The MCAT exam places significant weight on chemistry, both general chemistry and organic chemistry, since these subjects form the foundation of biological and medical sciences. Many students find these sections challenging, not because the material is extremely advanced, but because success requires both strong conceptual understanding and efficient test-taking strategies. Here are 7 proven ways to maximise your score in the chemistry sections of the MCAT.
1. Master the High-Yield Topics
Not all topics are tested equally. In general chemistry, focus heavily on acid–base equilibria, electrochemistry, redox reactions, periodic trends, thermodynamics, and kinetics. In organic chemistry, prioritise functional groups, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms (substitution, elimination, addition), and spectroscopy (NMR, IR, MS). Review official AAMC content outlines to align your prep with what actually appears on test day.
2. Build Conceptual Understanding Over Memorisation
The MCAT is not about regurgitating equations—it’s about applying principles. For example, instead of just memorising “SN1 vs SN2 reactions,” understand how solvent, nucleophile strength, substrate type, and leaving group ability determine the reaction pathway. Similarly, in general chemistry, know why Le Châtelier’s principle shifts equilibrium rather than just stating it does.
3. Practice with Passage-Based Questions
Most chemistry questions on the MCAT are passage-based, which means you’ll need to extract information from graphs, figures, and experimental setups. Practice reading passages critically—look for variables, conditions, and trends. This skill ensures you don’t waste time re-reading and that you identify the key details quickly.
4. Learn to Work with Formulas Efficiently
While the MCAT provides a periodic table, you’ll need to be comfortable using equations like Henderson–Hasselbalch, Nernst, Gibbs free energy, and ideal gas law. Don’t just memorise them—practice plugging in values quickly, approximating, and recognising units. Unit analysis often eliminates wrong answer choices without full calculation.
5. Use Active Recall and Spaced Repetition for Reactions
Organic chemistry requires remembering many reactions and functional group transformations. Use flashcards or apps like Anki to test yourself repeatedly on reagents, products, and mechanisms. Group reactions by type (oxidation, reduction, substitution, elimination) to see patterns instead of isolated facts.
6. Strengthen Chemistry-Biology Connections
Many chemistry passages on the MCAT tie directly to biological systems, such as enzyme kinetics (Michaelis–Menten), buffers in blood (bicarbonate system), and biochemistry-related spectroscopy. Review how chemical principles explain biological phenomena—this will prepare you for the Chem/Phys and Bio/Biochem sections simultaneously.
7. Simulate Exam Conditions Regularly
Scoring high in chemistry requires endurance as much as knowledge. Take full-length timed practice exams under realistic conditions. Review mistakes carefully—don’t just note the right answer, but ask why you missed it. Did you misread the passage? Misapply a concept? Or run out of time? Fixing these patterns before test day is crucial.
Final Thoughts
Excelling in general and organic chemistry on the MCAT is about combining content mastery, strategic practice, and exam-specific skills. By focusing on high-yield topics, understanding concepts deeply, and practicing under timed conditions, you’ll set yourself up for a strong performance. Remember—the MCAT rewards thinking like a scientist, not just memorising like a student.
