MCAT Test Sections

A detailed, granular look at the MCAT exam.

Here’s an MCAT test breakdown, including approximate length of portions of the MCAT, the number of questions you’ll need to answer, and the academic disciplines each section emphasizes

MCAT and Admissions

Accredited medical schools—such as the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC)—require a good score on the Medical College Admission Test^® (MCAT^®) for admission. The exam was developed with input from doctors, medical students, and medical school faculty to ensure the inclusion of the skills and knowledge that every student should know before entering medical school.

It's long, broad, and intense, but the MCAT exam is a test just like any other test—and to succeed at it, you’ll need to know what you’re up against. How many questions are on the MCAT? How are they scored?

MCAT Breakdown

The MCAT sections breakdown is as follows:

Section 1 - Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBLS)
Section 2 - Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBS)
Section 3 - Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBB)
Section 4 - Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

The first three MCAT sections cover basic science concepts taught in such pre-med degree programs as biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology. The last section, CARS, is similar to other reading comprehension tests you may have taken throughout your education. It does not test your knowledge of science, but rather how well you analyze problems and apply reasoning skills to arrive at solutions.

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The MCAT Structure

The MCAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based, standardized test. Each section includes some trial questions that are being considered for possible inclusion in future MCAT exams—and those questions are not included in your final score. Of course, you won’t know which are trial questions and which questions are graded.

Below is the MCAT sections breakdown, including an MCAT question breakdown, as well as how much time you have to complete each section.

Section Name	Total Questions	Passage-Based Questions	Independent Questions	Time to Complete
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems	59	10 sets of 4-6 questions	15	95 minutes
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems	59	10 sets of 4-6 questions	15	95 minutes
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior	59	10 sets of 4-6 questions	15	95 minutes
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills	53	9 sets of 5-7 questions	0	90 minutes

Additional MCAT Resource: MCAT Essential Testing

MCAT Section #1

MCAT Topic: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

This section tests your knowledge of fundamental concepts that govern processes unique to living organisms (growing, reproducing, responding, metabolizing, and adapting). It also tests your understanding of how cells and organ systems accomplish these processes, as well as your ability to reason about these processes.

Academic disciplines:

First-semester biochemistry, 25%
Introductory biology, 65%
General chemistry, 5%
Organic chemistry, 5%

MCAT Section #2

MCAT Topic: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

This section tests your understanding of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of human tissues, organs, and organ systems. It also tests your knowledge of the basic chemical and physical principles that underlie the mechanisms operating in the human body and your ability to reason about and apply your understanding of these principles to living systems.

Academic disciplines:

First-semester biochemistry, 25%
Introductory biology, 5%
General chemistry, 30%
Organic chemistry, 15%
Introductory physics, 25%

MCAT Section #3

MCAT Topic: Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

This section tests your understanding of how concepts in psychology, sociology, and biology apply to the sociocultural and behavioral aspects of human health. You will also need to demonstrate your ability to use research methods and statistics.

Academic disciplines:

First-semester biochemistry, 25%
Introductory psychology, 65%
Introductory sociology, 30%
Introductory biology, 5%

Note: The introductory psychology section will include biologically relevant psychology questions.

MCAT Section #4

MCAT Topic: Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

As before, this section will require no specific content knowledge. This MCAT section will ask you to read passages and answer questions to demonstrate critical thinking abilities. Complex, thought-provoking passages will be excerpted from books, journals, and magazines representing a wide range of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, including concepts from cultural studies, population health, ethics, and philosophy.

Academic disciplines that may be drawn from:

Humanities, 50%
May include art, dance, ethics, literature, music, philosophy, popular culture, religion, theater, studies of diverse cultures
Social Sciences, 50%
May include anthropology, archaeology, economics, education, geography, history, linguistics, political science, population health, psychology, sociology, studies of diverse cultures

Sections 1-3

For MCAT sections 1-3: As you complete your prerequisite course work for these three sections, practice applying the concepts. Developing the habit of using challenge questions at the end of your textbook chapters can help you build the stamina and agility needed to conquer these sections.

Section 4

For MCAT section 4: Become a voracious reader. Digesting and discussing novels, biographies, news, and academic journals will build your critical analysis and reasoning abilities. Even better, practice these skills by joining a discussion group such as a book club or debate team.

Want more tips?

Good overall study habits can help get you on the right track as you prepare for this exam. Check out some tried-and-true MCAT study tips from Jamie DeTrinidad, Senior Associate Director of Admissions.

4 MCAT TIPS FROM OUR ADMISSIONS TEAM