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MCAT (The Medical College Admission Test)

Table 1. Summary of MCAT (Total Length: 4hrs 20 min.)

*For students' convenience,  we provide  an introductory information on the professional tests (MCAT, PCAT, DAT and OAT). Each test is described briefly followed by a summary of the important information in the tables. However, the information may not updated and is for your reference only. We do not intend or assume any obligation for the contents. Please also refer to the corresponding official websites for more information.

MCAT Topics

• The MCAT is designed to test knowledge of basic science concepts, problem-solving skills, critical thinking ability, and writing skills. The MCAT consists of four scored sections that always appear in the same order:
  
  - Verbal Reasoning
  - Physical Sciences (physics and general chemistry)
  - Writing Sample
  - Biological Sciences (biology and organic chemistry)
  
• For detailed Contents of MCAT Test covered in GenChem, OrgChem and Phys, click this web page.

• Enrol in a MCAT commercial preparation course and gain access to their wealth of passages, tests, and experience with standardized tests. Among those excellent courses is the Kaplan Review, Princeton Review, and Berkeley Review. The AAMC says that taking a review course has no statistical impact on your scores. However, although the reviews don't teach intensive knowledge as universities do, they go over the course material briefly and teach the test-taking strategies. For those students who expect to learn or review the major topics of the subjects, MPC provides all review courses for General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physics on one-on-one or small group basis very efficiently for individual student with different knowledge level, instructed by Dr. Ma who is highly knowledgeable and experienced in instructing these subjects and training students in preparation the tests such as MCAT, DAT, PCAT and OAT, etc.
  
• Many students are not taking the review because of the cost involved. This is wrong! Medical school costs thousands to a hundred thousand dollars! Don't skimp on preparation, either for the test or for the interview! Any money you spend for MCAT preparation is one of the best investments you can ever make. The same applies to time commitment. Time you spend preparing for the MCAT will be time well spent. Remember the MCAT is the most important test in your life. Give it the attention and investment it deserves, and it will change your life.
  
• Not everyone will benefit from taking a review course. However, almost all students agree that everyone will benefit from studying the text materials used for the review course. Using those materials and the MCAT Study Slides Dr. Ma designed you will get practice tests and focused, concise study cards, which are much more helpful than randomly scanning your biology, chemistry, and physics textbooks. Use the Study Slides whenever you have time such as waiting in line.
  
• The best way to improve your score on the MCAT is to take as many practice exams as possible. Ideally, you should take one exam/week for 12 weeks prior to the actual MCAT. Think of MCAT as a sport and yourself as the MCAT athlete. To prepare for the big day you need to practice, practice, and practice. Try to take the exams on Saturday mornings just like the real MCAT. Working on tons of practice questions in those materials, it is common that students may have 10-20% questions that they do not understand even after reading the explanation of the answers. In this case, you can book a Q&A session with Dr. Ma, who is capable of clarifying your questions within the session. This is one of the most efficient way for you to improve your knowledge and prepare for the test.

Introduction

• It is a good idea to take both the April and the August MCAT a year and a half before you plan to enter school. Your scores will take too long to arrive and the classes may be full before you get reviewed. The April test may not give ideal results. However, it can be a good opportunity for practice and experience. If you have a summer or early fall interview you can say that you are retaking the test. The August test is usually to look better, which shows a self-improvement goal.
  
• For Biology, Verbal Reasoning and Writing Sample sections an effective strategy for MCAT preparation is to study them by yourself or attending a big preparation class. This is because the major task to prepare for the Biology section is to find a good material and memorize the key points, and a preparation class would be great choice for students to organize and analyze the material for Verbal Reasoning and Writing Sample sections.
  
• The possible writing sample topics may be viewed online at the MCAT website. Look them over and practice a few topics. Set up 30 minutes time limit for each topic writing practice.
  
• LSAT and GRE exams are perfect for additional Verbal Passages. In fact, the LSAT and MCAT are written by the same company.
  
• Many of the practice items available have small mistakes in them. Do not let these mistakes make you angry or lose focus of your goal. Know that the actual MCAT test is error free.
  
• During the actual MCAT you are not allowed to use a timer that beeps. Practice taking exams and passages with a silent timer.
  
• The testing conditions at the actual MCAT will NOT be optimal. I guarantee you there will be a lot of noise. Furthermore, the center may be too cold or not have air conditioning on a hot California day. Thus, I suggest you take your practice under similar conditions.
  
• Get to the test center bright and early with pencils, pens, and erasers in hand. Use a thick mechanical pencil that allows you to bubble in faster and save you time. During the MCAT if time is running out, select B or C for unanswered questions.
  
• Make sure you get a good sleep the night before the test. Make sure you locate the test center before test day. Eat breakfast! Food and drinks aren't allowed in the test room. Do not bring a calculator or anything with an alarm. Eat a light lunch or snack during the MCAT, but stay away from foods that cause sleep (turkey, banana, etc.). Do not use the restroom when doing your passages. During the actual MCAT you are allowed to visit the restroom only during breaks.
  
• At any test day, there are up to 10 different versions of the MCAT being administered. Some versions are more difficult and some versions may have more physics than chemistry. Note that each version is graded on its own curve. Thus, if your version is easy, you many miss 10 questions and get a score of 9. However, if someone had a difficult test, they many miss 10 questions and get a score of 11. If you have prepared, you will score high regardless.
  
• Many people make "stupid" mistakes in the last section of the MCAT simply because they are too tired. Practice exams will prevent you from making avoidable mistakes.
  
• The writing sample of the MCAT is usually not that important. It may matter only if you score incredibly high or low on that section. Also, if you don?t score well on the verbal section, but do extremely well on the Writing Sample, medical schools may put less emphasis on you verbal score.
  
• To do well on the MCAT, you need to use "process of elimination" and "educated guessing" to guess. If you have clearly established that choices "A", "B", and "C" are wrong, select "D" and move on. Don not try to prove why "D" is right. Only if you have time, come back to the questions to make sure "D" is correct.
  
• Even within one exam, question difficulty will vary. Make sure you do not get stuck on a questions or passage. If it is taking too long or it is too hard, move on and come back to that particular question/passage if you have time.

Other Tips for MCAT

 

• The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to assess problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills in addition to the examinee's knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.
  
• All United States medical schools require the MCAT for admission and application to their programs. The MCAT helps medical school admissions committees determine, in part, which applicants will be successful in a medical school curriculum. Anyone hoping to become a medical doctor will have to score well on the MCAT.
  
• The MCAT is a computer based test that consists of four different test sections as summarized in the following Table 2. It is given by Thomson Prometric at various testing centers. The test is given 22 times a year, and test dates as well as specific test center locations can be found online on the AAMC website. Registration for the MCAT can be completed only online on the AAMC website, and registration opens up about six months before the testing dates Registration deadlines can also be found online.
  
• Admission is competitive, so take advantage of any course work or experience that may give you an advantage. Make sure that you at least meet the minimum GPA and prerequisite requirements for
  every school you apply to.
  
• The MCAT is offered at scheduled times throughout the year. You can register online or mail in your materials about 5 weeks before the test. The test costs money (presently $175). Some academic advisors will suggest you to wait until you have taken all of the related coursework (e.g., physics, organic, biochem.) before taking the test. However, it takes practically long time to get your scores after the test. If you don't take the MCAT early enough you may end up with delaying entrance to medical school by a year.
  
• The MCAT is a reading comprehension and thinking test, not a memorization test. There are few reactions, formulas, and names you have to memorize. The MCAT will give you formulas and reactions and expect you to utilize them in answering questions. That is why humanities students on average score better in the Biological Section of the MCAT than biology majors.