How long does a full MCAT take?

The “testing time” is 6 hours and 15 minutes. The total “seat time” for the MCAT is 7 hours and 27 minutes. The test is taken over the course of a single day using a computer at a designated testing center.

How long does the MCAT take to complete?

The MCAT lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, with breaks. The test content itself takes 6 hours and 15 minutes. You will complete the entire MCAT in a single day. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) strikes fear into the heart of many a future medical student, and with good reason.

How long does the MCAT take with breaks?

How Long is the MCAT With Breaks? Including breaks, the MCAT takes 7.5 hours. Each of the four MCAT sections takes 90-95 minutes to complete, and each section is broken up by an optional break between 10 and 30 minutes long.

Can you finish the MCAT in 5 hours?

For almost every student, the MCAT exam will be the longest test they have ever taken. The actual MCAT is over 6 hours long. But allowing times for breaks, check-in, and arriving early at the exam center, expect it to take at least 8 hours on your test day.

Can I chew gum during MCAT?

Can you chew gum during the MCAT? Nope. You are not allowed to chew gum when you are in the physical testing room in front of the computer. You can, however, chew gum when you are on any of the three breaks.

How long should YOU study for the MCAT?

Can you drink water during MCAT?

During your scheduled breaks, you may access only food, water, and medication.

What time of year is the MCAT the easiest?

You want to make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare and study everything you've learned throughout your undergrad so you have a strong foundation for medical school. There's no magical time period where the MCAT is easier. It's a challenging exam no matter the month you choose.

Can you do well on the MCAT without studying?

To take the MCAT without studying would be a waste of your time and money. Some might be fortunate enough to pass the exam without studying, but why take that risk?

Do med schools average MCAT attempts?

While medical schools will see all your MCAT scores, admissions committees will use multiple scores in different ways, including: Considering your highest score only. Considering the average of every score.

Is MCAT all multiple-choice?

The MCAT is completely multiple choice. The score range of each of the 4 MCAT sections is 118-132, for a total perfect score of 528. The lowest possible score is 472. Each of the 4 sections is worth 25% of your final score.

How many times can you take the MCAT before it looks bad?

If necessary, retake the MCAT up to two to three times total—space out attempts with enough time to thoroughly review and improve your study strategy. More than three attempts can reflect poorly.

Can you go to the bathroom during MCAT?

You may also leave the testing room during the break to access food, drink, or medicines, or to use the restroom. The remaining time from a section you finished early or a skipped break will not carry over to the next section of the exam.

Can you go on your phone during MCAT breaks?

The bag must remain closed until the test administrator opens it after the completion of your exam. Do not try to access your cell phone for any reason during your breaks. Better yet, leave it at home—even touching an electronic device is a violation of MCAT policies.

How many times do most students take the MCAT?

How many times should you take the MCAT? It's fine to take the exam 3 times if you're making improvements on each attempt, however, if your score decreases or remains the same, then it can be detrimental to your overall medical school application.

How long do most students study for the MCAT?

Most people need 10–15 hours per week to study for the MCAT over a period of at least four to six months . In total, you should aim for at least 200 to 300 hours of MCAT study time.

Is the MCAT harder than med school?

Some folks even go as far as saying that the MCAT provides a glimpse into medical school so you could expect the same difficulty levels in the test. However, it's not an accurate comparison. The difficulty level of MCAT will not come close to a fraction of how hard medical school is.

Is the MCAT harder than the SAT?

The MCAT is way more complex and considered a very challenging standardized test for med school. Also, the contents and structure of the MCAT are more advanced than the SAT. In contrast, the SAT is used as a standardized college and university admission exam.

Is the MCAT harder than the LSAT?

If you're an experienced test-taker used to memorizing complex facts and information ahead of time, the MCAT may be a bit easier for you. Meanwhile, the LSAT could be the simpler option for proficient readers and writers with logical, analytical minds.

What is the hardest subject in MCAT?

Many students consider CARS the most difficult MCAT section, with AAMC data showing that the average CARS score is about 1 point lower than the other MCAT section scores. This is likely because CARS requires a different way of thinking through problems and can be more difficult to prepare for.

At what age do most people take the MCAT?

Most people take the MCAT during or right after their junior year of college. For example, if you want to start medical school in fall 2025 (after your senior year), you may want to take your exam during spring 2024.

What month is too late for MCAT?

When Is the Latest I Can Take the MCAT? You can technically take the MCAT as late as mid-September, the last time it's offered in any given cycle, but it's not a good idea to wait that long. We generally do not recommend students applying to medical to take the MCAT in August or September.

What if I have to pee during MCAT?

Go to the restroom right after your check-in and during all your breaks, even if you do not feel you have to. This way, you will not have to take time away from your actual testing to go to the restroom. If you do feel you have to go throughout a section, you can still do so.

Are you given a periodic table on the MCAT?

Is the Periodic Table Given on the MCAT? Yes, the periodic table is provided to test-takers. The AAMC administers the MCAT and acknowledges the importance of the periodic table as a foundational tool in chemistry and related disciplines.

Are you allowed a calculator during the MCAT?

You aren't allowed to use a calculator on the MCAT, so you need to practice doing arithmetic calculations by hand. Fortunately, the amount of calculation you'll have to do is small. See how you score on our free MCAT practice test .