Mastering the MCAT
Path to Medical School
MCAT
Application
Resume Building
Undergraduate (GPA)
Interview
MEDICAL SCHOOL
Acceptance
AGENDA
AGENDA
MCAT
MCAT
Challenges
Challenges
Current
MCAT
Current MCAT
Preparation
Preparation
MCAT 2015
MCAT 2015
Score Improvement
Score Improvement
Scoring
Scoring
Q&A
Q & A
Role in Admissions
Role in Admissions
Workshop (optional)
BASICS
What is the MCAT?
Medical College Admission Test
Standardized admission test for most Canadian medical schools Administered by American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC)
Why does the MCAT exist?
Standardized, universal measure to compare applicants from diverse academic backgrounds
tests critical thinking skills essential to medical practice
Why does the MCAT matter?
Significant factor in admissions decisions of most medical schools
Format
Passage‐Based
Computerized
Multiple Choice
Computer Interface
What does the MCAT test?
What
does the MCAT test?
Scientific Knowledge Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Interdisciplinary Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Time Management
Mental Stamina
Composure
Reality Check!
The MCAT is primarily a THINKING SKILLS test,
not a Science test!
How is the MCAT relevant?
Problem Solving
Patient management
Critical Thinking
What is causing symptoms?
Science Knowledge
Making informed decisions
Elimination
What is not causing symptoms?
Time Constraints
Split second medical decisions
Passages
Patient information
Details
Time
25 test days (late January ‐ early September)
Place
100s of computer labs in US & Canada
Cost
$270 (Fee Assistance Program = $85)
Registration
www.aamc.org
Score Release
1 month
# Limit
3 times/year
Score Valid
5 years
Annual Test‐Takers
70,000
CURRENT MCAT
Structure
3 SCORED
SECTIONS
Physical Sciences
(Physics & Chemistry)
Verbal Reasoning
(Critical Reading)
Biological Sciences
(Biology & Organic Chemistry)
No Writing Sample section as of January 2013!
Test Day Schedule
Physical Sciences (PS)
Physical
Sciences (PS)
FORMAT
WHAT IT TESTS
70 minutes
50% General Chemistry
52 multiple choice questions
50% Physics
7 passages followed by 4‐8 questions
Science Knowledge
39 passage‐based questions
Critical Thinking
13 independent questions
Data Interpretation
Calculations
Biological Sciences (BS)
FORMAT
WHAT IT TESTS
52 multiple choice questions
70% Biology
7 passages followed by 4‐8 questions
30% Organic Chemistry
39 passage‐based questions
Science Knowledge
13 independent questions
Critical Thinking
Data Interpretation
Calculations
BS
BS section has recently increased in difficulty due to greater emphasis on:
• molecular genetics and molecular biology over human physiology
• critical reading over science knowledge (BS now more like VR)
PS & BS
Passage Types
Information
Problem Solving
Experimental/Research Study
Persuasive
PS & BS
Question Types
Recall Comprehension
Interpretation
Application
Evaluation
Verbal Reasoning (VR)
FORMAT
WHAT IT TESTS
60 minutes
Critical Analysis
40 multiple choice questions
Time Management
7 passages (~600 words) followed by 5‐7 questions
No independent questions
VR
Details
Tests critical thinking, not reading comprehension
Most difficult section for Science students
Fewer questions increases pressure to avoid mistakes
Longer passages = more severe time constraints
Most dissatisfying section
Best predictor of performance on Board Exams
Bad VR advice is epidemic!
“cherry‐picking” easy passages
reading questions before passage
speed‐reading techniques
memory enhancement techniques
highlighting keywords
skipping one passage
VR
Passage Types
Humanities
Social Sciences
Natural Sciences & Technology
VR
Question Types
Comprehension
Evaluation
Application
Incorporation of New Information
VR is all about the author!
Topic
Tone
MAIN
IDEA
Structure
Purpose
Which subtest is most important?
VR is ascendant!
MCAT
2015
Why is the MCAT changing?
keep pace with changes in study and practice of medicine
yield more accurate (statistically valid) results by increasing sample size of test questions
AAMC survey of importance of topics
for success in medical school
Δ Structure
MCAT2015
Current MCAT
Section
Questions
Minutes
Passages
Section
Questions
Minutes
Passages
67
95
9‐10
Physical
Sciences
52
70
7
Chemical & Physical
Foundations of Biological Systems
Verbal
Reasoning
40
60
7
Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills
60
90
9‐10
7
Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
67
95
9‐10
Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations of Behavior
67
95
9‐10
4
261
6h15m
36‐40
Biological
Sciences
3
52
144
70
3h20m
21
Δ Topics
MCAT2015
Current MCAT
Section
Physical Sciences
Biological Sciences
Verbal Reasoning
Topics
• General Chemistry
• Physics
• Biology • Organic Chemistry
• None
Section
Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Chemical & Physical
Foundations of Biological Systems
Psychological, Social, &
Biological Foundations of Behavior
Critical Analysis and
Reasoning Skills
Topics
• Biology • Biochemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• General Chemistry
• General Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Physics • Organic Chemistry
• Biology
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Biology
• None
Δ Value of Topics
MCAT2015
Current MCAT
Topic
Questions
Value
Topic
Questions
Value
VR
40
33%
CARS
60
25%
Biology
40
25%
Biology
52
20%
General Chemistry
26
16%
Psychology
40
15%
Physics
26
16%
Biochemistry
33
12%
Organic Chemistry
12
8%
General Chemistry
25
9%
Sociology
20
7%
Physics
17
6%
Organic Chemistry
14
5%
Other changes
Price
More interdisciplinary passages and questions
Passages in general chemistry and physics will test concepts in context of biological systems
Many more questions on research methods and statistical analysis in Science sections
85 seconds per question in Science sections
Few low‐yield science topics removed or streamlined
No natural sciences or technology passages in CARS section
What’s NOT changing
Format
1‐15 scoring scale for test sections
90 seconds per question in CARS section
Skills tested in CARS section
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
67 questions in 95 minutes
Biology 65%
Biochemistry 25%
Organic Chemistry 6%
General Chemistry 4%
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
67 questions in 95 minutes
General Chemistry 33%
Biochemistry 25%
Physics 25%
Organic Chemistry 15%
Biology 2%
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
67 questions in 95 minutes
Psychology 60%
Sociology 30%
Biology 10%
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
60 questions in 90 minutes
No prior
knowledge
required
Time Lines
2013
• 25 test dates for current MCAT
• Writing Sample section replaced by Trial section
2014
• 25 test dates for current MCAT
• AAMC releases Official Guide to MCAT2015
• AAMC releases one full‐length practice test
2015
• Last test dates for current MCAT in January
• AAMC releases second full‐length practice test
• First test dates for MCAT2015 in summer
Time Lines
2016
• First matriculating class of medical students including some with MCAT2015 scores
2015‐17
• AAMC will release scores for both current MCAT and MCAT2015
2017 (or 2018)
• AAMC will stop automatically releasing pre‐
MCAT2015 scores
SCORING
Basics
Questions weighted equally
No penalty for guessing
Random order of difficulty
Some questions don’t count
4 Scores
Raw (# correct)
Scaled (1‐15)
Percentile
Total Score (3‐45)
Raw Score Scaled Score
Biological Sciences (52 questions)
Physical Sciences (52 questions)
Verbal Reasoning (40 questions)
Scale
Scored
Correct
Answers
Wrong
Answers
Scale
Scored
Correct
Answers
Wrong
Answers
Scale
Scored
Correct
Answers
Wrong
Answers
15
52
0
15
51‐52
1
15
40
0
14
51
1
14
49‐50
2‐3
14
39
1
13
48‐50
2‐4
13
47‐48
4‐5
13
38
2
12
46‐47
5‐6
12
45‐46
6‐7
12
35-37
3-5
11
43‐45
7‐9
11
43‐44
8‐9
11
33-34
6-7
10
39‐42
10‐13
10
40‐42
10‐12
10
29-32
8-11
9
36‐38
14‐16
9
36‐39
13‐16
9
26-28
12-14
8
7
33‐35
29‐32
17‐19
20‐23
8
7
32‐35
29‐31
17‐20
21‐23
8
7
24-25
22-23
15-16
17-18
6
24‐28
24‐28
6
25‐28
24‐27
6
19-21
19-21
5
21‐23
29‐31
5
22‐24
28‐30
5
18
22
4
16‐20
32‐36
4
19‐21
31‐33
4
16-17
23-24
3
13‐15
37‐39
3
16‐18
34‐36
3
14-15
25-26
2
10‐12
40‐42
2
14‐15
37‐38
2
11-13
27-29
1
0‐9
43‐52
1
0‐13
39‐52
1
0-10
30-40
What’s a “good” score?
Competitive =
30
(balanced)
Average Section Scores
Average Total Scores
Are some MCATs easier than other MCATs?
Yes, but Equating offsets variations in difficulty
Do some majors do better than other majors on the MCAT?
Physical Sciences
Biological Sciences
Verbal Reasoning
Composite Score
Number of
Applicants
Biomedical Engineering
10.9
10.7
9.6
31.2
1,005
Physics
11.1
10.3
9.6
31.0
207
Electrical Engineering
10.9
10.5
9.4
30.8
195
Economics
10.4
10.5
9.7
30.6
566
Neuroscience
9.9
10.6
9.5
30.0
1,066
Mathematics
10.3
10.1
9.6
30.0
374
English
9.4
9.9
10.3
29.6
434
Biochemistry
9.9
10.3
9.1
29.3
2,594
Chemistry
9.8
9.9
9.0
28.7
2,091
Microbiology
9.0
9.9
8.7
27.6
775
Psychology
8.8
9.4
9.1
27.3
2,421
Biology
8.7
9.5
8.7
26.9
12,705
Premedical
8.3
9.0
8.4
25.7
663
All Majors
9.2
9.8
9.0
28.0
41,487
Role in Admissions
How are MCAT scores used in the admissions process?
Cut‐Off
Flag
Direct Criteria
Tie‐Breaker
Use of MCAT Scores
Medical School
Use of MCAT Score
University of Alberta
Minimum for consideration (7 in each section) + Direct Criteria
University of Calgary
Direct Criteria
University of British Columbia
University of Manitoba
Minimum for consideration (7 in each section) + Direct Criteria Minimum for consideration (7 in each section) + Direct Criteria Memorial University
Direct Criteria
Dalhousie University
Minimum for consideration (8 in each section for Maritime applicants; 10 in e/s for non‐Maritime applicants) McMaster University
Northern Ontario
Minimum for consideration (6 in VR) + Direct Criteria (VR only) MCAT score not required
Queen’s School of Medicine
Minimum for consideration (varies each year) + Direct Criteria
Western University
Minimum for consideration (10 BS, 11 VR, 9 PS) + Direct Criteria
University of Ottawa
University of Toronto
MCAT score not required
Minimum for consideration (9 in each section) + Direct Criteria McGill University
Minimum for consideration (30) for applicants requiring MCAT
University of Saskatchewan
Minimum for consideration (30) + Direct Criteria for out‐of‐province applicants
MCAT scores and GPAs of 1st year classes of medical students
Medical School
Median MCAT Score
Median MCAT Score
University of Alberta
87% (A)
University of Calgary
11.55 BS, 9.75 VR, 11.2 PS
11.6 BS, 9.8 VR, 10.5 PS
3.7/4 (A‐)
University of British Columbia
11 BS, 10 VR, 11 PS
4 years = 3.87/4 (A) 2‐3 years = 3.97/4 (A+)
University of Manitoba
Not Disclosed
90% (A+)
Memorial University
11.3 in each section
4.2/4.5 (A‐ to A)
Dalhousie University
Minimum 10 BS, 11 VR, 9 PS
Minimum 3.7/4 (A‐) McMaster University
10.55 VR
3.75/4 (A‐ to A)
Northern Ontario
11.58 BS, 9.59 VR, 11.37 PS
3.9/4 (A)
Queen’s School of Medicine
MCAT score not required
3.9/4
Western University
Not Disclosed
University of Ottawa
University of Toronto
MCAT score not required
Not Disclosed
3.72/4 (A‐)
11.76 BS, 9.95 VR, 11.39 PS in streams that require MCAT 3.8/4 (A‐ to A)
McGill University
30
3.8/4 (A‐ to A)
University of Saskatchewan
10 in each section
3.7/4 (A‐)
Medical School Application
MCAT Score
GPA
Extracurricular Activities/Clinical Experience
Autobiographical Sketch/Personal Essay
Letters of Reference
Interview
CHALLENGES
How difficult is the science on the MCAT?
Not as tough as you might expect
How difficult is the math on the MCAT?
Not very
So why is the MCAT difficult?
Time Constraints
No Calculator
Mental Exhaustion
Expect the Unexpected
Perfectionism
So why is the MCAT difficult?
“MCAT Speak”
Best (Least Wrong) Answers
Distracters
Counter‐Intuitive
Stiff Competition
...and it covers a lot of material!
Physical Sciences
Biological Sciences
General Physics
General Chemistry
Biology
Organic Chemistry
Units and Vectors
Electronic Structure of the Atom
Cellular Biology
Nomenclature
Kinematics and Dynamics
Molecular Geometry
Enzymes
Isomers and Bonding
Translational Motion 1D and 2D
Periodic Properties
Force and Newton’s Laws
Momentum
Stoichiometry
Cellular Metabolism
Reproduction
Alkanes
Alkenes
Properties of Atomic Bonding
Embryology
Alkynes
Equilibrium
Phase Equilibrium
Musculoskeletal
Cyclization and Aromaticity
Work And Energy
Changes of State
Digestive System
Ethers and Alcohols
Solid and Fluids
Solution Chemistry
Respiration
Ketones and Aldehydes
Waves and Periodic Motion
Acid and Bases
Circulation
Carboxylic Acids and Derivates
Acoustic Phenomena
Lights and Optics
Thermodynamics
Thermochemistry
Electrostatics
Rate Kinetics
Genetics
Laboratory Techniques
Electric Circuits
Gas Laws & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Biology
Spectroscopy
Magnetism
Redox and Electrochemistry
Molecular Genetics
Carbohydrates
Atomic and Nuclear Structure
Molecular Structure of Solids
Evolution
Amino Acids, Proteins and Peptides
Endocrinology
Nervous System
Amines
Compounds Containing Nitrogen
Aids Provided
Booklet of scrap paper
Noise‐canceling headphones
Pencils
No calculator
What if you have a bad day?
You will see:
I wish to have my MCAT exam scored
I wish to VOID my MCAT exam
Treatment of multiple MCAT Scores
Medical School
Multiple MCAT Scores
University of Alberta
Highest
University of Calgary
Highest
University of British Columbia
Highest
University of Manitoba
Highest
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dalhousie University
All (improvements considered)
Highest
McMaster University
Most Recent
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
MCAT Not Required
Queen’s School of Medicine
Highest
Western University
University of Ottawa
Most Recent
MCAT Not Required
University of Toronto
Most Recent
McGill University
Highest
University of Saskatchewan
Highest
PREPARATION
• Biochemistry (1 semester)
• Biology (2 semesters)
• General Chemistry (2 semesters)
• Organic Chemistry (2 semesters)
• Physics (2 semesters)
• Psychology (1 semester)
• Sociology (1 semester)
• Lab component in two or more Science courses
Recommended
• Electives that emphasize critical thinking and critical reading
• Electives that emphasize critical thinking and critical reading
• Research Methodologies
• Statistics • Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Research Methodologies
• Statistics • Molecular Biology
• Genetics
Highly Recommended
• Biology (2 semesters)
• General Chemistry (2 semesters)
• Organic Chemistry (2 semesters)
• Physics (2 semesters)
Bonus
Which courses help prepare for the MCAT?
Which
courses help prepare for the
MCAT?Today
MCAT 2015
When should you write the MCAT?
Summer after 2nd year
BEST?
Summer after 3rd year
GOOD?
Summer after 4th year
LATE?
When should you write the MCAT?
When
should you write the
2014 Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) Schedule
2013 Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) Schedule
MCAT?
Should you take a Prep Course?
Scored >27 on practice MCAT
Equally proficient in all 3 Sections
Self‐Discipline
NO
If you do it alone:
Approach like a full‐time job
No shortcuts or magic tricks DELIBERATE practice, practice, practice
Buy MCAT Study Guides from prep companies
Do full‐length practice tests under test conditions
Use official AAMC practice tests
Conduct post‐mortems on practice tests
Join Pre‐Med Online Forums (but watch out for trolls!)
Why take a Prep Course?
Structure
Proven Methods
Focus
Motivation
Feedback
Help from Expert Instructors
Teamwork
Score Improvement
What should you look for in a Prep Course?
Top‐quality instructors
Comprehensive study materials
Well designed course
Class schedule that works for you
What’s unique about Prep101’s MCAT Prep Course?
Most Comprehensive
Expert Instructors
Flexible Schedule
Focus on Problem‐Solving
Best Value
Most Comprehensive
108 hours of Classroom Instruction
Biology
Chemistry
Organic
Chemistry
Physics
Verbal
Reasoning
10 Lessons
2 Workshops
10 Lessons
2 Workshops
4 Lessons
4 Workshops
8 Lessons
2 Workshops
3 Lessons
5 Workshops
Flexible Schedule
Each class offered twice – once on a weeknight and again on the weekend. Pick one or go to both. It’s your call.
Focus on Problem‐Solving
Classroom
32 In‐Class Exams
15 Workshops
At Home
8 full‐length
computerized AAMC MCATs
Home Study Kit (>5,000 practice questions)
Expert Instructors
Most are medical students who scored >90th percentile on MCAT
Hired by panels of students at competitive auditions
Education, teaching experience, and evaluation scores posted on website
Best Value
Price per hour of classroom instruction
Prep101
($1695)
$16/hour
Princeton
Review
Kaplan
($1949) ($1699)
$19/hour
$37/hour
Prep101 Contact Info
Website: www.prep101.com/mcat
Email: mcat@prep101.com
Phone: 1 877 878 0882
SCORE IMPROVEMENT
Technique
Execute Tactics
&
Avoid Traps
Core Tactics
Pause to collect thoughts before looking at passage
Scan passage
Analyze and Map passage
Pause to summarize passage before looking at questions
Dissect (and simplify) question stem
Resist impulse to go back to passage
Attack answer choices using ELIMINATION
Core Tactics
Pause to collect thoughts before looking at passage
Core Tactics
Scan Passage (not for VR) Core Tactics
Analyze and Map passage
Read ONCE briskly
Be an ACTIVE reader
Read every word but skim details
Map structure and major elements
Continuously sum up what you know
Core Tactics
Pause to summarize passage before looking at questions
Core Tactics
Dissect question stem
Carefully read TWICE
Identify keywords
Capitalize on new information
Discard extraneous information (“confounders”)
Paraphrase (simplify) into your own words
Clarify objectives before looking at answers
Core Tactics
Resist impulse to go back to passage (especially in VR) unless:
You’re regularly finishing the section on time
You know exactly what you’re looking for (no fishing trips!)
It’s something specific (e.g., data, detail, definition) You know exactly where to find it in the passage Core Tactics
Attack answer choices using Elimination
CUT IT if you’re sure it’s wrong KEEP IT if might be correct, you’re not sure about it, or you don’t understand it
CLICK IT if you’re sure it’s correct
Prudent Guessing
Know when to cut your losses
Recognizing Distracters (VR)
Distracter
Answer choice that...
You should...
Round‐About
...may be true and may concur with the passage but fails to directly answer the question asked.
...cut it.
Beyond
...includes extra information beyond the scope of the passage or question.
...cut it.
Contrary
...contradicts the passage whereas most correct answers support ideas in the passage.
...cut it.
Simpleton
...restates something in the passage in simplistic terms whereas correct answers are usually vague, ambiguous, and sometimes debatable.
...keep it.
Reversal
...describes a dynamic in the passage but has it working in the opposite direction (e.g., reverses cause and effect).
...cut it.
Unintelligible
...is incomprehensible but tempting as it’s difficult to pinpoint why it’s wrong. Don’t pick an answer you don’t understand.
...keep it.
Extreme
...is phrased in unqualified or excessive terms. Be suspicious of absolutes (always, best), generalizations, superlatives, and value judgments.
...cut it.
Word Trap
...contains words and phrases you recall from the passage ‐ it “sounds good” ‐ but distort their meaning.
...cut it.
Wrong Viewpoint
...describes a viewpoint in the passage but not the one asked about in the question.
...cut it.
Narrow
...is not wrong but touches on a minor element in the passage whereas the question asks about general themes.
...keep it.
Partial
...is correct in one part, but wrong in another part. If just one word is wrong, it’s all wrong. Don’t rationalize a flawed answer.
...cut it.
Weak
...it’s not wrong but inferior to another answer choice that does a better job of answering the question.
...keep it.
Questions