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MCAT Prep Course |
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What is tested on the MCAT? How important is the MCAT in the admissions process? When should I take the MCAT? What is the test day like? What is the format of the Science sections? What is the weighting within the Science sections? What is the format of the Verbal Reasoning section? What is the format of the Writing Sample section? How should I study for the MCAT? What mathematical concepts do I need to know? What science topics do I need to know? Would courses in physiology, genetics, etc. help me? What problem-solving skills should I practice? How should I study for Verbal Reasoning? Would a speed reading course help me prepare for Verbal Reasoning? How should I prepare for the Writing Sample? Should I buy an MCAT Study Guide? Should I take a prep course? How is the computerized MCAT different than the paper-and-pencil MCAT? Why switch from a paper-and-pencil MCAT to a computerized MCAT? Has the content changed? Will the role of the MCAT in admissions change? Is the computerized MCAT an adaptive test (CAT)? What do I need to bring to the testing center? Will special computer skills be needed to take the computerized MCAT? Will I be able take notes and eliminate answer choices on screen? Will I be able to go back and change my answers? Will the Writing Sample be typed? Is there Spell Check? Can I use scratch paper at the test site? Will earplugs be available? Can I bring my own earplugs? Will the computerized MCAT be available in languages other than English? Will the computerized MCAT be scored differently? Will my computerized test be compared to past paper and pencil tests? Can I still void my test? When will my score be ready? How will I get my scores? Will there be rescoring of the computerized MCAT? How is the MCAT scored? What is a good MCAT score? Are different sections of the MCAT more important than other sections? Are there any questions that are not scored? How long are MCAT scores valid? Can I decide not to release my score but change my mind after I get my score? Should I apply with my current MCAT score or should I take the test again? How do medical schools interpret multiple MCAT attempts? Is it easier to score higher in the winter when "weaker" students supposedly write the MCAT?
What is tested on the MCAT? The MCAT or Medical College Admission Test consists of 4 sections: Physical Sciences (General Chemistry, Physics), Biological Sciences (Biology, Organic Chemistry), Writing Sample, and Verbal Reasoning. The Science sections test your knowledge of basic concepts with an emphasis on problem-solving, applications, and critical thinking. The Verbal Reasoning section tests your ability to understand, evaluate, and apply information presented in written form. And your writing skills are evaluated through two essay-style questions in the Writing Sample. How important is the MCAT in
the admissions process? It varies. In the US, your MCAT score
is typically given as much weight as your GPA. And if there is a large
discrepancy between your MCAT score and GPA, the tendency is to give
your MCAT score more weight. In Canada, the MCAT is not quite as important
- although you still need stellar MCAT scores to be admitted to med
school. Some schools - such as McMaster and Ottawa - do not require
applicants to write the MCAT. Most schools, however, have "cut-offs"
- minimum acceptable scores - used to screen out applicants.
When should I take the MCAT? Most schools require you to take the MCAT at least one year prior to when you plan to begin medical school. The best time to write the MCAT, however, is probably during the summer after your second year of undergraduate studies. Some students even take it after first year if they have completed the requisite Science courses. This is when MCAT concepts - those covered in introductory courses - are fresh in your mind. MCAT passages may discuss advanced topics but the questions do not test your knowledge of these topics.
What is the format of the Science sections? There are 52 multiple-choice questions in each Science section. Most are based on passages of approximately 250 words but there are also a few stand-alone questions. MCAT questions do not directly test your knowledge of basic concepts or your ability to make simple calculations; instead, the questions require you to apply your knowledge and interpret information to find the correct answer. There are four types of passages and each will have an approximately equal number of questions:
What is the weighting within the Science sections? In Physical Sciences, general chemistry and physics are weighted equally. But Biological Sciences is skewed so 60-70% of questions are from biology and 30-40% of questions are from organic chemistry. What is the format of the Verbal Reasoning section? Verbal Reasoning consists of 40 multiple choice questions based on several passages - each 500-600 words - from humanities, social sciences and science topics not tested in other MCAT sections. There are no independent questions in Verbal Reasoning. Sets of questions in Verbal Reasoning are presented in order of difficulty - that is, from easiest to hardest. This order is based on the average difficulty of the questions in each set. However, a given set of questions contains both easier and more difficult questions. What is the format of the Writing Sample section? The Writing Sample tests your ability to compose a short, reasoned discussion based on a statement of opinion, philosophy, or policy. The Writing Sample directs you to explain a general statement, identify a possible exception, and resolve the contradiction between the general statement and the exception.
How should I study for the MCAT? You can't cram for the MCAT. So get started early - at least 6 months before test day - and stay disciplined by sticking to a regular study schedule. Whatever study methods served you well in the past should also help you prepare for the MCAT: read textbooks, make study sheets and cue cards, form a study group, etc. For more focussed review, consider buying a study guide customized to the MCAT. But do some research first as some MCAT study guides are much better than others. Most importantly, take lots of timed practice MCATs to improve your problem-solving skills and time management. Practice MCATs are available from the AAMC - http://www.AAMC.org/students/MCAT/practicetests.htm - and in bookstores, or through prep courses. And check out Free Study Aids. And, lastly, you may consider taking a prep course. What mathematical concepts do I need to know? Some MCAT problems will require that you understand the basic mathematical concepts below:
What science topics do I need to know? See our Free Study Lists. Would courses in physiology, genetics, etc. help me? Not really. Such courses are unnecessary for the MCAT. They may be somewhat helpful if they help you understand a few questions more quickly. But such slight benefits do not justify taking these courses unless they are of personal interest and/or useful for your degree. What problem-solving skills should I practice? MCAT questions test the following problem-solving skills:
How should I study for Verbal Reasoning? Avid readers generally score higher on verbal reasoning. The more you read, the better you get at reading. So read a lot and, more specifically, read short articles that express a point of view - such as editorials and opinion pieces in newspapers. And, as always, take lots of practice timed MCATs. Would a speed reading course help me prepare for Verbal Reasoning? Probably not. Most speed reading courses teach you how to skim - not how to read. Reading requires comprehension; skimming does not. While skimming may help you "cherry-pick" easier questions to answer first on the MCAT, you don't need a speed reading course for this. How should I prepare for the Writing Sample? In the Writing Sample, you are asked to:
Proficient writing is not a skill you can learn overnight. Try to take a few university courses that emphasize composition of well-written, well-organized essays. Such courses usually have a strong reading component that will also help you prepare for the MCAT. Should I buy an MCAT Study Guide? Yes. Studying exclusively from university textbooks is not recommended because the focus on the MCAT is primarily on concepts considered essential for the study of medicine. Some topics covered in your undergraduate textbooks are not relevant to the study of medicine so they are omitted from the MCAT. And the emphasis may be different - that is, some topics are not given prominence in textbooks but are very important on the MCAT. Should I take a prep course?
One practical way to make this decision is to take a full-length timed
practice MCAT at least 6 months before you plan to write the real
MCAT. If you score three 10s or better on the practice MCAT, you should
consider saving your money and studying on your own.
How is the computerized MCAT different than the paper-and-pencil MCAT?
Why switch
from a paper-and-pencil MCAT to a computerized MCAT? According the
AAMC, the computerized MCAT provides:
Will the role of the MCAT in admissions change? No. Is the computerized MCAT an adaptive test (CAT)? No. The computerized MCAT uses "fixed forms," constructed in advance. What do I need to bring to the testing center? One valid and current - that is, not expired - form of government-issued identification with a photo and a signature such as a driver's license or passport. Will special computer skills be
needed to take the computerized MCAT? No. You are only expected
to be familiar with the use of a keyboard and a mouse. Will I be able to go back and change my answers? Yes but only within the time allotted for the MCAT section you are working on. Once time expires, you can't go back to a section. Will the Writing Sample be typed? Yes. Can I use scratch paper at the test site? Scratch paper will be provided on site and will be collected at the completion of the test so that it can be discarded. You will not be allowed to remove the scratch paper from the room. Will earplugs be available? Yes. Can I bring my own earplugs? No. Will the computerized MCAT be available in languages other than English? No. Will the computerized MCAT be scored differently? No. Will my computerized test be compared to past paper and pencil tests? Yes. Can I still void my test? Yes. That option is available up until the end of the test, but not after your testing session has finished. When will my score be ready? 30 days after completion of the exam in 2007 and 14 days thereafter. How will I get my score? Scores will be distributed through the THx system. Will there be rescoring of the computerized MCAT? Yes. You can ask for a rescoring of the three multiple-choice sections, the Writing Sample, or both. The multiple-choice sections will be rescored by hand. Essays will be graded by a human reader external to the original scoring process. You must write to the AAMC within four months after the test date. Address your letter to: Attention: MCAT CBT Rescoring Service In your letter, explain why you feel rescoring is warranted and identify yourself by name, Social Security Number (SSN/SIN) or the ID number assigned to you by the CBT Program Office, mailing address, and telephone number. Specify the date of the test and the sections you wish rescored. There are fees: $50 to rescore the multiple-choice sections, $50 to
rescore Writing Sample essays, or $100 to rescore both. You can enclose
payment by check, money order, or credit card information (MasterCard
or VISA 16-digit card number, expiration date, amount, and signature
of cardholder).
How is the MCAT scored? In Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, and Biological Sciences your raw score is based on the number of questions answered correctly. Raw scores are converted to a scale ranging from 1 (lowest) to 15 (highest). The Writing Sample is scored by one human grader and one computer grader using a 6-point scale. The combined score from the two essays (2 to 12 out of 12) are then converted to an alphebetic scale ranging from J (lowest) to T (highest):
Your total score - the sum of your scores in individual sections - is also reported. For example, if you scored 36 in the multiple-choice sections and S in the writing section, your reported score will be 36S. The highest possible score is 45T. What is a good MCAT score? For most med schools, a composite score of 30 and a GPA of 3.5/4 or higher will be very competitive. Also, "balanced" scores (e.g. 10, 10, 10) are viewed more favourably than "lopsided" scores (e.g. 12, 12, 6). Are different sections of the MCAT more important than other sections?Yes. The Writing Sample is much less important than the other sections - although the trend is that it is slowly gaining more importance. A very high score (S or T) is helpful and a very low score (J or K) is detrimental. Anything in between is unlikely to have much impact on your prospects. Some schools practically ignore the Writing Sample and, instead, assess your writing skills on your personal statement. A number of Canadian schools have Writing Sample cut-offs, below which you are rejected, and the University of Manitoba assigns a numerical value to your Writing Sample score and includes this in the calculation of your average score. The University of Western Ontario attaches more value to Verbal Reasoning than to the other MCAT sections. Are there any questions that are not scored?Yes. Every MCAT includes a few questions used to calibrate the exam or are later deemed too ambiguous or too difficult to be counted. So if you encounter a confusing or impossible question, don't panic as it could turn out to be one of the discarded questions. How long are MCAT scores valid?The oldest MCAT score that a school will consider varies from school to school but 5 years is typically as far back as most schools will look. Can I decide not to release my score but change my mind after I get my score?Yes. But medical schools will be informed that you originally opted not to release your scores and later decided to release them. This is a new rule so it is not yet known how medical schools will interpret this information. Should I apply with my current MCAT score or should I take the test again?As a general rule, go ahead and apply if you scored above 27. If, however, you scored lower than 24, consider taking the MCAT again and study even harder. Scores in the 24- 27 range are in a grey zone: whether to take the test again depends on the strength of the rest of your application and which schools you are applying to. How do medical schools interpret multiple MCAT attempts?Most schools consider your highest overall MCAT score in evaluating your final application. If you take the test more than once, medical school will expect some improvement because you now have "test familiarity." Is it easier to score higher in the winter when "weaker" students supposedly write the MCAT?This is a myth. The AAMC goes to great lengths to ensure that the date when you take the MCAT will have no effect on your final scores. Performances on each test date are compared with performances on other test dates using classical equating theory from the field of psychometrics.
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