Subjects on the MCAT | Scoring System | International Locations for MCAT | MCAT Practice Tests
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized entrance exam required by medical schools in the United States and Canada. Designed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the exam is an achievement test, rather than an aptitude test. This means that the exam tests cummulative mastery of various disciplines rather than the potential for learning. Because of this, the exam is a "high stakes" exam that measures your achievement at a single point in time compared to all test takers. Therefore, adequate preparation is essential, not only in having completed the prerequisite science courses whose material is tested on the MCAT, but in personal test preparation and planning.
The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and a writing assessment. There will be 22 administrations of the exam beginning in 2007. View the MCAT 2008 Schedule at this link.
View the MCAT 2009 schedule here.
For complete information and registration details for the computer-based MCAT, go to the MCAT website.
The new computer-based MCAT is a half day exam composed of four sections: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, and a Writing Sample. The Physical Sciences section contains questions in introductory courses: general, non-calculus physics and general chemistry. The Biological Sciences section contains questions on biology and organic chemistry. Both science sections include data presented in the form of graphs, charts, and tables. The science questions are designed to evaluate basic concepts, ability to solve problems and to interpret data in various formats.
The Verbal Reasoning section is designed to test critical thinking and the use of reasoning skills. Subject matter knowledge is not being tested; rather a passage of text is presented with interpretation required.
The Writing Sample consists of two essays; each allotted 30 minutes of writing time. The topics of the essays are broad and varied. View writing sample examples at this link.
Access the MCAT Student Manual for further information. Frequently Asked Questions
Each of the four sections is scored individually. Verbal Reasoning, Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences sections are scored on a numerical scale ranging from a low of 1 to a high of 15. The Writing Sample section is scored alphabetically, with a low of J to a high of T. A composite (total) score is also reported which is the sum of the numerical scores plus the Writing Sample score, for example, 32P.
International Locations for the MCAT
If you are taking the MCAT outside of the United States, there are a variety of international locations.
MCAT Practice Tests and Publications
A number of practice tests are available online and for purchase through the AAMC. Further information can be obtained on the MCAT Website.
Why take practice tests? They provide very important help, ranging from familiarity with test format to the ability to develop your own testing strategy and the identification before hand of areas that you need to improve.
There are other services that offer practice tests and test taking preparation. You can access a range of these services by doing a web based search. Here are links to some service providers.
