MCAT Vocabulary List

June 25, 2024

minute read

The MCAT places a significant emphasis on your knowledge of English vocabulary. MCAT especially demands a large amount of reading and comprehension. 

Aceing the MCAT depends on your ability to understand general scientific terminology and fundamental graduate-level vocabularies. 

Needless to say, having a wide range of vocabulary is crucial as you prepare and study for the MCAT

This article focuses on an MCAT vocabulary list that will certainly be beneficial during your MCAT preparation. Let’s get started.

Is Vocabulary Important for the MCAT?

There is no ‘vocabulary’ test on the MCAT. 

However, there are passages with concepts, and the vocabulary is in the context of passages or essays. Therefore, the MCAT, like any other test, requires you to have a strong grasp of vocabulary. 

Comprehending the passages and the questions on the MCAT will be difficult if your vocabulary skills are weak. This could greatly affect your MCAT score

Furthermore, you will not be able to impress the admission committee if you use average and common vocabulary in your personal essays and statements.

Hence, having an excellent vocabulary is key to succeeding in every aspect of the MCAT.

When Does Vocabulary Show Up on the MCAT?

The MCAT, being an English test, is, at the same time, a vocabulary test. 

Vocabulary is crucial in all four sections of the MCAT:

You will only be able to answer the questions correctly if you understand the questions and the options with which you are given. 

It is quite noting, however, that your vocabulary skills will be primarily tested in the MCAT's Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section.

An excerpt from the AAMC about the CARS part is provided below:

“The passages on the MCAT CARS are typically 500 to 600 words long, but they are complex, frequently thought-provoking works of literature with strong vocabulary and, occasionally, intricate writing styles.”

Do not be intimidated by the word "complex.” 

Even if you do not understand a word at first, you may always determine its meaning by using context clues.

Is There an Official Vocabulary List I Should Be Studying for the MCAT?

There isn't an official MCAT vocabulary list to learn from, but you should make it a habit to read every day. This also applies to reading books or articles you find interesting. 

For example, you are free to read a short novel about a kid wizard or an autobiography of a basketball coach.

Instead of just memorizing a dictionary definition, you will come across unfamiliar terms and see them utilized in sentences. 

Try to infer the word’s meaning from the author's tone and the other words in the phrase before you look it up. This will help you become a strong, active reader and help you focus on the minute elements that the MCAT will ask you to identify!

How helpful it is to learn Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes, especially in the sciences, cannot be overstated. 

Consider phrases like "hepatitis" or "intravenous." If you are familiar with your roots, you can understand the meaning of these phrases without ever having seen them. 

Hepatitis,” for instance, is an inflammation of the liver; “hepato” means liver, and “itis” means inflammation. 

An intravenous injection is one that goes into your veins because “intra” means inside and “venous” means vein. 

Study the Latin prefixes, Latin suffixes, Greek prefixes, Greek suffixes, and Greek base words on the following list.

How to Improve Your Vocabulary for the MCAT

Increasing your vocabulary before the MCAT can occasionally be challenging. 

Some applicants choose to forego this important element entirely in favor of the science portions after seeing a massive pile of vocabulary to learn, which is not the way to go. 

Thankfully, there are ways on how you can improve your MCAT vocabulary. Here are some of them. 

  • Read medical handbooks, magazines, and books. This is an effective way to familiarize yourself with medical terms than by reading such materials. 
  • Listen to podcasts that focus on health and medicine. This method is just as good as reading books and magazines as you get to encounter words that may not be unfamiliar to you. 
  • Look for the meaning of the words to which you have no clue what they may mean. Reading magazines and listening to podcasts will be useless if you do not utilize a dictionary. 
  • Aside from reading articles that focus on health and medicine, make it a point that you read anything that will enhance your comprehension skills. This may differ depending on topics that interest you. 
  • Use mnemonic devices. Remember that when creating mnemonics, unique and memorable words must be used to create a mixture that sticks in your memory. 
  • Keep a journal where you could write terms and their definitions. This way, it will be easier for you to remember these words.
  • Make use of MCAT flashcards. Flashcards are also one of the most effective techniques when it comes to memory retention of MCAT vocabulary.
  • Classify and categorize the terms. The Law of Similarity says that elements or things that share particular characteristics are more likely to be recognized as belonging to the same group, which is much simpler to recall.

MCAT Vocabulary List

The fact that vocabulary plays a crucial role in acing the MCAT cannot be stated. Work on your vocabulary when you start preparing and studying for the MCAT. 

For your reference, we have compiled an MCAT vocabulary list that should help you prepare for one of the most challenging exams you would have to take.

Word

Word Type

Definition

a priori 

adjective

Using general concepts to reason

abdicate 

verb

To quit or relinquish, especially in a formal way, a throne, right, power, claim, or obligation

abeyance 

noun

A brief halt or slowdown in action

abortive 

adjective

Incomplete and failed as a result

abrogate 

verb

To finish something formally, especially a statute or other kind of legal agreement

absorption 

noun

A procedure used to introduce chemicals into or through tissues

abstemious

adjective

Consumption of alcohol or food should come in moderation.

accrue

verb

To assemble over a protracted length of time

acrophobia

noun

A severe or unusual aversion to heights

acuity

noun

Sharpness or acuteness, particularly of the mind, vision, or sense

acumen

noun

The capacity to reason clearly, form wise conclusions, and act quickly in a given situation, such as in business or politics

adumbrate

verb

To drop hints or make a general statement regarding what will happen in the future

alchemy

noun

A sort of chemistry from the Middle Ages that concentrated on two main goals: creating an elixir that would keep people youthful forever and turning common metals into gold

altruistic

adjective

Genuinely interested in or committed to the well-being of others

amalgamate

verb

To combine, unify, merge, or combine to create one item

ambivalence

noun

The quality of having conflicting emotions about someone or something at the same time

amorphous 

adjective

Lacking a defined framework

analgesic

adjective

A painkiller that is administered without making the patient pass out

anathema

noun

A person or thing that is detested intensely

archetype

noun

An ideal illustration or prototype of something

atrophy

noun

A shrinking or loss in size brought on by illness, trauma, or inactivity

attenuate

verb

To reduce something's power, impact, density, quantity, or size

barrage

noun

A focused artillery bombardment to block the advance of enemy forces or to protect one's troops who are approaching or withdrawing

befuddle

verb

To utterly perplex a person

benign

adjective

Not damaging

bigot

noun

A person who doesn't tolerate opposing viewpoints

blandishment 

noun

A nice or pleasing remark, word, or action used to appease, cajole, or gently induce someone to do something

blighted

adjective

Afflicted with an illness

broach

verb

To begin a tough or otherwise awkward conversation

buoyant  

adjective

Has the capacity to float

burgeon 

verb

To expand, accelerate, or increase in size

cacophonous 

adjective

Characterized by or generating a loud, harsh, and unpleasant combination of sounds

calumny

noun

An untrue statement that is frequently made with the intention of harming someone's reputation

capacious

adjective

Able to comfortably hold a considerable amount

capitulate

verb

To give up and make no more effort, typically because they are more powerful 

capricious

adjective

Impetuous and unpredictable

catalyst 

noun

A material that speeds up a chemical reaction

catharsis 

noun

The process of letting go of intense emotions or tensions, particularly via art

caustic 

adjective

Chemically active and capable of scorching, corroding, destroying, or eating away

celerity 

noun

Rapidity or quickness

certitude 

noun

A sense of self-assurance

chromosome 

noun

A gene-carrying DNA strand that resembles a thread

coalesce

verb

o form a single body, group, or mass by combining or merging

comatose 

adjective

In a deep and typically extended state of unconsciousness

commiserate 

verb

To feel or communicate pity or compassion

concise 

adjective

Precise and clear

concomitant

adjective

Something that is related to another thing and frequently happens concurrently

congenital 

adjective

Present since birth

connoisseur

noun

A specialist on a particular topic, such as food or art

contusion 

noun

A wound that does not cause skin damage

debase

verb

To diminish in worth or quality

decorum

noun

The customs or standards of proper conduct

defoliate

verb

To remove a plant or tree's leaves, typically for agricultural or defensive purposes

defunct 

adjective

Not present anymore

deleterious 

adjective

Hazardous or detrimental

deride

verb

To make fun of; mock; write about (someone or something) in a way that conveys that they are foolish, trivial, or useless

deterrent 

adjective

Something that tends to discourage

detrimental

adjective

Inflicting harm or damage

diffuse 

verb

To spill out and let the fluid spread out freely

diminutive

adjective

Exceptionally short or extraordinarily little in size; significantly smaller than usual or average

efface

verb

To cause to vanish by wiping or rubbing out

efficacy

noun

The capacity or aptitude to bring about a desired outcome or effect

emollient 

adjective

Possessing the property of being less painful, especially to the skin

embody

verb

To convey the idea that you represent or are representing

endemic

noun

Incredibly typical, prevalent, or exclusive to a specific area, population, or group of individuals

enhance

verb

To amplify, raise, or improve something's strength, extent, or quality, as in its price, worth, appeal, or efficiency

ephemeral 

adjective

Lasting for a very little period

esoteric

adjective

Comprehended exclusively by a chosen few or a tiny group

evanescent 

adjective

Quickly vanishing or fading from sight, memory, or existence; existing for only a brief period

extraneous 

adjective

Not essential to perform something

feasible 

adjective 

Able to be performed or completed

fluctuate

verb

To sway back and forth; to rise and fall; to undulate

gargantuan 

adjective

Extremely huge in size or quantity; enormous in scope, magnitude, or degree; massive, enormous, gigantic

germinal

adjective

In a state of development; embryological

gustatory

noun

Regards the perception of taste

hierarchy 

noun

A method of ranking individuals or things according to their status

hinder 

verb

To obstruct or impede progress

homogeneous 

adjective

The same or comparable kind or nature

hubris

noun

Extreme confidence or pride that offends others; arrogance brought on by excessive confidence or passion

hypochondriac

adjective

A person who constantly makes assumptions about their own health and thinks they are ill when they are not at all

ideology

noun

A group of beliefs that shape or rule an individual or society

idiosyncrasy 

noun

A peculiar or extraordinary behavior pattern, quality, or trait that distinguishes a person from the majority of others

illicit 

adjective

Not allowed by law, custom, rule, etc.; unlawful

impinge

verb

To have an adverse impact on something, frequently restricting it

inherent 

adjective

Being as a fundamental and indivisible feature, characteristic, right, or trait in someone or something

jargon 

noun

Specialized language or expressions that are difficult to understand

lachrymose 

noun

A propensity for constantly or easily crying

limpid 

adjective

Easily understandable; calm and worry-free

malleable 

adjective

(Of metal or other material) able to be hammered, pounded, or pushed into different shapes without breaking or cracking 

marginal 

adjective

Very small

motley

noun

A mixed-race group; polychromatic

myriad

noun

An enormous number, frequently one that cannot be counted 

nascent

adjective

Arising or starting to exist; Just began or formed

nuclear

adjective

Using or utilizing nuclear energy or weapons; connected to an atom's nucleus

opaque

adjective

Not allowing light to penetrate through

orthodox 

adjective

Holding beliefs that are conventional or outdated

paradigm

noun

Something that is used as a model or as an example

parameter

noun

A limit to a certain action or procedure

philistine

noun

A crude person who lacks culture and does not appreciate or comprehend the art

placebo

noun

A benign chemical that has no discernible impact on the user

plethora

noun

An abundance of (anything), especially more than you need, want or can handle

pliable 

adjective

Simple to sculpt into different shapes

predominant 

adjective

Most effective, eminent or supreme

prolific 

adjective

A vast amount of something being produced

quirk 

noun

A strange behavioral pattern in one's personal life

recapitulate 

verb

To more succinctly rephrase or summarize something 

rectitude

noun

Moral uprightness

reprobate 

noun

A non-principled individual

sacrosanct 

noun

Something that is regarded as holy

sanction 

noun

A formal endorsement of a move or action

sporadic

adjective

Occurs infrequently; not continuously or routinely; without a pattern 

static 

adjective

Not acting or acting in a way that is particularly undesired or boring

therapeutic

adjective

Possessing healing abilities; having a beneficial impact on the body or mind

turgid 

adjective

Enlarged or swollen

unalloyed 

adjective

Pure; unmixed

urbane

adjective

(Of a person, especially a male) polite, considerate, and self-assured in a refined manner

vertigo

noun

A loss of equilibrium or faintness that is frequently brought on by being high up

vicissitude

noun

The ups and downs of life; the changes that take place over one's lifetime, frequently making things worse

virulent

adjective

Extremely contagious (of a pathogen, especially a virus)

zealot 

noun

A passionate believer who is unyielding in the pursuit of their beliefs, aspirations, or other goals

Additional FAQs – MCAT Vocabulary List

Does Spelling Matter in Your Responses?

A few spelling mistakes in the MCAT do not matter. They do not interfere with the response's overall ease and flow. 

However, try to make your responses are free of spelling errors. 

Like enhancing your vocabulary, improving your spelling while preparing for the MCAT is a sure way to ensure you get a great MCAT score.

Is Vocabulary Tested Only in the CARS Section?

As mentioned previously, your vocabulary plays a crucial role in all MCAT sections, not only in the CARS section. 

It may be essential in the CARS section, but that does not mean you can ace the other three sections with a weak vocabulary.

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