MCAT
Offered by Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is the standardized exam used by U.S. and Canadian medical schools. It is a computer-based, passage-heavy test...
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MCAT exam at a glance
Format
230 multiple-choice questions across four sections; most items are passage-based, with some independent questions
Duration
6 hours 15 minutes of content time; about 7 hours 30 minutes seated including optional breaks
Delivery
Pearson VUE test center (no at-home option)
Passing score
No pass/fail cut score. Each section is scored 118–132; total score ranges from 472 to 528.
Exam cost
$355 USD standard registration ($145 with AAMC Fee Assistance Program)
Validity
AAMC reports scores for three years; medical schools set their own recency policies.
Prerequisites
None; typically taken after completing prerequisite science coursework
About the MCAT certification
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is the standardized exam used by U.S. and Canadian medical schools. It is a computer-based, passage-heavy test of natural, behavioral, and social science reasoning plus critical analysis — not a memorization quiz of isolated facts.
The 2026 testing year uses the same four sections, question counts, and 472–528 score scale as recent years. There is no remote MCAT; you sit at a Pearson VUE center.
Who it’s for: Applicants to M.D. (and many D.O. and other health-professions) programs.
Official exam page· Details verified 2026-08
What the MCAT exam covers
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems59 questions / 95 minutes
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)53 questions / 90 minutes
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems59 questions / 95 minutes
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior59 questions / 95 minutes
How to study for the MCAT
- 1Read The MCAT Essentials for Testing Year 2026 — required before you register.
- 2Content-review the four sections, then shift to AAMC official practice exams and question packs.
- 3Treat CARS as a daily skill, not a last-month cram.
- 4Sit full-length timed exams to build stamina for a 7.5-hour test day.
- 5Use AAMC percentile ranks (updated each May 1) to interpret practice scores.
MCAT — frequently asked questions
Did the MCAT change in 2026?
No structural change. Same four sections, 230 questions, 472–528 scale, and ~7.5-hour seated day.
Can I take the MCAT at home?
No. The MCAT is delivered only at Pearson VUE test centers.