How Long is the MCAT? A Complete Time Breakdown
/A complete section-by-section MCAT time breakdown, plus answers to frequently asked test day questions
HOW LONG IS THE MCAT?
(Note: This resource also appears in our MCAT Ultimate Guide.)
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: How long is the MCAT?
Part 3: How many questions are on the MCAT?
Part 4: MCAT Post-test timeline
Part 5: MCAT Test day FAQ
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Introduction
You might have heard friends, professors, and premed advisors throw these words around when they talk about the MCAT: important; tough; and, most often, long.
The SAT you took in high school was only three hours long, and most college final exams are a few hours long at most. As a result, in addition to being one of the hardest tests you’ve ever experienced, the MCAT will most likely also be the longest test you’ve taken in your life.
The MCAT is a cornerstone of your medical school application as it can make or break the tireless effort you have been putting in as a premed. A good MCAT score will make your application stand out. Given the exam’s importance, the test writers at the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) have created a long test that not only looks at your ability to solve challenging problems under pressure but also tests your ability to perform at a high level for a long time.
Students sitting down to study for the MCAT need to have an idea of the magnitude of their undertaking. This guide will walk you through one of the most common questions we get: “How long is the MCAT?”
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Part 2: How long is the MCAT?
Without breaks and other optional sections, the total “content time” of the MCAT is 6 hours and 15 minutes. With breaks and optional sections, the MCAT’s total “seated time” is 7 hours and 27 minutes. The MCAT is taken in one day, unlike multi-day tests you may take later on in medical school (e.g., USMLE Step 2).
While the AAMC offered a shortened exam—5 hours and 45 minutes—during parts of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MCAT is now back to its normal length.
Below, we show you the breakdown of exactly how you’ll be spending your time during the MCAT. Note how much time you’ll have for each MCAT section—95 minutes with the exception of CARS which is 90 minutes.
| MCAT Section | Length | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
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The time breakdown above does not account for your entire day, though. You still need to arrive at the test center ready to go with food and water for your breaks, your unexpired government-issued ID, and enough energy and focus to last for seven hours.
(Suggested reading: The Ideal MCAT Study Schedule)
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Part 3: How many questions are on the MCAT?
The MCAT consists of 230 total questions spread across each of the 4 major sections—Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior.
Here’s a breakdown of the number of questions by section:
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS): 53
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: 59
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: 59
Keep in mind that knowing the number of questions on the MCAT is not indicative of how long it will take you to complete (and feel confident about) each section. Each individual will find certain sections and questions more difficult than others. Despite having the fewest questions, many students find the CARS section most challenging since there’s no subject matter knowledge that will help boost their score.
Use your CARS section time wisely and and ensure you have strategies to succeed.
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Part 4: MCAT Post-test timeline
The first 5 minutes: To void or not to void
The moment you finish that last question, you're likely going to feel exhausted, relieved, maybe a little panicked about questions you weren't sure about. But you have exactly 5 minutes to make one of the biggest decisions of test day. Should you void your score?
The computer will ask if you want to score or void your exam. Once you click, there's no going back. Unless you're absolutely certain something went catastrophically wrong, don't void. Post-test anxiety makes everyone think they failed. Trust your preparation, not your exhausted brain.
Once you leave the testing center, a few questions will likely keep coming up in your head—usually the ones you think you got wrong. This is completely normal. Resist the urge to immediately Google those questions, take a deep breath of relief, and go celebrate finishing one of the hardest exams of your life.
MCAT score release timeline
Your scores will be released 30-35 days after your test date. That can feel like an entire month of limbo. The AAMC releases scores by 5 pm Eastern Time on the scheduled score release date.
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Part 5: MCAT test day FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions students have about test day:
What time should you arrive at the MCAT test center?
You should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of your test in order to give yourself enough time to check in, stash your personal belongings, and get ready to take the test. However, there’s no guarantee that the test center will be open more than 30 minutes before the test. Therefore, we suggest arriving 35–40 minutes prior to the start time of your exam.
Most importantly, be aware that if you arrive after your scheduled start time, it’s possible that you won’t be allowed to take the test and will be marked down as a “no show.” In this situation, you won’t get a refund and the test date will still count towards the total number of times you can attempt the MCAT. As such, it’s extremely important to arrive on time.
Can you eat during MCAT breaks?
Yes, and you should! It is a long test, and eating will help give you the energy you need to sustain yourself.
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.
Can you go to the bathroom during the MCAT?
Yes, but when you should go depends on what portion of the test you are in. You can leave any section of your exam while you are taking it to go to the restroom, but your time will continue to run. So, try to use the bathroom during your breaks. When you take practice exams, limit yourself to using the bathroom during breaks to get test-like practice.
Can you bring water to the MCAT?
Yes, but you cannot take it into the actual testing room. Water, just like food and gum, will be stored in a locker in the waiting room, and none of these items can be brought into the actual testing room. Therefore, while you are taking an MCAT section, you will not be able to drink water. Your locker can only be accessed during your three breaks.
Can you bring a calculator to the MCAT?
No. You are not allowed to use a calculator on the MCAT.
Is the MCAT a paper test?
No. The MCAT is taken on a computer at a Pearson VUE testing site.
What can you bring into the actual testing room?
You are only allowed to bring eyeglasses and an MCAT-accepted ID into the testing room, according to the AAMC.
Can you study during breaks on the MCAT?
No. You are not allowed to bring any study materials with you to the testing center.
Can you bring your phone to the MCAT?
Yes, you can bring your phone to the testing center. Upon check-in, however, the testing center will seal your phone in a plastic bag, and you will not be able to access it until you are finished. You will not be able to use your phone during breaks.
Are watches allowed during the MCAT?
Watches are not allowed during the MCAT. Don’t worry, though! The time you have remaining on any given section is shown directly on your screen as you are taking the exam. After you’ve taken a practice exam, you will see that you don’t need a watch.
What test taking resources are provided by the test center?
The test center will provide earplugs, a storage key for your locker, a noteboard booklet for you to take notes on during your sections, and a fine point marker to use on the noteboard.
Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 500?
That really depends on your target schools, but you'll likely need to retake the MCAT for MD programs.
A 500 puts you at roughly the 49th percentile—below the median for test-takers. For context, the average MCAT for accepted MD students is around 511-512, and even most DO programs have averages around 504-505. With a 500, you're looking at an uphill battle for MD schools, and you're below average even for DO programs. There are even MD programs that require minimum MCAT scores above 500 to be considered.
You might need to consider a retake if your heart is set on an MD program. If you have a stellar GPA and extracurriculars and you’re open to DO schools, applying without a retake is certainly an option.
Additionally, don’t just look at your overall score. Check for content knowledge gaps to see where you fell short. Maybe consider revamping your study strategy and giving yourself more time to prepare for a retake. If you scored much higher on your practice tests, take that into account to. If anything jumps out at you showing you where you need to improve, a retake could be worth your while.
Suggested reading: (Should I Retake the MCAT?)
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For over 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
