Premed MCAT* Information

The new Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a prerequisite for admission to nearly all the medical schools in North America. Each year, over 50,000 premed applicants to American and Canadian medical schools submit MCAT test results. While the actual weight given to MCAT scores in the admissions process varies from school to school, often they are regarded in a similar manner to your premed CGPA (i.e. your academic standing).

In applying for medicine at some medical schools, for example, the MCAT score is as important as your four years of premed! On the other hand, some universities will set a minimum level of performance on the MCAT and then analyze school grades to decide who will be invited to the interviews. Either way, doing well is imperative for most applicants.

The MCAT is administered on a Saturday biannually, at the beginning of the academic year (usu. August) and at the end of the academic year (usu. April). To register for the MCAT, you should consult your premed adviser or contact:

MCAT Program
P.O. Box 4056
Iowa City, Iowa, 52243
Phone: (319) 337-1357
Web site:www.aamc.org

What are the upcoming MCAT* dates?

MCAT Test Dates

Is the MCAT* changing?

The MCAT changed in 1991 then instituted some minor changes in 2003. In 2007, the MCAT became somewhat shorter and changed to a Computer Based Test.

Here is a summary of the 2007 changes: 
the MCAT will be shorter (approximately 5 hours vs. the current testing time of 8 hours). 
Students will receive their MCAT scores more quicker. 
the MCAT will be offered more frequently throughout the year (up to 20 testing dates). 
the MCAT will be given in smaller, climate-controlled rooms. 
The computer based exams at MCAT-prep.com prepares for both formats of the MCAT.

What Subjects are on the MCAT*?

The MCAT will not only test your scientific knowledge in biology, physics, inorganic and organic chemistry, but will also measure your problem-solving, critical thinking and writing skills. The exam is divided into four sections: Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, the Writing Sample and Biological Sciences.

The Physical Sciences section contains physics and general chemistry. The Biological Sciences section contains biology and organic chemistry. All questions, save the Writing Sample, are multiple choice with four choices per question.

What is the Exam Schedule?

Click here: MCAT Schedule

How is the MCAT* scored?

The MCAT is scored for each of the four sections individually. The sections consisting of multiple choice questions are first scored right or wrong resulting in a raw score. Note that wrong answers are worth the same as unanswered questions so ALWAYS ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS even if you are not sure of certain answers. The raw score is then converted to a scaled score ranging from 1 (lowest) to 15 (highest). The scores are scaled to ensure that the same proportion of individual marks within each section (i.e. 1-15) are given year to year.

The essay is scored by two readers on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest). The combined scores from the two essays (2 to 12 out of 12) are then converted to a scale ranging from J (lowest) to T (highest):

The scores for each section and a cumulative score (i.e. a maximum of 45T) are reported to you, the schools you designate and, with your permission, to your undergraduate advisor.

How many times can I write the MCAT*?

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, you may write the exam essentially as often as you wish. Subsequently, the medical school to which you would apply may do any one of the following:

(i) evaluate the most recent score;
(ii) evaluate only the highest individual and/or set of scores;
(iii) evaluate an average of the sets of scores;
(iv) consider all scores equally and note the improvements.

www.MCAT-prep.com 

GMAT, LSAT and GRE Test prep info at

www.prep.com