What are the MCAT sections?

The MCAT contains integrated sections, which means that subjects are not tested independently, but include overlapping areas of concentration, which is how you’ll encounter these subjects in medical school.

The integrated content on the MCAT is broken down into four test sections that comprise the exam:

• 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

Each of the four sections of the MCAT is scored from 118 to 132, with the mean and median at 125. This means the total score ranges from 472 to 528, with the mean and median at 500. See more on how the MCAT is scored below.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys)

• 44 passage-related questions+15 standalone, non-passage-related questions
• Total Questions: 59
• Total Time: 95 minutes
• Score Range: 118 to 132

The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys) section on the MCAT asks that you combine your knowledge of the basic physical sciences with that of the biological sciences. An understanding of the basic chemical and physical principles that underlie the mechanisms operating in the human body—and an ability to apply your understanding of these general principles to living systems—is essential.

While Chem/Phys may appear to be a section that tests the physical sciences, it goes beyond that. The physical sciences are tested in the context of the biological sciences, which is a departure from the traditional way we learn these sciences. A significant amount of biochemistry also appears in this section.

The undergraduate courses that are reflected in the Chem/Physics section of the MCAT include introductory General Chemistry (30%), introductory Physics (25%), introductory Organic Chemistry (15%), and first-semester Biochemistry (25%). Introductory Biology (5%) is also included in this section of the test.

A periodic table is available during the MCAT, but a calculator is not.

Of the 59 questions on the Chem/Phys section of the MCAT, 15 are standalone, non-passage-related, discrete questions. The rest of the section questions come from passages offered on the exam, and they require both information from the passage and outside content knowledge.

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

• Total Number of Questions: 53 passage-related questions
• Time Duration: 90 minutes
• Score Range:118 to 132

The formal name of this section is Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills. Since that’s a mouthful, we will just call it CARS. While there is a lot of content to learn for the other three sections, the CARS section doesn’t test any prior content knowledge. All information necessary to answer the questions is included in the passage. The CARS section is essentially testing you on how well you are able to analyze arguments and find the underlying assumptions and inferences. The section is 90 minutes in length, with 53 questions, all of which are connected to their respective passages.

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/Biochem)

• Number of Questions: 44 passage-related questions+15 standalone, non-passage-related questions
• Total Number of Questions: 59
• Total Time: 95 minutes
• Score Range: 118 to 132

The Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/Biochem) section on the MCAT requires an understanding of the basic processes that foster life, such as growing, reproducing, acquiring energy, and more. Equally important in the study of medicine is your knowledge of how cells and organ systems within an organism act both independently and in concert to accomplish these processes.

While Bio/Biochem may appear to be a section that’s testing the biological sciences, it goes beyond that. Biology and biochemistry comprise the majority of the Bio/Biochem section on the MCAT, but there is also some organic chemistry and general chemistry tested in this section, as those disciplines provide a background to the Biochemistry..

The undergraduate courses that are reflected in the Bio/Biochem section of the MCAT are introductory Biology (65%), introductory General Chemistry (5%), introductory Organic Chemistry (5%), and first-semester Biochemistry (25%). Additional biology classes such as Cell Biology, Genetics, Anatomy and Physiology, or Microbiology can be helpful, but aren’t required.

Of the 59 questions on the Bio/Biochem section of the MCAT, 15 are standalone, non-passage-related, discrete questions. The rest of the section questions come from passages offered on the exam, and they require both information from the passage and outside content knowledge.

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc)

• Number of Questions: 44 passage-related questions+15 standalone, non-passage-related questions
• Total Question: 59 total questions
• Total Time: 95
• Score Range: 118 to 132

The Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc) section on the MCAT covers topics in Psychology and Sociology in the context of the biological sciences. These are the newest subjects tested on the MCAT, introduced because of their increasing importance in medical education. While most medical schools do not require psychology or sociology as part of their prerequisite coursework, the MCAT recommends one semester of introductory courses in each of these subjects.

This section is an essential addition to the MCAT since it assesses your ability to implement research and statistical principles within the realm of behavioral and sociocultural determinants of health and health outcomes. Basically, you are required to integrate psychological, sociological, and biological bases of behaviors and relationships.

Of the 59 questions on the Psych/Soc section of the exam, 15 are standalone, non-passage-related, discrete questions. The rest of the section questions come from passages offered on the exam, and they require both information from the passage and outside content knowledge.

What is a good MCAT score?

When considering your MCAT score goal, it’s always a good idea to look at the requirements—or minimums, if applicable—at the med schools to which you’re applying. In addition, here are some other details about MCAT scoring that can help you assess your target score

Each of the four sections of the MCAT is scored from 118 to 132, with the mean and median at 125. This means the total score ranges from 472 to 528, with the mean and median at 500.

Why such odd numbers? The AAMC stresses that this scale emphasizes the importance of the central portion of the score distribution, where most students score (around 125 per section, or 500 total), rather than putting undue focus on the high end of the scale.

 MCAT Syllabus

The logic of scientific inquiry is a prerequisite for scoring well on all 3 sections related to scientific concepts. It includes (but is not limited to) understanding of scientific concepts and basics of scientific inquiry. The skills to distinguish between the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to scientific theories is a skill that is very advantageous in the medical field of study. The gray area of ethics in science is also a part and parcel of the scientific reasoning. Basic understanding of all the elements of scientific research is expected. Interpretation of data in the form of tables/graphs/charts and deriving conclusions based on that data is the cornerstone of scientific research.

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

This section tests you on the knowledge related to operations distinctive of living organisms: growth/reproduction, maintenance of conducive environment, acquisition of materials/energy, response to environmental stimuli, and adaptation. It also incorporates knowledge regarding the individual cell/organ systems and their inter-dependence — various threads of a biological organism in all its complexity.

The following content categories are included in this section:

• protein structures and amino acids as building blocks
• genetic transmission of information: gene to protein
• heredity and the processes that enhance genetic diversity
• bioenergetics and fuel metabolism
• cells/molecule assembly in single/multi cell organisms
• prokaryotes and viruses: structure, physiology, and genetics
• cell division
• nervous and endocrine systems
• organ systems: functions and structure

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

This section tests your understanding related to chemical and mechanical functions of human organs/tissues. It also tests the knowledge related to the chemical and physical principles that govern the human body, and the ability to apply and extend the same reasoning to various living systems.

The following content categories are included in this section:

• work, energy, forces, equilibrium in living systems
• the role of fluids in blood circulation and gas exchange
• electrochemistry
• interaction of light and sound with matter
• nuclear decay and chemical behavior of atoms
• water: nature and solutions
• molecules and the interaction among them
• the concept of purification
• function and structure of biological molecules
• kinetics and thermodynamic principles

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

This section tests your understanding of the effect of psychological, social, and biological factors on perception and reactions to stimuli, self-talk, mental models of the world (including thinking about others), behavioral changes, the role of society and culture on well-being, and the connections among social hierarchy and well-being.

The following content categories are included in this section:

• environment sensing and understanding
• response to the world
• causes of behavioral change
• effects of social activity on human behavior
• distinctive behaviors
• identity & the concept of self
• the social line of thought and interactions
• social imbalance
• understanding of the social fabric
• demographic systems

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

This section is primarily related to testing your understanding of the written text, geared towards the reasoning skills considered vital to a successful medical career. A passage is presented to the candidate (a wide variety of disciplines can be expected – from science to humanities), and the questions based on the passage require critical thinking and analysis to answer. The passages are short (500-600 words) but often dense, abstruse, and intricate. All information required to answer the questions is presented in the passage itself, and no outside knowledge is assumed. The passages often focus on the complex relationships between the presented ideas/theories and require thinking along disparate lines of thought. Some thought is to be given to subtle indicators such as tone and word usage to establish the intent of the author, and ultimately the meaning of the passage.

The passages are derived from reading sources that a college student typically reads – books, journals, and magazines. The style of the passage differs based on the discipline. For instance, science passages tend to be more factual, while humanities passages tend to be more opinionated.

Humanities passages can be derived from a host of disciplines such as:

• art and architecture
• literature
• ethics
• philosophy
• pop culture
• religion
• cultural studies

Science passages can be derived from a host of disciplines such as:

• economics/history/geography
• anthropology
• linguistics
• psychology and sociology
• archaeology
• political science

Section tests 3 broad skills that are necessary for a candidate to understand complex texts. Foundations of Comprehension is related to the ability to deconstruct the components of the passage, while interpreting the meaning from rhetoric, tone, and structure. Reasoning within the text is related to the ability to assimilate the various components (overt and subtle) to enhance the understanding of the text. Reasoning beyond the text is related to the expansion of ideas from the text to new settings/contexts, and the effect of introducing new conditions and information on the original meaning of the passage.