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Dr. Stuart Donnelly can teach you the correct approach to teach section of the MCAT. Stuart can explain any of the complex concepts behind each topic in plain English - using real life examples that will make each idea simple to understand.

Private lessons with Dr. Donnelly are available either online via Zoom or in-person at our Sorrento Valley-based office here in San Diego. So why not contact Stuart today to scghedule your FREE MCAT Consultation?

Stuart is considered by many leading educators to be,  "One of the most experienced and qualified private MCAT tutors in the country."

But don't just take our word for it - why not check out the latest reviews from some of Dr. Donnelly's recent MCAT students?

What our students say

about Dr. Donnelly!

Doctor MCAT's student increases MCAT score

5 star review

"Doctor MCAT is simply the best tutoring services I have every experienced. When most people are looking for a tutor, they generally head over to places like Kaplan because we have all heard of them due to their expensive marketing campaigns, but I wasn't convinced - the value simply isn't there. So that why I decided to give Doctor MCAT a go instead. Dr. Donnely is a professional every step of the way. Stuart is one of the leading experts in his field and has almost 20 years of experience tutoring students for the MCAT - and it shows! He was patient, and funny, and knowledgeable in every section of the MCAT and he was happy to explain things to me as often as I needed without judgments. He is very personable and generous with his time. I actually found myself looking forward to our lessons! He's the absolute BEST tutor in every way. When I expressed embarrassment at my low original scores, he reassured me that my MCAT score was not reflective of who I was in any way. He taught me the right strategies for each section of the MCAT including the CARS section and the Physical Sciences section (which I had always hated!) which made things a lot clearer. It also freed me to ask all questions and not be ashamed because I knew he wasn't going to judge me. I have recommended Dr. Donnelly to at least three other people and they tell me they are just as happy as I am."

Smriti D., Los Angeles CA.

Doctor MCAT's student increases MCAT score

5 star review

"Excellent service. My daughter improved immensely because of her work with Stuart. She developed much better work habits and took control of her academics. Our experience with Doctor Donnelly was exceptional!"

Cassandre C. La Jolla/Sorrento Valley, San Diego CA.

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About the MCAT

Learn how to Improve your score

The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is required for admission to most medical schools. This rigorous exam will test your knowledge of physics, biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, sociology, and psychology. Additionally, it serves to assess your capacity for problem solving and critical thinking.

Getting into your top-choice medical school is a highly competitive process and so you'll want to prepare thoroughly for the MCAT. The MCAT exam is unlike any other standardized test. Even the most gifted students will often score poorly on this test unless they are aware of the correct approach to taking the MCAT.

Click on the relevant link below to learn more:

  1. About the MCAT
  2. MCAT Test Dates 2023
  3. Contact Dr. Donnelly about MCAT lessons
  4. Read our MCAT students' reviews
  5. MCAT Exam - Section by Section
    1. Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
    2. Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
    3. Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations of Behavior
    4. Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills (CARS)

Contact Dr. Donnelly Today

Schedule a FREE MCAT Consultation

Over the years, Dr. Donnelly has helped literally hundreds of students to improve their MCAT scores significantly and achieve their goal of getting accepted into a top-tier medical program. We are confident that he can do the same for you.

Overview of the MCAT

Section by Section

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The New MCAT Exam

In 2015, the MCAT was updated to the new version of the test. The new MCAT has more tested topics. There are now three additional semesters’ worth of material in college-level biochemistry, introductory psychology and introductory sociology, increasing the number of prerequisite classes from eight to eleven. Passages will also place more emphasis on integrating topics, with general chemistry, physics, and biochemistry (for instance) all appearing within the same passage!

The new version of the MCAT is almost double the length compared to the old version. On the new MCAT, you'll face 230 questions over 6 hours and 15 minutes. Each of the science sections will contain 10 passages with 4 to 7 questions each and 15 stand-alone questions. The CARS section has 9 passages with a total of 53 questions.

MCAT scores: You will receive five scores from your MCAT exam: one for each of the four sections and one combined total score. Each of the four sections is scored from a low of 118 to a high of 132, with a midpoint of 125. Your total score is the sum of your four section scores and therefore will range from 472 to 528. The midpoint is 500.

Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems Section

Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems</span> section of the MCAT

The Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems section of the MCAT is 95-minute long and contains 59 multiple-choice questions. This section asks you to combine your knowledge of foundational concepts in the biological and biochemical sciences with your scientific inquiry, reasoning, and research and statistics skills to solve problems that demonstrate readiness for medical school.

Understanding the processes unique to living organisms, such as growing and reproducing, maintaining a constant internal environment, acquiring materials and energy, sensing and responding to environmental changes, and adapting, is important to the study of medicine.

You will be tested on your knowledge of how cells and organ systems within an organism act both independently and in concert to accomplish these processes, as well as your ability to reason about these processes at various levels of biological organization within a living system. Click for more details.

Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills (CARS) Section

CARS section of MCAT

The CARS section of the MCAT is 90-minute long and contains 53 multiple-choice questions. This section includes passages from a wide range of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities followed by a series of questions that lead you through the process of comprehending, analyzing, and reasoning about the material you have read.

Specific knowledge of these disciplines is not required for this section; all the information you will need appears in the passages provided. Among the areas from which content is drawn are ethics and philosophy, cultural studies, and population health. Click for more details.

Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations of Behavior Section

Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations of Behavior Section

The Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations of Behavior section of the MCAT is 95-minute section contains 59 multiple-choice questions. This section tests your knowledge and use of the concepts in psychology, sociology, biology, research methods, and statistics that provide a solid foundation for learning in medical school about the behavioral and socio-cultural determinants of health and health outcomes.

Understanding the behavioral and socio-cultural determinants of health is important to the study of medicine.

You will be tested on your knowledge of the ways in which psychological, social, and biological factors influence perceptions and reactions to the world; behavior, and behavior change; what people think about themselves and others; the cultural and social differences that influence well-being; and the relationships between social stratification, access to resources, and well-being. Click for more details.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems Section

Chemical and Physical Foundations section of MCAT

The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section of the MCAT is 95-minute section contains 59 multiple-choice questions. This section asks you to combine your knowledge of foundational concepts in the chemical and physical sciences with your scientific inquiry, reasoning, and research and statistics skills to solve problems that demonstrate readiness for medical school.

Understanding the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of tissues, organs, and organ systems is important to the study of medicine.

You will be tested on your knowledge of the basic chemical and physical principles that underlie the mechanisms operating in the human body, and your ability to apply an understanding of these general principles to living systems. Click for more details.

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