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The MCAT Exam:The Basics for StudentsPrepared by AAMCPresented by: insert your name here MCAT is a program of theAssociation of American Medical Colleges

Here’s what we’ll talk about: MCAT is the Medical College Admission Test. Virtually all medical schools ask applicants forMCAT scores. There are lots of ways to learn about the MCATexam. There’s lots of available information on theMCAT exam. The MCAT exam is changing in 2015 and whatyou’ll study for the current and 2015 exams isdifferent.2

We’ll also talk about: Things you should know if you’retesting in 2013 or 2014 Things you should know if you’retesting in 2015 or 2016 Either way, there’s no “one-sizefits-all” approach to preparation Ways to plan ahead forpreparation, MCAT registration,and medical school application3

Virtually all medical schools askfor MCAT scores Virtually all U.S. medical schools askapplicants for MCAT scores. 11 of the Canadian medical school do. Medical schools select students usingMCAT scores and other informationabout applicants’ academic and nonacademic experiences.4

There are lots of ways to learnabout the MCAT exam The MCAT program has a great website—www.aamc.org/mcat. There’s a good book about the exam with samplequestions—The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam. There’s a free practice test—www.e-mcat.com. The MCAT program sells additional practice tests too. And a diagnostic test to identify strengths andweaknesses—The Official MCAT Self AssessmentPackage—www.e-mcat.com.5

There are lots of ways to learnabout the MCAT exam Your pre-health advisor knows a lot about theMCAT exam. Faculty at your school may too. Some universities offer MCAT preparationcourses. Some medical schools do too. Some private companies also have MCATpreparation courses.6

It’s easy to get information aboutthe MCAT examThe MCAT website describes: What the exam tests What the questions look like How your test will be scored The scores that different medical schoolstypically look for How you should register for the MCAT exam What to expect on test daywww.aamc.org/mcat7

It’s easy to get information aboutthe MCAT exam You can ask MCAT staff members questions byemailing mcat@aamc.org. There’s a phone number too—(202) 828-0690. The MCAT website also answers /preparing/85556/preparing prepfaq.html8

The MCAT exam is changing in 2015 The MCAT exam is changing in 2015 to keeppace with recent changes in what medicalfaculty teach Changes in our increasingly diverse and agingpopulation are altering what medical schoolsteach Changes in health care delivery and newscientific knowledge are too These changes are shaping what admissionscommittees look for in future physicians9

Whether you’ll take the current ornew test depends on when you’llbe ready to test and apply Knowing when you’ll be ready to test and startmedical school will help you decide whether totake the current or new test. The current MCAT exam tests concepts fromintroductory, year-long courses in biology, generalchemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. The new exam tests these along with conceptsfrom first-semester biochemistry, psychology, andsociology.10

Whether you’ll take the current ornew test depends on when you’llbe ready to test and apply Applicants who want to start medical school in2014 and 2015 will take the current MCATexam. Most applicants who want to start school in2016 and 2017 will take the new MCAT exam. Note: medical schools will also acceptcurrent MCAT scores for 2016 and 2017admission.11

The Official Guide describes the2013 and 2014 exams12

If you’re testing in 2013 or 201413Physical SciencesVerbal ReasoningBiological SciencesNew Trial Section

If you’re testing in 2013 or 2014Tests general chemistry andphysics topics including:PhysicalSciences14 Electronic structure Phases and phaseequilibria Thermochemistry Acids and bases Work and energy Fluids and solids And more

If you’re testing in 2013 or 2014Tests comprehension,evaluation, and applicationskills using passages from:VerbalReasoning Humanities Social sciences Natural sciences andtechnologyAll needed information appearsin the passages15

If you’re testing in 2013 or 2014Tests biology and organicchemistry topics including:BiologicalSciences16 Enzymes and metabolismBody systemsMolecular structureOxygen-containingcompounds Biological molecules And more

If you’re testing in 2013 or 2014New Trial Section17 Unlike past examinees, youwon’t take the MCATWriting Sample section. Instead, you’ll be asked tovolunteer to test outquestions for the MCAT2015exam. Building the new exam willtake lots of questions, andmedical schools can’t getthere without your help.

If you’re testing in 2013 or 2014New Trial Section18 The Trial Section will be at theend of the day and take 45minutes (so the day will beshorter than in the past!). You will get 32 questions insubjects you said youcompleted during MCATregistration. Question will coverbiochemistry or psychology,or sociology concepts.

If you’re testing in 2013 or 2014New Trial Section Your work on the Trial Sectionquestions will not count toward yourMCAT score (only you will see how youdid). If you volunteer and make a good-faitheffort, you will get a 30 Amazon.com Gift Card* Claim Code**. You’ll also receive feedback on yourperformance that will allow you tocompare yourself to others whoparticipated in the Trial Section.*Amazon.com is not a sponsor of this promotion. Amazon, Amazon.com, the Amazon.com logo, GiftCodes on Demand, the Amazon Gift Card logo and 1-Click are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. orits affiliates.**Amazon.com Gift Cards may be used only to purchase eligible goods on Amazon.com or itsaffiliated website Endless.com. Gift Card’s cannot be redeemed for purchases of gift certificates orcards or for items from some third party sellers. Purchases are deducted from the Gift Cardbalance. Gift Card’s cannot be reloaded, resold, transferred for value, redeemed for cash or appliedto any other account. Amazon is not responsible if a Gift Card is lost, stolen, destroyed or usedwithout permission. See www.amazon.com/gc-legal for complete terms and conditions. Gift Card’sare issued and 2012 by ACI Gift Cards, Inc., a Washington corporation.19

If you’re testing in 2013 or 2014New Trial Section20 You’ll also get a chance topreview content medicalschools find important. Volunteer and help medicalschools select studentswho will be greatcolleagues for you andgreat health care providers!

The Preview Guide describes the2015 and 2016 tests21

If you’re testing in 2015 or 201622Biological &BiochemicalFoundations ofLiving SystemsChemical &PhysicalFoundations ofBiological SystemsPsychological,Social, & BiologicalFoundations ofBehaviorCritical Analysis &Reasoning Skills

Chemical & PhysicalFoundations ofBiological Systems Asks you to combine your knowledge offoundational concepts in the chemical andphysical sciences with your scientific inquiry,reasoning, and research and statistics skills tosolve problems that demonstrate readiness formedical school23

Chemical & PhysicalFoundations ofBiological SystemsConcept 4 Complex living organismstransport materials, sensetheir environment, processsignals, and respond tochanges using processesthat can be understood interms of physical principles.24Concept 5 The principles that governchemical interactions andreactions form the basis fora broader understanding ofthe molecular dynamics ofliving systems.

Critical Analysis &Reasoning Skills Asks you to critically analyze, evaluate, andapply information presented in a passages fromhumanities and social sciences disciplines,including ethics, philosophy, cultural studiesand population health All needed information will appear in thepassages25

Biological &BiochemicalFoundations ofLiving Systems Asks you to combine knowledge of foundationalconcepts in the biological and biochemicalsciences with your scientific inquiry, reasoning,and research and statistics skills to solveproblems that demonstrate readiness formedical school.26

Biological &BiochemicalFoundations ofLiving SystemsConcept 1 Biomolecules haveunique properties thatdetermine how theycontribute to thestructure and function ofcells, and how theyparticipate in theprocesses necessary tomaintain life.27Concept 2 Highly-organizedassemblies ofmolecules, cells, andorgans interact to carryout the functions ofliving organisms.Concept 3 Complex systems oftissues and organssense the internal andexternal environmentsof multicellularorganisms, and throughintegrated functioning,maintain a stableinternal environmentwithin an ever-changingexternal environment.

Psychological,Social, & BiologicalFoundations ofBehavior Tests knowledge and use of the concepts inpsychology, sociology, biology, researchmethods, and statistics that provide a solidfoundation for learning in medical school aboutthe behavioral and socio-cultural determinantsof health and health outcomes28

Psychological,Social, & BiologicalFoundations ofBehaviorConcept 6Concept 7Concept 8 Biological,psychological,and sociocultural factorsinfluence theways thatindividualsperceive, thinkabout, andreact to theworld. Biological,psychological,and sociocultural factorsinfluencebehavior andbehaviorchange. Psychological,socio-cultural,and biologicalfactorsinfluence theway we thinkaboutourselves andothers.29Concept 9 Cultural andsocialdifferencesinfluence wellbeing.Concept 10 Socialstratificationand access toresourcesinfluence wellbeing.

Learn more by watching this videowww.aamc.org/mcat201530

There’s no “one-size-fits-all”preparation approachKnow yourself and prepare for whichever MCATexam you take in the way that suits you best: Understand your likely strengths andweaknesses on the MCAT exam Know how you like to prepare Using your own plan or with the structure of acourse Alone or with a study group By taking a couple (or many) practice exams31

Plan ahead for preparation,registration, and application Give yourself plenty of time for testpreparation Register early for the exam so you— Get the testing date and locationyou want (registration opens inOctober) Have time to retest if you don’tlike your first scores Can submit your medical schoolapplications on time32

Apply for fee assistance if youneed it2013Benefits: For families at or Fee reduction for exambelow 300% of 100poverty level Application released 14 free AMCASapplicationsin January each year Free copy of The Official Online applicationGuide to theMCAT Exam and Medicalwww.aamc.org/fapSchool AdmissionsRequirements (MSAR )tool

Plan ahead for preparation,registration, and applicationBe organized on test day— Know where the testing center is and how long itwill take you to get thereHave the right ID with youBring something to eat and drink during breaksDress in layers in case the center’s cold (or hot)Planning ahead will (or may!) make the test dayless stressful34

I wish you the best of luck!Questions?35

The MCAT exam is changing in 2015 and what you'll study for the current and 2015 exams is different. 2 . We'll also talk about: Things you should know if you're testing in 2013 or 2014 Things you should know if you're testing in 2015 or 2016 Either way, there's no "one-size-