MCAT Topics List

A Summary MCAT Topics List followed by a Detailed List of MCAT Subjects

MCAT topics as described by the AAMC for the current MCAT format are presented on this page. We begin with a summary of the main MCAT subjects and then we proceed with a detailed presentation of all possible MCAT topics (i.e. assumed knowledge for MCAT Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Sociology, etc.).

MCAT TOPICS:
SUMMARY OF THE
MAIN SUBJECTS

MCAT topics as described by the AAMC for the MCAT are presented on this page, starting with the summary.

MCAT MATH
CONCEPTS AND
TECHNIQUES

$What are the Math Topics on the MCAT?$

There are MCAT sections that require certain mathematical concepts and techniques. Find out what they are.

DATA-BASED
STATISTICAL
REASONING

The MCAT will test your scientific inquiry and reasoning skills by asking you to interpret data shown in figures, graphs, and more.

MCAT CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL FOUNDATIONS OF BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

MCAT topics covered in the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section explained in detail.

MCAT CARS (MCAT CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REASONING SKILLS)

Topics in the MCAT CARS Critical Analysis Reasoning Skills section

A list of disciplines and skills required for you to do well on the MCAT CARS (MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) section.

MCAT BIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL FOUNDATIONS OF LIVING SYSTEMS

MCAT topics covered in the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems section explained in detail.

MCAT PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, AND BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF BEHAVIOR

MCAT topics covered in the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section explained in detail.

MCAT PREP

HOME STUDY AND ONLINE MCAT PREP
MCAT PRACTICE TESTS
QUESTION BANKS

All MCAT topics covered! Choose the online or home study MCAT prep that suits your learning style and budget.

MCAT-prep.com's MCAT Guide

To help you prepare for the exam, MCAT-prep.com has laid out comprehensive information on MCAT scores, topics covered, MCAT test dates, preparation advice and free MCAT sample questions.

What is the MCAT? - MCAT-prep.com's detailed guide about the MCAT
MCAT Topics List - complete outline of MCAT topics as described by the AAMC
MCAT Preparation Advice - preparation advice and materials to help you get a high MCAT score
MCAT Test Dates - 2022 MCAT test dates and score release dates
MCAT Scores - How the MCAT is scored and medical school admissions
MCAT Practice Test Advice - Learn the right practice test-taking attitude
Free MCAT Sample Questions - Have a taste of the degree of reasoning required for the exam

During the real MCAT, advanced-level topics - beyond the detailed list - will certainly be explored, typically within a passage. However, to correctly answer the question, only a combination of the assumed knowledge presented below and appropriate reasoning is required.

Summary of MCAT Subjects for the current MCAT format

Subject	MCAT Outline of Topics: Summary	Difference in content between the pre-2015 MCAT and the current MCAT format
MCAT Biology	DNA, genetics, evolution, biotechnology, eukaryotic cell, prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes, viruses, reproductive system, embryology, nervous system, endocrine system, circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, immune system, lymphatic system, muscular system, skin system and skeletal system	Removed: Bone growth and bone generation, pedigree analysis, origin of life Added: Biotechnology
MCAT Biochemistry	Enzymes, bioenergetics, metabolic regulation, pentose phosphate pathway, lipid metabolism, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, nucleotides and nucleic acids, amino acids, peptides, proteins, protein structure and function, carbohydrates and lipids	Added: Pentose phosphate pathway, lipid metabolism, gluconeogenesis, more advanced enzyme kinetics (for example, although Keq, Km and Vmax were old MCAT topics, new exam topics also include: Kd, Ka, kcat, Ki, IC50) Note: Many MCAT Biochemistry topics were covered in the old MCAT in Biology and Organic Chemistry.
MCAT Physics	Translational motion, force, equilibrium, work, energy, periodic motion, fluids, electrostatics, electromagnetic radiation, electrical circuits, circuit elements, light, magnetism, sound, matter, atoms, nuclear decay, electronic structure, atomic and chemical behavior, thermodynamics, optics	Removed: Momentum, solids (density, elastic properties, etc.), periodic motion (springs and pendulums) and wave characteristics (exception: spring potential energy), circular motion, alternating current
MCAT Organic Chemistry	Key functional groups/compounds, nomenclature, stereochemistry, hybridization, nucleophilic substitution (not elimination), molecular structure and absorption spectra, aldehydes and ketones, alcohols, carboxylic acids, acid derivatives, mass spectrometry, polycyclic and heterocyclic aromatic compounds, phenols, separations and purifications	Removed: Simple organic compounds (e.g. alkanes, alkenes, alkynes), ethers (note: technically, alkenes, alkynes and ethers have not been on the AAMC official topic list since 2003), amines, acyl halides, recrystallization Added: polycyclic and heterocyclic aromatic compounds, phenols
MCAT General Chemistry	Gas phase, electrochemistry, molecular structure, stoichiometry, acid/base equilibria, solubility, ions in solutions, titration, covalent bond, liquid phase, intermolecular forces, kinetics, equilibrium, water, molecules, thermochemistry	Removed:andnbsp;Phase Equilibriaandnbsp; (however, phase diagrams can still be tested)
MCAT Psychology and Sociology	Sensory processing, the senses, perception, attention, cognition, consciousness, memory, language, emotion, stress, personality, psychological disorders, motivation, attitudes, beliefs, psychological, biological and social factors that affect behavior, personality, self and identity formation, prejudice and bias, stereotypes, social class, stratification, social mobility, poverty, culture, and health and healthcare disparities	Added: All topics in Psychology and Sociology

Detailed List of MCAT Topics for the current MCAT Format

The MCAT outline of topics includes subtopics as iterated by the AAMC.For the detailed list of subtopics, click on the relevant section below.

The MCAT CARS section will test your critical analysis and reasoning skills. The skills that will be tested in the MCAT CARS section are: foundations of comprehension, reasoning within the text and reasoning beyond the text.

The MCAT CARS passages will touch on the humanities and social sciences. The humanities include disciplines like architecture, art, dance, ethics, literature, music, philosophy, popular culture, religion, theater and studies of diverse cultures.

Social sciences include anthropology, archaeology, economics, education, geography, history, linguistics, political science, population health, psychology, sociology and studies of diverse cultures.