What is the MCAT? Understanding MCAT Scores, Sections, and More
During your journey to becoming a doctor, you’ll hear a great deal about the MCAT—and for good reason. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) was developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to serve as a metric to determine one's potential and future performance at medical school.
In this post, we'll walk through key aspects of the MCAT, explore strategies for preparing and succeeding on the test, and discuss your options if you don't perform as well as you'd like.
What is the MCAT?
The MCAT is a multiple-choice exam that’s administered by the AAMC. It was developed to help medical school admissions offices determine applicant skills in areas such as critical thinking and problem solving. The exam also tests students on principles and concepts in the behavioral, natural, and social sciences that are required if you’re planning on studying the field of medicine.
The MCAT is comprised of four sections:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
It’s a content-based exam, meaning you’re expected to know the specific information covered in each of the above sections, which pull questions from different disciplines covered in your undergraduate studies.
Each section has a specific number of questions that must be completed within a strict time frame, and is scored using a specific range from 118 to 132. The median score for each section is 125.
MCAT Scores
While the overall MCAT score average is set at 500, ranges between 472 and 528 are possible. You'll receive scores for each section as well as an overall score, which will be reported 30-35 days after your exam date.
Why is the MCAT Important?
Your MCAT score plays a crucial role in your medical school application. It provides admissions committees with a standardized way to compare applicants from diverse academic backgrounds.
Beyond GPA and coursework, your MCAT score:
- Demonstrates your ability to handle rigorous scientific content
- Reflects your critical thinking and reasoning abilities
- Helps determine your readiness for the demands of medical school
While a strong score can open doors to top medical schools, remember that it’s only one component of your application. Personal statements, recommendation letters, extracurriculars, and relevant experience are also important parts of your story.
What is on the MCAT?
The following is a brief overview of what you can expect to find within each section of the MCAT.
Section One: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Also known as Chem/Phys, the first section of the exam contains 59 questions that you must finish within 95 minutes. The primary undergraduate disciplines that you’ll find in this section’s questions are general chemistry (30%), introductory physics (25%), introductory organic chemistry (15%), first-semester biochemistry (25%), and introductory biology (5%).
Expect to find questions regarding:
- Organs and organ systems
- Human tissues
- Your understanding of the above’s physical, biochemical, and mechanical functions
- Mechanisms of the body
- Proteins, enzymes, amino acids, carbohydrates, and more
You'll also be tested on your ability to apply and reason about your understanding of living systems.
Section Two: Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
Because section two focuses on both your reasoning and critical analysis skills, there’s no correlating content knowledge.
Instead, you'll be given passages to read before answering questions that use your ability to reason and display critical thinking skills. Expect to be presented with complex passages involving concepts from the humanities and social sciences like ethics, cultural studies, philosophy, and population health.
This section contains 53 questions, and you’re given 90 minutes to complete it. You’ll be tested on your ability to understand the passages presented, as well as how you interpret the author’s underlying assumptions or the validity of their arguments.
Section Three: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Also known as Bio/Biochem, this section of the MCAT also contains 59 questions, which must be completed within 95 minutes.
This section focuses primarily on educational content contained within introductory biology (65%) and first-semester biochemistry (25%), as well as general chemistry (5%) and organic chemistry (5%). It tests your knowledge and reasoning skills concerning:
- Organ systems and cell processes
- Concepts that are fundamental to living organisms, including how they respond, metabolize, grow, adapt, and reproduce
Section Four: Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
Also known as Psych/Soc, the final section of the MCAT tests your understanding of the behavioral and sociocultural components of health and how sociology, psychology, and biology apply to them. Your ability to both use and apply research statistics and methods is also tested.
Like sections one and three, section four contains 59 questions and you'll have 95 minutes in which to complete it. This section pulls its question bank heavily from introductory psychology (65%) undergraduate courses, with introductory sociology (30%) also playing a large part, as well as small elements of introductory biology (5%).
Key concepts in this section of the MCAT include:
- Psychological disorders (symptoms and how to treat them)
- Theories of personalities
- The nervous system
- Sleep and sleep cycles
How to Study for the MCAT
The MCAT is a challenging and time-sensitive test that requires a great deal of preparation. In order to fully distill and absorb the necessary information, it's a good idea to develop a comprehensive plan that starts early.
Every individual is different when it comes to MCAT prep. Some people thrive in a testing environment and intuitively know how to set themselves up for a successful outcome; others will require more dedicated effort to get a passing score. Either way, the MCAT is only one portion of your medical education, so take your time, stay calm, and put your best foot forward.
We recommend following these strategies:
Develop a Timeline
Be prepared to spend between 200 and 500 hours devoted solely to studying for the MCAT. Develop a timeline that gives you ample time to study without rushing or procrastinating.
Know What Works for You
Use the study methods that have provided you with success in the past. For some people, that might mean in-person classes or virtual study groups. Others might take a more independent route and study using online resources, books, or a combination.
Practice Makes Perfect
Make judicious use of the practice tests. Not only does this give you a realistic sense of the timing involved, but it can also help you identify your weak spots.
Set Smart Goals
Set clear, realistic goals to keep your MCAT preparation on track. While it’s always best to aim for a strong score the first time, know that you can retake the MCAT if needed. The AAMC allows multiple attempts within specific yearly and lifetime limits. Still, each test is expensive, time-consuming, and mentally taxing, so thoughtful planning and structured study goals can help you do your best from the start.
How Hard is the MCAT Test?
Whether test-taking comes naturally to you or you prefer a hands-on educational setting (such as a clinical), there's no way around it: the MCAT is nothing to take lightly.
The MCAT is a difficult and stressful exam that schools in the United States place a heavy emphasis on.
What Happens If I Get a Low MCAT Score?
So what happens if it doesn't go as planned and you find yourself with a low score?
If you don't do as well on the MCAT as you'd hoped, your dreams of becoming a doctor can still be realized. In fact, many successful doctors found themselves in the same situation!
Caribbean medical schools offer an alternative to U.S. medical schools, so you aren't held back by your MCAT scores. At Trinity School of Medicine, we're proud to say that we don't see the MCAT as a barrier to getting a high-quality medical education.
Many applicants struggle to find a quality medical school that accepts low MCAT scores. At Trinity, we firmly acknowledge that an MCAT score is only a starting point for a student's potential. That's why we also consider:
- Relevant work experience
- Internships
- Letters of recommendation
- Strategic extracurriculars
Not to mention, we look at an applicant's individual experience on their personal and academic journey. We consider intangible factors such as drive, focus, and dedication to the field. That means a lot more than a single score!
FAQs About the MCAT
How Long is the MCAT?
The exam lasts about 7 hours and 30 minutes, including breaks and administrative time.
When Do You Take the MCAT?
Most students take the MCAT during their junior year of college or after completing the required pre-med coursework.
What is Considered a ‘Good’ MCAT Score?
While it depends on the school and whether you’re aiming for an M.D. or D.O. program, a 510 or higher is typically considered competitive. However, many excellent schools accept a range of scores.
How Many Times Can You Take the MCAT?
You can attempt the MCAT up to three times in one testing year, four times over two years, and seven times in your lifetime. It’s worth noting that not showing up for a scheduled exam or voiding an exam would count as attempts and count towards your limit.
Low MCAT Score? Don’t Let That Hold You Back
We believe that the MCAT is only one factor to consider in a future doctor's potential. If you find yourself with a low MCAT score, consider your options outside the traditional U.S. or Canadian medical school. Offshore medical schools can often be more forgiving and, like Trinity, look to other factors aside from MCAT results.
If this information is helping you breathe a sigh of relief, you're not alone. Apply to Trinity today to join our roster of promising future doctors, all of whom are much more than an MCAT score.
