The MCAT – Medical College Admission Test
In the USA and Canada, it is not possible to go directly into studying medicine after finishing secondary school. Applicants for medicine must first gain a degree in a related subject, and then sit the MCAT, to secure a place at medical school. The competition for places is fierce, so MCAT scores are crucial to your application, and approximately 100,000 individuals sit the exam every year at one of many test centres run by Pearson Vue.
The test is held 25 times a year between January and September, and scores are valid for 2-3 years. You can sit the MCAT three times in one year, four times in two years and seven times in a lifetime. This gives you the opportunity to void your score if you think it is too low within five minutes of finishing the exam, or at any point during the MCAT exam itself.
The following countries have MCAT testing centres:
How is the MCAT scored?
There are four sections, each of which has 118-132 points, so scores fall between 472-528, with a mean of 500. You do not get penalised and have points deducted for a wrong answer in the MCAT – and, unlike the GRE, questions do not go up in difficulty levels according to whether or not you answer correctly.
Do I need to prepare for the MCAT?
The short answer is yes!
The aim of the MCAT, a standardised computer-based test, is to determine whether you can apply the information you have to specific and complex problems, and use your critical reasoning skills to good effect. Each section of the exam integrates knowledge from general and organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, physics, psychology and sociology, so there are no stand-alone papers on individual subjects, as such. When the MCAT was reviewed and modified in 2015 – which saw the inclusion of the paper on the psychological, social and biological foundations of behaviour- the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which designs the exam, also set out four scientific enquiry and reasoning skills, which they believe are key to having a successful career in medicine, namely:
· Knowledge of scientific concepts and principles
· Scientific reasoning and problem-solving abilities
· Reasoning about the design and execution of research studies
· Data-based and statistical reasoning (involving graphs, tables, and using research findings to draw conclusions).
In contrast to the UCAT, which is the exam applicants to study medicine in the UK are obliged to sit to gain a place, the MCAT tests knowledge you have already acquired, whereas the UCAT focuses on assessing verbal and abstract reasoning skills – since it is dealing with undergraduates and not postgraduates, who are assumed to have acquired in-depth scientific information by this point in their academic journey.
Medical students who have already sat the MCAT report spending up to 300 hours preparing for the exam. Many recommend doing three or more practice tests, as well as thoroughly revising each field covered in the MCAT. There is a wide selection of preparatory material available, commercially, on the internet, as well as a vast selection of free resources, and materials published by the AAMC itself. In general, you would be well advised to set aside 12 weeks for preparation, and dedicate 25 hours a week to getting ready for the MCAT.
The MCAT Test preparation courses
Take the MCAT Test preparation course and you show that you're able to work or study effectively in an american and canadian medical sector.
The MCAT papers – a break down
Paper 1
Chemical and physical foundations of biological systems
Number of questions: 44 text-based questions, 15 stand-alone questions
Duration: 95 minutes
You will need to combine information from the text and your knowledge of biochemistry, biology, physics and general chemistry for this section. You are permitted to use the periodic table but cannot bring in a calculator. Questions deal with: cellular and molecular biology; organic and inorganic chemistry; biochemistry; research methodology and statistics.
Paper 2
Critical analysis and reasoning skills
Number of questions: 53 text-related questions
Duration: 90 minutes
Here, you must stick to the information provided in the texts and not use your own knowledge. Many of the topics may be unfamiliar to you, but you do not need prior knowledge to answer. Look for assumptions, draw inferences from what you read and seek out parallels, to do well. The passages are quite long and usually run from 500-600 words.
Paper 3
Biological and biochemical foundations of living systems
Number of questions: 44 text-related and 15 stand-alone questions
Duration: 95 minutes
This paper looks at basic physical processes and how systems work independently as well as together. It tests your knowledge of biology, biochemistry and organic and general chemistry. Be ready for questions on growth and reproduction; biomolecules; acquiring energy and materials; adaptation; responses to environmental change; maintaining steady internal environments etc.
Paper 4
Psychological, social and biological foundations of behaviour
Number of questions: 44 text-related and 15 stand-alone questions
Duration: 95 minutes
This tests how you can apply and integrate the psychological, biological and sociological bases of behaviour, which are the key factors which shape and determine health outcomes. This paper focuses on how behaviour and culture can impact on psychological, biological and sociological concepts. You will need to thoroughly revise your biology, psychology and sociology.
Sitting the MCAT
If you have looked through the above description of the papers, the first thing you probably noticed was how incredibly long the MCAT is – a full day. The whole test can take around seven and a half hours to complete -since you also have the option of taking two 10 minute breaks and 30 minutes for lunch. A short tutorial, which lasts for eight minutes, precedes the test, and is also optional. Make sure you are well rested the night before, set out for the exam in good time so you do not panic, eat something light and get hydrated before you enter the test centre. If you find yourself stressing and anxious, take deep breaths and remember that the MCAT is just an exam – albeit an important one – and you will not be put to death if it does not go terribly well! You can always sit it again…
Enrolling:
You will need to open an account with the AAMC, and this will give you the AAMC ID you need to book a test slot. Registration opens at the end of October, and remember that you should sit the MCAT a year before you intend to start your course. Try and register early, when you still have a chance of getting the time and date you want, since MCAT slots go very quickly. Make sure you highlight the preferred data and a number of alternatives. You will need to pay a fee of around $310 dollars at this time.
On the day of the MCAT exam, make sure you bring photo ID, and be aware that you are not permitted to take off your jacket or sweater once you enter the exam room – if you are wearing these garments, and believe you may be too hot, make sure you stow them in a locker.
Do international students get into US medical schools?
Looking at the statistics for 2019,we see that there were 1890 applicants from outside the US, 325 of whom,approximately 17 per cent, were successful and gained a place to study medicine. Of this number, 272 actually completed the course and gained a degree. This demonstrates how competitive the process can be – and the importance of putting in the work, preparing for and excelling in the MCAT. You can do it!
Good luck…
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