MCAT Notes

Topic-wise concept summaries built around the AAMC content outline for the MCAT. Each page distils the key definitions, processes and common test traps into a focused study reference, so your content review goes straight to what the exam actually rewards.

Notes by AAMC Content Category

Every indexed notes page mapped to the AAMC foundational concept and content category it covers. Pages that span several categories appear under each one.

Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

• 1A Structure and function of proteins and their constituent amino acids: Biomolecules: Proteins, Enzymes, Carbs and Lipids, Biochemistry of Macromolecules
• 1B Transmission of genetic information from the gene to the protein: Biomolecules: Proteins, Enzymes, Carbs and Lipids, DNA Replication and Gene Expression, Biotechnology and Lab Techniques
• 1C Transmission of heritable information from generation to generation and processes that increase genetic diversity: Mendelian Genetics and Inheritance, Reproductive System and Development
• 1D Principles of bioenergetics and fuel molecule metabolism: Cellular Respiration and Glucose Metabolism, Nutrition and Energy Metabolism
• 2A Assemblies of molecules, cells, and groups of cells within multicellular organisms: Cell Structure, Membranes and Organelles
• 2B Structure, growth, physiology and genetics of prokaryotes and viruses: Cell Structure, Membranes and Organelles, Viruses, Retroviruses and Prions
• 2C Processes of cell division, differentiation, and specialization: Cell Cycle, Mitosis and Differentiation, Cell Structure, Membranes and Organelles, Reproductive System and Development
• 3A Structure and functions of the nervous and endocrine systems and how they coordinate organ systems: Neurons and the Nervous System, Synapses, Brain and Endocrine System
• 3B Structure and integrative functions of the main organ systems: Nutrition and Energy Metabolism, Cardiovascular System, Blood, Gas Transport and Clotting, Respiratory System, Digestive System, Renal System and Homeostasis, Immune System, Musculoskeletal System, Reproductive System and Development

Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

• 4A Translational motion, forces, work, energy and equilibrium in living systems: Vectors, Torque and Equilibrium, Kinematics, Newton's Laws and Momentum, Circular Motion and Torque, Work, Energy and Power, Waves, Sound and Periodic Motion
• 4B Importance of fluids for circulation of blood, gas movement and gas exchange: Gas Laws and Kinetic Molecular Theory, Liquids, Vapor Pressure and Water, Fluid Statics and Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Heat and Calorimetry
• 4C Electrochemistry and electrical circuits and their elements: Electrochemistry and Redox, Electrostatics and Capacitors, DC Circuits: Current and Resistance, Magnetism and Moving Charges, Electromagnetic Induction
• 4D How light and sound interact with matter: Waves, Sound and Periodic Motion, Light and Optics, Atomic Emission and Absorption Spectra, Quantum Theory and the Photoelectric Effect, Separations, Purification and Spectroscopy
• 4E Atoms, nuclear decay, electronic structure and atomic chemical behavior: Stoichiometry, Moles and Molarity, Atomic Structure and Periodic Trends, Atomic Emission and Absorption Spectra, Quantum Theory and the Photoelectric Effect, Nuclear Decay and Radioactivity
• 5A Unique nature of water and its solutions: Stoichiometry, Moles and Molarity, Liquids, Vapor Pressure and Water, Acids, Bases and Aqueous Solutions, Equilibrium, Buffers and Solubility
• 5B Nature of molecules and intermolecular interactions: Liquids, Vapor Pressure and Water, Bonding, VSEPR and Intermolecular Forces, Functional Groups and Isomerism, Solids, Lattice Energy and Phase Diagrams, Organic Reactions and Intermediates, Hydrocarbons and Aromaticity
• 5C Separation and purification methods: Separations, Purification and Spectroscopy
• 5D Structure, function, and reactivity of biologically relevant molecules: Biomolecules: Proteins, Enzymes, Carbs and Lipids, Functional Groups and Isomerism, Organic Reactions and Intermediates, Hydrocarbons and Aromaticity, Substitution and Elimination (SN1, SN2, E1, E2), Alcohols and Phenols, Aldehydes and Ketones, Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives, Biochemistry of Macromolecules
• 5E Principles of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics: Solids, Lattice Energy and Phase Diagrams, Thermochemistry: Enthalpy, Entropy and Gibbs Energy, Reaction Kinetics and Rate Laws, Equilibrium, Buffers and Solubility, Thermodynamics, Heat and Calorimetry

Psychological, Social & Biological Foundations of Behavior

• 6A Sensing the environment: Sensation and Perception, Vision, Hearing and the Other Senses
• 6B Making sense of the environment: Cognition, Consciousness and Language, Learning and Memory, Biological Basis of Behavior, Attention, Problem Solving and Intelligence
• 6C Responding to the world: Motivation, Emotion and Stress, Emotion and the Stress Response
• 7A Individual influences on behavior: Motivation, Emotion and Stress, Biological Basis of Behavior, Personality and Psychological Disorders, Behavioral Genetics and Development
• 7B Social processes that influence human behavior: Attitudes and Social Behavior, Identity and Self, Conformity, Obedience and Deviance
• 7C Attitude and behavior change: Learning and Memory, Attitudes and Social Behavior, Attitude and Behavior Change
• 8A Self-identity: Identity and Self, Identity Development Theories
• 8B Social thinking: Attitudes and Social Behavior, Social Interaction and Social Thinking, Social Perception and Prejudice
• 8C Social interactions: Social Interaction and Social Thinking, Aggression, Altruism and Attachment
• 9A Understanding social structure: Social Structure and Demographics, Social Theory and Social Institutions
• 9B Demographic characteristics and processes: Social Structure and Demographics, Demographics and Social Change
• 10A Social inequality: Social Structure and Demographics, Social Inequality and Health Disparities

Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills

• C1 Foundations of Comprehension: CARS Question Types, CARS Answer Traps & Strategy, CARS Foundations & Active Reading
• C2 Reasoning Within the Text: CARS Question Types, CARS Answer Traps & Strategy, Logical Deductions, Critical Thinking, Evaluating Arguments, Cause and Effect
• C3 Reasoning Beyond the Text: CARS Question Types, CARS Answer Traps & Strategy, Strengthen and Weaken Reasoning, Reasoning Beyond the Text

Built for the AAMC MCAT Content Outline

Every page in this collection is aligned to the AAMC content outline for the MCAT. The notes focus on the foundational concepts and scientific-reasoning skills the exam tests across its four sections: Chemical & Physical Foundations, Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills, Biological & Biochemical Foundations, and Psychological, Social & Biological Foundations, so your time goes toward what the test actually rewards.

What each topic page includes

• Subtopic-by-subtopic concept summary: the core ideas, in plain language, structured the way the AAMC content categories expect you to know them.
• Key definitions and formulas: the must-know items extracted into a single reference list.
• Common exam traps: the wrong-answer patterns students fall for, drawn from thousands of practice questions.
• Worked practice questions: representative questions per subtopic with full reasoning, so you see the concept applied the way the MCAT asks it.

Pair with practice tests

Notes are best used alongside active recall. After reading any topic, take a matching timed practice test or browse topic-wise MCQs to lock the concepts in.