Guides · the exam
The four MCAT sections, explained
Four sections, 230 questions, 6 h 15 min of testing time. Here is what each one asks of you, how its passages are built, and how to practice it.
- 01C/PChemical and Physical Foundations of Biological SystemsGeneral chemistry, physics, biochemistry and organic chemistry, asked about living systems. Most questions sit on experiments and data, so reading figures quickly matters as much as recalling equations.95 minGeneral Chemistry · Physics · Biochemistry
- 02CARSCritical Analysis and Reasoning SkillsCritical Analysis and Reasoning Skills tests reading, not prior knowledge. Every answer is supported by the passage itself, which is why fresh, unfamiliar passages are the best practice.90 minFoundations of Comprehension · Reasoning Within the Text · Reasoning Beyond the Text
- 03B/BBiological and Biochemical Foundations of Living SystemsMostly biology, with a large share of biochemistry. Passages are research summaries, so the section rewards knowing core pathways well enough to reason about an experiment you have never seen.95 minBiology · Biochemistry · General Chemistry
- 04P/SPsychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of BehaviorPsychology and sociology with some biology, framed as research. Many questions hinge on knowing a term precisely and on reading a study's design correctly.95 minPsychology · Sociology · Biology