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MCAT CPBS Section — Dr. Donnelly
CPBS — Section #4

Master the CPBS
with Expert Help

The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBS) integrates chemistry and physics through a biological lens. Dr. Donnelly’s Science Passage Buster strategy eliminates the “detail trap” and trains you to extract the right answer in under 3 minutes per passage.

59Questions
95Minutes
25%Of Total Score
#4Section
CPBS Section Breakdown

Five Disciplines. One Section.

The CPBS section demands a tightly integrated knowledge of general chemistry, physics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and biology. Know the weighting to prioritise your study time wisely.

30%
30%

General Chemistry

Covers acid-base equilibria, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, and solutions chemistry. Tested through passage-based contexts requiring both conceptual and calculation-based skills.

Highest WeightFC 5
25%
25%

Physics

Focuses on mechanics, fluid dynamics, electricity, optics, and waves applied in biological and medical contexts. Expect passage-based questions that test conceptual understanding over plug-and-chug calculation.

FC 4Applied Physics
25%
25%

Biochemistry

Enzyme kinetics, protein chemistry, metabolic pathways, and thermodynamics of biochemical reactions overlap heavily with BBLS content — a strong biochemistry foundation pays dividends across two sections.

FC 5Enzyme Kinetics
15%
15%

Organic Chemistry

Primarily focuses on reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy as they relate to biological molecules. Lab techniques and separation methods also appear in this section.

FC 5Spectroscopy
5%
5%

Introductory Biology

A small but present slice that bridges physics and chemistry into biological systems — particularly membrane transport, cell signalling, and physiological processes relevant to the medical context.

Bio-ContextMembrane Physics
Science Passage Buster Strategy

Eliminate the
“Detail Trap”

The biggest mistake CPBS students make is getting lost in passage details. Dr. Donnelly’s Science Passage Buster trains you to navigate passages strategically — never reading everything, always extracting what matters.

Passage-to-Question Speed (<3 minutes)Train to complete passage navigation and begin answering questions within 3 minutes. Slow passage readers consistently run out of time in CPBS.
Visual Data MasteryGraphs, tables, and reaction schemes are not decoration — they carry the answers. Identify the independent variable, dependent variable, and trend before reading a single question.
Strategic CalculationNo calculator is provided. Master rapid estimation, significant figures, and scientific notation so you can confirm the correct magnitude quickly without full calculation.
Master Physical Sciences with DrMCAT

Expert Guidance.
Proven Results.

Dr. Donnelly’s personalised approach identifies your exact weaknesses then closes them systematically. Students leave sessions with both content confidence and a strategic toolkit.

Identify High-Yield TopicsNot all content is weighted equally. Dr. Donnelly pinpoints the highest-yield concepts in each sub-discipline and ensures mastery before moving on.
Bridge Content GapsMost students have uneven preparation across the five disciplines. Diagnostics reveal gaps quickly and targeted sessions close them efficiently.
Optimise Test-Taking LogicBeyond content, CPBS rewards strategic thinking. Learn how to use elimination, data trends, and passage context to drive your answer selection even when content is uncertain.
MCAT® CPBS: Core Competencies

Master the 2 Foundational Concepts

The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section is built around two Foundational Concepts that span the full range of mechanical, electrical, chemical, and biological interactions.

FC 4
Foundational Concept 4: Physical Principles in Biological SystemsMaster the physics and physical chemistry that underlie biological structures and medical procedures — from mechanics to atomic phenomena.
4A — Mechanical DynamicsTranslational and rotational motion, forces, work, energy, and momentum applied to biological systems.
4B — Fluid MasteryFluid statics and dynamics, Bernoulli’s principle, viscosity, and surface tension in circulatory and respiratory contexts.
4C — Bio-ElectronicsElectrostatics, circuits, capacitance, and electrochemistry as they apply to nerve conduction and medical devices.
4D — Wave InteractionsSound, light, optics, and electromagnetic waves — particularly their medical and diagnostic applications.
4E — Atomic BehaviorAtomic structure, nuclear reactions, radioactive decay, and their application in medical imaging.
FC 5
Foundational Concept 5: Molecular Dynamics in Chemical & Biological SystemsUnderstand how chemical principles govern molecular interactions, laboratory techniques, and the physical properties of biologically relevant molecules.
5A — Aqueous EnvironmentsWater properties, acid-base chemistry, buffers, and ionic equilibria in biological systems.
5B — Molecular InteractionsIntermolecular forces, colligative properties, and solubility rules.
5C — Laboratory PrecisionSeparation techniques, spectroscopy, and experimental methods used in biochemistry research.
5D — Biological MoleculesStructure and reactivity of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides.
5E — Energetics & RatesThermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and enzyme catalysis mechanisms.
General Chemistry — 30%
Physics — 25%
Biochemistry — 25%
Organic Chemistry — 15%
Biology — 5%
⚛ Physical Sciences Expert

Why Choose
Dr. Stuart Donnelly?

With a Ph.D. from Oxford and over two decades of MCAT tutoring experience, Dr. Donnelly brings elite academic rigour and practical test strategy together in a single, powerful package.

Learn from a Leading Expert

Recognised as one of the country’s most experienced MCAT educators, Dr. Donnelly delivers a personalised experience that generic courses cannot replicate:

Ph.D. from Oxford University — unmatched academic foundation in physical sciences
20+ Years of specialised MCAT tutoring with a documented track record
Science Passage Buster — proprietary strategy built exclusively for CPBS
Author of acclaimed MCAT prep books used by students nationwide
Recognised Excellence: Cited as one of the most qualified MCAT tutors in the country
★★★★★500+ students mentored • Ph.D. Oxford University
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today!
Dr. Stuart Donnelly
Science Passage BusterProprietary Strategy
📈
CPBS Section #425% of total score
Special Offer — Free First Session

Ready to Crack
the CPBS Section?

Stop letting passage details overwhelm you. The Science Passage Buster gives you a repeatable framework to navigate any CPBS passage in under 3 minutes and convert it into points.

500+Students helped
FC 4–5Fully covered
100%Free first session
In-person (San Diego) or online via Zoom
Science Passage Buster — proprietary CPBS method
Foundational Concepts 4 & 5 fully covered
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