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Learn MCAT

A long-haul MCAT course across the sciences, psych, sociology and CARS.

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The MCAT is the admissions exam for medical schools in the US and Canada. It has four sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, known as CARS; Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior. Most questions are passage-based, so you apply science to unfamiliar scenarios rather than recite facts. Learnr is not affiliated with the AAMC; it builds a long-term course across biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, psychology and sociology.

How to learn MCAT, step by step

Turn the AAMC content outline into a checklist. The AAMC publishes the content categories the MCAT covers. Mark each topic as known, shaky or new, so your study time goes where it matters instead of rereading what you already know.
Make biochemistry your foundation. Biochemistry runs through more than one section. Know amino acid structures and properties, enzyme kinetics and the major metabolic pathways, and connect each to the physiology it controls.
Practice science in passage form. MCAT questions usually wrap concepts in a research passage or experiment. Practice reading figures and methods quickly, then answering with both the passage and your background knowledge.
Build CARS reading habits early. CARS uses humanities and social science passages and requires no outside knowledge. Read dense essays regularly and practice stating the author's main argument and tone after each one.
Do the math without a calculator. No calculator is allowed, so practice estimation, scientific notation, logarithms and unit conversions by hand. Rounding sensibly saves real time on physics and chemistry questions.
Space your content review over months. The content is far too broad to cram. Short daily review, such as Learnr's bite-sized lessons with streaks, keeps amino acids, equations and psychology terms fresh over a long study period.
Finish with official AAMC practice. The AAMC offers official practice exams and question packs written by the test maker. Save several for your final weeks, take them under timed conditions, and review every question thoroughly.

What you'll learn

Review biochemistry, including amino acids, enzymes and metabolism
Apply general and organic chemistry to biological systems
Use physics concepts like fluids, circuits and optics in passages
Learn the psychology and sociology concepts the exam covers
Read CARS passages for argument, tone and inference

What's inside your MCAT course

A sample path Learnr builds for MCAT. Your real course adapts to your goal and level.

1. How the MCAT is structured
2. Biochemistry and molecular biology
3. Biology and physiology
4. General chemistry, organic chemistry and physics
5. Psychology and sociology
6. CARS and passage-based reasoning

How long does it take to learn MCAT?

Many students study for 3 to 6 months, and those preparing alongside classes or a job often spread it over longer. The time you need depends on how recently you finished the prerequisite courses and how strong your reading is for CARS.

What you need before you start

College coursework in introductory biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and biochemistry, plus introductory psychology and sociology. Gaps can be filled through self-study, but plan extra time for them.

Common mistakes to avoid

Spending months on content review and starting practice passages late. Begin passage practice early, because applying knowledge is a separate skill.
Neglecting CARS because it has no content to memorize. It tends to improve slowly, so practice it consistently from the start.
Leaving psychology and sociology until the end. It is a full section and rewards steady study of its terms and theories.

How Learnr builds your course

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MCAT questions, answered

What subjects are on the MCAT?

Biology, biochemistry, general and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and sociology, plus critical reasoning through CARS. The AAMC's official content outline lists every topic in detail.

Is there a calculator on the MCAT?

No. You need to handle arithmetic, scientific notation and logarithms by hand, so make estimation practice part of your prep.

Is Learnr affiliated with the AAMC?

No. Learnr is an independent learning app that helps you learn and review the science and reasoning skills. Use the official AAMC website for exam details, registration and official practice.