy or presently nursing
Temporary medical issues, such as a fractured leg
Learning disorders, such as ADHD
Anxiety and depression (or other psychiatric illnesses)
Sensory conditions, such as reduced vision or hearing.
A long-term debilitating illness MCAT accommodations are not established solely by the diagnosis; they are determined by your existing functional limitations and the task's unique demands, and they are only permitted if they are backed by sufficient evidence. For example, it may be true that you are pregnant, but you must demonstrate that this has a direct influence on your ability to finish a standardized test. This is generally quite difficult, and the AAMC does not give accommodations for the MCAT lightly.
You will need to start preparing your application many months before your actual MCAT test, because in order to acquire MCAT accommodations, you must submit an initial application far in advance of the exam date. The AAMC can examine initial requests for up to 60 days, while other requests may take up to 30 days. We recommend you begin this process 4 months before your requested exam date.
Ideally, you should take it once. That's where we come in to try and help you find tutors for the MCAT who are qualified and ready to help. The AAMC allows students to take the MCAT up to three times each year, four times during two years, and seven times in their lifetime. Each scored attempt will show on your record, so admissions committees will see all of your MCAT scores—unless you void the test (see below). Admissions committees generally frown upon those who take the exam more than twice, as it shows a pattern of not learning the material thoroughly enough or a failure to understand the reasoning - which can be a direct influence on your medical school grades (which of course, is not applicable to everyone).
Voiding your MCAT means to cancel the scoring of your MCAT. You have five minutes following the test to notify the supervisors that you want to void your MCAT; if you do, your MCAT will not be graded. Some testing centers are different, as they only display a little multiple-choice box that says, "I wish to have my MCAT Exam VOIDED." Nobody will look at it, so you won't know how you did, nor will the schools. While the effort will still count among your overall number of MCAT tries, colleges will be unaware that you voided one.
Everyone feels like they bombed the MCAT. That is a completely normal feeling. However, we do not recommend voiding your exam unless you are absolutely sure you bombed a section. If you had a medical episode that prevented you from doing your best, you guessed on half of a section or two, or you weren't in the right headspace and knew it wasn't your best go, you may consider voiding your exam.
From January to September 2024, two to five MCAT test dates will be available per month, with March having the fewest at two and June having the most. There are no MCAT exam dates available in February or October through December of 2024.
Every allopathic medical school in the United States requires applicants to take the MCAT. Many companies will say abroad universities do not require the MCAT, and that attending them may limit your future opportunities. This is blatantly false. While it is true for hyper-competitive specialties, such as plastic surgery, most students would be perfectly suited attending abroad medical schools.
Articles claiming to mention medical schools without an MCAT requirement are actually referring to BS/MD, BS/DO, or other comparable early entry programs that can begin as early as high school. Early entry pathways include bachelor's and medicine degree programs, such as a BS or BA paired with an MD or DO by a single acceptance. Consider BS/MD, BA/MD, BS(BA)/DO, and EAPs (Early Assurance Programs).
Programs such as BS/MDs often last 6-8 years. They do provide a quite direct path to becoming an MD or DO without taking the MCAT, and in most cases after finishing the BS, you can change your mind if you decide to not pursue medicine.
Here are the three major questions to consider before retaking the MCAT.
Do you really need a higher score to be accepted to your desired medical school?
- If you are applying to MD schools, and your MCAT score is below a 506, the answer is usually yes.
Can you considerably increase your score? (Do you have the time and energy to prepare for the MCAT again? Do you have a better study strategy?
- This is dependent on you and you only. How much time, effort, and money can you input to your goal.
How many times have you previously taken the MCAT?
- If you have taken the exam twice with no significant improvement, then you may want to reconsider your study habits.
Many students struggle with the decision of whether or not to repeat the MCAT. Signing up to take the test again immediately away without changing your study habits is a bad idea, as there is no reason to believe you would fare any better than you did before.
Keep in mind that your MCAT success is determined by your preparation rather than your intelligence.
Make sure you bring your A-game. Bring your ID, a hoodie (dress comfortably overall), any medications you may need, food, and some water. The more things you have on you, the more clutter you will have, and the more scattered your mind. Bring the bare basics!
It was mentioned above, but bring comfy clothes. It's a long examination, and you'll want to concentrate solely on the exam, not what you're wearing. It's also best to bring a hoodie or sweater, as some testing centers keep the AC on to battle the heat put off by the computers.
Any personal objects, including jewelry and watches, have to be removed before sitting for the test, so avoid bringing them with you. Everything on you will be scrutinized, and any superfluous goods must be kept in the testing center's secure storage area. You will even need to turn out your pockets, so make sure they are empty before you arrive.
Choose a filling but not too hefty breakfast. We always recommend doing what you did for all of your practice exams. Don't suddenly switch to another breakfast food because you think it's better, as it might even upset your stomach. Don't experiment with food on MCAT day!
Keep your food options basic, but pack extra just in case. You'll be exercising your brain hard for several hours, which will stimulate your appetite. Sandwiches, protein bars, nuts, granola bars, bananas, and berries are all great options.
YES. MCAT tutoring is one of the best investments you can make into your MCAT content prep. A guide who is experienced and familiar with all of the topics is an invaluable resource. Besides simple tutoring for the MCAT, being kept accountable for studying is a thing many students need.
Every student is different, of course. There are companies that primarily aim to sell you their course, thinking is will be a "one-size-fits-all," but this couldn't be farther from the truth. An well thought out MCAT study plan, written by an MCAT tutor, is basically your checklist for success. Having someone who deeply understands the concepts and content tested on the MCAT is a huge help, as you can message your tutor anytime with your questions.
There are a ton of resources. Some of them are paid materials, others are free. Many students are able to score 520 or higher using completely free MCAT prep resources, many of which we have links to on our website.
I always tell my students - pick up a book, doesn't matter which one, and start with chapter one. Studying for the MCAT is daunting at first. But it does get progressively easier. Like any muscle in your body, the brain can be trained to learn more and more information, and at a faster rate. When you start to make dents in your MCAT books, and start maturing more anki cards, you'll see it wasn't so bad to begin with.