The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a comprehensive standardized test required for admission to medical schools in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands. Managed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the MCAT assesses a candidate's knowledge of scientific concepts, critical thinking skills, and the ability to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios. Keep on reading to learn more about the MCAT exam, its requirements, syllabus, pattern, and other important details.

What is the MCAT Exam?

The MCAT is designed to test the skills necessary for success in medical school and includes a range of topics in natural sciences, social sciences, and critical analysis. It is a computer-based test, lasting approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, including breaks.

Exam Name	Medical College Admission Test
Short Exam Name	MCAT
Conducting Body	Association of American Medical Colleges
Exam Level	International Level Exam
Languages	English
Mode of Application	Online
Mode of Exam	Online
Exam Duration	7 Hours 30 Minutes

MCAT 2024 Exam Pattern

The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is structured to comprehensively evaluate candidates for admission into medical schools. Here's an improved breakdown of the exam's pattern and structure:

Section	Number of MCQs	Duration (Minutes)
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems	59	95
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems	59	95
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior	59	95
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills	53	90

Total Duration

Exam Length: 6 hours and 15 minutes of testing
Total Seated Time: 7 hours and 30 minutes, including breaks

Scoring

Total Marks: Scores range from 472 to 528 across all sections.

MCAT Exam Eligibility

There are no strict educational requirements to take the MCAT, but it is generally taken by the candidate who aspires to enroll in any healthcare or medical education program. This includes studying for degrees such as:

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
Podiatric (D.P.M.)
Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)

Additionally, the MCAT may be a requirement for admission into other related healthcare programs that specify the need for MCAT scores.

MCAT Exam Dates 2024

The MCAT is offered on multiple dates from January through September each year. Candidates are advised to register early to secure their desired test date and location, as slots can fill up quickly.

Test Date	60 Day Deadline	30 Day Deadline	10 Day Deadline	Score Release Date
January 12	Nov. 13, 2023	Dec. 13, 2023	Jan. 2	Feb. 13
January 13	Nov. 14, 2023	Dec. 14, 2023	Jan. 3	Feb. 13
January 18	Nov. 19, 2023	Dec. 19, 2023	Jan. 8	Feb. 20
January 26	Nov. 27, 2023	Dec. 27, 2023	Jan. 16	March 1
March 9	Jan. 9	Feb. 8	Feb. 28	April 9
March 22	Jan. 22	Feb. 21	March 12	April 23
April 12	Feb. 12	March 13	April 2	May 14
April 13	Feb. 13	March 14	April 3	May 14
April 26	Feb. 26	March 27	April 16	May 29
April 27	Feb. 27	March 28	April 17	May 29
May 4	March 5	April 4	April 24	June 4
May 10	March 11	April 10	April 30	June 11
May 11	March 12	April 11	May 1	June 11
May 16	March 17	April 16	May 6	June 18
May 24	March 25	April 24	May 14	June 25
June 1	April 2	May 2	May 22	July 2
June 14	April 15	May 15	June 4	July 16
June 15	April 16	May 16	June 5	July 16
June 22	April 23	May 23	June 12	July 23
June 27	April 28	May 28	June 17	July 30
July 13	May 14	June 13	July 3	Aug. 13
July 26	May 27	June 26	July 16	Aug. 27
August 2	June 3	July 3	July 23	Sept. 4
August 17	June 18	July 18	Aug. 7	Sept. 17
August 23	June 24	July 24	Aug. 13	Sept. 24
August 24	June 25	July 25	Aug. 14	Sept. 24
September 5	July 7	Aug. 6	Aug. 26	Oct. 8
September 6	July 8	Aug. 7	Aug. 27	Oct. 8
September 13	July 15	Aug. 14	Sept. 3	Oct. 15
September 14	July 16	Aug. 15	Sept. 4	Oct. 15

MCAT Exam 2024 Syllabus

The MCAT exam consists of four main sections. Each section tests a blend of knowledge, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities pertinent to medical studies and professional practice. Check out the section and important topics included:

Name of Sections	Important Topics
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems	Chemistry: Organic, and Inorganic, Biology: Cellular and Molecular, Biochemistry Natural Sciences: Research, Reasoning, and Statistics Basic Biochemistry Concepts, Statistics Concepts, and Introductory Research Methods
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems	Introductory Biochemistry and Biology Concepts Chemistry: Organic and Inorganic, Concepts of Physics Show Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning, Research Methods, and Natural Sciences Introductory Molecular Biology, Introductory and Statistics Concepts
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour	Social and Behavioral Sciences: Scientific Inquiry, Reasoning, Research Concepts of Psychology, Sociology, and Biology about the Behavioral and Socio-Cultural Health Determinants of Mental Processes and Behavior, Concepts of Psychology and Sociology, Introductory Statistics Concepts and Research Methods of Introductory Science
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills	Ethics, Philosophy, Population Health, Social Sciences, Humanities Disciplines, and, Studies of Diverse Culture

You can practice through Sample papers and practice tests available on the AAMC's official website to understand the syllabus better. These resources are crucial for candidates to familiarize themselves with the format of the exam and to practice time management skills.

MCAT Exam Registration Fee

Here's a clearer and more structured presentation of the MCAT registration fees for 2024, including specific details for international candidates and those applying under the Fee Assistance Program:

Fee Category	Amount (USD)	Amount (INR)	Additional Notes
Standard Registration	$325	₹26,990	-
Fee Assistance Programme Registration	$130	-	-
Late Registration	Additional $120	₹4,152 to ₹16,610	Depends on the registration timing before the test
International Fee	$120	-	Applicable outside the US, Canada, or US Territories; non-refundable upon cancellation

This table helps clarify the various fees associated with registering for the MCAT, especially for applicants from international locations including India. Note that the conversion to INR is approximate and subject to currency fluctuation.

MCAT Exam in India

The MCAT is not conducted in India. It is only available at international test locations. For those wishing to sit for the MCAT, the closest test centres are located in Thailand and Doha. Indian candidates need to plan accordingly and consult the international test dates when registering, as they will need to travel abroad to take the examination. Candidates in India must register for the MCAT through the AAMC website and can expect to pay higher fees compared to domestic test-takers.

MCAT Test Centres 2024

Here are the international MCAT exam centres 2024 where candidates can go to take the exam:

Australia	Guam	Singapore
Canada	Israel	South Africa
China: Hong Kong	Japan	Taiwan
France	Lebanon	Thailand
Germany	Puerto Rico	United Kingdom
United States	Qatar	U.S. Virgin Islands

For more detailed information, including registration steps and preparation tips, it's advisable to visit the AAMC website and access their official resources or you can consider reaching out to AcadFly Counsellors to seek expert assistance throughout the process.

FAQs

How long is the MCAT score valid?

MCAT scores are generally valid for up to three years. However, some institutions may only accept scores that are less than two years old.

What is the cost of the MCAT exam?

The registration fee for the MCAT is around $325 if registered within the standard deadline. Fees increase for late registration.

How many times can I take the MCAT?

You can take the MCAT up to three times in a single testing year, four times over two consecutive years, and seven times in a lifetime.

When are MCAT scores released?

MCAT scores are typically released 30-35 days after the test date.

What is a good MCAT score?

Scores range from 472 to 528. A good score is typically above the 50th percentile, but competitive scores vary depending on the medical schools' specific requirements.