What does MCAT stand for? It is the Medical College Admission Test, the standardized exam that nearly every medical school in the United States and Canada asks applicants to take. Students usually sit for it after finishing their core science classes, often in the year before they apply.
The test is long, taken on a computer and made of multiple choice questions. It checks science knowledge, but it also checks reading, reasoning and how well a student can apply ideas to new passages. Admissions committees weigh the score alongside grades, experience and interviews.
Quick facts
Stands for
Medical College Admission TestType
Acronym, said "EM cat"Run by
The Association of American Medical CollegesUsed for
Medical school admissionsTotal score range
472 to 528Section score range
118 to 132 eachNot to be confused with
LSAT, the law school test
What does MCAT stand for, word by word?
The four letters line up with four words: Medical, College, Admission, Test. "Medical college" is an older way to say medical school, and the name has kept that phrasing. The exam is written and given under the Association of American Medical Colleges, the group that also runs the main medical school application service in the US.
Like many test names, it sits among other school short forms on our school acronyms page, next to college tests such as the SAT and the ACT.
The four parts of the test
| Section | Main subjects |
|---|---|
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | General chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) | Reading passages from the humanities and social sciences |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | Biology, biochemistry, some chemistry |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior | Psychology, sociology, biology of behavior |
Students often shorten these to "Chem/Phys," "CARS," "Bio/Biochem" and "Psych/Soc." The CARS section needs no outside science knowledge. Every answer comes from the passage itself, which is why many test takers say it feels like a different kind of exam.
How MCAT scoring works
Each of the four sections is scored from 118 to 132. Added together, they give a total between 472 and 528, with 500 near the middle. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so leaving a question blank never helps. Scores come with percentile ranks, which show how a result compares with other recent test takers.
Medical schools look at the total and the section scores. A high total with one very low section can raise questions, so balance matters. Each school sets its own expectations, and those are usually listed in its admissions materials.
Pronouncing MCAT and fitting it into a sentence
Most people say it as "EM cat," with the M as a letter and CAT as a word. That mix makes it a blend of initialism and acronym, but in practice everyone calls it an acronym. Keep all four letters capitalized, without dots. Before it, use the in most cases: "I take the MCAT in June."
- "She is studying for the MCAT over the summer."
- "His MCAT score was strong in CARS."
- "Most premeds take the MCAT before their senior year."
- "Is the MCAT required for that program?"
A premed's calendar moment
From an advising email: "Plan to sit for the MCAT by spring so your scores are ready when applications open." The adviser means the admission exam, and the timing matters because scores take weeks to be released.
Prep usually runs for months. Students review science notes, work through practice passages and take full length practice tests, since the real exam lasts most of a day with breaks. The test is offered on set dates at testing centers, and seats can fill early in busy seasons.
MCAT vs other entry tests
- MCAT: medical school, leading to the MD degree or a similar program.
- LSAT: law school, leading to a JD.
- DAT: dental school.
- PCAT: pharmacy programs, though many no longer require it.
- GRE: many graduate programs outside medicine and law.
The MCAT score and the GPA are often the two numbers students hear about most, but both are only part of a full application.
Questions people ask
What is the MCAT used for?
It is used in admissions to medical schools, mainly in the United States and Canada. Schools use it as one shared measure to compare applicants from many different colleges.
How long is the MCAT?
The full exam takes most of a day once breaks and check in are counted. The four scored sections are spread across that time, with optional breaks between them.
What is a good MCAT score?
The total runs from 472 to 528, and 500 is near the middle. What counts as good depends on the schools a student is aiming for, so it is best to check each school's reported ranges.
How do you pronounce MCAT?
Most people say "EM cat." You may hear "M C A T" letter by letter, but that is rare.
Can you take the MCAT more than once?
Yes, retakes are allowed, with limits on how many times a person can test in a year and over a lifetime. Schools may see every score, so many students try to be fully prepared for the first sitting.