Home » Study Abroad Exams » MCAT Exam » MCAT Test Pattern

MCAT Test Pattern

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a 7 and a half hour long computer based test (including the breaks and seated time). But without the breaks it comes to around 6 hours and 15 minutes. This examination, not only tests the candidate’s critical thinking and understanding of scientific contents, but also the mental stamina of the medical aspirant.

The test pattern contains 4 sections, of which 3 sections, tests the scientific understanding and one section tests the critical thinking and reasoning. These moves around the scientific thinking in order to check the idea of applying inter disciplinary knowledge to practical real-life application and scenarios. The critical reasoning is totally related to the verbal section of other major competitive exams.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

This topic deals with the knowledge related to operations and distinctive of living organisms: growth/reproduction, maintenance of conductive environment, acquisition of materials and energies, response to environmental stimuli and adaptation. It also incorporates knowledge regarding the individual cell/organ systems and their interdependence – various threads of a biological organism in all its complexity.

It also includes the following:

• Protein structures and amino acids as building blocks
• Genetic transmission of information: gene to protein
• Heredity and the processes that develop genetic diversity
• Bio energetics and fuel metabolism
• Cells and molecule assembly in single/multi-cell organisms

Further,it helps to test the chemical and mechanical functions of the organs and tissues form an important part of the body. Besides, it also tests the knowledge relating the various chemical and physical principles that monitor human body. Moreover, also tests the ability to apply and extend the same reasoning for many living systems.

The following categories are also included in the topic:

• Work, forces, energies, equilibrium in the living organisms
• Importance of fluids in blood circulation and gas exchange
• Significance of electro chemistry
• Interaction of light and sound with matter
• Nuclear decay and chemical behaviour of atoms
• Importance of water : Nature and Solutions
• Molecules and the interactions
• Concept of purification in human body
• Biological molecules – Structure and function
• Kinetics and thermodynamic principles

Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior

This topic tests the candidate’s knowledge about the effect of psychological, social and biological factors on perception and reactions to stimuli, mental models (human communication), and behavioural factors. Besides, it also includes role of society and cultural wellbeing and communication among the social hierarchy and society.

The following categories are also included in the topic:

• Understanding the environment
• Responses and reactions to the world
• Causes of behavioural change
• Distinctive human behaviour
• Individual identity
• Social mode of thought and communication
• Social hierarchy and Imbalance
• Understanding of the social structure
• Demographic systems and social patterns

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

This topic tests the candidate’s knowledge in written text and reasoning skills. A passage is presented to the candidates, where the topic ranges from science to humanities. Besides, questions based on the passage required to be answered through critical thinking and analysis.

Humanities passages can be derived from the following disciplines:

• Art and architecture
• Literature
• Ethics
• Philosophy
• Pop culture
• Religion
• Cultural studies

Science passages can be derived from a host of disciplines such as:

• History and geography
• Anthropology
• Linguistics
• Psychology and sociology
• Archaeology
• Political science

MCAT Exam Time Allotment:

MCAT Syllabus