Changing Health
Care Systems
Changing
Identity of
Health Care
Professional
Changing
Medical
School
Curricula
Changing Process
for Selection of
Medical Students
Current MCAT Exam: Format
Biological
Sciences
(Biology,
Organic
Chemistry)
Grade: 0-15
Verbal
Reasoning
Grade: 0-15
• 5.25 hr exam
• Computer
• BS/PS/VR: 70
min each with
52/52/40
questions
• WS: 60 min; 2
questions
Physical
Sciences
(General
Chemistry,
Physics)
Grade: 0-15
Writing
Sample
Grade: J-T
Current MCAT Exam: Preparation
Biological
Sciences
(Biology,
Organic
Chemistry)
Grade: 0-15
Biology Courses:
• Bio 11
• Bio 13 (Genetics)
• Bio 12 (Cell Biology)
• Course with physiology content
(Bio 14, Bio 2, others)
• Biochemistry (Bio 40 OR Chem
41) NOT necessary (though might
be required for admission)
Organic Chemistry:
• Chem 51/52 or 57/58
Current MCAT Exam: Preparation
Chemistry Courses
• Chem 5/6 OR Chem 10
Physics Courses
• Physics 3/4 OR 13/14
OR 15/16
Physical
Sciences
(General
Chemistry,
Physics)
Grade: 0-15
No specific math
course beyond
those required for
Chem 5/6
(e.g. Math 1/2 or 3)
Current MCAT Exam: Preparation
Writing 5
Verbal
Reasoning
Grade: 0-15
First Yr Seminar
Other Literature
Courses
Writing
Sample
Grade: J-T
Current MCAT Exam: Preparation
• “Success” in Dartmouth courses are best
preparation;, review necessary both of
potential content AND for style & pace
of the exam (practice tests)
• ?Self study vs formal prep course
• Time to prepare: set aside time during
regular term, 2-course term, interim,
off-term?
MCAT 2015 Exam: Format
Biological &
Biochemical
Foundations
of Living
Systems
Grade: 0-15
Psychological,
Social and
Biological
Foundations
of Behavior
Grade: 0-15
• 6.25 hr exam
• Computer
• 60-65 questions
per section
• Stress on
foundational
concepts (“big
ideas), content
categories
(topics/”facts”)
and scientific
inquiry &
reasoning skills
Chemical &
Physical
Foundations
of Biological
Systems
Grade: 0-15
Critical
Analysis and
Reasoning
Skills
Grade: 0-15
MCAT 2015 Exam: Format
• Knowledge of scientific
concepts & principles
including math & graphical
representations
• Scientific reasoning &
evidence-based problem
solving
• Reasoning about design &
execution of research
• Data-based and
statistical reasoning
• 6.25 hr exam
• Computer
• 60-65 questions
per section
• Stress on
foundational
concepts (“big
ideas), content
categories
(topics/”facts”)
and scientific
inquiry &
reasoning skills
MCAT 2015 Exam: Preparation
Biological &
Biochemical
Foundations
of Living
Systems
Question Distribution:
Biochemistry 25%
Biology 65%
General Chemistry 5%
Organic Chemistry 5%
•
•
•
•
Grade: 0-15
Chemical &
Physical
Foundations
of Biological
Systems
Grade: 0-15
Question Distribution:
•
•
•
•
•
Biochemistry 15%
Biology 5%
General Chemistry 30%
Organic Chemistry 25%
Physics 25%
MCAT 2015 Exam: Preparation
Psychological,
Social and
Biological
Foundations
of Behavior
Question Distribution:
Introductory psychology
60%
Introductory sociology 30%
Biology 10%
•
•
•
Grade: 0-15
Critical
Analysis and
Reasoning
Skills
Grade: 0-15
Question Distribution:
•
•
Range of disciplines in social
sciences & humanities
No specific course work or
antecedent knowledge
necessary
MCAT 2015 Exam: Preparation
Biological &
Biochemical
Foundations
of Living
Systems
Grade: 0-15
Biology Courses:
• Bio 11 (or Bio/Chem 8/9)
• Bio 13 (Genetics)
• Bio 12 (Cell Biology)
• Course with physiology content
(Bio 14, Bio 2, others)
Biochemistry (Bio 40 OR Chem 41)
MCAT 2015 Exam: Preparation
Chemical &
Physical
Foundations
of Biological
Systems
Grade: 0-15
Chemistry Courses
• Chem 5/6 OR Chem 10 (or
Bio/Chem 8/9 for Chem 5)
• Chemistry 51/52 or 57/58
Physics Courses
• Physics 3/4 OR 13/14 OR
15/16
Statistics
• Math 10, Psych 10, Socy 10,
Gov 10, Econ 10 or Bio 29
MCAT 2015 Exam: Preparation
Psychology Course
• Psychology 1
Psychological,
Social and
Biological
Foundations
of Behavior
Grade: 0-15
Sociology Courses
• Sociology 1 or 2 (Introductory)
• Sociology 28 (Health Care
Policy)
• Sociology 33 (Self & Society)
• Sociology 49.10 (Health
Disparities)
• (Sociology 68) (Global Health
Systems)
MCAT 2015 Exam: Preparation
Critical
Analysis and
Reasoning
Skills
Grade: 0-15
• Writing 5
• First Year Seminar
• “Practice reading” complex
literature in humanities & social
sciences
• Philosophy
• Logic
• Theory
• Historiography
• Anthropology
• Government (Policy)
MCAT 2015 Exam: “Add-ons”
Beyond Present Course
Recommendations
•
•
•
•
•
Biochemistry
Psychology
Sociology
Statistics
“Practice reading” complex literature
in humanities & social sciences
Note: Of 4 listed courses, Biochemistry a medical school admission
requirement for ~25 schools at present (and will increase); statistics,
psychology and sociology only required by a few at present, but may change
MCAT 2015 Exam: Preparation
• “Success” in Dartmouth courses are best
preparation;, review necessary both of
potential content AND for style & pace
of the exam (practice tests)
• Can you learn some of these things
outside of formal class?
• ?Self study vs formal prep course
• How will medical schools interpret my
score on the MCAT 2015 exam?
MCAT 2015 Exam: Coming
• 2014: AAMC to release a full-length
practice test
• 2014: Official Guide to MCAT2015 to be
released
• 2015: 2nd full-length practice test to be
released
• Last chance to take the “old exam” will be
September, 2014
Where is Help for Me?
• Health Professions Program Offices
(walk-in; appts) with Sarah Berger or Lee
Witters
• Undergraduate Deans
• Dean’s Office Student Consultants
• Faculty in Relevant Departments
• MCAT 2015 Preview Guide
Would be helpful to have a
model D-plan or two in hand
before you have a conversation
Where Will This and Future Info Be?
Nathan Smith Society web site
(www.dartmouth.edu/~nss)
Click on MCAT 2015 Logo