Nucleus Prep
BlogThe MCAT

What's on the MCAT?

Four sections, each individually scored from 118 to 132, for a total range of 472 to 528. They cover Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys), Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/Biochem), and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc). The full exam runs about 7.5 hours including breaks.

It tests far less rote memorization than most people expect, and far more application of that content to unfamiliar passages. Biochemistry content shows up woven throughout multiple sections, not just its own. CARS has essentially no memorizable content at all and is the section most students find hardest to meaningfully raise, which is exactly why we treat it as a coachable skill rather than an afterthought.

Stats: 2025–2026 AAMC/AACOM cycle data. Always verify school-specific numbers in the MSAR. Nucleus Prep doesn’t guarantee scores or acceptances.

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