The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

Required for admission to medical school, the MCAT is currently a computer-based test.
In assessing a candidate's application, most selective medical schools weigh the MCAT heavily, along with the undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and especially the grades earned in pre-med courses.
The MCAT lasts about five and a half hours, with 4 hours and 20 minutes of actual testing time, plus time for administrative details and optional breaks.

Test Calendar

The MCAT is currently offered 22 times a year, with test dates concentrated in the spring and summer.

Test Format

Section	Number of Questions	Minutes per Section	Content
Physical Sciences	52	70	General chemistry and physics
Verbal Reasoning	40	60	Passage-based reading comprehension
Writing Samples	2	60	Two student-generated essays on given topics
Biological Sciences	52	70	Biology and organic chemistry

Test Scoring

Each of the three multiple-choice sections—Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, and Biological Sciences—is given a numerical score out of 15.
The Writing Samples are assigned an alphabetical grade, with J as the lowest grade and T as the highest.
The multiple-choice and essay scores are then combined to give a total score—for example, 45T would be the highest possible score.

Our Approach

Content of Program

Students who plan to prepare for the MCAT start by taking a diagnostic test. Those results help tutors identify strengths, weaknesses, and any areas that may not have been addressed in detail by college coursework. Through meetings and homework assignments, students complete a rigorous and comprehensive review of all science material relevant to the exam. In so doing, they develop a deeper understanding of important concepts and hone crucial analytical and problem-solving skills.

As the program proceeds, specific strategies for approaching passage-based material are also introduced. Students complete additional passage-based assignments and take timed practice tests. Practice tests afford students the opportunity to synthesize material and to assess their progress in the weeks leading up to the actual exam.

Length of Program

Students typically start studying for the MCAT no later than three and a half months before they intend to take the official test. Because students’ science backgrounds vary considerably, longer programs may be advisable. Diagnostic tests and other considerations allow us to customize an academic plan responsive to each student’s particular needs.

Further Information

For additional information about preparing and registering for the MCAT, follow the link below:
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat.