MCAT Test Structure

The structure of the four sections of the MCAT is shown below.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Time	95 minutes
Format	59 questions 10 passages 44 questions are passage-based, and 15 are discrete (stand-alone) questions. Score between 118 and 132
What It Tests	Biochemistry: 25% Biology: 5% General Chemistry: 30% Organic Chemistry: 15% Physics: 25%
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
Time	90 minutes
Format	53 questions 9 passages All questions are passage-based. There are no discrete (stand-alone) questions. Score between 118 and 132
What It Tests	Disciplines: Humanities: 50% Social Sciences: 50% Skills: Foundations of Comprehension: 30% Reasoning Within the Text: 30% Reasoning Beyond the Text: 40%
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Time	95 minutes
Format	59 questions 10 passages 44 questions are passage-based, and 15 are discrete (stand-alone) questions. Score between 118 and 132
What It Tests	Biochemistry: 25% Biology: 65% General Chemistry: 5% Organic Chemistry: 5%
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
Time	95 minutes
Format	59 questions 10 passages 44 questions are passage-based, and 15 are discrete (stand-alone) questions. Score between 118 and 132
What It Tests	Biology: 5% Psychology: 65% Sociology: 30%
Total
Testing Time	375 minutes (6 hours, 15 minutes)
Questions	230
Score	472 to 528

The MCAT also tests four Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning Skills (SIRS):

Knowledge of Scientific Concepts and Principles (35% of questions)
Scientific Reasoning and Problem-Solving (45% of questions)
Reasoning About the Design and Execution of Research (10% of questions)
Data-Based and Statistical Reasoning (10% of questions)

The MCAT is a computer-based test (CBT) and is offered at Prometric centers during almost every month of the year. There are optional breaks between each section, and there is a lunch break between the second and third section of the exam.