MCAT Prep

MCAT Flashcards: Master Every Section

AI-powered flashcards for all four MCAT sections. From biochemistry to psychology, study smarter with adaptive spaced repetition.

Create MCAT Flashcards Free

The MCAT is one of the most challenging standardized tests, covering biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, and critical reading. With so much material to master, efficient study methods are essential. Our AI flashcard maker helps you convert your MCAT prep materials into focused study cards, then uses spaced repetition to ensure you retain everything for test day.

Illustration of a brain and DNA helix beside four MCAT section panels

Free MCAT flashcards: 33-card starter set

A free MCAT deck cannot cover 230 questions of content, and this one does not try to. It is a starter set of the concepts that every MCAT course builds on: the equations you must know cold, the pathways and kinetics that recur in Bio/Biochem, the psychology and sociology vocabulary, and a few CARS rules. Build the rest from your own notes with the generator below.

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Chemical and physical foundations (11)

Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
pH = pKa + log([A-]/[HA]). When pH equals pKa, the acid is half deprotonated. A buffer works best within about one pH unit of its pKa.
Le Chatelier's principle
A system at equilibrium that is disturbed shifts to partly counteract the change: added reactant shifts toward products; raised pressure shifts toward fewer gas moles; heat acts like a reactant in endothermic reactions.
Gibbs free energy and spontaneity
Delta G = Delta H - T Delta S. A negative Delta G is spontaneous. If Delta H is negative and Delta S is positive, the reaction is spontaneous at all temperatures.
SN1 vs SN2
SN2: one step, backside attack, inversion of configuration, favoured by primary substrates and strong nucleophiles in polar aprotic solvents. SN1: two steps through a carbocation, racemization, favoured by tertiary substrates in polar protic solvents.
Redox: who is oxidised?
Oxidation is loss of electrons (OIL RIG). The anode is where oxidation happens and the cathode is where reduction happens, in both galvanic and electrolytic cells.
Ohm's law and power
V = IR. Power P = IV = I squared R. Resistors in series add; in parallel, add the reciprocals.
Newton's second law and kinetic energy
F = ma. Kinetic energy = 1/2 m v squared. The work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy.
Ideal gas law
PV = nRT. At constant temperature, pressure and volume are inversely related (Boyle). At constant pressure, volume is proportional to temperature in kelvin (Charles).
Continuity equation for fluids
For an incompressible fluid, A1 v1 = A2 v2: the fluid speeds up where the tube narrows. Bernoulli: faster flow means lower pressure along a streamline.
Which acid is stronger: pKa 3 or pKa 5?
The pKa of 3. A lower pKa means a stronger acid (more dissociation).
Snell's law
n1 sin(theta1) = n2 sin(theta2). Light bends toward the normal when entering a medium with a higher index of refraction.

Biological and biochemical foundations (10)

Competitive vs noncompetitive inhibition
Competitive: inhibitor binds the active site; Km increases, Vmax unchanged (overcome by more substrate). Noncompetitive: binds elsewhere; Vmax decreases, Km unchanged.
Glycolysis: location and net yield per glucose
In the cytoplasm. Net 2 ATP, 2 NADH and 2 pyruvate.
Krebs cycle: location and products per acetyl-CoA
Mitochondrial matrix. Per acetyl-CoA: 3 NADH, 1 FADH2, 1 GTP (or ATP) and 2 CO2.
Electron transport chain
Inner mitochondrial membrane. NADH and FADH2 donate electrons; protons are pumped to the intermembrane space; ATP synthase uses the proton gradient to make ATP; oxygen is the final electron acceptor.
DNA replication essentials
Semiconservative. DNA polymerase adds nucleotides in the 5-prime to 3-prime direction. The leading strand is continuous; the lagging strand is made in Okazaki fragments joined by ligase.
Central dogma and its exception
DNA to RNA (transcription) to protein (translation). Retroviruses use reverse transcriptase to make DNA from RNA.
Hardy-Weinberg
p + q = 1 and p squared + 2pq + q squared = 1. It assumes no selection, mutation or migration, random mating and a large population.
Peptide vs steroid hormones
Peptide hormones bind cell-surface receptors and use second messengers. Steroid hormones cross the membrane, bind intracellular receptors and alter gene transcription.
Action potential steps
Stimulus reaches threshold, voltage-gated Na+ channels open (depolarization), then K+ channels open (repolarization), with brief hyperpolarization. The Na+/K+ ATPase pumps 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in.
Cell cycle stages and a key checkpoint
G1, S (DNA synthesis), G2, then M (mitosis). G0 is a resting state. The p53 protein halts the cycle at G1 for DNA repair or apoptosis.

Psychological, social and biological foundations (9)

Classical vs operant conditioning
Classical: pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus until it triggers a response (Pavlov). Operant: behavior shaped by consequences (Skinner).
Reinforcement and punishment
Positive reinforcement adds a pleasant stimulus; negative reinforcement removes an aversive one; both raise the behavior. Punishment lowers behavior. Variable-ratio schedules are the most resistant to extinction.
Piaget's stages
Sensorimotor (about 0 to 2 years), preoperational (2 to 7), concrete operational (7 to 11), formal operational (12 and up).
Kohlberg's levels of moral reasoning
Preconventional (avoid punishment, get rewards), conventional (conform to social norms and laws), postconventional (universal ethical principles).
Fundamental attribution error; self-serving bias
The first overweights dispositional explanations for other people's behavior. The second credits your own successes to internal causes and your failures to external ones.
Cognitive dissonance
The discomfort of holding inconsistent attitudes or behaviors, resolved by changing one of them or rationalizing (Festinger).
Three major sociological perspectives
Functionalism: society's parts work together to keep it stable. Conflict theory: society is shaped by competition over resources and power. Symbolic interactionism: society is built through everyday interactions and shared meanings.
Broca vs Wernicke areas
Broca (frontal lobe) is needed to produce speech; damage causes non-fluent aphasia. Wernicke (temporal lobe) is needed to understand language; damage causes fluent but meaningless speech.
Bystander effect
The more bystanders are present, the less likely any one of them is to help, due to diffusion of responsibility.

Critical analysis and reasoning skills (CARS) (3)

What does CARS test?
Reading comprehension of passages from the humanities and social sciences, with no outside knowledge required. AAMC skills: foundations of comprehension, reasoning within the text, reasoning beyond the text.
A good CARS routine for each passage
Read for the author's main point and tone, mark the shift words (but, however, although), and predict the answer before you read the options. The right answer must be supported by the passage.
Why avoid extreme answer choices?
Absolute wording (always, never, only) is rarely supported by a passage that is nuanced. Prefer the option that matches the author's qualified claim.

MCAT exam structure (AAMC)

The AAMC publishes the MCAT structure and scoring. The exam has four sections, taken in a fixed order, and a total of 230 questions. There is no penalty for wrong answers.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
59 questions, 95 minutes. 10 passage sets plus 15 stand-alone questions.
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
53 questions, 90 minutes.
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
59 questions, 95 minutes.
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
59 questions, 95 minutes.
Total
230 questions; 6 hours 15 minutes of testing; about 7 hours 30 minutes including tutorial, breaks and survey.
Scoring
Each section is scored 118 to 132, so the total score runs from 472 to 528. The mean is around 500.

Check the AAMC site for the latest registration fee, test dates, and any changes to the exam.

A 12-week MCAT plan with spaced repetition

Most students spend three to six months on the MCAT. Flashcards cover the content half of the test (Chem/Phys, Bio/Biochem, Psych/Soc); CARS needs timed practice instead. Review cards every day so earlier content does not decay while you learn new content.

  1. 1
    Weeks 1 to 4

    Content review with one deck per subject. 20 to 30 new cards a day. Make cards from your review book chapters, not from memory.

  2. 2
    Weeks 5 to 8

    Continue content, but spend half your time on practice passages. Turn every missed question into a card with the reason you missed it.

  3. 3
    Weeks 9 to 11

    Full-length AAMC practice exams. Review only flagged cards in the app, and go back to the foundational decks for any concept you missed twice.

  4. 4
    Final week

    Light daily review of equations and pathways, no new decks, and a full sleep schedule.

Spaced repetition schedules each card to return just before you would forget it, so reviews get shorter as the exam gets closer. Cards you miss come back sooner.

Make MCAT flashcards from your prep book or AAMC practice review

  • ✓Paste a chapter section and ask for cards that name the concept and the common trap. MCAT questions reward understanding, so cards should ask "why" as well as "what."
  • ✓After every practice exam, paste your missed questions with explanations and have them turned into cards.
  • ✓Keep equation cards in two directions: formula from name, and when to use it from a scenario.
Generate cards from a topic or notesTurn a PDF into flashcards

MCAT Exam Overview

Format
Multiple choice (230 questions)
Duration
7 hours 30 minutes (with breaks)
Passing Score
Scored 472-528 (average ~500)
Sections
Chem/Phys, CARS, Bio/Biochem, Psych/Soc
Cost
Set by AAMC (check aamc.org for the current fee)

Why Use Flashcards for MCAT?

Memorize amino acids, enzymes, and biochemical pathways efficiently
Review physics formulas and constants with daily repetition
Learn psychology terms and sociological concepts systematically
Quick recall practice between full-length practice tests
Spaced repetition prevents forgetting over long study timelines
AI generates cards from dense textbook chapters in seconds

MCAT Study Topics

Biochemistry

Amino acids, enzymes, metabolism, molecular biology

250+ cards

Biology

Cell biology, genetics, organ systems, evolution

200+ cards

General Chemistry

Atomic structure, bonding, thermodynamics, kinetics

150+ cards

Organic Chemistry

Functional groups, reactions, mechanisms, stereochemistry

120+ cards

Physics

Mechanics, electricity, optics, fluids, waves

130+ cards

Psychology/Sociology

Learning, memory, social structures, demographics

180+ cards

Study Tips for MCAT

1

Start with amino acid structures and properties - they appear everywhere on the MCAT

2

Create flashcards for every formula you encounter in physics and chemistry

3

Use the AI generator on your Kaplan or Princeton Review chapter summaries

4

Study psychology/sociology flashcards daily - it is the easiest section to improve

5

Make cards for experimental design concepts to help with passage-based questions

6

Review metabolic pathways (glycolysis, Krebs cycle, ETC) with visual mnemonics

Frequently Asked Questions

How effective are flashcards for MCAT prep?

Flashcards are one of the most effective MCAT study tools, especially for content-heavy sections like biochemistry and psychology/sociology. Research shows that active recall and spaced repetition outperform passive reading by 50-150% for long-term retention.

What MCAT subjects benefit most from flashcards?

Biochemistry and psychology/sociology benefit the most from flashcard study, as they require memorizing specific facts, terms, and definitions. Physics formulas and organic chemistry reactions are also well-suited for flashcard review.

How long before my MCAT should I start using flashcards?

Start creating and reviewing flashcards 4-6 months before your test date. This gives the spaced repetition algorithm enough time to schedule optimal review intervals. Add new cards as you cover new topics in your content review.

Can I generate MCAT flashcards from my prep book?

Absolutely! Paste any section from your MCAT prep book into our AI generator, and it will create targeted Q&A flashcards. This works great with chapter summaries from Kaplan, Princeton Review, or Examkrackers.

Should I use flashcards for CARS preparation?

While CARS is primarily a skills-based section, flashcards can help you learn common passage themes, rhetorical devices, and logical reasoning patterns. However, practice passages are more important for CARS than flashcard memorization.

How many sections and questions are on the MCAT?

Four sections and 230 questions: Chem/Phys 59, CARS 53, Bio/Biochem 59 and Psych/Soc 59. Testing time is 6 hours 15 minutes, with about 7 hours 30 minutes including breaks.

What is the MCAT score range?

Each section is scored from 118 to 132 and the total from 472 to 528. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so answer every question.

Are these MCAT flashcards free?

Yes. The starter set is free to read and to open in the study app without signing up. Making decks from your own notes is free to try; unlimited full decks and document import are part of Pro.

Are flashcards enough for the MCAT?

No. Flashcards hold the content, but the MCAT is passage-based and tests reasoning. Combine daily flashcards with timed practice passages and AAMC full-length exams. MCAT is a registered trademark of AAMC; this site is not affiliated with it.

Which MCAT section benefits most from flashcards?

Psych/Soc, which is vocabulary-heavy, and Bio/Biochem pathways and equations. CARS does not benefit from content flashcards; it needs timed practice.

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Study Tools for MCAT

MCAT Flashcard Maker

Enter an MCAT topic or paste your notes — AI builds study-ready cards you can drill with spaced repetition.

Biology Flashcard Maker

Turn a biology topic — cells, genetics, ecology, evolution — into clear Q&A study cards covering the key terms and processes.

Chemistry Flashcard Maker

Periodic trends, reaction mechanisms, equations, and nomenclature — turned into study cards in 30 seconds.

Nursing & medical flashcards

Free starter sets for the same study path, from vocabulary to licensing exams.

Medical Terminology Flashcards
Prefixes, roots, suffixes, directional terms and safe abbreviations.
Anatomy Flashcards
Body organization, bones, muscles, nerves and the major organ systems.
Pharmacology Flashcards
Drug classes with mechanism, a common example and the key adverse effect.
Flashcards for Nursing Students
Fundamentals: nursing process, vital signs, assessment tools and safe practice.
TEAS Flashcards
ATI TEAS 7 science, math, reading and English with the official section counts.
HESI A2 Flashcards
Math, vocabulary, grammar, biology, chemistry and A&P for nursing admission.
NCLEX Flashcards
Prioritization, delegation, lab values and safety for the NCLEX-RN.
MCAT Flashcards
Equations, pathways, enzyme kinetics, psychology and sociology for the four MCAT sections.

Sources and review

Starter cards are independent study aids, not medical advice or official exam content, and were checked against the sources below. Always confirm values and procedures with your textbook, instructor and local policy.

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