What is the MCAT^®?

The MCAT is a computer-based exam almost every medical school in the US and Canada asks for. It checks whether you have the science knowledge and reasoning skills to handle medical school—not just what you've memorized.

A student typing on a laptop, working through a computer-based practice exam

What does MCAT stand for?

Medical College Admission Test.

MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test. The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) writes and runs it. It measures the science knowledge and reasoning skills medical schools expect you to already have.

Full name

Medical College Admission Test

Administered by

AAMC

Length

~7.5 hours of testing

Score range

472–528

Exam format

Sections, questions, and timing.

Four sections. 230 scored questions. About 6 hours 15 minutes of real testing time—closer to 7.5 hours once you add the tutorial, breaks, and the survey at the end.

Chem/Phys59 questions · 95 min

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

General & organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry—how the body's chemical and physical processes work.

CARS53 questions · 90 min

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

Passage-based reasoning on humanities and social science topics. No science knowledge required—just careful reading and argument analysis.

Bio/Biochem59 questions · 95 min

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

Biology and biochemistry—cell processes, genetics, and the molecular basis of living systems.

Psych/Soc59 questions · 95 min

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

Psychology, sociology, and biology—how behavior, identity, and social factors shape health and illness.

Why it matters

A required, standardized part of nearly every application.

If you're applying to an MD or DO program in the US, or most Canadian medical schools, you need an MCAT score. Applicants come from thousands of different colleges with very different grading standards, so the MCAT gives admissions committees one fair, comparable measure of science reasoning—weighed alongside your GPA, experience, and essays. It's not a replacement for the rest of your application. It's one real part of it.

Registration & test dates

When and how to register.

The MCAT runs roughly January through September each year at Prometric test centers, with dozens of dates and locations to pick from. Register directly through the AAMC's website, and do it early—your preferred date and location can fill up, and the registration fee goes up the closer you register to test day.

Getting ready

How to prepare for the MCAT.

Most students study for several months—people often cite 300+ hours—reviewing content, drilling practice questions, and taking full-length practice exams. That's what builds the stamina for a real 7.5-hour test day. Studium's MCAT learning path is built around exactly that: structured content by section, real practice questions, and a study plan built around your actual test date.

Summary

Key MCAT facts, at a glance.

Full name: Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Administered by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)
4 sections, 230 scored multiple-choice questions
About 6 hours 15 minutes of actual testing time—roughly 7.5 hours including breaks, a tutorial, and a satisfaction survey
Scored 472–528, with each of the 4 sections scored 118–132
Required for admission to virtually every MD and DO program in the US, and most in Canada
Administered roughly January through September each year at Prometric test centers
Most applicants take it the year before they apply, after finishing core prerequisite coursework

FAQs