The MCAT, or the Medical College Admission Test, is an important standardized test for anyone who wants to pursue a career in the field of medicine. It is used as part of the admissions process for medical schools across the United States, Canada, and some other countries. The test is designed to assess a student's knowledge and skills in various areas, including biology, chemistry, physics, and critical reasoning. One of the most common questions students have about the MCAT is how many questions are on the test. In this blog post, we will answer this question and provide additional information about the MCAT.
The current version of the MCAT, which was introduced in 2015, consists of 230 questions in total. These questions are divided into four sections, each of which focuses on a different area of knowledge and skills.
The four sections are:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
Each section of the MCAT contains a different number of questions. The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section has 59 questions, the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section has 53 questions, the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems section has 59 questions, and the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section has 59 questions.
MCAT Exam Sections and Subjects
| SECTION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | TIME ALLOWED | SUBJECTS TESTED | SCORE RANGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | 59 total (10 passages, 44 passage-based questions, 15 discrete questions) | 95 minutes | Biochemistry (25%), Biology (5%), General Chemistry (30%), Organic Chemistry (15%), Physics (25%) | 118-132 |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) | 53 total (9 passages) | 90 minutes | Foundations of Comprehension (30%), Reasoning Within the Text (30%), Reasoning Beyond the Text (40%) | 118-132 |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 59 total (10 passages, 44 passage-based questions, 15 discrete questions) | 95 minutes | Biochemistry (25%), Biology (65%), General Chemistry (5%), Organic Chemistry (5%) | 118-132 |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior | 59 total (10 passages, 44 passage-based questions, 15 discrete questions) | 95 minutes | Biology (5%), Psychology (65%), Sociology (30%) | 118-132 |
| 4 sections total | 375 minutes testing time, 453 minutes seated time with breaks | 472-528 |
MCAT is a computer-based test
which means that the exact number of questions that a student will receive can vary slightly from test to test. This is because the test is adaptive, meaning that the difficulty level of the questions is adjusted based on the student's performance on previous questions. The computer algorithm selects the next question based on the student's answer to the previous question, so the difficulty level of the questions can vary depending on how well the student is doing.
In addition to the 230 scored questions, the MCAT also includes 15 unscored questions that are used to gather data about new test items. These unscored questions are randomly interspersed throughout the test, and they are not identified as such. This means that students will not know which questions are scored and which are not, so they should answer every question to the best of their ability.
The MCAT is a timed test, and students have a total of 6 hours and 15 minutes to complete the test, including breaks. Each section of the test is timed separately, and students are given a certain amount of time to complete each section. The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section has a time limit of 95 minutes, the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section has a time limit of 90 minutes, the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems section has a time limit of 95 minutes, and the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section has a time limit of 95 minutes.
It is important for students to manage their time carefully during the test, as they will not be able to go back and review previous questions once they have moved on to the next section. Students should also be aware that they will not be penalized for guessing on the MCAT, so it is better to guess than to leave a question unanswered.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the MCAT consists of 230 scored questions and 15 unscored questions, for a total of 245 questions. The test is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on a different area of knowledge and skills. The MCAT is a computer-based test, and the exact number of questions that a student will receive can vary slightly from test to test. The test is timed, and students have a total of 6 hours and 15 minutes to complete the test, including breaks. Students should manage their time carefully during the test and be aware that they will not be penalized for guessing.
Here Are Some FAQs Related to Questions on MCAT:
How many questions are on the MCAT?
The MCAT consists of 230 scored questions and 15 unscored questions, for a total of 245 questions.
Is the number of questions on the MCAT the same for everyone?
No, the MCAT is an adaptive test, which means that the number and difficulty level of the questions can vary slightly from test to test based on the student's performance.
How long do students have to complete the MCAT?
Students have a total of 6 hours and 15 minutes to complete the MCAT, including breaks.
Are there penalties for guessing on the MCAT?
No, there are no penalties for guessing on the MCAT. Students should guess if they are unsure of the answer, as they will not be penalized for incorrect answers.
Can students go back and review previous questions on the MCAT?
No, once a student has moved on to the next section of the test, they will not be able to go back and review previous questions.
How important is time management during the MCAT?
Time management is crucial during the MCAT, as each section of the test is timed separately, and students will not be able to go back and review previous questions. Students should practice managing their time during practice tests to ensure they can complete the test within the allotted time.
