The MCAT exam contains two science sections that cover physics, chemistry and biology questions. Also present are the verbal reasoning and writing samples. In the science sections, the questions can come from various topics, such as,
In the physics section,
The topics that are usually tested are,
- Motion – Force, momentum, gravitation, translational and rotational motions
- Sound, light, waves and optics
- Energy – work and power.
- Electrostatics, dynamics and electromagnetism.
- Atoms, Periodic table and nuclear cell structure.
- Solids, fluids and gases.
- Other general topics
In the general chemistry section, topics that are tested are,
Periodic table – electron structure, bonding
Fluids – phases, phase equilibria, acid/base balance, buffers
Thermodynamics, thermo-chemistry, kinetics, rate processes and equilibrium in chemical reactions.
Electrochemistry – stoichiometry and cell equations.
The biology section is further divided into the biology and organic chemistry sections.
In the biology section, one has to learn concepts of,
Molecular biology – DNA, metabolism, enzymes, proteins and genetics.
Microbiology – Study of cells and tissues, eukaryotic cells and tissues.
Human body – Nervous, Circulatory, digestive, skin, respiratory, muscle, reproductive and excretory systems.
Evolution and the theories.
The topics of organic chemistry that find their ways into the test paper are,
Bonds – Covalent bonds and molecular structure.
Separations, purifications and stereochemistry.
Hydrocarbons
- Oxygen compounds like Alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids.
- Nitrogen compounds like amides, amines and amino acids.
- Halogen compounds like chlorides, fluorides and iodides.
Other general topics.
The Pattern:
The Physical sciences section is to be finished in 100 minutes, consists of 77 questions, of which there will be 10-11 passages and 5-8 questions per passage. The remaining questions will be separate and not related to any passage. They will be from the concepts that frequently asked in the MCAT. General chemistry is also covered under this section. 50% of the questions will belong to physics and the rest of chemistry.
The Biological sciences section also consists of 77 questions that are to be completed in 100 minutes include 10-11 passages based on the concepts, 4-8 questions will be accompanying each passage and there will be 15 questions that are not associated with any text, but will contain topics that are included in the MCAT syllabus. The verbal reasoning section, which should take a maximum of 85 minutes to complete will contain a total of 60 questions, that contain about 10 passages and 6-10 questions associated with each passage. Critical reading is the main skill that is tested by the examiners in this section. The last section is the writing sample that contains two essays that have to be completed in 30 minutes each, giving the section a total of 60 minutes. Effective ideas, good grammatical and communication skills are required to obtain a top grade in this section.
Students are advised to be well-versed in all the topics listed above and practice verbal and writing sections giving them equal importance.
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