Pre-Medicine: MCAT Preparation

The KU School of Medicine and most MD-granting medical schools require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to be taken no later than the calendar year ahead of entering medical school, e.g., no later than September 2010 to enter medical school in August of 2011. The test is computerized, and offered on 26 dates from January through early September, www.aamc.org/students/mcat/reserving/deadlineandscorerelease.htm.

Different medical schools have different policies about how old a test can be used. The KU School of Medicine accepts MCAT scores taken up to three years before entering.

I recommend finishing core general biology, organic chemistry and physics courses before taking the MCAT. Additional biology courses, like biochemistry and physiology, can be helpful, but aren't necessary. Hour-for-hour, reviewing all the topics that could be sampled and takinge practice exams is more helpful than taking upper-level biology courses, which may or may not help for a few items on an actual test. You can find hints for preparing, lists of possible topics and sample writing sample prompts at www.aamc.org/students/mcat/preparing/creatingstudyplan.htm.

If you finish all the core courses by the end of your sophomore year, you could take the MCAT early, perhaps in August before your junior year. Most people take the test in April or May of their junior year. If you don't do as well as you need to in April or May, you can do some more reviewing and practicing, and retake in August or September.

The regular registration fee for 2010 is $230. 

If you are financially disadvantaged, you can apply for a partial fee waiver at www.aamc.org/students/applying/fap. If you qualify, this can also reduce your AMCAS application and supplemental application fees.

You can find the MCAT Essentials Registration Guide at www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatessentials.pdf, and can register online at www.aamc.org/students/mcat/reserving/start.htm. Because of the limited number of seats at testing sites, it's important to register well in advance of taking the test!

The MCAT has four sections: Physical Sciences (general chemistry and physics), Verbal Reasoning (reading and critical thinking drawn from many disciplines, often humanities and social sciences), Writing Sample (two essay questions, consideration of statements drawn from many disciplines, see examples at www.aamc.org/students/mcat/preparing/writingsampleitems.htm) and Biological Sciences (biology and organic chemistry).

The physical and biological sciences, and verbal reasoning sections are each scored 1-15. The average score is a little over 8, and the tails of the curve are long and low, i.e., few people score a 1, 2 or 3 on the low end, or 13, 14 or 15 on the high end. The writing sample is scored J-T, with scores centering around "O." When people talk about a "total score" for the MCAT, they mean the physical, verbal and biological scores added together.

The averages for the fall 2009 entering class at the KU School of Medicine were 10.0 for biological sciences, 8.9 for physical sciences, 9.5 for verbal reasoning, and a "P" for the writing sample.

If you decide to prepare on your own or with friends, work through a comprehensive review guide or series, and take at least three full-length, computerized practice exams. You can get practice tests, including a free sample, at www.aamc.org/students/mcat/preparing/orderingpracticetests.htm.

A preparation course may help motivate you to do more reviewing and practicing than you would on your own. Local options include:


Results will be available ~four weeks after taking the test. You can check your scores online, and designate non-AMCAS score releases, at https://services.aamc.org/mcatthx. The score release to AMCAS medical schools, including the KU School of Medicine, is mandatory.

Do take lots of practice tests, however, because all your MCAT scores will be released to AMCAS medical schools, don't take the real MCAT for practice!

If you find yourself wondering whether or not to retake the test, I've posted some considerations at www.medadvising.ku.edu/retaketest.shtml.