For many premeds, physics is one of the most intimidating parts of MCAT prep (it sure was for me). The good news is you do not need to master every detail of physics to succeed. After all, the exam is not testing whether you would survive as a physics major. It is testing whether you can apply a handful of fundamental principles to biological and chemical systems, which becomes very important later in medical school and clinically.
After tutoring and teaching the MCAT, I have noticed the same MCAT physics topics appear again and again. Below is a ranked list of the highest-yield physics topics for the MCAT, from most essential to less frequent but still worth reviewing, so you know where to focus your time.
MCAT Physics Topics You Need To Know
Fluids (Very High Yield)
Fluids show up constantly because they tie directly to physiology. You should know Bernoulli’s principle (energy conservation in fluids), Pascal’s principle (applied pressure transmits equally), and Archimedes’ principle (buoyancy).
Applications:
- Blood flow and pressure differences
- Breathing and alveolar pressure
- IV fluids and pressure dynamics
Tip: Think physiologically. Instead of picturing boats floating, picture blood in arteries or air in the lungs. This is how these topics are likely to show up on the MCAT. Also, focus on relationships in the equations; while you might need to do a calculation, understanding the concepts is high yield.
Circuits and Electricity (Very High Yield)
Circuits overlap with chemistry (electrochemistry, nerve conduction, ion channels) and are frequently tested. Make sure you know Ohm’s law (V = IR), resistors and capacitors in series or parallel, and circuit power.
Applications:
- Ion channels modeled as resistors
- Defibrillators discharging energy
- Current distribution in parallel vs. series
Tip: Always draw and simplify circuits. A messy MCAT physics passage often reduces to a straightforward series or parallel problem, whether they are talking about the circulatory system or a true electrical circuit.
Work, Energy, and Power (High Yield)
Conservation of energy is a favorite because it simplifies problems. Instead of grinding through kinematics, you can often solve with energy principles.
Applications:
- Heart pumping blood = power output
- Roller coasters or pendulums for conservation of energy
- Metabolism questions framed in terms of energy transfer
Tip: Keep units straight—joules for work and watts for power. Dimensional analysis can save you if you forget an equation!
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Kinematics and Forces (High Yield)
You will not be asked to derive projectile motion, but you do need a strong grasp of the basics: velocity, acceleration, Newton’s laws, and free-body diagrams.
Applications:
- Muscles and bones as levers with forces applied
- Free-fall or inclined-plane scenarios
- Tension and friction in real systems
Tip: For the MCAT physics section, focus less on memorizing every equation and more on understanding relationships, like force causing acceleration or constant acceleration near Earth’s surface.
Waves and Sound (Moderately High Yield)
Sound connects directly to physiology (the ear) and medical devices (Doppler ultrasound). Expect frequency, wavelength, resonance, and the Doppler effect.
Applications:
- Hearing and the ear canal modeled as a pipe
- Doppler shifts in blood flow
- Sound speed in different media
Tip: Remember, approaching = higher frequency. Receding = lower frequency. These simple principles can go far on the MCAT!
Light and Optics (Moderately High Yield)
Optics questions are less frequent than fluids or circuits, but they are very relevant to medicine. You should know Snell’s law, converging and diverging lenses, mirrors, and the thin lens equation.
Applications:
- Cornea and lens focusing light on the retina
- Corrective lenses (myopia vs. hyperopia)
- Microscopes and magnification
Tip: You do not need to memorize every sign convention! Qualitative reasoning, such as upright vs. inverted or real vs. virtual, is often enough to narrow down the answers.
Thermodynamics and Gases (Moderate Yield)
Gas laws (PV = nRT, Boyle’s, Charles’s) and thermodynamics concepts show up in physiology contexts. They overlap heavily with general chemistry.
Applications:
- Breathing mechanics (inhalation = volume increases, pressure decreases)
- Gas exchange in alveoli
- Heat transfer in biological systems
Tip: Visualize lungs or syringes rather than abstract numbers.
Magnetism (Lower Yield)
Magnetism is less frequent but still worth knowing, especially because of its medical applications (MRI, moving charges in fields).
Applications:
- Right-hand rule for current and fields
- Lorentz force on ions
- MRI machine basics
Tip: Magnetic forces act perpendicular to both velocity and the magnetic field. Direction is often the key test point.
Putting It All Together: Study Priorities for MCAT Physics
If you are pressed for time, here is how to prioritize MCAT physics topics:
- Fluids and Circuits: Most common and highly testable in biological contexts
- Work, Energy, Power, and Kinematics/Forces: Core mechanics that apply across systems
- Waves/Sound and Light/Optics: Moderate frequency, often tied to physiology or medical devices
- Thermodynamics/Gases: Medium yield with strong chemistry overlap
- Magnetism: Lowest frequency, but know the basics for MRI and moving charges
How to Study These Topics Efficiently
- Focus on concepts first, math second. The MCAT emphasizes reasoning more than calculation.
- Connect every principle to physiology. Fluids = blood flow, optics = eyes, electricity = nerves.
- Practice with passages. Standalone physics problems are rare. Expect integration with biology or chemistry.
- Avoid spending time on low-yield areas. Advanced circuits or rotational dynamics almost never appear.
Final Takeaway
Physics does not have to be the section you dread! Once you realize the MCAT is more about applying a small set of ideas than memorizing every formula, it becomes much more manageable. If you master the high-yield areas, including fluids, circuits, energy, forces, and their biological applications, you will already be ahead of the game. The rest fills in the gaps.
You do not need to think like a physicist to succeed on the MCAT. You just need to see how physics principles apply to the human body. Start with the basics, and build up your knowledge base. And always practice with MCAT-style questions!
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Further Reading
The Complete List of High-Yield MCAT Topics: Maximize your MCAT prep by zeroing in on high-yield topics.
Essential MCAT Equations To Memorize: Check out the key MCAT equations you’ll want to memorize to prepare for test day!
