Medical College Admission Test
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The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized test administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to prospective medical students as a means to standardise comparison between them for purposes of admission to medical school. The exam is currently taken entirely on paper. However, a computer-based version was offered at select testing sites in the fall of 2005, and all future administrations of the exam starting in the spring of 2007 are expected to be computer-based.
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Overview
The test is administered twice a year, once in April and once in August. The test consists of four sections:
- physical sciences (PS),
- verbal reasoning (VR),
- writing sample (WS), and
- biological sciences (BS).
The verbal, physical science, and biological science sections are in multiple-choice format. The writing sample is evaluated using two short essays that are written during the exam. Scores for the three multiple-choice sections range from 1 to 15. The average for the physical sciences and biological sciences is set to 8 for everyone who took the test, and each point above or below the average represents one half of a standard deviation difference from the mean. Scores for the writing section range from J to T.
The numerical scores from each section are added together to give a composite score. For example, if one's score on the physical, verbal, and biological sections is 12, 13, and 11, respectively, then the composite score would be 36. The score from the writing sample may also be appended to the composite score (e.g. 36S). The maximum composite score is 45T but any score over 30P is considered fairly competitive, as this is the average for matriculants to medical school.[1]
Exam administration
| Section | Questions | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Physical sciences | 77 | 100 |
| Verbal reasoning | 60 | 85 |
| Writing sample | 2 | 60 |
| Biological sciences | 77 | 100 |
The physical sciences section is administered first (prior to the April 2003 MCAT, verbal reasoning was the first section of the exam). It is composed of 77 multiple-choice questions related to general chemistry and physics. Exam takers are allotted 100 minutes to complete this section of the exam.
The verbal reasoning section follows the physical sciences section and a 10 minute break. Exam takers have 85 minutes to answer 60 multiple-choice questions evaluating their comprehension, evaluation, and application of information gathered from written passages. Unlike the physical and biological sciences sections, the verbal reasoning section does not require specific content knowledge in order to perform well.
After the verbal reasoning section is a 60-minute lunch break followed by the writing sample. Examinees are given 60 minutes (30 minutes for each prompt) to compose responses to two prompts. Each essay is graded from 1 to 6 points to make a scale where 2 points = J, 3 = K, on up to 12 points = T.
After the writing samples, there is a 10 minute break followed by the biological sciences section. Examinees have 100 minutes to answer 77 multiple-choice questions related to organic chemistry and biology.
Policies
Like some other professional exams (e.g. the LSAT) the MCAT may be voided on the day of the exam if the exam taker is not satisfied with his or her performance.
While wristwatches are allowed, the AAMC prohibits the use of calculators, timers, or other electronic devices during the exam [2]. Wristwatches must have the alarm disabled.
Only a #2 pencil may be used to bubble in the answer grid, and only black pens are allowed for the 2 writing samples.
Furthermore, writing in the margins of the writing sections is not allowed. Additions can only be made by writing in between the lines.
Preparation
Like most standardized tests, there are a variety of preparatory materials available. The AAMC itself offers both paper and computerized practice tests (composed of administered test questions and diagnostics) available for purchase at its website. Many test preparation companies such as Kaplan and Princeton Review offer classroom based courses. Approximately half of the students taking the MCAT use a test prep company.
Many books have been published by various test prep companies like Kaplan, Princeton Review, Barron's, Peterson's, Arco, Columbia Review, Examkrackers, and REA. These can all be purchased at brick-and-mortar or online bookstores.