MCAT

Medical College Admission Test

Information on the MCAT, Medical College Admission Test

MCAT Outline

Medical College Admission Test, known commonly as the MCAT is a computer-based standardized examination for students wishing of pursuing a medical career. It is used for admission purposes in all medical schools in the United States and Canada, with the exception of a very few, such as McMaster University and Ottawa University, both Canadian Medical Schools.  The examination was initially not computer-based, however, due to the thousands of individuals writing the examination consistently, it has become computer-based.

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a test that allows students to be standardized and fairly compared to one another. It assesses problem-solving skills and critical thinking through multiple choice questions, as well as writing abilities and language through a written essay portion. The majority of questions stem from passages that are provided in the examination and only basic knowledge of  biology, chemistry and physics is actually required.
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is available to be written about 25 times per year at Prometric centers, which can be found around the world.

MCAT Format

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is around 5 hours in length, and can be written in both the morning or afternoon sessions.

MCAT Sections

The test consists of four sections, deemed necessary components for any future medical practices. These are in order, Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, Writing Samples, and Biological Sciences.

MCAT Verbal Reasoning

1. Multiple choice format

2. Consists of passages with multiple choice questions following

3. 40 questions to be completed in 60 minutes

4. Evaluates one’s ability to understand and assimilate information from reading pose style passages, which may range from literature to religion

5. Known to be the most difficult for science undergraduate majors, but the easiest for arts majors

MCAT Writing Sample

1. Two short essays, 30 minutes each for a total of 60 minutes

2. Topics usually asked can be found within Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) sample booklets - Questions are pre-determined

3. Topics are often repeated

4. You should have a general format for tackling theses essays

5. Straight forward

MCAT Physical Sciences

1. Passages followed by multiple choice questions

2. 52 questions to be complete in 70 minutes

3. Consists of passages and single questions from general chemistry and physics

4. Most difficult section for non-science majors, such as students from arts programs

MCAT Biological Sciences

1. Passages followed by multiple choice questions

2. 52 questions to be completed within 70 minutes

3. Passages are from organic chemistry and biology

4. Medical science majors do very well in this section

MCAT Scoring

The total scores for the multiple choice sections range from 1 to 15. Scores for the writing section range from J to T alphabetically. The writing portion is marked twice, by two different markers, and the sums are averaged. A composite score is given at the end which adds the multiple choice scores together with the writing score at the end, e.g. 30T (10 + 9 + 11 + T). It is wise to have a balance of good scores rather than a couple very high scores and one bad one, as many medical schools have minimum requirements for sections, such as needed a minimum of 10 in verbal reasoning, even though you may have 15 and 15 on the physical sciences and biological sciences. Therefore, study your weak points and do not try to get 15’s when you can end up with a 9 somewhere else.
Overall, you are scored in comparison to your colleagues and not on an absolute value. Therefore, your mark will depend on how well the rest of the exam takers will do.

MCAT External Links

Association of American Medical Colleges
Official Website for the Medical College Admission Test
MCAT Test Resources