High-Yield MCAT Topics and How to Study

High-yield topics on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) are concepts that frequently appear on the exam or play an important role in understanding the material being tested. Prioritizing these topics can help you use your study time efficiently, particularly when you’re reviewing for the exam or focusing on areas where you need the most improvement.

While high-yield topics aren't the only topics you should cover in your MCAT prep, prioritizing them can help you make the most of your study time. You should still complete a comprehensive content review, but giving extra attention to these frequently tested concepts can help you study more strategically.

In this guide, I’ll break down the MCAT sections and subjects they cover, identify high-yield topics based on AAMC practice exams, and share strategies to help you prep for them efficiently.

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MCAT Section Breakdown

There are four sections of the MCAT. Of those, three are science sections, and the fourth (CARS) is reading comprehension-focused. According to the AAMC, here are the subjects you can expect to see in each science section, each of which contains 59 questions, and the percentage of questions based on that subject.

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems:

65% introductory biology — ~38 questions
25% first-semester biochemistry — ~15 questions
5% general chemistry — ~3 questions
5% organic chemistry — ~3 questions

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems:

30% general chemistry — ~18 questions
25% first-semester biochemistry — ~15 questions
25% introductory physics — ~15 questions
15% organic chemistry — ~9 questions
5% introductory biology — ~3 questions

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior:

65% introductory psychology — ~38 questions
30% introductory sociology — ~18 questions
5% introductory biology — ~3 questions

Looking at the list and percentages, it’s easy to see which subjects you should focus on most heavily for the greatest impact. For example, prioritizing introductory biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, and introductory psychology will cover a large portion of the exam’s content.

High-Yield MCAT Topics

In addition to high-yield MCAT subjects, there are also specific high-yield topics to prioritize.

Our team of expert tutors analyzed official AAMC MCAT practice exams to identify which science topics appear most frequently. We tallied the number of AAMC questions related to each topic and compared them to determine which topics are highest-yielding. These topics span molecular biology, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and psychology, among other disciplines.

Here are the high-yield MCAT topics based on our analysis:

High-Yield Topic	MCAT Sections	Academic Disciplines	What's Involved
Amino Acids	Bio/Biochem, Chem/Phys	Biochemistry	Understand the absolute configuration, chirality, and specific rotation of amino acids and their significance in protein structure.
Lipids	Chem/Phys	Biochemistry	Learn lipid structure, including steroids, terpenes, and prostaglandins, and their biochemical roles.
Carbohydrates	Bio/Biochem, Chem/Phys	Biochemistry	Comprehend carbohydrate nomenclature, classification, and isomerism, and their role in cellular structure and metabolism.
Gel Electrophoresis & Blotting Techniques	Bio/Biochem	Biochemistry	Familiarize with gel electrophoresis, Southern and Western blotting techniques, and their applications in DNA, RNA, and protein analysis.
Protein Structure & Function	Bio/Biochem, Chem/Phys	Biochemistry, Biology	Understand the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of proteins, as well as their implications for protein function and enzymatic activity.
Enzymes & Enzyme Kinetics	Bio/Biochem, Chem/Phys	Biochemistry, Biology	Study enzyme functions in biological reactions, enzyme kinetics, and factors affecting enzyme activity, including Michaelis-Menten kinetics.
Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids	Bio/Biochem, Chem/Phys	Biochemistry, Biology	Learn about nucleotides, nucleosides, and their structures, functions, and roles in genetic information storage.
Glycolysis & Gluconeogenesis	Bio/Biochem	Biochemistry, Biology	Understand the processes, substrates, and products of aerobic glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.
Citric Acid Cycle	Bio/Biochem	Biochemistry, Biology	Comprehend Acetyl-CoA production, citric acid cycle reactions, and their biochemical significance.
Beta Oxidation & Fatty Acid Synthesis	Bio/Biochem	Biochemistry, Biology	Learn the oxidation of fatty acids, the differences between saturated and unsaturated fats, and the significance of fatty acid synthesis.
Electron Transport Chain & ATP Synthase	Bio/Biochem	Biochemistry, Biology	Study the components and functions of the electron transport chain and ATP synthase in energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. Understand the role of the mitochondria in these processes.
Transcription & Translation	Bio/Biochem	Biology	Understand the roles of tRNA, rRNA, and the mechanisms of transcription and translation in protein synthesis.
Eukaryotic Chromosomes	Bio/Biochem	Biology	Learn about chromosomal proteins, DNA organization in chromosomes, and their genetic implications, including the role of meiosis in the distribution of chromosomes.
Prokaryotic Gene Expression	Bio/Biochem	Biology	Study the operon concept, gene repression and induction, and their roles in prokaryotic gene expression.
Eukaryotic Gene Expression	Bio/Biochem	Biology	Comprehend transcriptional regulation, DNA-binding proteins, and their roles in eukaryotic gene expression.
DNA Replication & Repair	Bio/Biochem	Biology	Understand the mechanisms of DNA replication, strand separation, and the significance of DNA repair processes.
Thermodynamics	Bio/Biochem, Chem/Phys	Biochemistry, General Chemistry	Study bioenergetics, free energy, entropy, and equilibrium constant, and their relevance in biochemical reactions.
Kinetics	Chem/Phys	General Chemistry	Learn about reaction rates, factors affecting reaction rates, and their implications in chemical reactions.
Temperature & Phase Changes	Chem/Phys	General Chemistry	Comprehend heat of fusion, heat of vaporization, phase diagrams, and their significance in physical chemistry.
Chromatography Techniques	Chem/Phys	Organic Chemistry	Understand various chromatography techniques, their principles, and applications in separating mixtures, including the separation of racemic mixtures and enantiomers.
Aldehydes & Ketones	Chem/Phys	Organic Chemistry	Learn the nomenclature, physical properties, and importance of aldehydes and ketones in organic chemistry.
Alcohols	Chem/Phys	Organic Chemistry	Study the nomenclature, physical properties, and reactions of alcohols and their significance in organic reactions.
Carboxylic Acids	Chem/Phys	Organic Chemistry	Understand the nomenclature, physical properties, and importance of carboxylic acids in organic chemistry.
Acid Derivatives	Chem/Phys	Organic Chemistry	Learn about anhydrides, amides, and esters, in addition to their structures and their roles in organic chemistry.
Nervous system	Psych/Soc, Bio/Biochem	Biology, Psychology	Comprehend the major functions, high-level control, and integration of the nervous system, as well as its relationship with the endocrine system.
Neurotransmitters	Psych/Soc, Bio/Biochem	Biology, Psychology	Study neurotransmitters, their influence on behavior and cognitive functions, and their relevance in the nervous system.
Nervous system disorders	Psych/Soc, Bio/Biochem	Biology, Psychology	Understand the biological bases of nervous system disorders (Parkinson's & Alzheimer's), their symptoms, and their treatments.
Brain areas that control language & speech	Psych/Soc	Biology, Psychology	Learn theories of language development and brain areas involved in language processing and speech.
Consciousness-Altering Drugs	Psych/Soc	Psychology, Biology	Understand types of consciousness-altering drugs, their effects, and their implications for consciousness and behavior.
Sleep & Sleep Cycles	Psych/Soc	Psychology, Biology	Study stages of sleep, sleep cycles, and changes in physiological parameters during sleep.
Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development	Psych/Soc	Psychology	Comprehend Piaget’s stages of cognitive development and their significance in cognition and cognitive psychology.
Heuristics & Biases	Psych/Soc	Psychology	Learn about various heuristics and biases, their effects on decision-making, and judgment.
Memory	Psych/Soc	Psychology	Understand the encoding process, types of memory, and factors affecting memory retention and recall.
Theories of personality	Psych/Soc	Psychology	Study different theories of personality, including the psychoanalytic, humanistic, trait, & social-cognitive perspectives.
Psychological disorders	Psych/Soc	Psychology	Comprehend different types of psychological disorders, their symptoms, and approaches to treatment.
Attitudes	Psych/Soc	Psychology	Learn about the components of attitudes (cognitive, affective, and behavioral), their formation, and their influence on behavior.

Remember, while these high-yield topics are crucial for a good MCAT score, it's important to have a comprehensive grasp of all MCAT content. Use this list as a guide to focus your study plan, but be sure to cover all areas for well-rounded preparation.

How to Prioritize High-Yield Topics

Use the high-yield list as a starting point for deciding where to spend your study time, but don’t treat every topic on the list as equally important for you. Your priorities should depend on both how frequently a topic is tested and how well you understand it.

Start by identifying the high-yield topics you know you need more review in. For topics you already understand, a quick review and practice questions may be enough to reinforce your knowledge.

You should also continue reviewing topics outside this list. The AAMC's MCAT content outline includes the full range of concepts you may encounter on test day, including topics such as cell organelles and operant conditioning. High-yield topics should help you prioritize your review rather than replace comprehensive preparation.

As you work through practice questions and full-length exams, use your results to adjust your priorities. If you repeatedly miss questions related to a particular topic, move it higher on your list, even if it isn't one of the highest-frequency topics overall. The goal is to spend the most time on the combination of high-frequency topics and your own areas of weakness.

Expert Study Strategies

Mastering the high-yield topics on the MCAT is not just about what you study, but how you study. One of our tutors, Camille Villar, shared strategies that helped her prepare for the MCAT and that she recommends to students.

Master the Foundations

High-yield topics often build on foundational concepts, so make sure you understand the basics before moving on to more complex material. Rather than trying to memorize isolated facts, focus on understanding how concepts fit together. A strong grasp of the fundamentals will make it easier to apply your knowledge to unfamiliar passages and questions on MCAT test day.

Utilize Active Learning

Don't rely just on rereading textbooks or reviewing notes. Use active learning techniques that require you to retrieve information and explain concepts in your own words.

Flashcards can be useful for retaining high-yield facts and concepts, particularly when they use spaced repetition, but the best study method is the one that works for you. If flashcards help you learn, use them regularly. If they don't, don't force yourself to use them because you heard that they work for someone else.

You can also try explaining a difficult concept out loud or drawing it on a whiteboard. When Camille struggled with immunology, she revisited the relevant Kaplan chapter and used a whiteboard to map out the relationships between different immune cells.

Focus on Your Weakest Areas

Your personal high-yield topics may look different from the topics that appear most frequently on the exam. Use practice questions and practice exams to identify where you are struggling, then devote additional study time to those areas.

For example, if you consistently miss questions about cell biology, metabolic pathways, electrochemistry, or the immune system, move those topics higher on your study list, even if they aren't among the highest-yield topics overall. Your practice results should help you identify where additional review will have the greatest impact.

Still Keep a Balance of High-Yield vs. Other Topics

High-yield topics should receive significant attention, but they aren't the only material you need to study. The MCAT can test concepts across the full range of content covered by the AAMC.

If you neglect foundational or lower-frequency topics entirely, you may struggle to draw the connections needed to answer passage-based questions. Use the high-yield list to prioritize your review, but continue working toward comprehensive content knowledge.

Practice Under Test Conditions

Practice questions are essential for learning how to apply your knowledge, not just determining whether you remember it. As you get closer to test day, practice under conditions that mimic the real MCAT, including timed sections, full-length blocks of questions, and scheduled breaks.

Consider incorporating practice exams that replicate the test environment to build both pacing and mental endurance. Review your mistakes afterward and use them to identify topics that need additional attention.

Develop a Consistent, Strategic Study Schedule

A strong MCAT study schedule should fit your schedule, your starting point, and your goals. You don't necessarily need to spend hours studying every day to make meaningful progress. I recommend breaking study sessions into manageable chunks, noting that even short, consistent daily sessions can add up over time.

As you work through your plan, adjust it based on your progress. Spend more time on topics you continue to struggle with and less time reviewing material you've already mastered.

Don’t Just Memorize

Although there are facts, equations, and concepts you need to memorize for the MCAT, understanding should be the foundation of your preparation. When reviewing a high-yield topic, ask yourself why a process works, how different concepts relate to one another, and how you would apply the information to a new scenario.

The MCAT tests your ability to apply knowledge to unfamiliar situations, so understanding the underlying concepts is more valuable than memorizing surface-level facts alone.

Consider Comprehensive MCAT Tutoring

If you're struggling to identify your weaknesses, stay on track with your study plan, or improve your practice exam scores, an MCAT tutor can provide personalized guidance. A tutor can help you identify the topics that deserve the most attention, explain difficult concepts, and develop a study strategy around your specific needs.

MedSchoolCoach MCAT tutoring can be especially helpful for students who aren't seeing the improvement they want from self-study or who are preparing to retake the MCAT. Before deciding to retake, make sure you understand how many times you can take the MCAT and how to make the most of another attempt.

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Best Resources for High-Yield MCAT Prep

Depending on your study style, choose resources that help you learn what you need to know in the way you’ll best retain the material. These are my favorites:

MCAT Prep by MedSchoolCoach, the top-ranked MCAT mobile app featuring science content videos, lecture notes, and flashcards
MCAT Go by MedSchoolCoach, an audio MCAT prep course that allows you to study MCAT science anytime and anywhere
CARS Mastery by MedSchoolCoach, a video course that teaches you expert-developed strategies for maximizing your CARS score
MedSchoolCoach MCAT Practice Exams, the most realistic practice exams on the market
AAMC full-length MCAT practice tests (Use our MCAT Score Conversion Calculator to get a scaled score from your AAMC practice exam.)

Read Next: When Should You Take the MCAT?

FAQs

CARS requires a different approach from the science sections because it tests reading comprehension and reasoning rather than specific content knowledge.

Rather than allocating a fixed percentage of your study time to CARS, build regular CARS practice into your MCAT study schedule and adjust the amount based on your performance. If CARS is one of your weaker sections, increase your practice time.

For the science sections, divide your time between content review and practice questions. Use your practice results to identify areas for improvement and determine where additional study time will have the greatest impact.

There isn't a single group of topics that guarantees a top MCAT score. Start with the topics that are both frequently tested and areas where you have the biggest knowledge gaps.

Based on our analysis of AAMC practice exams, topics among the high-yield areas include:

Amino acids
Protein structure and function
Enzymes and enzyme kinetics
Nucleotides and nucleic acids
Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis
Thermodynamics

Use your practice questions and full-length exams to identify which of these and other MCAT topics deserve the most attention in your study plan.

CARS is often considered one of the more difficult sections to improve because it doesn't rely on traditional content review. Instead, you need to develop skills in reading, reasoning, and applying information from passages. Students who struggle with CARS can benefit from consistent practice and analyzing why they missed each question.

That doesn't mean CARS is universally the hardest section. Some students find Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, particularly physics, more challenging. This section is a combination of content knowledge, equations, math, and passage-based problem solving. Your own practice scores and weaknesses are a better guide for where you should focus.

Yes. You should know the equations and relationships you are expected to use on the MCAT, particularly for physics, chemistry, and biochemistry. For example, make sure you understand equations such as Ohm's law and the equations used to solve kinematics problems.

You should also know what each variable represents, how the variables relate to one another, and how to apply the equation to different types of problems. While MCAT accommodations are available, you won’t be able to use a calculator, so you should be comfortable working with the equations and doing the necessary calculations by hand.

Score 12+ Points Higher on the MCAT

Knowing which topics to prioritize is one part of an effective MCAT study plan. The right tutor can help you identify your specific weaknesses, focus your study time, and build a strategy around your target score so your med school application is the best it can be.

MedSchoolCoach tutors are 99th-percentile MCAT scorers who provide personalized guidance throughout your preparation.

Work with a 99th-percentile tutor, and get a Guaranteed Score Increase when you sign up for a Silver, Gold, or Platinum MCAT tutoring package.

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Dr. Ken Tao

Ken is the Director of MCAT and Research at MedSchoolCoach. He is an alumnus of UC Berkeley and Harvard University, boasts degrees in Bioengineering, Molecular and Cell Biology, and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Ken previously worked with undergraduate students at Princeton Review where he was the only tutor certified in all subjects. Ken was one of the highest rated MCAT tutors ever and a teacher trainer. He founded Magoosh's MCAT division and has written content for dozen's of MCAT books and guides.

High-Yield MCAT Topics List (Plus, How to Study)