THE MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), developed and administered by the AAMC, is a
standardized, multiple-choice examination created to help medical school admissions offices assess your
problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and
principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.
In April 2015, the AAMC launched a new version of the MCAT exam. Scores are reported in four
sections:

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

Almost all U.S. medical schools and many Canadian schools require you to submit MCAT exam scores.
Many schools do not accept MCAT exam scores that are more than three years old.
TIMING: The MCAT will be offered 20 times starting in January 2016 and going through September
2016. Examinees will receive their scores within 30-35 days. Those planning to apply via the Early
Decision Program at KU School of Medicine must take the MCAT no later than July 9. For Regular
Decision, the deadline is September 10. Scores for all attempts at the MCAT are seen by medical
schools. Therefore, it is best to plan and thoroughly prepare to take it once. If you do not feel prepared to
take the test on the original date you registered for, it is best to reschedule. It is unwise (and expensive) to
take the MCAT for practice.
Total content time: 6:15
Total seat time: 7:30
Number of Questions: 230
I do not recommend a long drive the morning of the test. Hampton Inn will offer a preferred rate for
students who need to travel and stay overnight to take the test.
REGISTRATION: Online registration for the January-May test dates is open now. Registration for the
June-September dates will begin February 10 (exact date TBA, follow @AAMC_MCAT on Twitter.
Early registration is highly recommended. Click here for registration fees and examination dates.
Registration tips here.
COST: The fee to register for the MCAT is $305, with possible variance depending on when you
register. There is a fee assistance program for qualifying students.
SCORES: Click here for a summary of the scoring.
Section Scores: Each of the four sections--Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems;
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Psychological, Social, and Biological
Foundations of Behavior; and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills--is scored from a low of 118 to a
high of 132, with a midpoint of 125. Test takers will receive scores for each of the four sections.
Total Score: Scores for the four sections are combined to create a total score. The total score ranges from
472 to 528. The midpoint is 500.
PREPARATION: Test preparation materials (Princeton, Kaplan, Examkrackers complete sets) are on
reserve at the Help Desk on the 2nd floor of Hale Library. Ask for the Pre-Health cart. The MCAT2015
resources are on the top shelf on one side. The materials are there to help you identify areas of strength
and areas in need of improvement. They may also help you decide which materials to purchase for your
preparation. They can be checked out for two weeks. The AAMC website also recommends preparation
materials, such as the MCAT Essentials.

Using a comprehensive preparation manual (Kaplan, for example) and testing yourself online are the most
effective methods of preparation. The amount of preparation time required for individual students varies
from student to student. Many students who earn competitive scores spend 200-300 hours or more over
several months reviewing and taking practice tests.

The two most common mistakes made by students preparing to take the MCAT are:
1. under-estimating the amount of review and study time required to master the material
2. not utilizing the practice test and sample test provided AAMC
Students taking a commercial test preparation course must review material on their own time in addition
to the seat time spent on the course. A commercial course can help organize the review process and
provide useful review materials. However, review above and beyond the course will likely be necessary.
MCAT preparation strategies and practices vary for each student. What works for one student may not be
effective for others. Here is one way to approach the preparation process.
PLAN YOUR WORK AND WORK YOUR PLAN
1. Evaluate preparation manuals and other materials and purchase what fits your study style. Use the
practice test to measure your progress. Take the full practice test as many times as possible. You
should simulate the full 7.5 hour experience at least 4-5 times prior to the test date. The MCAT is
a physical test as well as an intellectual one. Knowing what you will need during breaks, such as
a shot of caffeine, an energy bar, or a piece of fruit, is crucial. Packing a good lunch is important
as well.
2. During your winter break (mid-December mid-January): Plan your work by making a
comprehensive study plan that allows for thorough review of all material, leaving time to take at
least one full practice test under timed conditions in the last 2-3 weeks prior to the test. Work
your plan by beginning content review. Test yourself on sections using the practice test. You
can take the practice exam 20 times. Testing yourself on a section and hitting the Submit button
will count as one of your attempts. You will receive a score report, which includes a scaled score
and percentile rank for each section and in total, total correct answers in each section, number of
incomplete questions, and more.
3. Spring semester. As soon as you feel ready, take the full practice exam under timed conditions.
Get the feedback, and evaluate errors and error patterns. Treat MCAT review as another (selfdirected) class. Dont skip it. Review methodically and persistently. Test your progress, as
suggested above, to evaluate proficiency on individual test sections.
4. Two to three weeks prior to test day: Continue to work your plan by taking at least one fulllength practice test. Simulate, as best you can, the environment you will encounter on test day.
5. One week prior to test day: get directions to the test site. Make a dry run to the site, find out
where you are supposed to park, go into the building if you can and find the testing room.
6. Day prior to test: Continue to work your plan by relaxing. Gather all the materials you will need
to present at the test site (ID, etc.). Do something you really enjoy. Pack a lunch for test day and
decent snacks for the morning and afternoon breaks. Go to bed early so you will get enough rest.
7. Day of test: Continue to work your plan by getting up early enough to eat a good meal an hour
or two before the test and to work one or two problems. Check to be sure you have everything
you will need at the test site. Leave in enough time to arrive early at the test site. Good FAQs
here.
8. Be amazed that its over. Catch your breath. Maybe even celebrate!

MCAT Preparatory Materials

MCAT Prep Materials on reserve at Hale Library Help Desk (ask for PreHealth cart MCAT2015 prep materials on top shelf of one side)
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/prepare/
www.khanacademy.org
http://www.kaptest.com/mcat
http://www.princetonreview.com/medical/mcat-test-preparation.aspx
http://www.examkrackers.com/mcat/
http://nextsteptestprep.com/mcat/

11/23/15