Can I take the MCAT without biochemistry?

Yes, you can take the MCAT without taking a formal biochemistry course, as there are no official course prerequisites, but it's highly challenging and generally not recommended, as biochemistry content is crucial and heavily tested, especially in the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (B/B) section. Many high-scorers self-study it thoroughly, but it requires significant dedication to master high-yield topics like amino acids, enzyme kinetics, and metabolic pathways, often needing as much or more time than a full semester course.

Do you need biochem for MCAT?

However, you should keep in mind that the MCAT requires more than just an understanding of science content. The MCAT is primarily a test of critical reasoning skills. Knowing how to use biology and biochemistry information to interpret and solve more difficult problems is the key to a great MCAT score.

Can I get into med school without biochem?

Chemistry: Most medical schools require applicants to have completed one or more college-level chemistry courses, which may cover organic chemistry, biochemistry, and general chemistry.

Can you take MCAT before biochem?

I agree with the other commenters that this is very doable. I took the MCAT about 1/3 through Orgo 2 and bio 2, no Physics 2, and no biochem and did fine. I took a long time to study (5 months, ~400 hours) to make up for the lack of prerequisites. In terms of importance for the test, biochem > physics 2 > organic 2.

What percent of the MCAT is biochem?

Academic disciplines:

First-semester biochemistry, 25% Introductory biology, 65% General chemistry, 5%

Can I Take the MCAT Without the Recommended Classes?

Can you self learn biochem for MCAT?

Yes, you can study for the MCAT biochemistry on your own. You can use MCAT prep books and take free MCAT prep courses while preparing for the MCAT. You can also utilize the online MCAT practice questions, flashcards, and practice exams.

How rare is a 525 MCAT?

A 525 MCAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the top 1% (100th percentile) of test-takers, just three points shy of a perfect 528, making you a top-tier applicant highly competitive for even the most selective medical schools. While exact numbers vary, only a tiny fraction of test-takers (around 1 in 450 or less) achieve scores of 525+, signifying mastery of the material. 

Is a B+ in orgo bad for med school?

A B+ in organic chemistry (Orgo) is generally not considered bad for medical school, but it's not ideal either; while a strong overall GPA, excellent MCAT, clinical experience, and research can offset it, a B+ signals good, not excellent, performance in a key pre-med weed-out course, so focus on excelling in other sciences and demonstrating strong problem-solving skills. 

What is 90% correct on MCAT?

Getting 90% correct on the MCAT usually translates to a score in the 90th percentile (around 515+ total), meaning you scored better than 90% of test-takers, with scores of 128-130 per section, though exact raw scores vary by section difficulty and test date due to statistical equating. Achieving this means answering most questions correctly, often around 44-48 questions per section, placing you as a very competitive applicant for medical school. 

What is the most heavily tested subject on the MCAT?

The biological and biochemical sciences are the most heavily tested subjects on the MCAT. While other subjects like chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology are also important, the biological and biochemical sciences remain consistently prominent and heavily tested on the MCAT.

Is bio or biochem better for med school?

Both majors are evenly matched when it comes to one of the most necessary parts of applying to and attending med school: the prerequisites. Because each usually includes med school prerequisite coursework, such as biology, physics and chemistry, they are both popular choices among premed students.

Is a 3.7 too low for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is not bad for medical school; it's generally considered competitive, often around the average or slightly below for highly selective MD programs, but strong enough for many schools, especially with an upward trend and a good MCAT score. A 3.7 combined with a strong BCPM (Science) GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) and compelling extracurriculars makes you a viable applicant, though lower GPAs might need more exceptional scores or experiences to compensate. 

What courses are needed for the MCAT?

All of the content on the MCAT exam is covered in introductory courses at most colleges and universities, including introductory biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and first-semester psychology, sociology, and biochemistry.

Can I get into med school without biochemistry?

Classes Often Required for Medical School

Biochemistry: Biochemistry has gotten a lot more attention since receiving an increased emphasis on the MCAT. Some schools make it a prerequisite, while others simply assume you have the knowledge if you studied for the MCAT.

What would a 70% on the MCAT be?

A 70th percentile on the MCAT means you scored better than 70% of test-takers, which generally translates to a total score around 507-508, placing you in a competitive range for MD medical school admissions, though specific school averages vary. Your actual score might differ slightly as percentiles shift, but this score is strong, showing solid performance above the average (around 500).
 

How hard is biochem on MCAT?

MCAT biochemistry could be difficult for some test-takers. It is because there are lots of terms, definitions, properties, and structures to memorize and remember.

Is 512 MCAT too low?

No, a 512 MCAT score is not bad; it's a strong, competitive score, generally around the 84th percentile, meaning you scored better than most test-takers and are competitive for many MD programs, with averages often around 511-512 for admitted students, though higher scores (515+) boost chances for top-tier schools. It's a solid score that allows for broad applications, but consider your overall profile (GPA, experiences) and target schools, as very selective programs may prefer scores above 515. 

How many questions can you miss on MCAT to get 520?

To get a 520 on the MCAT, you generally need to miss very few questions, often only a handful in total, aiming for around 128-130 per section (out of 132), which means getting maybe 1-3 wrong in some sections and a few more in others, as scoring is percentile-based and depends on test difficulty, but you must be in the top few percentiles overall. While a perfect score (528) might allow for a few missed questions, a 520 requires near perfection, potentially missing only 5-10 questions across the entire exam, or even just a couple per section on easier tests, say Reddit users. 

Is the MCAT harder than the SAT?

Yes, the MCAT is widely considered significantly harder than the SAT, as it's much longer (nearly 8 hours vs. ~3 hours), requires extensive, specialized science knowledge (biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, sociology), and tests advanced critical thinking in complex, passage-based scientific contexts, unlike the SAT's high school-level content. The MCAT demands hundreds of hours of dedicated study, making it a formidable challenge even for high-achievers who did well on the SAT.
 

Is there more Gen Chem or Orgo on MCAT?

Exam content will draw from*:

General chemistry, 30% Organic chemistry, 15%

Is C bad for med school?

One to three C's is not going to rule out medical school. But ideally, stay away from them. But if you have them already, it is what it is.

Is orgo harder than calculus?

Organic chemistry (Orgo) is generally considered harder and more conceptually challenging than standard calculus for most students because it demands spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and extensive memorization of complex reaction mechanisms, whereas calculus relies more on mathematical rules and abstract function manipulation, making the difficulty subjective and dependent on individual strengths, though Orgo often has a tougher reputation and harsher grading.
 

Who took the MCAT 7 times?

Andy took the MCAT exam seven times and applied to medical school twice before getting one interview and acceptance. He reminds premeds to have faith in themselves and that perseverance and grit are important for a career in medicine.

What is the Harvard MCAT score?

For Harvard Medical School (HMS), the average MCAT score for admitted students is extremely high, typically around 520-521, with most successful applicants scoring well above 512, often in the 515-528 range, though Harvard doesn't have a minimum score but expects exceptional academic performance, making scores like 520+ highly competitive. 

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 505?

If you scored 499-505 your first time, you should probably retake the MCAT. If you scored 506-511, you may not need to retake, but you could if you know you'd score much higher — especially if you're applying to Ivy League schools.