What is on the MCAT?

The MCAT has a total of 230 multiple-choice questions divided across four sections:

• Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (59 questions)
• Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills (53 questions)
• Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (59 questions)
• Psychological, Social & Biological Foundations of Behavior (59 questions).
  
  

Each science section features about 44 passage-based questions plus 15 standalone items, while CARS consists entirely of passage-based questions (53 total).

What is the best way to study for the MCAT?

There are several study methods for the MCAT, but the most critical component of any plan is doing practice questions—these help reinforce content, build critical thinking skills, and simulate the real exam experience. Many students start with content review using books, videos, or courses to solidify foundational knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology. Active recall (like flashcards or self-quizzing) and spaced repetition (using tools like Anki) are excellent for memorizing facts over time. Passage-based practice, especially from AAMC materials, helps train you to apply knowledge in the way the MCAT requires. Full-length practice exams are also essential—they improve timing, stamina, and help identify weak areas. They also can provide a score and baseline to let applicants know at what level they are currently testing. While review is important, focusing heavily on practice questions and reviewing your mistakes is what truly drives score improvement.

How long is the Medical College Admission Test?

The MCAT is approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes long, including breaks, instructions, and actual testing time. The total testing time (excluding the breaks and instructions) is 6 hours and 15 minutes, divided across the four sections. Breaks are optional including two 10-minute breaks between sections and one 30-minute mid-exam lunch break. The MCAT is a full-day exam, so endurance, time management, and mental stamina are crucial for success.

How long should I study for the MCAT?

The ideal amount of time to study for the MCAT depends on an applicants background, schedule, and goals, but most students spend about 300 to 500 hours over the course of 3 to 6 months preparing. If you’re balancing school or work, a longer study period—around 5 to 6 months with consistent weekly hours—is often more manageable and effective. On the other hand, if you can study full-time, a more intensive 2 to 3-month schedule might work. The key is to create a realistic plan that includes content review, practice questions, and multiple full-length practice exams to build both knowledge and test-taking endurance.

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Can I retake the Medical College Admission Test?

Yes, you can retake the MCAT—students are allowed to take it up to 3 times in one calendar year, 4 times over two years, and 7 times in a lifetime. Retaking the exam is somewhat common, and it doesn’t automatically mean you will not be admitted into medical school. Admissions committees will typically consider your highest score, though they may also look at your score history to assess improvement and consistency. A significant score increase can actually reflect positively on you, showing resilience and the ability to grow. However, if you retake it and your score doesn’t improve, or gets worse, this may raise concerns. The key is to only retake the MCAT if you have a clear plan to improve—whether that’s more content review, better test strategies, or addressing timing issues—so that the new score strengthens your application.

Does the MCAT have math skills?

Yes, the MCAT does have math, but not in the form of direct math problems. Instead, it tests applied math, primarily focused on algebra, data interpretation, basic statistics, and graph analysis within science contexts. Individuals will need to be comfortable with things like manipulating equations, understanding scientific notation, working with ratios and proportions, analyzing trends in graphs or tables, and interpreting data from experiments. However, no calculators are allowed, so all math must be done by hand. Advanced mathematics such calculus is not tested.

What is 90% correct on MCAT?

Scoring 90% correct on the MCAT does not directly translate to a specific scaled score because the MCAT uses a scaled scoring system ranging from 118 to 132 per section (472 to 528 total). However, based on estimates from test prep experts and student data, answering about 90% of questions correctly typically corresponds to a scaled score in the range of 518–522, placing you roughly in the 97th to 99th percentile.

What if I don’t do well on the MCAT?

There are several different options one can explore if they do not score well on the MCAT. You can still get into medical school even if you don’t do well on the MCAT, though it may require a more strategic approach. Many schools consider applications holistically, meaning they also weigh GPA, clinical experience, research, leadership, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. If your MCAT is below average, a strong GPA and compelling extracurriculars can help balance your application. You might also consider applying to a broader range of schools, including DO (osteopathic) programs, which tend to have more flexible MCAT ranges. Alternatively, you could retake the exam after more focused preparation or consider post-baccalaureate or special master’s programs to strengthen your academic profile. A lower MCAT score is a hurdle, but not a dead end—with determination and the right strategy, many students overcome it and gain acceptance.

What is 70% correct on MCAT?

Scoring about 70% correct on the MCAT generally translates to a scaled score around 500–505, placing you near the 50th to 60th percentile, depending on the specific exam version and section difficulty. The MCAT is not scored linearly, meaning raw percentage correct doesn’t directly convert to the same scaled score every time.

Is the MCAT harder than the SAT?

Yes, the MCAT is significantly harder than the SAT, primarily because it is designed for college-level students who are preparing for medical school, while the SAT is intended for high school students applying to college. The MCAT tests much more advanced content, including biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology, along with critical reading and reasoning skills. It also requires a deep understanding of scientific concepts, data interpretation, and the application of knowledge, not just recall or basic problem-solving.

In addition, the length and intensity of the MCAT make it more challenging—it lasts about 7.5 hours, compared to the SAT’s roughly 3 hours, demanding much more endurance and focus. The MCAT also prohibits calculators and tests reasoning through passage-based questions, many of which require integrating multiple concepts. Overall, while both are standardized tests, the MCAT is more complex and demanding in both content and format.

How do I prepare for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Passages?

To prepare for the MCAT CARS section, start by reading and practicing with MCAT style passages daily. Ensure you are timing yourself to spend about 10 minutes per passage. Read each passage fully before looking at the questions, summarize it in your own words, and predict answers when possible. Focus on answering questions using only information from the passage, eliminating clearly wrong choices, and reviewing each mistake to understand why the correct answer works. Track patterns in your errors and adjust your practice to target weaknesses, such as inference or main idea questions. Consistent reading, timed passage practice, and careful review are key to building comprehension and speed. AAMC provides practice questions (and tests) for purchase. Other free sites such as Khan Academy and Jack Westin provide unofficial practice passages as well.

Getting started in medical school at UMHS

Now that you know more about the MCAT, you may want to learn more about our Allopathic medical school located in the Caribbean.

For the answers to top faqs about UMHS, check out this page: Caribbean Medical University FAQ's 

To talk with an admissions officer, use this link: Admissions Representative

To apply to UMHS, click this link: Apply

 

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