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How long is the MCAT? Sections in order, timing and breaks

The MCAT takes about 7 hours 30 minutes in the seat, and 6 hours 15 minutes of that is testing. You always take the four sections in the same order: Chem/Phys, CARS, Bio/Biochem, then Psych/Soc. Optional breaks of 10, 30 and 10 minutes sit between them. Every question is multiple choice.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

The MCAT day, in order

PartTime
Test-day certification4 minutes
Tutorial (optional)10 minutes
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: 59 questions95 minutes
Break (optional)10 minutes
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS): 53 questions90 minutes
Mid-exam break (optional)30 minutes
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: 59 questions95 minutes
Break (optional)10 minutes
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: 59 questions95 minutes
Void question3 minutes
End-of-day survey (optional)5 minutes

Check-in comes on top of this, before you start.

How each section is built

SectionPassage setsStandalone questions
Chem/Phys10 passages, 4-6 questions each15
CARS9 passages, 5-7 questions eachNone
Bio/Biochem10 passages, 4-6 questions each15
Psych/Soc10 passages, 4-6 questions each15

CARS passages are usually 500 to 600 words, half from the humanities and half from the social sciences. Everything you need is in the passage.

Each section also has some field-test questions that don’t count. The AAMC doesn’t say how many there are or which ones they are, so answer every question as if it counts.

How breaks work

  • All three breaks are optional. You don’t have to take any of them.
  • If you finish a section early, the spare time is lost. It doesn’t carry over to a break or the next section, and you can’t go back.
  • Your food and drink stay in your locker. You can’t leave the building or have food delivered.
  • You’re checked back in each time you return, so allow for that inside your break time.
  • If you take an unscheduled break during a section, the clock keeps running.

What time the MCAT starts

The standard start time is 8:00 a.m. local time, unless the AAMC calendar says otherwise for your date. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your start time, because check-in starts then. People are seated one at a time, so your actual start may be a little later. If you arrive after your start time, you can’t test, and it counts as a no-show.

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Everything else, in one place

OverviewMCATHow many questionsHow many questions are on the MCAT?Score rangeMCAT score range: highest, lowest and how scoring worksRegister and test datesHow to register for the MCAT, and the 2027 test datesCostHow much does the MCAT cost?Online testCan you take the MCAT online?Percentiles and averageMCAT percentiles: what your score meansScore releaseWhen do MCAT scores come out?Subjects and topicsWhat subjects are on the MCAT?Test day and locationsMCAT test day: test centers, check-in and the rulesAccommodationsMCAT accommodations: extra time, breaks and how to applyRetakeCan you retake the MCAT?Official study guideWhat’s on the MCAT: the official AAMC outline and practicePractice testMCAT practice testWhere to learnWhere to study for the MCATStudy plannerMCAT study planner
Sources: AAMC and 4 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.