High-Yield MCAT Topics
What are high-yield MCAT topics?
High-yield MCAT topics are the concepts and subjects that consistently show up on the exam, making them essential for your study plan. These areas have been tested time and again, earning their “high-yield” status because mastering them gives you the best return on your time and effort.
Why should you care?
The MCAT is a demanding, marathon of a test, and efficiency is key. By zeroing in on high-yield topics, you’re more likely to face familiar material on exam day, which can boost both your confidence and help you get a good MCAT score. While it’s important to cover all the material, focusing on high-yield topics ensures you’re putting your energy where it counts the most.
The following information is based on an analysis of AAMC Practice Exams 1 through 3.
High-Yield MCAT Topics: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Content Category 1B
10-12 Questions (out of 59)
Transmission of Genetic Information from the Gene to the Protein
- Nucleic Acid Structure and Function (Bio, Biochem)
- DNA Replication (Bio)
- Repair of DNA (Bio)
- Genetic Code (Bio)
- Transcription (Bio)
- Translation (Bio)
- Eukaryotic Chromosome Organization (Bio)
- Control of Gene Expression in Prokaryotes (Bio)
- Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes (Bio)
- Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology (Bio)
Content Category 3B
8-11 Questions (out of 59)
Structure and Integrative Functions of the Main Organ Systems
- Respiratory System (Bio)
- Circulatory System (Bio)
- Lymphatic System (Bio)
- Immune System (Bio)
- Digestive System (Bio)
- Excretory System (Bio)
- Reproductive System (Bio)
- Muscle System (Bio)
- Specialized Cell – Muscle Cell (Bio)
- Skeletal System (Bio)
- Skin System (Bio)
Content Category 1A
9-10 Questions (out of 59)
Structure and Function of Proteins and Their Constituent Amino Acids
- Amino Acids (Biochem, OChem)
- Protein Structure (Bio, Biochem, OChem)
- Non-Enzymatic Protein Function (Bio, Biochem)
- Enzyme Structure and Function (Bio, Biochem)
- Control of Enzyme Activity (Bio, Biochem)
High-Yield MCAT Topics: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Content Category 5D
15 Questions (out of 59)
Structure, Function, and Reactivity of Biologically-Relevant Molecules
- Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids (Bio, Biochem)
- Amino Acids, Peptides, Proteins (Biochem, OChem)
- Lipids (Biochem, OChem)
- Carbohydrates (OChem)
- Aldehydes and Ketones (OChem)
- Alcohols (OChem)
- Carboxylic Acids (OChem)
- Acid Derivatives [Anhydrides, Amides, Esters] (OChem)
- Phenols (Biochem, OChem)
- Polycyclic and Heterocyclic Aromatic Compounds (Biochem, OChem)
- The Three-Dimensional Protein Structure (Biochem)
- Non-Enzymatic Protein Function (Biochem)
Content Category 5E
8-10 Questions (out of 59)
Principles of Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions – Thermochemistry, Thermodynamics (GChem, Phys)
- Rate Processes in Chemical Reactions – Kinetics and Equilibrium (GChem)
- Principles of Bioenergetics (Biochem)
- Enzymes (Bio, Biochem)
High-Yield MCAT Topics: Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Section
Content Category 6B
10-11 Questions (out of 59)
Making Sense of the Environment
- Attention (Psyc)
- Cognition (Psyc)
- Consciousness (Psyc)
- Memory (Psyc)
- Language (Psyc)
Content Category 7A
9-11 Questions (out of 59)
Individual Influences on Behaviour
- Biological Bases of Behaviour (Bio, Psyc)
- Personality (Psyc)
- Psychological Disorders (Psyc)
- Motivation (Psyc)
- Attitudes (Psyc)
High-Yield MCAT Topics: Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
The Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section of the MCAT stands apart from the other sections because it lacks specific high-yield topics. Instead, you’ll find yourself diving into a variety of passages that span the humanities and social sciences.
Success here isn’t just about reading comprehension; it’s about critical thinking, and well-developed analytical skills are essential. You’ll need to practice reading complex passages, summarizing key points, and interpreting arguments effectively.
Focus on synthesizing information and drawing logical conclusions. By honing these abilities, you’ll navigate the diverse themes and writing styles that CARS presents, making it a crucial part of your MCAT journey. Embrace the challenge and develop skills that will benefit you well beyond the exam!
Recommend reading: What’s tested on the MCAT: The CARS section
