Medical College Admissions Test

The MCAT is offered in a computerized format and is a standardized multiple-choice examination designed to help admissions committees determine which applicants will perform optimally in medical school. The test is five hours long and consists of four parts, which are Verbal Reasoning (graded 1-15), Physical Science (graded 1-15), Biological Science (graded 1-15) and a writing sample (graded J-T) consisting of two essays. Revisions for 2003 were the addition of three questions on DNA and Genetics (general biology level) with three fewer organic chemistry questions in the Biological Sciences section (75% biology, 25% organic). Five questions (items) were eliminated from the Verbal Reasoning section with retention of the current time limit. The test is administered with the Physical Section first followed by the Verbal Reasoning section. Further information and test dates can be found here .

The test is given in 20 different test dates at 24 different times from January to September each year. Students are advised to take the test in April or May, 16 months before they will matriculate; most students take the test in the spring of their junior year. Scores are released in 30-34 days after taking the test and can be obtained on-line. The August/September test dates put students at a bit of a disadvantage in that their application will not be complete until late September which may hurt their admission chances.

Students must prepare for the MCAT and taking it without preparation is not wise. A correlation has been observed between the scores students obtain on the ACT and the MCAT, so if you did not do well on the ACT you will really need to prepare for the MCAT.

There are many approaches to preparing for the MCAT:

  • A practice MCAT usually is given in October at St. Olaf or can be obtained in a computerized format from Princeton Review or AAMC.
  • Preparation materials may be purchased from companies such as Betz Publishing, Kaplan, or the Princeton Review.
  • Practice tests can be purchased from any of the above or the Association of American Medical Colleges. A full array (3R, 4R, 5R, 6R, and 7, 8), of on-line practice tests are available for $80.00 at e-MCAT which also contains diagnostic feedback and item solutions. (Free access is available for Practice Test 3R.) Paper versions of many practice tests are available for check-out in the Biomedical Studies resource space in the Hustad Science Library.
  • MCAT study groups are organized through the Health Professions Committee chair (currently Ted Johnson) in December each year.
  • Some students choose to take the expensive (approximately $1400) on-campus MCAT preparation courses such as those offered by Kaplan or Princeton Review. Kaplan also offers a comprehensive online self-study course ($1300). Students should not feel pressured to take the Kaplan course and, in most cases, students can do an excellent preparation by studying independently in an organized manner over a period of several months.
  • Some students have found that the verbal score can be improved by taking the opportunity to read the newspaper online (especially the NY Times), particularly the health and science sections which can provide insight into health care issues.

Studying for the MCAT is required and the test should never be taken to practice or see "how I can do." Every score is reported or retained. A test can be repeated up to three times a year if the scores are not acceptable. Competitive scores depend on the student's GPA and choice of medical school. Most successful applicants have scores of 10 on each section and a writing score of M to O.

The MCAT is administered by the MCAT Program Office and the registration fee is $210. Registration on-line in the early spring (February or March) for the spring test periods or June for the July/August test periods by registering online. Register early to assure a seat at the computer test center of your choice. Questions can be directed to the following address:

MCAT Program Office
P.O. Box 4056
Iowa City , IA 52243
(319) 337-1357
www.aamc.org/MCAT

A fee reduction or fee waiver program is available for disadvantaged students. Accommodation requests for learning disabilities can be sent to the above address; accommodations such as un-timed tests are rarely given and it is unclear how medical school admissions view “untimed” test results. If a student retakes the MCAT, medical schools vary on how they handle the multiple test results. For example, the University of Minnesota looks at all scores while Creighton looks at the highest scores.

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