MCAT Subjects 2026: Complete Guide to Sections, Topics, and What to Study (With Real 2026 Dates)

MCAT Subjects 2026

If you’re preparing for the MCAT in 2026, the smartest first step is getting crystal clear on what the exam actually tests. The MCAT isn’t a “finish the textbook” exam—it’s a passage-based reasoning test built around specific foundational concepts, content categories, and scientific reasoning skills defined by the AAMC.

This complete guide explains all MCAT subjects 2026, section by section (C/P, CARS, B/B, P/S), with the exam format, key topic areas, what’s high-yield, and a planning table using official 2026 test dates + score release dates from AAMC.

MCAT exam structure in 2026 (what “subjects” really means)

The MCAT has four sections. Each section blends multiple “subjects” into passage-based questions and discrete questions.

AAMC lists the section format like this:

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (C/P): 59 questions, 95 minutes

• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS): 53 questions, 90 minutes

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (B/B): 59 questions, 95 minutes

• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (P/S): 59 questions, 95 minutes

AAMC’s “What’s on the MCAT” publication also highlights that the exam is organized around a conceptual framework and scientific inquiry & reasoning skills, not just memorized facts.

Real 2026 planning table (official MCAT dates + score releases)

Knowing the subjects is step one. Step two is planning your timeline using real dates. AAMC’s official 2026 schedule confirms:

• Standard start time is 8:00 a.m. (unless noted)

• Scores are released by 5:00 p.m. ET on the scheduled release date

• MCAT is not offered October–December 2026 

Selected official 2026 dates (U.S.)

MCAT test date (2026)	Score release date
Jan 9	Feb 10
Feb 13	Mar 17
Mar 20	Apr 21
Apr 25	May 27
May 30	Jun 30
Jun 27	Jul 28
Jul 31	Sep 2
Aug 22	Sep 22
Sep 12	Oct 13

Source: AAMC 2026 schedule/calendar.

MCAT subjects 2026 by section (what to study)

Below is the most helpful way to understand MCAT “subjects”: each section is interdisciplinary, and AAMC wants you to apply knowledge using reasoning skills.

1) Chemical and Physical Foundations (C/P): Subjects and topic areas

What this section tests: AAMC explains C/P requires solving problems by combining chemical/physical knowledge with scientific reasoning, especially related to biological systems (organs, tissues, biochemical functions).

Core subjects inside C/P

You’ll see a mix of:

• General Chemistry (equilibrium, acids/bases, electrochemistry, solutions)

• Organic Chemistry (functional groups, reactions, spectroscopy basics, lab techniques)

• Physics (mechanics, fluids, electricity & magnetism, optics, sound)

• Biochemistry basics + Biology context (biomolecules, enzymes, membranes—often as passage context)

High-yield C/P topic clusters (practical view)

Instead of listing 100 micro-topics, focus on clusters that show up repeatedly in passage style:

• Fluids + circulation + gas exchange (pressure, flow, resistance)

• Electricity + circuits + membranes (potential, current, resistors, capacitors)

• Acid–base + buffers (especially physiology and lab solutions)

• Thermo + kinetics (energy, rate, enzyme behavior, reaction direction)

• Amino acids + proteins (structure, charge states, interactions)

• Lab methods (chromatography, electrophoresis, spectroscopy logic)

Study tip: C/P is where timing can hurt most. Your “subject prep” should include speed skills (units, approximations, dimensional analysis), not only reading theory.

2) CARS: The “subject” is reasoning (not memorized content)

CARS is unique: It tests reading comprehension and reasoning through passages—no outside science knowledge required. AAMC lists it as 9 passage-based sets.

What you’re actually tested on

CARS evaluates how well you can:

• Identify the author’s thesis and tone

• Track argument structure and evidence

• Make logical inferences based only on the passage

• Evaluate new information and implications

Best way to prepare for CARS

• Practice regularly (small daily sets > rare long sessions)

• Review wrong answers by identifying the exact sentence/idea you missed

• Build timing habits so you don’t rush the last passages

Important: CARS has no “syllabus,” but it absolutely has skills you can train.

3) Biological and Biochemical Foundations (B/B): Subjects and topic areas

What this section tests: B/B focuses on processes unique to living systems and how biological systems function, frequently through experiments, pathways, and data interpretation. (B/B section is listed as 59 questions, 95 minutes.)

Core subjects inside B/B

Expect heavy emphasis on:

• Biology (cell biology, genetics, physiology, evolution, organ systems)

• Biochemistry (enzymes, metabolism, signaling, protein structure/function)

• A smaller but real presence of Gen Chem/Orgo concepts in biological contexts

High-yield B/B topic clusters

• Enzymes and regulation (Michaelis–Menten reasoning, inhibitors, kinetics trends)

• DNA → RNA → Protein (replication, transcription, translation, gene regulation)

• Cell signaling (receptors, second messengers, pathways)

• Metabolism (glycolysis, TCA, ETC, beta-oxidation—focus on purpose + regulation)

• Physiology systems (cardio, respiratory, renal, endocrine, immune)

• Experimental design + data (controls, variables, interpreting graphs)

Study tip: For B/B, the “subject” is often passage interpretation. Train yourself to read figures like a scientist: axes, groups, trend, conclusion.

4) Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations (P/S): Subjects and topic areas

AAMC explains this section tests how psychological, social, and biological factors influence perceptions, behavior, culture, well-being, and how social stratification affects access to resources and outcomes.

Core subjects inside P/S

You’ll study:

• Psychology (learning, memory, emotion, cognition, personality, development)

• Sociology (social structures, inequality, culture, demographics, institutions)

• Biology context (nervous/endocrine basics tied to behavior and health)

High-yield P/S topic clusters

• Research methods + statistics concepts (validity, bias, study types, interpreting results)

• Learning + conditioning (reinforcement/punishment, observational learning)

• Cognition + memory (attention, encoding, retrieval)

• Social processes (group behavior, conformity, prejudice, identity)

• Social inequality + health outcomes (resources, stratification, stress, access)

Study tip: P/S rewards vocabulary + application. Don’t just memorize definitions—practice choosing the correct concept in scenarios.

The “hidden” subjects: Scientific inquiry and reasoning skills

AAMC’s outline emphasizes that the MCAT tests scientific inquiry and reasoning skills across sections—not only subject facts.

These often show up as:

• Interpreting tables/graphs

• Evaluating experimental design

• Drawing conclusions from evidence

• Separating correlation vs causation

• Applying principles to new situations

If you want a score jump, schedule practice that targets these skills intentionally.

What to study first (smart sequencing for 2026)

A simple order that works for most students:

1. Build foundation subjects (Bio, Gen Chem, Physics, basic Biochem)

2. Start CARS early (habit-based improvement)

3. Add passage-based practice as soon as possible

4. Use mistakes to guide what you re-study (“weakness-driven content review”)

AAMC’s official outline is the best master checklist when you’re not sure what’s “in” or “out.”

Quick cost note (helps planning, especially for international students)

AAMC lists 2026 registration fees as:

• Standard registration: $355

• Fee Assistance Program registration: $145

• International fee: +$130 if testing outside the U.S./Canada/U.S. territories

This matters because your study schedule should reduce last-minute reschedules.

FAQ: MCAT subjects 2026

1) What are the MCAT subjects 2026?

The MCAT subjects 2026 are tested across four sections: C/P (chemistry, physics, biochemistry in biological systems), CARS (reading & reasoning), B/B (biology + biochemistry), and P/S (psychology + sociology + biological context), all using passage-based scientific reasoning.

2) Is the MCAT syllabus the same in 2026?

The exam framework is stable, and AAMC provides the official “What’s on the MCAT” outline that organizes what’s tested into foundational concepts, content categories, and reasoning skills. Always rely on AAMC’s outline as the most accurate source.

3) Which MCAT subject is the hardest?

It depends on your background. Students weak in math/timing often find C/P difficult, while students who don’t practice reading consistently struggle in CARS. The best approach is to diagnose weaknesses using practice and then review targeted topics.

4) How long after the exam are scores released in 2026?

AAMC states MCAT scores are released 30–35 days after an exam date, and the 2026 calendar lists the exact score release date for each test day.

CTA: Use official sources to build your 2026 subject checklist (with links)

To plan MCAT subjects accurately (and avoid studying irrelevant material), start with these official resources:

• AAMC “What’s on the MCAT” PDF outline (complete subject framework): 

• Official 2026 MCAT schedule (test dates + score release dates, no Oct–Dec testing): 

• AAMC section overview pages (what each section tests): 

• AAMC scheduling fees (2026 costs + international fee):