First of all, let us address the first and basic question – what does MCAT stand for? MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test. The MCAT Test is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). This is a standardized test, just like the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT, but the chief difference is that this Test serves as the main determinant for granting students admission into medical schools. Almost all medical schools in the United States and many in Canada require MCAT exam scores as an admission criterion. The MCAT exam, which was last updated in 1991, has been revised by the AAMC in April of 2015 to reflect developments in medicine and science and assess examinees not just on what they know but also on how well they apply what they know. The MCAT test is crucial in preparing the next generation of physicians and medical doctors.
So, what is MCAT? The MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is a computer-based standardized, multiple-choice exam that evaluates a candidate’s problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and knowledge of natural, biological, and psychological foundations of behavior. MCAT also examines social science concepts and values that are required for medical school admission. The Test consists of 4 major sections and is of 7 hours and 30 minutes. It is administered about 15 times each year, at regular intervals.
To understand the fundamentals of the MCAT, here is a quick look at some of its basic information:
Important: Voids and no-shows count toward lifetime limits.
While the last and fourth part on critical thinking in the MCAT checks the candidate’s ability to analyze and comprehend what they read, the first three parts aim to assess the candidate’s scientific expertise in organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, psychology, physics, and sociology. For those who wonder how many questions are on the MCAT, the answer is 230 in all.
Test Format
The table below is a break-up of the MCAT, its sections, what each section tests, and the number of questions and allotted time for each of them:
Section | Test Parameters | No. of Questions | Allotted Time |
---|---|---|---|
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | Basic biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry | 59 multiple-choice | 95 minutes |
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | General chemistry, basic biochemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biology | 59 multiple-choice | 95 minutes |
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior | Introductory psychology, sociology, and biology | 59 multiple-choice | 95 minutes |
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | Reading comprehension*; passages from humanities and social sciences disciplines | 53 multiple-choice | 90 minutes |
*The Reading Comprehension section is similar to those of other standardized tests, such as GRE, GMAT, or LSAT
Note: The MCAT has two optional 10-minute breaks and one 30-minute mid-exam break. Candidates can move on to the next section if they finish the previous section early or if they want to skip one of the optional breaks. However, the remaining time from a finished section, or a skipped break, cannot be carried over to the next section of the Test.
MCAT: Question Types
As illustrated in the test format table above, the MCAT has four sections, each of which is designed for a specific purpose. For example, the questions in the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section analyses how applying one’s understanding of the ten Foundational Concepts and using Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning skills can solve problems. Information presented in tables, maps, and graphs is also used in some queries. Another example is the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section, which assesses the examinee’s ability to understand, interpret, and evaluate what they read and the skills to draw inferences from the text and apply arguments and ideas to new circumstances.
Here are some sample questions of each MCAT test section:
Note: The MCAT official website provides the same questions through what is called the ‘Practice with Exam Features Tool’. This tool mimics the ‘look and feel’ of the MCAT exam, and along with other free resources, can be accessed by candidates through the MCAT Official Prep Hub by logging in to their AAMC account.
Test Scores
Candidates often wonder – “how is the MCAT scored?” The MCAT total score range, which is the sum of all section scores, is between 472 and 528 (528 being the maximum). Each section is scored on a scale of 118 to 132 but may vary each year based on difficulty levels.
Another frequently asked question is – “what is a good MCAT score?”. The answer to this question is not very straightforward. But based on past trends, it is safe to assume that a good score for successful admission into some of the top medical schools in the United States is in the MCAT score range of 515 to 520. The average MCAT score is about 500.
It is important to note that along with the MCAT score, candidates will get a percentile rank to help them compare their performance to that of other test-takers. The table below shows a summary of MCAT Percentile Ranks with relation to total scores, from May 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020:
[source: aamc.org]
Total Score | Percentile |
---|---|
528 | 100 |
527 | 100 |
526 | 100 |
525 | 100 |
524 | 100 |
523 | 99 |
522 | 99 |
521 | 99 |
520 | 98 |
519 | 97 |
518 | 96 |
517 | 95 |
516 | 93 |
515 | 92 |
514 | 90 |
513 | 88 |
512 | 85 |
511 | 83 |
510 | 80 |
Total Score | Percentile |
---|---|
509 | 77 |
508 | 74 |
507 | 71 |
506 | 68 |
505 | 65 |
504 | 61 |
503 | 58 |
502 | 54 |
501 | 51 |
500 | 47 |
499 | 44 |
498 | 41 |
497 | 37 |
496 | 34 |
495 | 31 |
494 | 28 |
493 | 25 |
492 | 23 |
491 | 20 |
Total Score | Percentile |
---|---|
490 | 18 |
489 | 16 |
488 | 14 |
487 | 12 |
486 | 10 |
485 | 8 |
484 | 7 |
483 | 6 |
482 | 5 |
481 | 4 |
480 | 3 |
479 | 2 |
478 | 2 |
477 | 1 |
476 | 1 |
475 | <1 |
474 | <1 |
473 | <1 |
472 | <1 |
Note: The ‘Percentile Rank’ column shows the percentage of scores that are equal to or less than each score point. These percentile ranks are based on all combined MCAT results from the test years of 2016, 2017, and 2018. Updates to the percentile ranks are made each year, on May 1.
Of course, another important and frequently asked question is, “how much does the MCAT cost?”. The MCAT cost is $320 to register for 3 ‘Zones’ to choose Gold, Silver, and Bronze. There is also an AAMC Fee Assistance Program that assists those who would be unable to take the MCAT exam or apply to medical schools that use the AMCAS without financial assistance. Among the benefits of this program are discounted tuition, complimentary MCAT Official Prep products, and more.
The table below illustrates the fees relating to the MCAT:
Gold Zone 29+ days before the Test | Silver Zone 15 to 28 days before the Test | Bronze Zone 8 to 14 days before the Test | |
---|---|---|---|
Initial Registration | $320 $130 w/Fee Assistance | $320 $130 w/Fee Assistance | $320 $130 w/Fee Assistance |
Date and/or Test Center Reschedule | – | – | – |
Cancellation Refund | $320 $130 w/Fee Assistance | $320 $130 w/Fee Assistance | $320 $130 w/Fee Assistance |
International Fee* | $115 | $115 | $115 |
*These fees are in addition to the initial registration fee and are non-refundable if registration is canceled. Except for Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, all other countries, provinces, or territories are considered International sites. For detailed information on fees and updates on fee revisions, candidates are advised to check the official MCAT Scheduling Fees page.
More information on the AAMC Fee Assistance Program is available here.
Studying and thoroughly preparing for the MCAT is essential to get high scores. The MCAT is a very rigorous test, and apart from its intended objectives, it can also test one’s grit and patience. And for those who ask how long to study for MCAT? – the answer is a subjective one. Some take about or over a year, while others take 3 to 6 months. It all hinges on the number of study hours one puts in, and one’s academic strengths, reasoning, analytic, logical skills, and many other factors.
Here is a quick rundown of how best to study for the MCAT Test, as advised by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC):
How to prepare for the MCAT is a typical question that candidates ask once they have discovered that they are required to take the MCAT test for admission to a medical school. Preparing for the MCAT takes a long time and a lot of effort, spanning many months. Here is a simple guide based on the official AAMC prescribed one, which seems like the best advice for MCAT prep:
Note: All these points and more are covered in the AAMC’s step-by-step guide and are available as a PDF document titled “How to Create a Study Plan for the MCAT Exam” on the MCAT official website.
The MCAT Test day is certainly a very long one. The test process alone takes up 7 hours and 30 minutes. Taking things easy the previous day will help to a great extent. Candidates should sit back and get their minds off the MCAT, except for the basic checks that need to be done. Here are a few tips for the day before the MCAT test:
The day of the MCAT Test always gives candidates the jitters! While there is not much one can do to help test-related nervousness, making a note of a few dos and don’ts will take the anxiety off as far as protocol and compliance are concerned. Here are a few very important points to make a note of for the test day:
Checking In
Candidates are required to check-in upon arriving at the test center. The Test Administrator will ask them to sign in, present a valid form of ID, and have their palms digitally scanned. A test-day photo will also be taken.
Valid Identification
Candidates will need to present a valid ID that meets the AAMC’s requirements for valid identification to enter the testing room. To comply with the AAMC’s requirements, the ID should:
The following IDs are not accepted:
Items for the Testing Room
There are strictly only a few items that candidates are permitted to carry into the testing room. These are:
Those who may require medicines or medical aid (such as an insulin pump) should check with test officials for what is permitted and what is not.
Note: Since no other item is allowed into the testing room, candidates will be provided with a Noteboard Booklet and fine-point-marker to take down any notes or make calculations during the exam.
Items for Breaks
The MCAT exam allows two optional 10-minute breaks and one 30-minute mid-exam break. During these breaks, candidates are allowed access to only food, water, and medication and must adhere to the following rules by which they:
Candidates can take the MCAT up to 3 times in a single testing year, or up to 4 times in a two consecutive-year period, or up to 7 times in a lifetime. It is important to note that voids and no-shows also count toward lifetime limits.
The MCAT test requires long hours of study to be put in, coupled with discipline, dedication, and determination. To give a boost to preparation efforts, here are a few resources for candidates to make the most of:
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