MCAT Exam Guide: Format, Sections, and What to Know

The MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is a standardized test used by medical schools in the United States and Canada as one factor in admissions decisions. It is owned and administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The exam is designed to assess foundational science knowledge along with reasoning and problem-solving skills relevant to the study of medicine.

People who take the MCAT are typically adults preparing to apply to medical school, often after completing undergraduate coursework in subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Because medical school admissions also weigh grades, clinical experience, letters of recommendation, and interviews, the MCAT is generally treated as one part of a broader application.

The MCAT is generally organized around sections that address foundational concepts in the biological and biochemical sciences, the chemical and physical sciences, and the psychological, social, and biological factors that influence behavior, along with a section focused on critical analysis and reasoning applied to non-science passages.

The AAMC has made adjustments to the MCAT's content and structure over time. Because of this, this guide describes the general subject areas rather than exact timing, question counts, or scoring scales. Applicants should check the AAMC's official MCAT website for the current format before planning a testing timeline.

ZExamAcers's MCAT course is self-paced and organized into lessons across the exam's general subject areas. Each lesson is paired with topic-based practice activities so a learner can reinforce concepts as they go.

The course includes timed mock examinations designed to reflect the MCAT's general pacing and question style at a high level. These are original ZExamAcers practice materials and are not official MCAT content, and are not created, reviewed, or endorsed by the AAMC.

Learners can join weekly live webinars led by an instructor, who presents material and answers questions aloud; participants are not shown on camera during these sessions. A learner with a specific question can submit it in writing through the platform's private messaging feature and receive a direct response.

Parent-managed accounts are available under a family plan, allowing a parent or guardian to review a learner's lesson progress, practice activity, and mock exam history.

Section content, timing, registration, fees, and score reporting are set by the AAMC and can change from year to year. The AAMC's official MCAT website is the authoritative source for current, accurate details.

• Current MCAT content outline and section format
• Registration deadlines and test dates
• Fee information and fee assistance programs
• Score reporting timelines and how medical schools use MCAT scores

ZExamAcers is an independent test-preparation provider. ZExamAcers is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). MCAT is a trademark registered by the AAMC, which is not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, ZExamAcers's courses or materials.