PLAB Exam Cost
Important Note: Any changes or updates to exam registrations, such as rescheduling, cancellation, or modifications to personal information, must be made at least 10 days before the exam date. No changes will be allowed within 10 days of the exam.
MCAT 2023 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates planning to take the MCAT 2023 should carefully review the eligibility criteria established by the exam organizers. The MCAT is open to individuals aspiring to pursue a career in Allopathic, Osteopathic, Podiatric, and Veterinary medicine.
Applicants must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
- Candidates from the United States and Canada must possess an undergraduate degree to qualify for the exam.
- International candidates must be currently enrolled in or have completed an MBBS program to be eligible for the MCAT.
- Individuals taking the MCAT for non-medical purposes must seek special permission from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC).
MCAT 2023: Exam Structure
The MCAT Exam assesses students’ critical thinking, problem-solving skills, written analysis, and comprehension of scientific concepts and principles. It is a computer-based exam consisting of 221 multiple-choice questions and has a total duration of 7.5 hours, including breaks.
The exam is divided into four sections:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior.
For reference, please consult the table below for the MCAT Exam Structure:
| Section | Number of Questions | Type of Question | Duration |
| Examinee Agreement | – | – | 8 Minutes |
| Tutorial (Optional) | – | – | 10 Minutes |
| Chemical and Physical Foundation of Biological System | 50 | 10 Passage-based Questions (4-6 Questions per Set) 15 Independent Questions | 95 Minutes |
| Break (Optional) | – | – | 10 Minutes |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 53 | 9 Passages (5-7 Questions per Passage) | 90 Minutes |
| Mid-Exam Break (Optional) | – | – | 30 Minutes |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of a Living System | 59 | 10 Passage-based Set of Questions (4-6 Questions per Set) 15 Independent Questions | 95 Minutes |
| Break (Optional) | – | – | 10 Minutes |
| psychological, Social and Biological Foundations Behavior | – | 10 Passage-based Set of Questions -(4-6 Questions per Set) 15 Independent Questions | 95 Minutes |
| Void Question | – | – | 5 Minutes |
| Satisfaction Survey (Optional) | – | – | 5 Minutes |
| Total Content Time | – | – | 6 Hours 15 Minutes |
MCAT 2023 Syllabus
The MCAT examination assesses a wide spectrum of knowledge in significant fields of science, psychology, and sociology. It also evaluates critical reasoning and analytical abilities. The following are essential topics extensively covered in the MCAT exam.
| Sections | MCAT Important Topics |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | Ethics, Philosophy, Population Health, Social Sciences, Humanities Disciplines and, Studies of Diverse Culture |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | Chemistry: Organic, and Inorganic,
Biology: Cellular and Molecular, Biochemistry (introductory topics), Natural sciences: Research, Reasoning and Statistics Basic Biochemistry concepts, Statistics Concepts and Introductory Research Methods |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour | Social and Behavioral Sciences: Scientific Inquiry, Reasoning, Research
Concepts of Psychology, Sociology, and Biology about the Behavioral and Socio-Cultural Health Determinants Mental Processes and Behavior, Concepts of Psychology and Sociology, Introductory Statistics Concepts and Research Methods of Introductory Science |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | Introductory Biochemistry and Biology Concepts
Chemistry: Organic and Inorganic, Concepts of Physics Show Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning, Research Methods and Natural Sciences Introductory Molecular Biology, Introductory and Statistics Concepts |
What score range is considered desirable for the MCAT exam in 2023?
The MCAT scores fall under three categories based on their ranges
Top Scores: This score category corresponds to a percentile range of 90.
Competitive Scores: This score category corresponds to a percentile range of 75.
Less Competitive Scores: This score category corresponds to a percentile range of 50.
The scoring ranges for each category are provided below.
| Top Scores | |
| MCAT Section | Scores |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 129-132 |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations Biological Systems | 129-132 |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 129-132 |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour | 129-132 |
| Total | 514-528 |
| Competitive Score | |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 127-128 |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations Biological Systems | 127-128 |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 127-128 |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour | 127-128 |
| Total | 508-513 |
Less Competitive Score |
|
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 125-126 |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations Biological Systems | 125-126 |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 125-126 |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour | 125-126 |
| Total | 500-507 |
MCAT 2023 Preparation Books
The AAMC offers a multitude of resources to help students prepare for the MCAT exam. Individuals have the option to enroll in MCAT sample exams and practice tests, as well as access video lectures and online tutorials through the AAMC website. Moreover, the AAMC provides a list of recommended reference books for MCAT preparation, which can be found in the table below.
| Name of the Book | Author/Publisher |
| Barron’s New MCAT | Barron’s |
| Princeton Review MCAT Subject Review Complete Box Set | The Princeton Review |
| MCAT Practice Tests | Sterling Test Prep |
| MCAT Secrets Study Guide | MCAT Exam Secrets Test Prep Team |
| MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2018-2021 | Kaplan’s |
MCAT Counseling 2023
MCAT scores serve as a crucial criterion for admission to many medical schools. For a comprehensive list of national and international colleges that consider MCAT scores, kindly visit the official website. To gather information about a specific institution, simply click on the college tab located on the dashboard above.
To begin, create a list of colleges that interest you and establish a schedule with their respective application deadlines. Remember that each college requires an application processing fee, so it is advisable for applicants to allocate their resources wisely and focus on institutions of genuine interest.
Once you have compiled the necessary documents, submit your application through the college’s designated application portal. The institution will conduct its own assessment and respond to your application within a reasonable timeframe. This may involve arranging interviews with alumni or faculty members. Ultimately, the college will inform you of your acceptance status through postal mail or email.
MCAT Exam 2023 Guidelines
Here are some important points to keep in mind for students taking the MCAT in 2023:
- The exam does not provide a calculator, but a periodic table is provided.
- In the Chemistry, Biology, and Physics section, 15 out of 59 questions are standalone and not related to the given passages. The remaining 44 questions are based on provided passages, but it is important to note that external knowledge is required to answer them, as the information within the passages may not be sufficient.
- Candidates must arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Failure to do so will result in denial of entry, and no refunds will be issued.
- Only individuals with qualifying identification will be allowed into the MCAT test center. Candidates must present a valid ID, which may include temporary IDs, paper IDs, IDs with extension stickers, or ID application receipts.
- The name on the ID must exactly match the first and last name used during MCAT registration. Any discrepancies can be resolved through AAMC services.
- Although candidates are provided with 10- and 30-minute breaks, leaving the MCAT exam center during these breaks is not permitted under any circumstances.
MCAT Exam 2023: Voiding
After completing the MCAT exam, students have the option to either score or void their exams. If a student wishes to void a particular MCAT, they must select the “void the MCAT” option. However, if a student needs to leave the exam midway due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, they must submit a Test Center Concern to the AAMC.
It is important to note that a voided exam counts towards the total number of attempts made by the student at the MCAT exam.