What's on the MCAT?
Sections, Subjects & Format
The MCAT has 4 sections and 230 questions, covering chemistry, physics, biochemistry, biology, psychology, and sociology — plus a reasoning-only CARS section. Here's exactly what the exam tests, section by section.
The 4 Sections of the MCAT
Each section is separately timed. The three science sections have 59 questions each; CARS has 53. Every section mixes passage-based sets with standalone (discrete) questions.
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | 59 | 95 min |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) | 53 | 90 min |
| Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 59 | 95 min |
| Psychological, Social & Biological Foundations of Behavior | 59 | 95 min |
| Total | 230 | ~6h 15m |
About 6 hours 15 minutes of scored testing time, plus optional breaks.
What Subjects Are on Each Section
Subjects and weightings are approximate and exam-aligned — the exact mix varies from one test form to another, but these ranges reflect how the MCAT is built.
Note: biochemistry appears in two sections, so it's one of the most heavily tested subjects on the whole exam.
MCAT Question Format & Scoring
Want to see how a raw score becomes a scaled 472–528 total? Try the MCAT score calculator.
How to Prepare for Each Section
Knowing what's on the MCAT is step one. The fastest way to improve is realistic, full-length practice with scored feedback on every section.
Cover Every Subject on the MCAT
Study every section with Pro — $29/month, cancel anytime. Most MCAT platforms charge $300–$2,000.
What's on the MCAT — FAQ
What's on the MCAT?+
The MCAT has four sections and 230 questions total: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (59 questions), Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills / CARS (53 questions), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (59 questions), and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (59 questions). Three sections test science knowledge and reasoning through passages and standalone questions; CARS tests reading and reasoning with no outside science content. The whole exam is scored from 472 to 528, and no calculator is allowed.
What subjects are on the MCAT?+
Across its four sections the MCAT covers general chemistry, physics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, biology, psychology, and sociology. The Chem/Phys section leans on general chemistry, physics, and biochemistry; the Bio/Biochem section is mostly biology and biochemistry; the Psych/Soc section is mostly psychology and sociology. CARS covers no science subjects at all — it uses humanities and social-science passages to test reasoning only.
How many sections does the MCAT have?+
The MCAT has four sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior. Each science section is 59 questions in 95 minutes; CARS is 53 questions in 90 minutes.
Is there organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics on the MCAT?+
Yes. Biochemistry is heavily tested — it appears in both the Chem/Phys and Bio/Biochem sections. Physics shows up mainly in the Chem/Phys section (roughly a quarter of that section). Organic chemistry is tested but is a smaller slice: about 15% of Chem/Phys and a small part of Bio/Biochem. There is no separate organic-chemistry section — it is spread across the science sections.
What is the CARS section?+
CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) is the MCAT's reading-and-reasoning section: 53 questions in 90 minutes based on passages from the humanities and social sciences. It contains no science content and requires no outside knowledge — every question can be answered from the passage alone. It rewards careful reading, inference, and argument analysis rather than memorized facts.
Does the MCAT have a calculator?+
No. No calculator is allowed on the MCAT. Any arithmetic in the science sections is designed to be done by hand or estimated, so practicing quick mental math and approximation is part of preparing for test day.
How many questions are on the MCAT?+
The MCAT has 230 questions in total, split across four sections: 59 in Chemical and Physical Foundations, 53 in CARS, 59 in Biological and Biochemical Foundations, and 59 in Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior. Questions are a mix of passage-based sets and standalone (discrete) questions.
Now Put It Into Practice
You know what's on the MCAT — see where you stand today with a free, full-length, scored practice test. No credit card required.
Start Studying Free