Preparing for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) involves mastering a variety of subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, psychology, and sociology. You’re required to take most of these subjects as undergraduate courses, but math isn’t one of them.
Many students overlook just how much math is on the MCAT or get worried because they had a difficult time in previous math classes.
Don’t be overwhelmed! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about MCAT math, from rounding to manipulating equations.
You’ll need to find the correct answer to each math-related question by using only scratch paper. You will not get a calculator for the MCAT.
The AAMC calls their special scratch paper the ‘MCAT Test Day Noteboard Booklet’. It’s a laminated booklet that comes with a wet-erase pen and plenty of space to write out your calculations.
Many students feel terror wash over them when they realize there’s no calculator allowed for the MCAT. But the absence of a calculator is good news in disguise — it means the level of calculations has to be relatively simple.
In order to use the Noteboard Booklet efficiently, there are 2 things you need to be able to do:
The key math topics and calculations found on the MCAT include:
There is no calculus or other advanced math on the MCAT.
MCAT math topics are designed to test reasoning abilities that are important for your success in medical school and as a physician. Top scorers develop a good number sense, which is the ability to think flexibly and critically about numbers and estimation.
Let’s take a look at how to approach some of the most important math rules and equations you’ll need for the MCAT.
Rounding is your best friend — it shows up in virtually every type of MCAT math question.
The exam is not testing how precisely you can calculate values using complex numbers. Instead, rounding to friendly numbers (often whole numbers) is the way to go and is expected by the test makers. You can see this clearly in AAMC answer choices, as they are often approximations.
How much can you round on the MCAT? When rounding a number, it will always be safe to round up or down by 10% of the number you’re rounding.
For example: A passage describes Metformin, a medication to treat Type II diabetes, that has a molar mass of 165.62 g mol-1. You’re asked to find how many moles of the medication a patient will ingest if they take 625 milligrams twice daily.
Using our rounding rule, we know that 165.62 can be rounded up or down by 16.562. A good number sense tells us that rounding down to 150 is an easy number to work with. 625 can be rounded up or down by 62.5, so we choose to round down to 600.
This means you’re now working with the numbers 150 and 600 — which is much easier than 165.62 and 625.
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When dealing with numbers that have many digits or working with numbers that are either very large or very small, scientific notation will save you a lot of headaches. It helps simplify calculations, comparisons, and representation of numerical data.
For instance, if you’re asked to multiply 0.000008 by 15,000, start by changing these numbers to something easier to work with. Try (8.0 x 10-6) x (1.500 x 104).
Now, we can multiply the whole numbers and the exponents separately:
Sometimes, you will need to manipulate the order of magnitude of a number that is in scientific notation. The rule is that when you move a decimal place to the right (making the coefficient larger), the exponent becomes smaller: 4.562 x 104 is the same number as 4562 x 101.
On the flip side, when moving the decimal to the left and making the coefficient smaller, the exponent becomes larger: 782 x 101 is the same number as 7.82 x 13.
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Multiplication on the MCAT is typically simple, though checking your answer on paper is usually a good idea to ensure you didn’t make a silly mistake! There’s no shame if your times tables through 12 are rusty — set aside a little time to work through them until they’re automatic.
You may need to multiply two-digit numbers without rounding, which can be a bit tricky if you’re out of practice.
Here is an MCAT multiplication trick that helps make it more manageable:
Multiplying 32 x 17 might seem calculator-level, but it’s not! Mental math experts suggest turning this type of problem into a two-step math problem: 32 x 10 + 32 x 7. After all, multiplication is just fancy addition.
32 x 10 + 32 x 7 = 320 + 32 x 7
If you get stuck at 32 x 7, our strategy keeps working by turning this problem into:
32 x 10 + 30 x 7 + 2 x 7 = 320 + 210 + 14
The answer to this longer (but simpler) equation is 544.
With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to multiply any two-digit number with ease!
Division is just as common as multiplication on test day. Thankfully, long division will not show up on your MCAT, as that would take too much time.
One option to simplify division problems is to use rounding. For instance, if you’re asked to divide 2209 N by 743 m/s2, you can round that to 2100 N / 700 m/s2. This is equivalent to the fraction 21 N / 7 m/s2, which is obviously equivalent to 3 N / 1 m/s2 or 3 kg. Based on this, you know the answer will be close to 3 kg.
Another MCAT division strategy involves thinking through how many times the denominator “goes into” the numerator. For instance, if you’re asked to solve 141 / 30, here’s how to go about it:
Division of numbers in exponent form just involves fairly simple subtraction. From our previous discussion on rounding, let’s try to divide 600 mg / 150 g mol-1.
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The MCAT wants you to be able to show a comprehensive grasp of the fundamental trigonometric principles, including:
We can only use these trigonometric functions with right triangles. The functions are the ratios of the triangle side lengths:
A common mnemonic to remember this is SOH CAH TOA. The inverse functions are:
A logarithm is a mathematical function that represents the exponent to which a specified base must be raised to produce a given number. The logarithm base 10, often denoted as “log base 10” or simply “log,” calculates the exponent to which the base 10 must be raised to yield a specific number.
Logarithms on the MCAT are always log base 10 or, on occasion, the natural log (ln). The general form of the equation is log10(x) = y, where x is the number for which the logarithm is being calculated, and y is the exponent to which 10 must be raised to produce x.
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Mastery of logarithms is essential for answering questions about acid-base chemistry as well as other physics and chemistry topics. They are particularly useful for simplifying calculations involving very large or very small numbers.
Certain log (and natural log) properties are useful to memorize:
Questions that require numerical problem solving typically come in the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems Section (Chem/Phys for short). Being able to quickly identify the correct equation(s), numbers, and mathematical setup is crucial.
Let’s look at an example: If asked for the final velocity of an object during free fall, we can use kinetic and potential energy equations, 1/2mv2 and mgh respectively.
A quick setup of the two equations gives us mgh = 1/2mv2.
We know we’re solving for v, but before we start to rearrange the relationship, notice the mass terms cancel out, leaving us with gh = 1/2v2.
Next, we move the ½ and exponential terms to give v = √2gh. Only now should you plug in the relevant numbers and do the math.
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No, there is generally no calculator provided on the MCAT. Special testing accommodations from the AAMC may allow a calculator.
The math on the MCAT is very simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy! Although MCAT math is high school level, the short time you have to solve problems can make even simple math difficult.
If you follow my tips above, you’ll be able to more easily answer MCAT questions with math, even without a calculator. This includes practicing (a lot), rounding by up to 10% of the original numbers to make them easier to work with, using scientific notation, and memorizing formulas and basic trigonometry and logarithmic equations.
There are a lot of formulas and equations you need to know for the MCAT. Download a complete list here.
Be sure to spend time with each one that you encounter during your test prep. Know the equation, units, and the scenarios in which they are used.
MCAT prep doesn’t have to feel daunting — our tutors can teach you additional shortcuts and tips for mastering MCAT math.
Ken is the Director of MCAT 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.