MCAT Preparation
Dr. Ken Crawford
Medical School Admissions
• Academic Record
• Application
– Biographical Info
– Activities
– Personal Statement
• Committee Evaluation
• Interview
• MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
OVERALL GPA
MCAT
SCORE
>32
28-32
24-27
20-23
<20
Total
>3.8
3.5-3.8
3.2-3.5
2.9-3.2
<2.9
Total
4/4 :
100%
25/26 :
96%
15/19 :
79%
7/7 :
100%
0/2 :
0%
51/58 :
88%
1/2 :
50%
9/12:
75%
13/24 :
54%
7/16 :
44%
1/5 :
20%
31/59 :
53%
________
1/2:
50%
________
________
________
________
2/4 :
50%
0/4 :
0%
3/10 :
30%
1/3 :
33%
0/2 :
0%
1/5 :
20%
6/8 :
75%
42/46 :
91%
32/53 :
60%
24/47 :
51%
5/25 :
20%
109/179 :
61%
8/8 :
100%
4/10 :
40%
7/17 :
41%
4/12 :
33%
23/47 :
49%
________
Combined Acceptance Rates to both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools for
WKU Students from 2002 to 2009.
The MCAT
• Computer Based Test
($ 230)
– CBT Since 2007
– Visa or MC
• Fee Assistance Plan –
reduces fee to $ 85
< 300% HHS Poverty
• Registration Began
Nov. 2, 2009 for Jan.May Dates
• Registration ends 14
days prior to test. (7
with late fee, $55)
28 Admin. on 26 Dates
Jan. 29, 30
Mar. 27
Apr. 10, 17, 23
May 1, 21, 22, 27
June 17*
July 8, 16, 29, 30
Aug. 4, 5, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24
Sept. 2, 3*, 9, 11
* Double Admin.
PM Admin
Where ?
• MCAT is administered by AAMC through
license to Thompson Prometric Testing
Centers
• Regional Centers In: Madison, TN
(Rivergate); Nashville (2), Clarksville, TN;
Lexington; Louisville (2); Evansville, IN;
Cincinnati, OH
The MCAT
• Download and read the MCAT Essentials
• Required by all U.S. Medical Schools
>70,000 examinees each year
• Best Single Predictor of Success on
USMLE, especially Step I.
• Assesses skills required for medical school
as well as for the practice of medicine.
Test Day
• Note: Arrive at the Testing Center 30
minutes before scheduled start.
• Be aware of time zone issues!
• Proper ID
• No Personal Items, except foam earplugs
• No Calculator !!!!
• Dress in Layers, Bring Snacks / Beverage
• They Provide: white board/paper + pencil,
headphones
Test Format
Section
Tutorial (Opt.)
Physical Sciences
Break (Opt.)
Verbal Reasoning
Break (Opt.)
Writing Sample
Break (Opt.)
Biological Sciences
Questions
-52
-40
-2
-52
Time (min)
10
70
10
60
10
60
10
70
Test Format
• Physical Sciences, 52 questions, 70 min.
– 7 Reading Passages (approx. 300 words)
– 4-8 multiple choice questions/ passage
~10-13 independent (discrete) MC questions
– Covers: Physics and General Chemistry
Test Format
• Verbal Reasoning, 40 questions, 60 min.
– 6-7 Reading Passages (approx. 600 words)
– 6-9 multiple choice questions/ passage
– Covers: Critical Reading, Critical Thinking
Test Format
• Writing Sample, 2 essays, 60 min.
–
–
–
–
Develop central ideas
Synthesize concepts
Present ideas logically
Present ideas clearly (grammar and syntax)
– Covers: General Knowledge
Test Format
• Biological Sciences, 52 questions, 70 min.
– 7-8 Reading Passages (approx. 300 words)
– 4-8 multiple choice questions/ passage
~10-13 independent (discrete) MC questions
– Covers: Biology (4-5 passages) and Organic
Chemistry (2-3 passages)
Scoring
• Scores Released approx. 30 days after Date (THx)
• Multiple Choice – Raw Score (# of correct responses)
– No penalty for incorrect responses
• Raw Score Converted to Normalized Score (1-15)
• Experimental Items do not Count
• Writing Sample –
– Each essay evaluated by 2 graders (scored 1-6)
– Raw score is total of 4 scores
– Converted to Letter Score (J to T), O is the median
• Score reported as 8, 10, Q, 9 and 27Q
Voiding/ Rescoring/
Question Challenge
• Void Option – issued at end of test, no
report, counts as an attempt
• Rescoring – may request, $55 for MC, $55
for writing, $110 whole test
• Question Challenge – flawed or ambiguous
questions, within 5 days
Retesting
• Can Register for Another Date 48 hours
after testing
• Scores released approx. 30 days
• Cannot hold more than 1 reservation at a
time
• Can take no more than 3/year
• Do not plan on taking it twice, but…
Preparation ???
•
•
What’s Best For Me ?
Formal Class ?
–
–
•
•
•
In House
Commercial
Study on my own ?
ExamKrackers- Audio Osmosis
$199.95
Practice!! www.e-mcat.com
AHEC Sponsored Prep Class
• Proven Results
– 2003 Class (Avg. Increase 5.5, range 2-10 )
– 2007 Class (Avg. Increase 5.3, range 1-9)
• Features:
– Full Length Practice Tests (4 CBT)
• 4 additional tests available from AAMC (www.e-mcat.com)
• 2 additional in Kaplan Guide
– Test Taking Tips
– Subject Matter Review (all Professor taught)
– Build Test taking “Stamina”
– Only $100
– Practice Test #3