The MCAT is the main admissions test for medical schools in the United States and Canada. It is run by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The exam is offered at least 25 times a year, generally from January to September. It has four sections and 230 questions, with about 6 hours and 15 minutes of actual testing time and about 7.5 hours total including breaks. Scores range from 472 to 528. You can take it up to three times in a single year and seven times in your lifetime.
If you are studying in the Philippines, know this first: Philippine medical schools run their own admissions processes, so the MCAT matters mainly if you plan to apply abroad. Check AAMC’s official site for current test locations and schedules before making plans.
Give yourself several months to prepare. Start by reviewing the science content in the four sections: chemical and physical foundations, critical analysis and reasoning, biological and biochemical foundations, and psychological and social foundations. Use AAMC’s official practice exams, since they match the real test best.
Practice under timed conditions. The MCAT rewards steady pacing as much as knowledge. Take full-length practice tests on weekends and review every wrong answer to find your weak areas.
Register early. Seats at popular test centers fill up fast. Check the AAMC site for current fees, since they change over time, and look into the Fee Assistance Program if cost is a barrier. If you plan to apply to medical school afterward, read about how pre-med programs connect to medical school admission, whether a master’s degree helps medical school applications, and how to prepare for medical school interviews and MMI questions.
