MCAT Essential Information

 

Exam Content:

Beyond testing for the mastery of basic concepts in biology, general and organic chemistry, and physics, the exam also assesses capacity for problem solving and critical thinking as well as general writing skills.  By testing for these varied skills, medical school faculty hopes to encourage undergraduates with broad educational backgrounds to consider careers in the health professions and to persuade premedical students to explore a wide variety of course offering outside of the natural sciences-as well as to identify those candidates most likely to be successful in the study of medicine.  That is why the exam consists of the following diverse sections:

  • Physical sciences
  • Verbal reasoning
  • Writing sample
  • Biological sciences

Test Section

Questions

Time

Analysis of Section

Tutorial (Optional)

 

5 minutes

 

Physical Sciences

52

70 minutes

Assesses problem-solving ability in physical sciences such as general chemistry and physics; this section contains 7 to 9 passage based sets of questions and ~10 independent questions; this section evaluates the students knowledge of basic physical science concepts and the facility of problem solving using these concepts

Break (Optional)

 

10 minutes

 

Verbal Reasoning

40

60 minutes

Evaluates ability to understand, evaluate, and apply information and arguments presented in prose style; consists of 7 passages and there are 5 to 7 passage-based questions; assesses ability to extrapolate information from the accompanying passage

Break (Optional)

 

10 minutes

 

Writing Sample

2

60 minutes

Consists of two 30-minute essays which address specific topics that require expository response and assesses skill in the following areas: developing a central idea, synthesizing concepts and ideas, presenting ideas cohesively and logically, and writing clearly

Break (Optional)

 

10 minutes

 

Biological Sciences

52

70 minutes

Assesses problem-solving ability in biological sciences such as biology and organic chemistry ; this section contains 7 to 9 passage based sets of questions and ~10 independent questions; this section evaluates the students knowledge of basic biological science concepts and the facility of problem solving using these concepts

Survey

 

10 minutes

 

Total Content Time

 

4 hours, 20 minutes

 

Total “Seat” Time

 

5 hours, 5 minutes

 

 

Registering for the Exam:

  • Online registration is required and walk-in registration is not available 
  • You should take the exam the year in which you are going to apply for medical school
  • You may take the exam if you are applying for a health professions school in the following areas: allopathic, osteopathic, podiatric, and veterinary medicine 
  • You may take the exam up to three times in one calendar year, although you may only register for one test date at a time
  • Early registration is encouraged because there are a limited amount of test centers and a limited capacity
  • The regular registration deadline is 14 calendar days prior to the test date
  • You must pay with a credit card (MasterCard or VISA)
  • AAMC does offer a fee assistance program for individuals with extreme financial limitations who could not otherwise take the exam for more information about this visit: www.aamc.org/students/applying/fap

Regular Registration

$210

International Test Site*

$60

Late Registration*

$50

Date Reschedule*

$50

Change of Test Center*

$50

*These fees are added to the regular registration fee

 

Changes and Cancellations of Exam

·        You can change a test date or center at any time, provided that space is available and the change is made prior to the applicable registration date

·        If you decide not to sit in on the exam that you are registered for, you will be eligible for a 50% refund if reimbursement is requested no later than 7 days prior to the test date

 

Admission and Identification into the Test

  • Arrive 30 minutes prior to appointed test time in order to be admitted into the exam
  • Administrator will only admit examinees who can be positively identified through qualifying forms of identification.  Identification must be: current, valid government-issued, contain both a picture and a signature in which the name matches the exact name of your registration
  • You will also be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement
  • The center will provide scratch paper or dry erase boards, ear covers, and pencils; no other testing material are allowed including timers and watches
  • You may bring no personal items into the testing center and they will be placed in a locker outside of the room

 

Voiding an Exam

  • You are allowed to void an exam at the end of the test if you are uneasy about you performance and do not wish your test to be scored
  • This opportunity is at the end of the exam
  • This attempt will count as an attempt toward one of the three permitted each year

 

Exam Scoring

  • The four sections each result in a separate score
  • The physical sciences, verbal reasoning, and biological sciences sections will be scored between a low of 1 and a high of 15
  • The writing section is rated on a scale of 1 to 6 which will be converted to an alphabetic scale ranging from J, the lowest, to T, the highest.
  • The scores will be available online approximately 30 days after each test date