• Updated on Aug 26, 2025 by Santana Banerjee
MCAT Exam Pattern 2025 follows a multiple-choice test format to assess candidates' basic knowledge in biology, molecular biology, physics, and reasoning skills. The exam lasts for about 7.5 hours, including breaks. The Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour sections consist of 59 questions and are allotted 95 minutes each. The Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section contains 53 questions with a 90-minute time limit. Question types across the first three sections are passage-based, requiring candidates to apply scientific knowledge, interpret data, reason through experimental design, and solve problems. The CARS section evaluates critical reading and reasoning abilities through three question types: Foundations of Comprehension, Reasoning Within the Text, and Reasoning Beyond the Text. To prepare effectively for MCAT Exam 2025, candidates should review examples of the types of questions available through AAMC study prep materials and the Practice with Exam Features tool.
MCAT Exam Pattern 2025: Key Highlights
The first three sections of the MCAT Syllabus 2025 contain 59 questions, and the Critical Analysis section includes 53 questions. In total, candidates need to answer 230 multiple-choice questions within 450 minutes. Check below to know the MCAT section-wise number of questions and duration for each section, including frequency of breaks.
MCAT Exam Syllabus 2025
In the MCAT Exam Syllabus, the Biological, Chemical & Physical, and Psychological & Social sections are based on foundational concepts in the sciences, which emphasise deep knowledge of scientific ideas. The Critical Analysis and Reasoning skills section tests verbal reasoning skills that have been developed throughout the academic career of candidates. This portion asks candidates to read and think about passages from a wide range of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. Check below to know about subject-wise contents of the MCAT Exam Syllabus.
MCAT Question Types
The MCAT question types are based on the content areas and skills assessed within each of the four sections. The Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems section asks questions from introductory biology, first-semester biochemistry, and organic chemistry. The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section includes questions from general chemistry, introductory physics, first-semester biochemistry, organic chemistry, and biology. The Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour section focuses on asking questions from introductory psychology, sociology and biology. In the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section, question types are divided into three skill areas: Foundations of Comprehension, Reasoning Within the Text, and Reasoning Beyond the Text. Check the question types-wise weightage in the MCAT Exam 2025.
MCAT Exam Preparation Tips
To attempt all 230 questions across the four sections, candidates should review MCAT sample question guides on the official website of AAMC. Check below to start MCAT Exam preparation immediately:
- Review examples of the types of questions from the AAMC study prep materials.
- Access the Practice with Exam Features tool to solve sample questions. It provides a real test-taking experience to candidates.
- Go through free resources on the MCAT Official Prep Hub.
- Access free MCAT Practice Test + Prep Starter Pack to establish a baseline for MCAT studies by taking a realistic practice test. After signing up, candidates also receive 30-day access to a study planning calendar, a Qbank with 230 questions, and learning modules.
MCAT Exam Pattern FAQs
What is tested on the MCAT Exam 2025?
The MCAT is a standardised, computer-based test required by most medical schools. The MCAT test duration is 6 hours and 15 minutes (excluding breaks), and the total time is around 7 hours and 30 minutes, including breaks. The MCAT consists of 230 multiple-choice questions. This exam tests candidates’ content knowledge in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Biology, Biochemistry, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology, it also tests your critical analysis and reasoning skills.
What are the MCAT Sections and Subjects?
MCAT Exam Syllabus 2025 is divided into four key sections: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour; and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS).
What is the MCAT Test duration?
In 2025, the MCAT test duration is 6 hours and 15 minutes, excluding breaks. There are four MCAT sections, in which the first three sections last for 95 minutes, with optional breaks between. Candidates will get two 10-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch break between sections. If they choose to take breaks between each section, the total MCAT testing time can be up to 450 minutes or 7 hours and 30 minutes.
How is the MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section structured?
The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section includes 59 total questions (10 passages, 44 passage-based questions, 15 discrete questions).
How is the MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section structured?
The MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section includes 53 questions from 9 passages, and these have to be answered within 90 minutes.
How is the MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems structured?
The MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems is structured with a total of 59 questions from each of 10 passages (44 passage-based questions, 15 discrete questions).
How is the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour structured?
The MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour contains a total of 59 questions from each of 10 passages (44 passage-based questions, 15 discrete questions). The key focus areas are Biology (5%), Psychology (65%), Sociology (30%).
What are the contents included in the MCAT Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning Skills?
Candidates will face questions based on Knowledge of Scientific Concepts and Principles, Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving, Reasoning About the Design and Execution of Research and Data-Based and Statistical Reasoning.
Is math tested in the MCAT Syllabus?
Nothing specific should be studied, but candidates will experience a lot of basic math, ratios, percentages, and unit conversions. They should practice the basic concepts of algebra, graph interpretation and data analysis.
What are the total marks of the MCAT Exam 2025?
The total MCAT score ranges from 472 to 528, with the mean at 500.7. Each of the four sections of the MCAT is scored from 118 to 132.