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The MCAT is an intimidating exam, and your score plays a large role in the strength of your med school profile. So, how do you ensure you have the background knowledge necessary to navigate your MCAT journey?
While there are many MCAT online prep resources, Inspira Advantage has made it easier than ever to get the relevant information you need in one convenient guide! We’re dedicated to ensuring ambitious pre-meds feel empowered to tackle the MCAT; that’s why our guide contains everything you need to know, including:
Take your first step toward acing the MCAT today; don’t miss out on your free 75+ page MCAT guide!
The MCAT is a standardized, multiple-choice admissions test used by medical schools to assess your foundational science knowledge and reasoning skills. U.S. med schools use MCAT scores to fairly compare applicants from different colleges.
The soundness of your knowledge of prerequisite medical school courses is tested. You don’t need to complete all prerequisites to be eligible to take the MCAT, but your success depends on how well you know each topic.
The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is a comprehensive exam that assesses your readiness for the rigors of medical school. Specifically, the MCAT tests your knowledge in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology.
The MCAT exam is very important for medical school admissions as it provides an objective, standardized measure of applicants' academic capabilities and preparation for medical school. While GPA varies between schools, the MCAT score offers a consistent benchmark.
Part of the MCAT’s purpose is to indicate how well you’ll handle medical school’s rigorous curriculum. With that said, your performance is not a proven indicator of how well you’ll do once in school.
Some schools take a more holistic approach, which may place less emphasis on your MCAT scores. A holistic approach to application review considers every aspect of your application, including your extracurricular activities, clinical experience, and interview performance.
For example, if you have stellar clinical experience along with a high GPA and a profound motivation for becoming a physician, a holistic approach allows more wiggle room for a lower MCAT score.
But even the most academically inclined students can fail the MCAT, which is why looking for MCAT tutors is the best method of securing a good score. Thankfully, you don't have to look too far as Inspira's tutors are the best in the business.
The MCAT consists of four sections: Chem/Phys, CARS, Bio, and Psych. You can receive a maximum score of 132 in each section; the perfect score is 528. Each MCAT section has several passages that test your comprehension and understanding.
You’ll also encounter standalone questions in each section, except for CARS. These questions test your knowledge of facts regarding the section’s subject matter. These standalone questions are formally called “discrete” questions.
Passages provide the information needed to answer the accompanying questions. Let’s take an in-depth look at what is on the MCAT.
The Chem/Phys section has 59 questions. You will have 95 minutes to complete them. Abundant practice is particularly valuable for this section to do computations. You aren’t permitted to use a calculator, so you must be comfortable quickly making accurate calculations. Be mindful of your units.
Passages: 10
Discrete Questions: 15
Total Questions: 59
Associated prerequisite courses:
To do well in this section, you’ll need to connect your understanding of chemical and physical concepts and apply them. Chem/Phys requires you to understand research methods and information presented in graphs. You’ll encounter passage-based questions and discrete questions.
Remember, you won’t be permitted to use an equation sheet or calculator. You’ll need to know equations related to physics and general chemistry by heart. Helpful equations to remember are those regarding kinetics, gasses, and Gibbs free energy.
Math Concepts:
Topics listed by the AAMC:
The CARS section of the MCAT has 53 passage-based questions. CARS is the only MCAT section that doesn’t contain discrete questions. Losing those more straightforward points makes it particularly difficult.
Passages: 9
Discrete Questions: 0
Total Questions: 53
There are no particular material or prerequisite courses to be familiar with for the CARS section. The passages come from various subjects, from arts and humanities to social sciences. Passages typically range from 500 to 600 words.
Your analysis process can change from passage to passage. The key to doing well is practice, practice, and practice. It’s necessary to determine facts from opinions and make sound inferences and conclusions.
CARS tends to be the most difficult section for students. Though the texts may be complex, be comforted by the fact that all you need to know is presented in each passage. You don’t need outside knowledge to do well in CARS.
Topics listed by the AAMC:
CARS Concepts:
To succeed in the Bio section, you’ll need to combine your understanding of biological and biochemical concepts. You will be tested on various processes of living organisms, including but not limited to reproduction, homeostasis, and adaptation.
Passages: 10
Discrete Questions: 15
Total Questions: 59
Associated prerequisite courses:
You’ll complete 59 questions over 95 minutes and navigate passage-based and discrete questions. A strong understanding of prerequisite course material and various research methods will help you succeed.
Many students enjoy this section. If a love of science drew them to medicine, biology is likely the science that sparked their journey. The passages are less computation-heavy than Chem/Phys and rely on your reasoning and ability to understand information and trends presented in graphs.
Even if biology is your favorite subject, passages on the MCAT are designed to be fairly nuanced. You’ll need to rely on your ability to determine what pieces of presented information are vital to do well.
Math Concepts:
The Psych section of the MCAT requires you to combine your scientific inquiry and reasoning skills to solve problems and draw conclusions. This section consists of passage-based and discrete questions.
Passages: 10
Discrete Questions: 15
Total Questions: 59
Associated prerequisite courses:
You will have 95 minutes to complete this section. This section’s question style is similar to the Bio section. It focuses on your knowledge of facts and concepts more than your ability to calculate quickly. To prepare, brush up on your psychology terminology and graph analysis, and understand the conduction of studies.
Topics listed by the AAMC:
The MCAT has a score range of 472 to 528. The MCAT is scored based on how many questions you answer correctly. Incorrect answers don’t count against your overall score, so ensure you answer every question on the test, even if you’re unsure. An unanswered question is automatically wrong, but you just might guess correctly!
The number of questions you answer correctly in sections of the MCAT is converted into a section score. For instance, if you answer 48 questions correctly, you may have a converted section score of 128. If you answer 37 questions correctly, your score may be approximately 123.
Raw scores are converted because exams may vary slightly in difficulty and are equated during the conversion. The MCAT doesn’t score on a curve. The equating of scores means scores have the same meaning at all times of the year. Your exam’s difficulty will be the same as everyone else’s, no matter when you take it.
It takes 30 to 35 days to get your MCAT score back. The turnaround time for scores is in part due to the equating process. During this time, you can submit concerns about questions or test-day conditions.
On May 1, percentile ranks are provided for the exam season. The percentiles help you see how your MCAT score performance compares to other examinees. The AAMC offers percentiles for both cumulative and section scores.
Here’s a concise list of what to bring on MCAT test day and some supporting notes on the dos and don’ts of each item!
This is the most important item you need to bring on test day. The types of IDs accepted and what’s written on them are non-negotiable. Failure to present an acceptable ID may mean being denied access to the testing center.
This is a simple mistake that’s all too easy to make, and spending money to retest isn’t always the solution test-takers are happy about. To avoid problems, these are the MCAT ID requirements:
Examples of Acceptable ID Include:
Examples of Unacceptable ID Include:
Take a look at this MCAT ID chart prepared by the AAMC:
Source: AAMC
Becoming familiar with these rules helps determine whether your ID meets test day standards.
Although required to be stored in your storage locker and only available during scheduled breaks, ensuring you bring plenty of water, a good lunch, and snacks is essential to performing well on test day.
The MCAT can be mentally demanding and physically taxing. The last thing you want is to be distracted by a growling stomach on a day when you need to concentrate!
We recommend eating foods that will fill you up for longer and give you the energy you need to ace the test. However, avoid trying out new foods or diets on test day – stick to what you know makes you feel good!
There are several other items allowed in the testing room, should you need them, that don’t require prior approval. These include:
Certain items will be provided to you by staff members on test day. These include:
Should you need any additional adjustments during testing (for example, due to a medical condition), you may apply for accommodations through the AAMC.
When it comes to MCAT test day, you should eat foods high in protein and starchy foods. Examples of these foods include eggs, salmon, oatmeal, or whole wheat toast. You can also include healthy and light snacks such as nuts, berries, granola bars, or bananas. For lunch, you should aim for something light, like a sandwich or salad.
There are three scheduled breaks throughout the exam: two 10-minute breaks and one 30-minute mid-exam break. These breaks are optional but recommended. You may only access food, water, and medication during these breaks.
It’s also important to remember that if you return to the testing area before the break time expires, you’ll be required to resume your exam immediately. Any time lost won’t be added to your other break periods or exam sections.
During your breaks, you may use the washroom and have some snacks and water. It’s also a good idea to take some time just to relax and give yourself some breathing room. However, you may not remove any bags from your locker or access any vehicles, technology, or notes.
Using these breaks to refresh your mind can help you get a good MCAT score. There isn’t much time, so be mindful of when your break is over. Allow for the time it will take to check back into the testing room.
Notes and books of any kind are strictly prohibited. There’s also no sense in bringing in your phone or any other electronic devices, as any use (even touching) of these objects is considered a violation of MCAT testing procedures.
Failure to comply with rules regarding test day procedures can result in an investigation and letters being sent to other parties, such as the medical schools you’re applying to. The only three things you need to bring to the MCAT are listed above; the rest will be taken care of for you.
You aren’t permitted to bring your own earplugs to the MCAT. However, the testing center will have earplugs and/or headsets available for you to use.
Still have questions about what you should bring to the MCAT? Take a look at these FAQs for more information.
A valid ID, food, and water are the only things you need to bring to the MCAT (a smile and a positive attitude don’t hurt, either!).
Consider bringing a bag to store your food, water, and ID. However, remember that it will be put in a storage locker and has to remain there for the whole exam. You’ll only have access to its contents on your breaks.
Water may be stored inside your storage locker and is accessible only on scheduled breaks. You may not bring food or drink inside the testing area.
No. You’ll be given a fine point marker and a wet-erase noteboard to use for calculations and note-taking.
Valid IDs you can bring include:
You don’t get physical paper, but you do get a handy wet-erase noteboard booklet.
No, you cannot take the MCAT at home. The AAMC only administers the MCAT at test centers.
In most cases, no - the disadvantages of voiding outweigh the benefits. Most test-takers feel they performed worse than they actually did, and keeping your score gives you a usable baseline, a full score report to study your weaknesses, and preserves your limited attempts. The MCAT can only be taken 7 times in your lifetime and 3 times per year, and a voided exam still counts as one of those attempts with no refund on registration fees.
That said, voiding can be the right call in specific circumstances: you were genuinely ill or faced a serious personal emergency during the exam, you clearly misread instructions or left large portions of the test incomplete, your practice scores were consistently far below your target range, or you know a very low score would be a red flag for your target schools. If you're simply feeling post-test anxiety or found the exam difficult, that alone is not a good reason to void - the MCAT is hard for everyone, and the scoring is curved relative to all test-takers that day.
If you do decide to void, the process works as follows: after completing all four sections, you'll be prompted on screen to score or void your exam. You must make this decision before viewing your score - once you've seen it, voiding is no longer an option. Select "I wish to VOID my MCAT exam," confirm the choice, and the decision is final and irreversible. Medical schools will not see that you voided, but the attempt still counts toward your testing limits. Voiding is also different from a no-show: a no-show means you didn't sit the exam at all, while voiding means you completed it and chose to erase the result.
The bottom line: unless something truly went wrong on test day, receive your score, use it as a learning tool, and plan your next steps from there.
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