Pre-Medicine: MCAT Preparation

The MCAT is computerized, and offered on more than 20 dates between January and September. Most people take the test early in the summer between their junior and senior years.

It's okay to be finishing out the last of your core general biology, organic chemistry, or physics courses at the time you take the test. Often, the biggest challenge is remembering what you learned in earlier courses. You can find hints for preparing and lists of possible topics and sample writing sample prompts at www.aamc.org/students/mcat/preparing/start.htm.

If you finish the core courses by the end of your sophomore year, you could take the MCAT early, perhaps in August before your junior year.

The regular registration fee for 2008 is $210. 

If you are financially disadvantaged, you can apply for a partial fee waiver at www.aamc.org/students/applying/fap/start.htm. 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/registration.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 passages), Verbal Reasoning (humanities, social sciences and natural sciences not covered in other parts of the test), Writing Sample (two essay questions, consideration of statements that could be 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 2007 entering class at the KU School of Medicine were 9.8 for biological sciences, 9.1 for physical sciences, 9.7 for verbal reasoning, and an "O" for the writing sample.

If you decide to prepare on your own or with friends, work through a comprehensive preparation guide, 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/practicetests.htm.

Many students feel that a preparation course helps motivate and structure their study. If you choose to take an MCAT course, there are three local possibilities:

* Best Med Prep (Mary Dunkin's Course), 1-877-270-2458 (toll free), bestmedprep@kc.rr.com

* The Kaplan Review, 842-5442 (local office) or 1-800-527-8378 (KAP-TEST), www.kaptest.com

* The Princeton Review, 1-800-273-8439 (2-REVIEW), www.princetonreview.com

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.

Because all your MCAT scores will be released to AMCAS medical schools, it is not advisable to take the real MCAT for practice. Take practice tests, but 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.