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What is on the MCAT?
Home » Test Preparation » MCAT Preparation » What is on the MCAT?There are three multiple-choice sections on the MCAT and one writing section. Physical sciences, verbal reasoning, and biological sciences are the multiple-choice sections.
Physical Sciences:
In the Physical Sciences section, you will read several 200-300-word passages presenting scientific situations or problems. You will answer questions about these passages, as well as a number of questions not associated with the passages. Knowledge areas tested include physics, general chemistry, algebra and trigonometry.
Verbal Reasoning:
The Verbal Reasoning section will present you with a number of passages, along with questions to test your reading comprehension. These passages may or may not be science-related. Although the texts are dense and scholarly, the format of this section and the skills tested differ little from reading comprehension sections on the SAT or GRE. You will need to identify relevant information and main ideas in passages, and draw inferences from the information presented.
Writing Sample:
During the third section of the MCAT, you will write two short writing samples. The MCAT writing sample asks for a very specific type of essay. You will read a statement of opinion, philosophy, or policy, such as "In a free society, individuals must be allowed to do as they choose." The statement will not be closely related to science or medicine, and is not at all related to the personal statement (another part of your application, in which you will write your reasons for wanting to attend medical school). In your writing sample, first you will need to elaborate on the meaning of the statement, using description, narration, example, analysis, classification, and/or definition. Then, you will need to think of and describe a situation that appears to contradict the statement. Finally, you will need to define the rules or principles that would help you to choose between the two alternatives (the initial statement and your contradictory scenario) or resolve the difference between them. You will be using a simple word processing program (or pencil and paper in the summer 2006 administrations) and will have a 30-minute time limit for each of the two essays.
Your essays will be graded by the AAMC and given a letter score between J and T, with T being the highest and the average score being O.
Biological Sciences:
The last section of the MCAT will test your knowledge of biology and organic chemistry. You will read several 200-300-word passages and answer questions about them, as well as a number of questions that stand alone.
For the three multiple-choice sections, there is a score range of 1 to 15. Matriculants to medical school average a composite score of 30.
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