The Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section of the new MCAT exam will require you to answer questions by pairing your knowledge of foundational concepts with your scientific inquiry and reasoning skills. This portion of the MCAT exam will test your knowledge of the ways psychological, social, and biological factors influence the following:
- Perceptions and Reactions to the World
- Behaviors and Changes in Behavior
- The Way People Think About Themselves
- The Way People Think About Others
- The Differences Culturally and Socially that Influence Well-Being
- The Relationships Between Social Stratification, Access to Resources and Well-Being
This section of the MCAT stresses concepts that future doctors must know to be able to serve a diverse population. It also focuses on preparing medical students to have a clear understanding of the impact of behavior on health, as well as communicating the need for the doctors of tomorrow to be ready to handle the social issues associated in the health field.
Overview of the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Section
Via the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section consists of 59 questions that are a combination of passage-based and discrete questions. You will have 95 minutes to complete this section of the MCAT.
Breakdown of the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Section
Also via the AAMC, here is a breakdown of questions within the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section of the MCAT exam:
Discipline
- 65% Introductory Psychology
- 30% Introductory Sociology
- 5% Introductory Biology
Foundational Concept
- 25% Foundational Concept 6
- 35% Foundational Concept 7
- 20% Foundational Concept 8
- 15% Foundational Concept 9
- 5% Foundational Concept 10
Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning Skill
- 35% Skill 1
- 45% Skill 2
- 10% Skill 3
- 10% Skill 4
Percentages are rounded to the nearest 5% and may vary between tests.