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Required Tests

MCAT - Medical College Admission Test

 

Contents of this Page

General Information
Description of the Test
Scoring
Test Fee and Registration
More Information

 

General Information

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assist admission committees in predicting which of their applicants will perform adequately in the medical school curriculum. The test assesses problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills in addition to the examinee's knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine. Nearly all U.S. medical schools require applicants to attempt the MCAT before applying for admission.

The MCAT is given twice a year: in April and in August. Nearly all medical schools suggest that you take the MCAT in the spring of the year you apply.

 

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Description of the Test

The MCAT consists of four timed sections administered over a period of more than seven hours.

Section Questions Time
Verbal Reasoning

65

85 minutes

Physical Science

77

100 minutes
Essay Writing

2

60 minutes

Biological Sciences

77

100 minutes

 

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Scoring

The MCAT is scored in each of the following areas: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences.

The Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Verbal Reasoning sections are each scored on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 15 (highest). Depending on their degree of selectivity, medical schools consider a score of between 8 and 10 on each of the numerically graded sections to be "superior." The two essays, graded together, are assigned a letter grade of J (lowest) to T (highest).

 

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Test Fee and Registration

The MCAT fee is $190.

The MCAT Fee Reduction Program was established by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to aid individuals with extreme financial limitations whose inability to pay the full registration fee would prohibit registration for the examination. The MCAT Fee Reduction Request Form is included with the MCAT registration materials, or it can be downloaded from www.aamc.org. Registration materials may be obtained by contacting: MCAT Program Office P.O. Box 4056 Iowa City, IA 52243 (319) 337-1357 You can also register online. Test Sites

Use the registration booklet to find a test sit nearest you.

 

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More Information

Go to www.aamc.org for more information on the MCAT, applying to medical schools, and financial aid for medical students.

 

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