Welcome to AED!
Meeting 3: The MCAT
2/19/2013
Sign-in up front
Help yourself to pizza and drinks!
ΑΕΔ
What is the MCAT?
• A computerized entrance exam for allopathic
(MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools
• Standardizes academic ability
• Just as important, if not more important, than
your GPA
MCAT Essentials
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat
/
ΑΕΔ
• 3 Sections
The Breakdown
– Physical Sciences—Physics and GChem (15)
• 52 questions in 70 minutes
– Verbal Reasoning (15)
• 40 questions in 60 minutes
– Biological Sciences—Biology and OChem (15)
• 52 questions in 70 minutes
– Optional trial section
• 10 minute optional breaks between sections
• Length—5 hours and 10 minutes
• Perfect Score: 45
ΑΕΔ
Types of Questions
• Passages
– 7 passages for each section, with 4 - 7
questions each
– Some of these questions might be based
solely off the passage, others might not
– Sciences: experimental analysis
• 13 Free-Standing Questions
– You know it or you don’t
– Sciences only
ΑΕΔ
Changes to the MCAT!
• Writing section (essay) was removed in 2013!
• Trial section in 2013-2014
– Not scored but you get feedback
– $30 Amazon gift card
– Behavior and social sciences section
• Classes in psychology and sociology will prepare
you!
• New Section: 45 minutes, 32 questions for trial
• Prepare doctors to deal with human interactions
and a diverse population
ΑΕΔ
MCAT 2015
• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of
Living Systems (67 questions, 95 minutes)
• Chemical and Physical Foundations of
Biological Systems (67 questions, 95
minutes)
• Psychological, Social, and Biological
Foundations of Behavior (67 questions, 95
min)
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (60
questions, 90 minutes)
• Each section out of 15
ΑΕΔ
Example Question of New Section
The concept of cultural capital predicts that:
A. Cultural distinctions associated with the young will be more valued within a
society.
B. With improved communication, there will eventually be a convergence of
cultural practices of all classes.
C. Cultural distinctions by class will become less important during a recession
because people will have less money to spend.
D. Cultural distinctions associated with elite classes will be more valued
within a society.
ΑΕΔ
Scoring
• Average of all test takers = 24.9O
• Average of applicants = 28.2P
• Average of people who matriculate = 31.1Q
• What you should aim for:
– 10s on each section—a “balanced” score
– O or better on writing
– 32 or higher
ΑΕΔ
The Distribution
85th percentile: 32
99th percentile: 38
ΑΕΔ
Score Breakdown by Section
ΑΕΔ
School Averages
•
•
•
•
•
•
USC: 32
UCLA: 32.7
UCSD: 33.7
UCI: 32
WashU in St. Louis: 37.4
Harvard: 35.1
ΑΕΔ
When should you take the MCAT?
• After you’ve taken all the prerequisite
classes
– BISC 220
– CHEM 105ab and 322ab
– PHYS 135ab
• Classes that might be helpful
– BISC 307: General Physiology
– BISC 320: Molecular Biology*
– BISC 330: Biochemistry*
ΑΕΔ
The Test Itself
• $270 per test
• $90 to reschedule date or location
• Sign-up early to avoid having to take test
in out of state testing locations
• Up to 3 times per year
• May void test at end
• ~1 month to receive score
ΑΕΔ
Available Dates
ΑΕΔ
Common Dates
•
•
•
•
August or September after sophomore year
January of junior year
April of junior year*
August or September after junior year (if you’re
taking a gap year)
• Know the cycle you’re applying!!
– Your MCAT scores expire—varies by school,
generally two years after you take it
ΑΕΔ
Questions?
http://www.aedusc.org
ΑΕΔ
ΑΕΔ
ΑΕΔ
ΑΕΔ
ΑΕΔ
Prep Courses
The Princeton Review
5 teachers, one for each subject
Kaplan
1 teacher for all subjects
More class time (3/4 times a week) Less class time (2 times a week)
Focus on teaching the material
Focus on applying the material
More detailed and thorough
Highlight the main points and
move on
Better for people without selfdiscipline
Better for self-studiers
$2,000!!!
Others: Berkeley Review,
Swartwood, ExamKrackers
Ask us about the 10% AED Discount!
ΑΕΔ