Applying to Medical School
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
What is the MCAT?
The MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) is a standardized exam required for entry to most U.S. medical schools. The MCAT is administered on computer. The test is used to assess the applicants’ aptitude for scientific problem solving, critical thinking, understanding scientific concepts and writing skills. It consists of four subsections: physical sciences, verbal reasoning, writing sample, and biological sciences.
The Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences Sections consist entirely of multiple choice questions with four possible answer choices for each question. For each of the two Writing Samples, students are given a single statement and asked to explain how the statement is true, under what circumstances the statement might be false, and what guidelines one might use to determine the veracity of the statement for a given circumstance.
Please refer to the MCAT web site (http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm) for details regarding registration, test dates, test locations and exam content.
MCAT Preparation
Overview
Start Early! The very first thing you should do in preparation for the MCAT is to become familiar with their website (http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm), and download the MCAT Essential which can be accessed from their website. This pamphlet is full of all the information you will find on this page plus much, much more.
The MCAT along with your GPA is used by the admissions committees at medical schools to help determine your academic capabilities. Good scores on this test can help get you an interview. The MCAT is a test that you can study for and it is important to set aside some time to prepare. Start your preparations early; you can not “cram” for this test. Be aware that you are not allowed to use any note cards with formulae or equations and calculators are not permitted. Study without continually referring to and using these tools in order to improve your skills. Improve your mental math, long division, and multiplication skills as well as your familiarity with logarithms and fractions.
Begin with a careful review of the information available on the MCAT web site. In particular, take note of the “Preparing for the MCAT” page (http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/preparing/start.htm), and “Preparing for the MCAT FAQ” page (http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/preparing/prepfaq.htm). The “Preparing for the MCAT FAQ” includes sample topics, a description of skills assessed, test items, and answer keys for the Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences sections of the exam. The Writing Sample section includes sample essays and score explanation, and describes how to organize and compose responses. In addition, you will also need to review relevant course outlines, notes, and textbooks, particularly in the sciences.
Study Materials
A number of commercial review courses and other review materials are available to help prepare students to take the MCAT. The materials available range from study guides, formal courses, video-based courses, online courses, to private tutoring. These materials are expensive. Only you can determine if it is worth the extra cost to pursue this avenue of study. On-site (classroom) courses are not offered in Montana, but a self-study (video-based) Kaplan course is available through the Mansfield Library (www.kaplan.com). Enrollment in commercial review courses is not necessary to do well on the MCAT, but some individuals report that they benefit from the structured review of these courses.
Some notable study materials are the Kaplan books and the Examkrackers Complete Study Guide (http://www.examkrackers.com). You can find and research these materials online. (http://www.amazon.com/).
Practice MCAT
Practice! Practice! Practice! One of the most important things you can do in preparing to take the MCAT is to familiarize yourself with the test so there will be no surprises when test day comes. After you have familiarized yourself with the material you should take one or more of the official practice MCAT practice tests located on the MCAT website. When you take the practice test, try to replicate the actual testing environment as closely as possible. Minimize distractions, time yourself, and take the sections in their standard order.
In addition, a free practice test is available online at www.e-mcat.com. This practice test provides optional interactive feedback that candidates can turn on or off, automated scoring, and a sophisticated diagnostic summary report across content areas. It also permits candidates to select an entire examination or a section only, and to customize items selected by content area, type of skill, type of reading passage, or item difficulty.
Other practice tests can be found by searching online. Also, Professor Judd has many paper format tests available in his office that you can use to practice. Furthermore, the Pre-Med Club occasionally offers practice MCATs during the school year. If this is something you are interested in you should visit the Pre-Med Club page.
Still have questions?
One important thing to remember throughout your application/MCAT process is that there are always people willing to help you out. If you still have any questions at all regarding the MCAT you should contact Professor Judd or your friendly neighborhood Pre-Med Club. If you would simply like to sit down and to talk to someone who has been through the process already and would be able to offer advice, the Pre-Med Club can put you in contact with someone who can help. These resources are here to help you and you should take advantage of them.
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