MCAT Practice Test 2024 with Study Guide (UPDATED)

MCAT Practice Test 2024 with Study Guide (UPDATED). Get our free Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) practice questions and answers in printable PDF. This test is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). GoTestPrep provides MCAT Test Prep & Review Questions with key subject-specific MCAT strategies and two full-length practice tests followed by thorough, detailed explanations.

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam that is used to assess applicants to medical schools. The test is sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in cooperation with its member schools.

It is required as part of the admissions process by most U.S. medical schools. The test is administered by Prometric, a private firm that is a leading provider of technology-based testing and assessment services.

Gaining admission to a U.S. medical school can be especially challenging if you are not a U. S. citizen. In recent years, fewer than one percent of first-year med students were non-U.S. citizens. Most of these students attended college in the United States prior to applying to medical school.

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a computer-based standardized examination for prospective medical students in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Caribbean Islands.

MCAT Practice Test 2024

Medical schools use MCAT scores to assess whether you possess the foundation upon which to build a successful medical career. Though you certainly need to know the content to do well, the stress is on the thought process, because the MCAT is above all else a thinking test. That’s why it emphasizes reasoning, critical and analytical thinking, reading comprehension, data analysis, writing, and problem-solving skills.

AAMC MCAT Questions Answers

Start Sample Tests

(59 MCQs Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems)

(59 MCQs Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior)

(59 MCQs Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems)

(53 MCQs Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills)

AAMC MCAT Exam Format

The questions on the MCAT are basically designed to measure your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Two test sections assess your mastery of fundamental concepts in biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. A third section tests your understanding of concepts in psychology, sociology, and biology that are important to understanding how behavioral and sociocultural factors affect health outcomes and the provision of healthcare.

For most questions in these sections, choosing the correct answer requires more than just a rote response; you must calculate a solution, interpret and evaluate given data, or apply a particular scientific principle to a given situation.

You will need to demonstrate that you can reason scientifically and employ the principles of research methodology and statistics. There is also a fourth section that tests your ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply information from reading passages on topics in ethics, philosophy, cross-cultural studies, and population health

The current MCAT consists of four distinct sections that are individually scored. Each section is allotted either 90 or 95 minutes and tests between 50 and 60 questions. Including breaks, the full examination lasts approximately 7.5 hours.

Section Questions Minutes
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems 59 95
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills 53 90
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems 59 95
Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior 59 95

1. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems Question Format

The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section includes:

59 questions consisting of: 

  •  10 passage-based sets of questions
  •  4-6 questions per set
  •  15 independent questions

2. Critical Analysis and Reasoning Question Format

The Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section includes:
 53 questions consisting of:

  •  9 passages
  •  5-7 questions per passage

3. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems Question Format

59 questions consisting of:

  •  10 passage-based sets of questions
    4-6 questions per set
     15 independent questions

4. Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Question Format

The Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section includes:

 59 questions consisting of:

  • 10 passage-based sets of questions
     4-6 questions per set
  • 15 independent questions

MCAT Score

The test consists of four sections, each scored from 118 to 132 with a median score of 125. The total MCAT score is a sum of the scores from each of the four sections, ranging from 472 to 528 with a median score of 500. Scores are released on a pre-determined date between 30–35 days after the exam date.

You will receive a separate score for each of the four sections of the MCAT exam, as well as a total score.

  • Your raw score on each of the four multiple-choice sections is based on the number of questions you answer correctly in each section. There is no penalty for guessing.
  •  The raw score for each section is then converted to a scaled score ranging from 118 (lowest) to 132 (highest).
  •  Your total scaled score is the sum of the four individual section scores and will range from 472 to 528

For additional information on exam scoring, including a short video and an example of a score report, please visit our MCAT scores webpage.

MCAT Study Guide 2024

There’s no such thing as a cut-and-dry “good score.” Much depends on the strength of the rest of your application (if your transcript is first-rate, the pressure to strut your stuff on the MCAT isn’t as intense) and on where you want to go to school (different schools have different score expectations). Here are a few interesting statistics:

It’s important to maximize your performance on every question. Just a few questions one way or the other can make a big difference in your scaled score. Here’s a look at recent score profiles so you can get an idea of the shape of the typical score distribution.

The average student spent 12 weeks preparing for the MCAT exam spending about 23 hours per week, excluding time taking regular courses. Some students, however, choose to take more time.

Another popular study option for students is to use MCAT preparatory materials from a commercial company. Many companies provide preparatory classes in-person and online, sets of preparatory books, full-length practice exams, flashcards and many more. 77% of students used commercial preparation books and 67% of students used practice exams published by a commercial company. 85% of test-takers found MCAT prep books to be useful.

  • Official MCAT Prep Link: aamc.org/prepare-mcat-exam
  • Download The MCAT® Essentials for Testing Year 2021 [PDF Link] (The MCAT® Essentials Addendum
    for the January and March 2021 Exams)

AAMC customer service

MCAT Program
AAMC
655 K St. NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20001-2399

Telephone: 202-828-0600
Contact Form: aamc.org/contactmcat

Hours:
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. ET
Closed Wednesday, 3-5 p.m. ET