In many ways, the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) creates a universal way for medical school admission teams to assess an applicant’s readiness for the program ahead. It evaluates your scientific foundation and how well you can adapt that knowledge to unforeseen scenarios. With so many medical advancements each year, it’s only natural for the MCAT to be updated so it better reflects the current times.
Changes made to the 2025 MCAT interface improves accessibility and the overall testing experience. It still has the same four sections seen on previous tests, and takes about 7.5 hours to complete with breaks, but only 6 hours and 15 minutes without.
Breaking Down the MCAT’s Structure
The MCAT in 2025 will follow the same structure, time constraints, and number of questions as the previous exams.
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 59 questions | 95 minutes |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | 59 questions | 95 minutes |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 53 questions | 90 minutes |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior | 59 questions | 95 minutes |
In total, you’ll have 7.5 hours to complete 230 questions.
You can still take 10-minute breaks between each section of the MCAT, or move to the next section once you’re done with the previous one. During your breaks, you can use the bathroom, eat, drink some water, or stretch your legs. There’s a 30-minute lunch break after the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section you can use to clear your head before you continue testing. Since the exam takes all day to complete, it’s a good idea to take breaks even if you think you don’t need them as they can help you stay sharp throughout the exam.
2025 MCAT Accessibility Updates
While the content of the test hasn’t changed, there are a few new features that make testing more comfortable for test takers, including:
- More color contrast options. You can choose a traditional white background with black text, a black background with white text, or a salmon background with black text. This can help reduce eye strain when testing for extended periods as well as accommodate a broad range of visual needs.
- A zoom function. Being able to adjust text size while testing can make it easier for you to read longer passages and complex figures.
- More highlighter colors. The original MCAT already had a yellow highlighter built into its interface, but test takers now also have access to a blue highlighter. Having more color options can help you better organize information, improve comprehension and recall, and quickly identify key points in the passage.
Though these updates don’t change the content of the test, they can reduce strain, improve comprehension, and accommodate a diverse range of visual and learning needs. This can better improve a test taker’s performance on test day.
Effective Study Strategies for the 2025 MCAT
The new accessibility features are now available in the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) MCAT Official Prep practice exams.
Incorporate Digital Tools While Studying
Everyone has access to the same tools throughout the exam, but each person is likely to use them in different ways. While studying, incorporate ways you can use these tools into your practice exams. For example, when taking practice exams, practice testing using one background color throughout the entire test. The next time, try switching the background color between sections and making note of how you felt when testing. Knowing how you react to each color and when to switch colors can help you minimize eye strain, allowing you to stay sharp during the real exam.
When reading passages, assign a code to each color to quickly identify important information and recall it when solving problems. Remember, these tools are meant to enhance your studying experience and improve your efficiency during the exam. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ways of incorporating them into your study routine to find what works best for you.
Take Full-Length Practice Tests
Lasting 7.5 hours, the MCAT is a long, demanding exam that tests your mental and physical endurance just as much as it tests your scientific knowledge. Taking full-length practice tests while preparing for the MCAT helps you identify when you’re likely to lose steam. Knowing this allows you to create strategies that combat fatigue. Practicing in simulated test conditions helps you feel comfortable with the exam’s pace, increase your stamina, and implement time management strategies to answer as many questions as possible. The MCAT doesn’t penalize you for wrong answers, so it is in your best interest to complete as many questions as possible.
Using time management strategies when taking full-length practice tests can give you an idea of how much time you need for certain subject areas. You can base your testing strategy around this knowledge and more effectively use your time. Practice tests are also a low-stress way to identify your strengths and weaknesses, which can be used to create a strategic study plan.
Use Online Learning Platforms
Platforms like Blueprint, Khan Academy, and Kaplan offer structured study plans, on-demand materials, and even live courses if you want real-time expert feedback and assistance. Blueprint takes it a step further by incorporating 24/7, one-on-one support from an AI MCAT tutor named Blue. These virtual study environments let you review content when and wherever you have access to the internet, allowing you to study for the exam on your terms.
Each online learning platform has its own curriculum, but most have engaging and interactive materials that improve comprehension and build confidence. Common resources used include:
- Video tutorials to break down complex concepts
- Quizzes and flashcards to test and reinforce key concepts and knowledge
- Interactive, passage-based questions similar to those found on the MCAT
- Pre-recorded and live online classes
Another exciting perk that comes with online learning programs is their built-in analytics that provide a visual representation of your strengths and weaknesses. You can identify patterns in your results, gauge your progress, and more effectively modify your study plans based on quantifiable data.
Identify and Prioritize High-Yield Topics
High-yield topics are more commonly tested on the MCAT than others. According to the AMA, high-yield topics largely apply to these three sections:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
Specifically, biological sciences, physical sciences, physics, and behavior sciences are considered high-yield topics. By utilizing the built-in analytics of MCAT prep programs, you can easily identify which topics you may need to spend more time studying and prioritize them accordingly.
The MCAT covers a broad range of topics, and they aren’t all tested equally. Prioritizing high-yield topics when studying lets you focus on topics that have the most impact and reinforce core concepts that are most likely to appear on test day. Additionally, these concepts can be building blocks for more complex questions you’ll encounter later.
For example, enzymes and amino acids are two high-yield biological science concepts. This information can snowball into multi-step problems such as questions about metabolism. Prioritizing essential concepts when studying helps you conserve mental energy by focusing your study sessions and limiting information overload.
Final Thoughts on MCAT Prep
Even though the MCAT exam received updates in 2025, the updates only improve accessibility. The core concepts and skills tested on the exam haven’t changed with this recent round of updates. Still, the exam is very likely to undergo changes in the future to better reflect the needs, knowledge, and developments of the time.
Make sure to regularly check the AAMC website for the latest information on updates, test dates, prep materials, and more. This can help ensure you’re using your prep time wisely and will be fully prepared for exam day. Using online prep resources can also help you leverage the latest technological advancements, like AI tutors and real-time analytics, to effectively tailor your study prep to your strengths and weaknesses.
At the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), we offer on-demand webinars, prep tips, and the latest information on MCAT changes. Our experienced faculty and advisors are dedicated to helping students succeed on the MCAT and beyond.
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