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What is the MCAT?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam administered to people who wish to attend medical school in the United States. Almost every American medical school requires MCAT scores from people who are interested in pursuing careers as doctors. Therefore, the MCAT is an extremely important examination, and it is taken very seriously by both schools and applicants. Members of both the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine both require MCAT scores from their applicants.

The history of the MCAT is actually quite long. Test administrations started in the 1920s, when standardized intelligence tests grew immensely popular in the United States. Medical school administrators were concerned about the very high attrition rate for medical students, and they decided to devise a standardized test to assess readiness for medical school. Dropout rates radically declined after the institution of this standardized test, and most medical schools adopted it as a part of their admissions program.

The MCAT is standardized, and the questions are primarily in multiple-choice form.
The MCAT is standardized, and the questions are primarily in multiple-choice form.

The contents of the MCAT test several things. The first, of course, is basic knowledge of the physical sciences and biology. The test also pushes the analytical and critical thinking skills of the applicant, presenting various passages and arguments which the test taker must work with during the course of the test. The MCAT also tests reading comprehension and communication skills, as these are vital skills for doctors to have.

The MCAT tests several skills, including reading comprehension.
The MCAT tests several skills, including reading comprehension.

The modern MCAT is a computerized test, although it is not adaptive, like the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). This means that test takers can go back through a section once they have completed it, since the questions are set and static. The MCAT takes around five hours to complete, including breaks, and it is administered in secure testing centers so that applicants have quiet, calm spaces to work.

MCAT tutoring can help improve scores.
MCAT tutoring can help improve scores.

There are four sections on the MCAT. The first tests the applicant's knowledge of the physical sciences, and it also pushes the applicant to use his or her problem solving skills. The verbal reasoning section, the second part, provides passages which test takers must read and analyze, answering a series of multiple choice questions which probe the applicant's ability to reach and synthesize information. The third section is a writing sample, in which the applicant responds to two brief prompts which test his or her communication and logical thinking skills. Finally, the biological sciences section covers basic topics in biology.

The first section of the MCAT tests the applicant's knowledge of the physical sciences.
The first section of the MCAT tests the applicant's knowledge of the physical sciences.

Final scores range from three to 45, with 15 available points on each section, other than the writing sample, which is graded separately. These scores are an important part of a medical school application, but they are not the only part. Applicants must also prepare personal essays and perform well in interviews. A strong application also includes excellent letters of reference, along with experience working in the medical field and volunteering in local communities.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • The MCAT is standardized, and the questions are primarily in multiple-choice form.
      By: uwimages
      The MCAT is standardized, and the questions are primarily in multiple-choice form.
    • The MCAT tests several skills, including reading comprehension.
      By: kjekol
      The MCAT tests several skills, including reading comprehension.
    • MCAT tutoring can help improve scores.
      By: Tyler Olson
      MCAT tutoring can help improve scores.
    • The first section of the MCAT tests the applicant's knowledge of the physical sciences.
      By: AntonioDiaz
      The first section of the MCAT tests the applicant's knowledge of the physical sciences.
    • Those preparing for the MCAT may practice writing samples based on similar prompts to those used on the test.
      By: p a w e l
      Those preparing for the MCAT may practice writing samples based on similar prompts to those used on the test.
    • The MCAT is generally required for admittance into medical schools in the U.S.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      The MCAT is generally required for admittance into medical schools in the U.S.