MCAT exam pattern 2023 is essential for students to understand for their MCAT preparation 2023. The MCAT exam pattern 2023 is prescribed by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). The MCAT exam pattern 2023 has four sections, mainly that evaluate a candidate's knowledge in the field of medical sciences.
MCAT is an international-level entrance exam conducted by the AAMC for students that wish to take admissions to medical schools in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands countries. The candidates can use the available previous year's question papers, sample papers, and mock tests to familiarize themselves with the MCAT exam pattern 2023.
Students appearing in the MCAT exam 2023 can read along to get the highlights and other information related to the MCAT exam pattern 2023.
| MCAT Syllabus 2023 | MCAT Eligibility Criteria 2023 |
Table of Contents
- MCAT Exam Pattern 2023 Highlights
- MCAT Exam Pattern 2023 Section-Wise Breakup
- MCAT Exam Pattern 2023 Marking Scheme
- MCAT Exam Pattern 2023 for Special Accommodations & Break Provisions
MCAT Exam Pattern 2023 Highlights
The candidates can find all the highlights of the MCAT exam pattern 2023 below in the table. The MCAT test pattern 2023 highlights will provide students with an overview of the MCAT exam 2023.
| Particulars | Details |
| MCAT Conducting Body | Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) |
| Official Website | www.aamc.org |
| Mode of MCAT Exam | Online Computer-Based |
| Exam Duration | 7 Hours and 30 Minutes (450 Minutes) |
| Number of Sections | 4 |
| MCAT Section Details | Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | |
| Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior | |
| MCAT Section Time-Limit | Provision of Sectional Time Limit |
| MCAT Exam Medium | English |
| MCAT Total Marks | Maximum Score - 528 |
| MCAT Sectional Score | 118 - 132 |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Number of Questions | 230 |
| Negative Marking | No Provision for Negative Marking |
Note - All four sections of the MCAT test pattern 2023 are measured on a scale from 118-132, with a mean calculative score of 125. In addition, students can get all the information related to the sectional time limit on the sectional details section of this page of the MCAT test pattern 2023.
MCAT Exam Pattern 2023 Section-Wise Breakup
MCAT exam pattern 2023 will have four sections. The total number of questions as per the MCAT test pattern is 230 MCQ format questions. The total marks vary however, the standard maximum score is 528. The MCAT test pattern 2023 has the following sections.
- Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior
As per the MCAT test pattern 2023, the first three sections evaluate the candidate in 10 fundamental concepts in medical sciences. Topics such as general chemistry, organic chemistry, introductory physics, and introductory biology, and from introductory biochemistry, psychology, and sociology courses, are covered in these sections of the MCAT test pattern 2023. Other sections of the MCAT test pattern 2023 include critical analysis and reasoning skills with comprehension-based passage-type questions from subjects of social sciences, physiology and humanities.
The detailed section-wise breakdown of the MCAT test pattern 2023 is given below in the table.
| MCAT Test Pattern Sections | No of Questions | Section-Wise Question Breakdown | Sectional Duration (in mins) |
| Test-Day Certification | - | - | 4 |
| Tutorial (optional) | - | 10 | |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | 59 |
10 passage-based sets of questions 4–6 questions per set 15 independent questions |
95 |
| Break (optional) | - | 10 | |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior | 59 |
10 passage-based sets of questions 4–6 questions per set 15 independent questions |
95 |
| Mid-Exam Break (optional) | 30 | ||
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 59 |
10 passage-based sets of questions 4–6 questions per set 15 independent questions |
95 |
| Break (optional) | 10 | ||
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 53 |
9 passages 5–7 questions per passage |
90 |
| Void Question | - | 3 | |
| Satisfaction Survey (optional) | - | - | 5 |
| Total Content Time | - | - | 6 hours 15 minutes |
| Total Time (Seated) | - | 7 hours 27 minutes (Approx) |
MCAT Exam Pattern 2023 Marking Scheme
MCAT exam pattern 2023 marking scheme is easy for students to understand as there is no provision for negative marking. However, given the test duration of the MCAT test pattern 2023, candidates can easily take the no negative marking provision lightly and commit silly errors from their side. Therefore, the MCAT exam pattern 2023 marking scheme is crucial for students to understand to ace the exam.
The students will better plan for the exam if they understand the MCAT exam pattern 2023 marking scheme. In addition, candidates can improve their time management and question-dropping techniques in the MCAT 2023.
The marking scheme as per the MCAT exam pattern 2023 is as follows.
- Students will be awarded with 1 mark for every correct attempt as per the MCAT test pattern 2023.
- There is no provision for negative marking in the MCAT exam 2023. Students will not be penalized for incorrect or wrong answers as per the MCAT exam pattern 2023.
- No mark will be deducted from the total score of the candidates for leaving a question blank or not attempting it in the MCAT exam 2023.
- If two options are marked as answers, it will be considered as an invalid response; hence no marks will be awarded to the candidate as per the MCAT exam pattern 2023 marking scheme.
MCAT Exam Pattern 2023 for Special Accommodations & Break Provisions
Having the exam duration of 7 hours and 30 minutes (approximately), the MCAT exam pattern 2023 will give all the applicants appearing for the exam the provision of breaks. This is important as the candidates get ample time for R&R, thus helping them maintain their focus and endurance in the MCAT exam 2023. As per the MCAT test pattern 2023, there are two breaks between the entire duration of the MCAT exam. The provision for breaks and their time duration are as follows.
- A long 30-minute break in the mid-half of the MCAT exam.
- A short 10-minute break in the second half of the MCAT exam.
Provision for Accommodation
If any applicant has a medical condition such as a disability, AAMC, in its prescribed MCAT test pattern 2023, provides that the student applies for the change in testing conditions with accommodations as per the candidate's medical condition. The student must apply for the accommodation within 60 days of receipt of a complete initial application as per the norms of the MCAT exam pattern 2023. On the official website, the MCAT Accommodation Online System is used to request accommodations for testing.
As part of the approval letter, the AAMC will review the request for accommodations and approve the accommodations. The necessary changes will be made available for that student at an MCAT exam centre which has adequate facilities, and there will be minor changes in the MCAT test pattern 2023.
