How Long Is the MCAT in 2025? Format, Timing & Prep Tips for Test Day

If you're preparing to apply to medical school, you’ve likely heard how challenging the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) can be. It's not just the material that's tough—the sheer length of the MCAT is something many students struggle to manage. In fact, it’s one of the longest standardized tests in higher education.

In this guide, we’ll break down how long the MCAT actually takes, what the day looks like from check-in to completion, and how to prepare both mentally and physically for this demanding exam.

Why the MCAT Feels Like a Marathon

The MCAT isn’t your typical standardized test. While exams like the SAT or ACT run for about 3 hours, the MCAT can take up to 7 hours and 33 minutes, including breaks.

Component	Time
Examinee Agreement	8 minutes
Optional Tutorial	10 minutes
Section 1: Chemical and Physical Foundations	95 minutes
Break (optional)	10 minutes
Section 2: Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)	90 minutes
Break (optional)	30 minutes
Section 3: Biological and Biochemical Foundations	95 minutes
Break (optional)	10 minutes
Section 4: Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations	95 minutes
Void Question	5 minutes
Optional Survey	5 minutes
Total with Breaks	7 hours, 33 minutes

Without breaks, the MCAT takes 6 hours and 15 minutes. This makes time management, stamina, and mental endurance just as important as content knowledge.

Why the Length of the MCAT Is So Intimidating

Most students have never taken an exam lasting over 4 hours, let alone one as high-stakes as the MCAT. Sitting for this long can lead to:

Fatigue, making it harder to focus and recall information
Increased stress due to time pressure in each section
Poor pacing, especially in passage-heavy areas like CARS
Physical strain, especially for students unaccustomed to sitting for long durations

That’s why it’s essential to prepare with full-length practice exams under timed conditions. Tools like the free AAMC MCAT practice resources and mock exams can help build endurance before test day.

What to Expect Logistically on Test Day

Check-In & Security

When you arrive at your designated test center, expect a detailed check-in process. You’ll need:

A government-issued photo ID
Digital palm scans and a photo for identity verification
To agree to the MCAT Examinee Agreement, which outlines behavior and confidentiality expectations

Being familiar with the rules ahead of time reduces stress on test day. Review the full agreement via the official AAMC policy page.

What You Can Bring

You won’t be able to bring much into the testing room. Permitted items typically include:

A noteboard booklet and marker (provided by the test center)
Snacks and water (only accessible during breaks)
Lockers are usually available for personal belongings

Use your breaks wisely to hydrate, snack, and stretch.

MCAT Section Breakdown: Know the Format

Understanding each section of the exam can help reduce anxiety and improve pacing.

Section 1: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (95 min)

Covers general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. Includes 59 questions: 44 passage-based, 15 discrete.

Section 2: Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) (90 min)

Tests reading comprehension and logic. Includes 53 passage-based questions. No outside knowledge required—just critical thinking.

Section 3: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (95 min)

Focuses on biology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Same format as Section 1: 59 total questions.

Section 4: Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (95 min)

Assesses behavioral science knowledge, including psychology and sociology. Also has 59 questions (44 passage-based, 15 discrete).

Optional Breaks

Breaks help recharge your energy—but don’t exceed the time limit:

10-minute break after Section 1
30-minute mid-exam break after Section 2
10-minute break after Section 3

Skipping breaks doesn’t give you more time on future sections, so take them strategically.

Final Steps: Void Option and Survey

Void Question (5 min): Decide whether to void your exam (it won’t be scored or reported if you do)
Satisfaction Survey (5 min, optional): Give feedback on your test experience

How to Train for MCAT Stamina

Here are a few tips to prepare for the MCAT’s duration:

Simulate the full exam multiple times in a quiet setting
Practice answering passage-based questions efficiently
Build endurance gradually—start with half-length exams and build up
Prioritize sleep and nutrition the week leading up to the test
Avoid caffeine crashes—plan light meals and hydration carefully

Go Elective Tip: Build More Than Just Test Scores

While your MCAT score is vital, medical schools evaluate your application holistically. Clinical exposure, shadowing experience, and global health perspectives also matter.

Go Elective’s medical internships abroad in Kenya and Tanzania offer:

Guided hands-on shadowing/clinical experiencein real hospital settings
Exposure to diverse healthcare challenges
Opportunities to work with underserved populations
Unique insights you can reference in your personal statement and interviews

Our programs are designed for pre-med, pre-health, PA, nursing, and high school students looking to enrich their medical school applications through meaningful global experiences.

Ready to Strengthen Your Medical School Application Beyond the MCAT?

Explore how you can combine world-class MCAT prep with immersive, real-world medical experience. Learn more about Go Elective’s programs