What Classes Do I Need to Take for the MCAT?

Nearly all medical schools in the United States require scores from the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, for admission. The MCAT is an extensive multiple-choice standardized test assessing the knowledge and skills considered necessary to practice medicine. The writing section was removed in 2013, so the current MCAT consists of four sections: Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, Biological Sciences and a trial section. In order to be admitted into medical school, you need a competitive score on each section of the test. Students will need to successfully complete and master the content of a number of prerequisite courses before exam day.


Those planning to take the MCAT will need at least two years of biology -- the study of the physiological processes of living things. You will be expected to demonstrate knowledge from the various disciplines of biology, especially molecular biology. Understanding the structure and processes of both enzymes and DNA will be essential for the exam. Begin your studies with the full sequence of general biology classes, and then move on to more advanced courses, such as microbiology, genetics, cell biology, human anatomy and physiology.

General and Organic Chemistry

Students preparing for the MCAT will need one year of general chemistry with lab, along with one year of organic chemistry and lab. General chemistry courses will provide a solid background in the periodic table, electronic structure, electrochemistry, bonding, phases of matter, and acids and bases. Extensive knowledge of organic chemistry is essential for those preparing for medical school because it involves chemical processes more relevant to the animal kingdom.


One year of physics with lab is also necessary to prepare for the MCAT. This section of the exam requires studying basic concepts in energy and matter, including momentum, equilibrium, motion, gravity, light and electromagnetism, sound and waves.


While there is no specified math section on the MCAT, knowledge of math courses through pre-calculus is needed for successful completion of the exam. Courses included in this sequence are college algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus. Calculus is not a prerequisite for the MCAT, but it is sometimes required for specific medical schools, so check with your prospective schools for their required coursework.

Verbal Reasoning

A wide variety of coursework will help you master skills tested in the Verbal Reasoning section, including composition, literature, history and philosophy. Any course that teaches critical thinking and analysis, along with ability to express these in prose writing, will help you prepare for this section.