Workshop for Premeds at Xavier University of Louisiana
An Overview of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT),
Dental Admission Test (DAT), and Other Entrance Exams
This sheet is to be completed by freshmen early in the fall term. It is available at the Premed website. (Updated 7/28/15)
1. What is the name of the test which one must take to get into medical school (M.D.), osteopathic medical school (D.O),
podiatry school, some veterinary schools, and some public health schools?
2. What is the acronym for the test in #1?
3. Who "owns" the MCAT?
4. Who administers the MCAT?
5. When are students at XU encouraged to take the MCAT for the first (and we hope ONLY) time? Why is this time
recommended?
6. How much does it currently cost to register to take the MCAT? Is fee assistance available?
7. Complete the following table regarding the new MCAT that will be administered beginning Spring 2015.
Section Name
Areas Tested
#
Time Allowed
Questions (Min)
Chemical and Physical
Foundations of Biological
Systems
Critical Analysis and
Reasoning Skills
Biological and Biochemical
Foundations of Living
Systems
Psychological, Social and
Biological Foundations of
Behavior
NOTE: Four (4) Scientific Inquiry & Reasoning Skills are identified for the natural and social sciences sections on the
MCAT. In preparation for “Skill 4: Data-based Statistical Reasoning,” we recommend completion of a statistics course.
8. What is the lowest-highest score possible on each section of the MCAT?
Signature __________________________________________________________Date _________________
Printed Name ______________________________________________________
(OVER)
9. Students who plan on taking the MCAT may begin actively preparing for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
section of the test beginning freshman year. Why is this the case?
10. Every year, there are XU students with good grades who do NOT gain acceptance into medical school because their
MCAT scores are not competitive enough. What are THREE (3) things that freshman premeds can start doing NOW (and
continue throughout enrollment at XU) to start actively cultivating the critical reading skills necessary to do well on the
MCAT?
1)
2)
3)
11. Why is performance on the MCAT, DAT, and other entrance exams such an important factor when reviewing students
for admission to medical, dental, etc. school?
12. XU’s Premedical Advisers STRONGLY recommend that junior premeds who plan on taking the MCAT enroll in a
review course to prepare for an April or May administration of the test (and take no more than 14 semester hours while
preparing for the MCAT). What MCAT review courses have been offered on XU’s campus, in recent years, at a reduced
cost during the spring (i.e. beginning in January) of junior year?
1)
2)
3)
FYI, the discounted courses that are held on XU’s campus from January-April, (i.e. Spring of Junior Year) cost
approximately $900-$1500. Be advised that off-campus MCAT Review Courses can cost $1700+, depending on the
length and review format.
13. What is the name of the test which one must take to get into dental school?
14. What is the acronym for the test in #13?
15. Complete the following table regarding the DAT.
Section Name
Areas Tested
# Questions Time Allowed
(Min)
Survey of the Natural
Sciences
Perceptual Ability
Reading Comprehension
Quantitative Reasoning
16. What is the lowest-highest score possible on each section of the DAT?
17. What sections of the DAT can students actively begin preparing for NOW, without having completed ALL of the
required natural sciences coursework?
18. When are students at XU encouraged to take the DAT for the first time?
19. How much does it currently cost to register to take the DAT? Is fee assistance available?
20. XU’s Premedical Advisers believe that students can study on their own for the DAT (i.e. students need not enroll in a
formal DAT review course). If a student opts to study on his/her own for the DAT, what six (6) study resources does the
PM Office recommend?
1)
4)
2)
5)
3)
6)
21. Students interested in applying to optometry school may obtain OAT review course materials in preparation for the
exam. What other resources might a student studying for the OAT utilize?
Please turn in this sheet after completing it.