How important is the MCAT^®?

There’s no doubt taking the MCAT is an important step in the application process. But the exam alone does not make or break your chances of getting into medical school. There are students who score highly 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 when considered in their entirety, outshine other candidates.  In short, 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 premedical 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 its MCAT Practice Online Web Site.
• 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.

For More Information:

• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT®) Web Site  - Free Resource!
  The AAMC has created this Web site to offer comprehensive MCAT information, including test registration information, practice tests, test scoring information, and MCAT research data.
  
  

• Sample MCAT® Items & Essays  - Free Resource!
  This site provides links to sample MCAT passages, multiple-choice items, and Writing Sample essays, along with links to MCAT practice test materials.
  
  

• Practice Tests - Includes a link to one free full-length MCAT^®!
  On this site, you can find descriptions about the practice tests offered. There are also links to related publications and to the MCAT Practice Online site.
  
  

• Frequently Asked Questions About the MCAT® Exam  - Free Resource!
  This Q&A provides you with the basic, at-a-glance information about the MCAT.
  
  

• MCAT® Interpretive Manual (PDF, 42 pages) - Free Resource! 
  This manual is a guide for medical schools to help them understand and use MCAT scores in making admissions decisions.  It presents information about the design, objectives, interpretation, and use of the MCAT.
  
  

• MCAT® Practice Online
  This site includes free access to a single, full-length MCAT with all the features of MCAT Practice Online.  And, for a fee ($40), you can access hundreds of additional MCAT items, including several full-length practice tests.  MCAT Practice Online provides examinees with a test-taking experience that is very similar to the operational Computerized MCAT.  Additional features include automated scoring, diagnostic reports, and daily test-taking tips.