MCAT Syllabus 2025: Complete Guide to Sections, Subjects & Preparation

Planning to apply to medical school? Understanding the MCAT syllabus is your first step toward a successful admission journey. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), conducted by the AAMC, evaluates your readiness for medical studies through topics in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, and reasoning.

MCAT Exam Syllabus 2025

The MCAT syllabus 2025 is designed to evaluate a student’s readiness for medical school by testing their scientific knowledge, critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and understanding of behavioral and social sciences. It consists of four main sections, each focusing on specific academic areas essential for future medical professionals.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

This section examines your understanding of basic physical and chemical principles and how they apply to living organisms and biological systems.

• General Chemistry: Atomic structure, bonding, thermodynamics, equilibrium, acids & bases
  
  
• Organic Chemistry: Properties and reactivity of biomolecules such as proteins and carbohydrates
  
  
• Biochemistry: Enzyme function, metabolism (glycolysis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation)
  
  
• Physics: Fluid mechanics, electrostatics, optics, thermodynamics, sound
  
  
• Biology: Cell membranes, transport systems, muscle and nerve function, endocrine regulation

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

The CARS section is distinct in the MCAT syllabus as it does not test scientific content. Instead, it assesses your ability to comprehend and evaluate complex written material from the humanities and social sciences.

• Ethics & Philosophy: Medical ethics, moral reasoning, philosophical thought
  
  
• Cultural Studies & History: Social perspectives on health, historical contexts of medicine
  
  
• Political Science & Law: Health policy, legal issues in healthcare, public health systems
  
  

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

This section evaluates your grasp of biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels, emphasizing how life is sustained and regulated in the human body.

• Cell Biology: Structure, organelles, transport, cell cycle
  
  
• Genetics: DNA/RNA, gene expression, inheritance patterns
  
  
• Microbiology: Bacteria, viruses, immune system, and drug resistance
  
  
• Biochemistry: Macromolecules, enzymatic activity, cellular metabolism
  
  
• Human Physiology: Nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

This part of the MCAT syllabus combines psychology, sociology, and biology to examine how human behavior and social systems impact health outcomes.

• Psychology: Learning, memory, behavior therapy, emotional processing
  
  
• Sociology: Social structures, health inequities, cultural impact on medicine
  
  
• Mental Health: Disorders like anxiety, depression, addiction, and coping mechanisms
  
  
• Cognitive Science: Language, perception, decision-making
  
  
• Public Health: Social determinants of health, healthcare access, policy issues
  
  

MCAT Exam Pattern 2025 – Section-Wise Breakdown

The MCAT exam pattern is designed to test students across four core sections, focusing on scientific knowledge, reasoning ability, and understanding of human behavior. Each section has a mix of passage-based and independent questions, with specific time limits.

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

The CARS section of the MCAT is similar to a verbal reasoning test. It assesses a student’s ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate information presented in written form. Test-takers are required to read and interpret passages from diverse disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences.

Component	Details
Number of Questions	53
Duration	90 minutes
Format	9 passages
Questions per Passage	5–7

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

This section of the MCAT evaluates a candidate’s understanding of foundational concepts in physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and biochemistry, typically covered in first-year undergraduate courses. The questions are a mix of passage-based sets—which present scientific scenarios followed by multiple questions—and independent (standalone) questions that test direct knowledge and application.

Component	Details
Number of Questions	59
Duration	95 minutes
Format	10 passage-based sets
Questions per Passage	4–6
Independent Questions	15

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

This section of the MCAT focuses on topics related to basic biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and both organic and inorganic chemistry. 

Component	Details
Number of Questions	59
Duration	95 minutes
Format	10 passage-based sets
Questions per Passage	4–6
Independent Questions	15

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

This section of the MCAT evaluates your understanding of key concepts from psychology, sociology, and biology, along with some basic statistical reasoning. The section includes a combination of passage-based questions and independent questions that assess your ability to apply these concepts in real-world medical and social contexts.

Component	Details
Number of Questions	59
Duration	95 minutes
Format	10 passage-based sets
Questions per Passage	4–6
Independent Questions	15

Top MCAT 2025 Prep Books (Section-Wise Guide)

To prepare effectively for the MCAT syllabus 2025, it’s essential to use subject-specific resources that cover both content review and practice.

Biology & Biochemistry

• EK Review Series
• TPR Hyperlearning: Physics and Biology Review
  Great for mastering core biology topics and applying concepts to biological systems.
  
  

Chemistry & Physics

• MCAT Organic Chemistry Review by Alexander Odian
• TPR General Chemistry Review
  Helpful for understanding reaction mechanisms, physical laws, and equations.

Psychology & Sociology

• TPR Psychology and Sociology Review
• The Next Step: MCAT Behavioral Sciences Course
  Focuses on behavioral concepts and sociocultural influences on health.
  
  

CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills)

• TPR Verbal Reasoning Practice Passages
  Improves reading comprehension, logic, and critical thinking with humanities/social science texts.

MCAT Registration 2025

The MCAT exam is administered multiple times throughout the year—typically from January to March and again in September—at numerous test centers across the United States, Canada, and internationally.

How to Register for the MCAT 2025

You can register for the MCAT through the official AAMC website: students-residents.aamc.org. Follow the steps below:

1. Create an AAMC account to receive your unique AAMC ID and password.
   
   
2. Enter your personal details, including contact information, background, and education history.
   
   
3. Select your test date and location based on availability.
   
   
4. Agree to the Examinee Agreement (contract outlining exam policies).
   
   
5. Confirm and schedule your exam based on your availability.
   
   

MCAT Registration Fees 2025

Registration Type	Fee
Standard Registration	$345
Fee Assistance Program	$140

MCAT Exam Evaluation & Scoring Pattern

The MCAT scoring system includes both individual section scores and an overall composite score. Here’s a breakdown of how the exam is evaluated:

• Each of the four multiple-choice sections is scored based on the number of correct answers—this forms your raw score (no penalty for wrong answers).
  
  
• Raw scores are then converted into scaled scores, ranging from 118 to 132 per section. This scaling accounts for slight differences in exam difficulty across test dates using a process called equating.
  
  
• The total MCAT score is the sum of the four section scores and ranges from 472 to 528.
  
  

Percentile Ranking

Along with your score, you’ll receive a percentile rank, which shows how your performance compares to other test-takers. For example, a percentile rank of 90 means you scored better than 90% of test takers.

MCAT 2025 Preparation Tips 

Achieving a competitive MCAT score takes more than just hard work—it requires a well-structured plan, effective study materials, and the right mindset. 

Start Early and Build a Study Plan

Begin your preparation at least 3–6 months before the exam. Develop a structured study plan based on your strengths and areas for improvement. Set weekly goals and track your progress to stay consistent.

Use Reliable Study Materials

Stick to trusted resources like the AAMC Official MCAT Prep Guide, top-rated subject review books, and full-length practice tests. These provide the most accurate reflection of the MCAT syllabus and exam pattern.

Prioritize Understanding Over Rote Learning

Focus on conceptual clarity and application, rather than memorization. The MCAT tests your ability to think critically, solve problems, and apply scientific knowledge in unfamiliar scenarios.

Take Timed Practice Tests Regularly

Simulate real test conditions by taking full-length, timed practice exams. This helps improve time management, builds test-taking stamina, and reduces anxiety on the actual exam day.

Review Your Mistakes Thoroughly

After each practice test or quiz, analyze your mistakes. Understand why you got a question wrong and revisit that concept. This approach helps reinforce learning and prevents repeated errors.

Key Takeaways 

• The MCAT is a standardized test required for admission to medical schools in the United States, Canada, Australia, and several other countries.
  
  
• The scoring system awards one point for each correct answer, with no negative marking for incorrect responses.
  
  
• MCAT scores remain valid for three years, so plan your test date accordingly based on your medical school application timeline.
  
  

Like this blog? Read next- Top 5 platforms for best GMAT coaching in India.

FAQs

Question 1. How soon can I register to retake the MCAT exam?
Answer. You can register to retake the MCAT 24 hours after completing your exam. Be sure to plan your next attempt strategically based on your score and preparation.

Question 2. When will I receive my MCAT results?
Answer. MCAT scores are typically released 30 to 35 days after your test date. During this period, candidates may report any concerns related to the test experience or testing conditions.

Question 3. What are the main MCAT exam subjects?
Answer. The core MCAT exam subjects include Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS). These subjects reflect the foundational knowledge required for success in medical school.