MCAT Topics List: What Subjects are on the MCAT?

Subjects on the MCAT Summarized Followed by a Detailed List of MCAT Topics

MCAT topics explored in-depth! This page provides a detailed breakdown of all MCAT subjects, as described by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Start with a concise summary of the main subjects on the MCAT, followed by a comprehensive presentation of all the possible topics, including assumed knowledge of Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Sociology, and more.

The main subjects on the MCAT are Biology, Biochemistry, Physics, Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Psychology, and Sociology. During the real exam, advanced-level topics - beyond the detailed MCAT topics list - will certainly be explored, typically within a passage. However, to correctly answer the question, only a combination of the assumed knowledge presented below and appropriate reasoning is required.

MCAT subjects wherein about half is science and about half is non-science

MCAT Biology Topics

DNA, genetics, evolution, biotechnology, eukaryotic cell, prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes, viruses, reproductive system, embryology, nervous system, endocrine system, circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, immune system, lymphatic system, muscular system, skin system, and skeletal system

MCAT Biochemistry Topics

Enzymes, bioenergetics, metabolic regulation, pentose phosphate pathway, lipid metabolism, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, nucleotides and nucleic acids, amino acids, peptides, proteins, protein structure and function, carbohydrates and lipids

MCAT Physics Topics

Translational motion, force, equilibrium, work, energy, periodic motion, fluids, electrostatics, electromagnetic radiation, electrical circuits, circuit elements, light, magnetism, sound, matter, atoms, nuclear decay, electronic structure, atomic and chemical behavior, thermodynamics, optics

MCAT Organic Chemistry Topics

Key functional groups/compounds, nomenclature, stereochemistry, hybridization, nucleophilic substitution (not elimination), molecular structure and absorption spectra, aldehydes and ketones, alcohols, carboxylic acids, acid derivatives, mass spectrometry, polycyclic and heterocyclic aromatic compounds, phenols, separations, and purifications

MCAT General Chemistry

Gas phase, electrochemistry, molecular structure, stoichiometry, acid/base equilibria, solubility, ions in solutions, titration, covalent bond, liquid phase, intermolecular forces, kinetics, equilibrium, water, molecules, thermochemistry

MCAT Psychology and Sociology

Sensory processing, the senses, perception, attention, cognition, consciousness, memory, language, emotion, stress, personality, psychological disorders, motivation, attitudes, beliefs, psychological, biological and social factors that affect behavior, personality, self and identity formation, prejudice and bias, stereotypes, social class, stratification, social mobility, poverty, culture, and health and healthcare disparities

MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems MCAT CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

Mathematical concepts and techniques are required in these three MCAT sections - Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior.

Linear, semilog, log, log-log scales and slope calculations
Measurements and calculations
Metric units (including converting units) and dimensional analysis
Level 2 Algebra - exponentials, logarithms, scientific notation, and solving equations

Trigonometry - functions of sine, cosine, tangent, sin^-1, cos^-1, tan^-1; sin and cos values of 0°, 90°, and 180°; relationships between the lengths of sides of right triangles containing angles of 30°, 45°, and 60°
Vector addition and subtraction, right hand rule (not required: knowledge of dot and cross products )
Arithmetic calculations - probability, proportion, ratio, percentage, and square-root estimations

The MCAT will test your scientific inquiry and reasoning skills by using data.

Use, analyze and interpret data shown in figures, graphs and tables.

Using data, you use measures of central tendency such as mean, median, and mode as well as measures of dispersion such as range, inter-quartile range, and standard deviation.
Using data, you are expected to come up with reasoning on random and systematic error, interpret statistical significance levels or a confidence interval, make predictions, explain the relationship between variables, draw conclusions and determine their impact on real life situations.

While Math, Statistics, and Research Methods aren't actual topics on the MCAT, you're expected to have sufficient background in these areas.

Related Resources from Gold Standard

The MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section evaluates your ability to deeply understand and interpret written passages. Specifically, it assesses your proficiency in:

Foundations of Comprehension: Grasping the explicit meaning and main ideas presented in the text.
Reasoning Within the Text: Analyzing the author's arguments, identifying relationships between ideas, and drawing logical inferences directly supported by the passage.
Reasoning Beyond the Text: Extending the author's ideas to new contexts, evaluating arguments, and making reasoned judgments.

CARS passages draw from a wide range of humanities and social science disciplines, including:

Humanities: Architecture, art, dance, ethics, literature, music, philosophy, popular culture, religion, theater, and cultural studies.
Social Sciences: Anthropology, archaeology, economics, education, geography, history, linguistics, political science, population health, psychology, sociology, and cultural studies.