Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a compulsory exam to get admissions in undergraduate courses in the North American medical schools. In addition to the other admission guidelines, Medical school admissions team considers MCAT score as an important factor in admitting the candidates. MCAT basically tests the problem solving, critical thinking, and writing and science knowledge skills of the medical education aspirants across the countries. Many of the medical schools in USA do not consider the MCAT score, if the candidate took the examination more than three years back.
Examination Pattern: MCAT consists of 4 parts: Verbal Reasoning, Problems from Physical Sciences, Writing Samples and Biological Problems including Organic Chemistry. Except the Writing sample section, all sections of MCAT is given a score in the scale of 1 to 15 separately. Retaking MCAT is also offered to candidates. But it is highly advisable not to retake MCAT exam, as there is lesser chance of scoring with prominent difference. The reason is…. candidates both performances will be taken into consideration after taking the average of the two.
MCAT will basically test the knowledge of student’s medical school pre-requisite courses and human physiology. MCAT will not test candidate’s knowledge in Mathematics. MCAT is conducted twice a year by the Association of American Medical Council in April and August.
Test Fee: US $ 225.
Books: MCAT by Dr. Brett Ferdinand.
Website: www.aamc.org (See ‘students’ section)