AAMC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield AAMC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which MCAT section covers psychology, sociology, and biology as they relate to behavior? → Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
2. What was the major change made to USMLE Step 1 scoring in January 2022? → Scoring changed from a 3-digit numeric score to pass/fail
3. For informed consent to be legally and ethically valid, it must include all of the following EXCEPT: → A guarantee of a successful outcome
4. How do you identify the author's position in a CARS passage presenting multiple perspectives? → Look for evaluative language, hedging, and the conclusion the argument builds toward
5. What does the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format consist of? → A series of short, timed stations with different interviewers
6. Which quantum number describes the shape of an atomic orbital? → Azimuthal quantum number (l)
7. Which section of the MCAT tests reading comprehension without requiring science background knowledge? → Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
8. What is ERAS in the residency application process? → Electronic Residency Application Service
9. What is the average medical school debt for graduating US MD students? → Around $200,000
10. Which organization accredits US allopathic (MD) medical schools? → LCME
11. What happens on 'Match Day'? → Medical students simultaneously learn which residency program they matched into
12. How does electronegativity difference affect bond polarity? → Greater difference creates a more polar bond
13. What is 'scramble' historically called in the modern Match? → SOAP
14. What is the AAMC's Fee Assistance Program (FAP)? → A program that reduces MCAT and AMCAS fees for eligible low-income applicants
15. What percentage of US medical students graduate with education debt? → Around 70%
16. The Belmont Report (1979) identified three core principles for ethical research involving human subjects. Which of the following is one of them? → Respect for Persons
17. If a CARS answer is factually true based on outside knowledge but unsupported by the passage, should you choose it? → No; only passage-supported answers are correct in CARS
18. What principle underlies all chromatography separation techniques? → Differential affinity for the stationary versus mobile phase
19. Which organization develops and administers the MCAT? → AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)
20. The ethical concept of veracity in medicine primarily refers to: → The obligation to tell patients the truth about their diagnosis and prognosis
21. What does the Michaelis constant (Km) indicate about an enzyme? → Substrate concentration at half-maximal velocity; reflects enzyme-substrate affinity
22. What is the average annual cost of attendance at a US private medical school? → $60,000–$80,000
23. How many years are MCAT scores valid for most medical school applications? → 3 years
24. What is the NBME's role in relation to USMLE? → NBME co-sponsors and develops the USMLE in partnership with the FSMB
25. What defines the primary structure of a protein? → Sequence of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
26. What do medical school secondary application essays primarily assess? → Fit with the specific school's mission, values, and student community
27. What does a high Reynolds number indicate about fluid flow? → Turbulent flow where inertial forces dominate
28. What organization administers the MCAT? → AAMC
29. Which stage of Erikson's psychosocial development involves 'trust vs. mistrust'? → Infancy (0–18 months)
30. What is the recommended preparation timeline for most MCAT students? → 3 to 6 months of dedicated structured study