All About the MCAT®
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What is the MCAT®?
The MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to help medical schools assess your:
- Mastery of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Facility with problem solving and critical thinking
- Communication and writing skills
Along with your grades, medical schools also use the MCAT to predict your ability to succeed academically in medical school. Nearly every U.S. medical school will require you to take the MCAT as part of the application process.
The test is divided into four sections:
- Physical sciences
- Biological sciences
- Verbal reasoning
- Writing sample
The two science sections evaluate your knowledge of core concepts, scientific problem-solving skills, and ability to interpret data in a tabular or graphic format. The verbal reasoning and writing sample sections assess your ability to comprehend, reason, and think critically, as well as your writing and analytic skills. By learning more about the MCAT and how medical schools use it in their admission decisions, you can reduce your anxiety about it.
Learn more at the AAMC's MCAT homepage .
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How important is the MCAT®?
Taking the MCAT is an important step in the application process, but the exam alone does not make or break your chances of getting in. Medical schools consider many factors when you apply - such as your academic strengths, exposure to health care and medical research environments, personal experiences and interests, potential contributions to the campus and community, and personal attributes, such as maturity and drive to help others - in addition to your MCAT scores.
That said, you certainly want to do your best and you can do things to strengthen your performance on the MCAT. Here are a few examples:
- Complete biology, general and organic chemistry, and physics coursework before taking the MCAT. If some time has passed since you took these pre-medical courses, review the course material before taking the test.
- Don't take the MCAT cold. The AAMC provides practice tests and sample essay questions on MCAT® Practice Online
. - Get extra help to beef up your test-taking skills. For example, take a reading comprehension class before you take the test. Campus academic advisors can be a resource for you on finding the additional support you need.
- Reduce your anxiety about taking the MCAT by learning more about it, preparing as best as you can to take it, and understanding how medical schools use it in admissions decisions.
Learn more at the AAMC's MCAT homepage .
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What is considered a good score on the MCAT®?
Although there's no official "good score," the average score of applicants who are accepted and enroll in medical school is about a 10 (on a scale of 1-15) in each of the physical sciences, biological sciences, and verbal reasoning sections of the MCAT, for an approximate total score of 30. For the writing sample, the average score is a "P" (on a scale of J-T).
Doing well on the MCAT improves your chances of getting into medical school. Nonetheless, there are students who score well on the MCAT, but who don't have the complete set of personal and intellectual qualities medical school admission committees are looking for. There are other students whose scores are lower, but whose application packages display background, characteristics, and attributes that, when considered in their entirety, outshine other candidates. Looking at the range of scores for students accepted in 2004-2005 helps to illustrate this point. For these students, scores ranged:
- From a low of 5 to a high of 15 on verbal reasoning
- From a low of 5 to a high 15 on physical sciences, as well as on the biological sciences
- From a low of J to a high of T on the writing sample
These score ranges demonstrate that the MCAT is not a make or break exam. Nonetheless, the number of applicants accepted on the low end of the range is small. So, your goal should be to do as well as you can.
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When should I take the MCAT®?
You should take the MCAT about 18 months prior to your expected entry into medical school. For example, if you want to start medical school in the fall of 2014, you should plan to take the MCAT in the spring of 2013. Many medical schools prefer that you take the MCAT in the spring because it gives the admissions committee more time to review your file. If you are enrolled in a summer school course that may help you on the MCAT, such as a science course, it may be best to take the MCAT in the summer or fall.
The MCAT is administered multiple times from late January through early September.
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What if I don't score well on the MCAT® the first time? How many times can I take it?
You can take the MCAT up to three times per calendar year. If you aren't satisfied with your MCAT scores, your pre-health advisor can help you decide if you should retake the exam.
Reasons you should retake the MCAT include:
- If there is a significant discrepancy between your college grades and MCAT scores
- If you took the test prematurely, that is, without adequate preparation or before finishing all relevant pre-medical coursework
- If you were seriously ill at the time of the exam
- If you get a recommendation from a medical school admissions officer or admissions committee member that the MCAT should be retaken.
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I cannot afford expensive test preparation courses. Are there resources to help me prepare for the MCAT®?
Expensive test preparation courses aren't the only way to get prepared for the MCAT. Check with your pre-health advisor about free or low-cost programs on and off campus that help students prepare for the MCAT. This includes enrichment programs that will enhance your overall knowledge and experience, such as the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) . There are also minority/diversity affairs offices at medical schools that sponsor MCAT preparation programs. Another approach is to form an MCAT study group with other students.
The AAMC publishes a variety of materials, including study aids and a previously administered test at no charge. A more extensive series of practice examinations is available for purchase ( $35 each) - at MCAT Practice Online . If you don't have enough money to pay for taking the MCAT, consider applying for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) . This program reduces the registration fee from $210 to $85 for potential medical school applicants who meet eligibility requirements and who would be unable to take the exam without financial assistance.
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