The MCAT

1
The MCAT

• Medical College Admission Test

2

• What is the MCAT?
• How do you prepare for the MCAT?
• What is test day like?

3
What is the MCAT?

• A required test for admissions to medical school
• A 4 hour 20 minute exam, with a sit time of 5
  hours
• There are 4 sections on the MCAT exam
• Physical Sciences
• Verbal Reasoning
• Writing
• Biological Sciences

4
Physical Sciences

• 52 questions
• 70 minutes
• Mix of 7 passages with 4-7 questions each and 13
  discrete questions (stand alone)
• Covers physics (Phys 220-221) and general
  chemistry (Chem 115-116)
• Topics are listed online at AAMC website

5
Verbal Reasoning

• 40 questions from 7 passages (4-7 questions each)
• 60 minutes
• Passages are a mix of humanities, social
  sciences, and natural sciences
• The MCAT likes the humanities
• Being able to read quickly is a MUST

6
Writing Samples

• 60 minutes - 30 minutes per essay
• 2 essays
• The prompt
• Get a short phrase like A leader cannot act
  fairly and at the same time please everyone.
• All prompts can be found online at AAMC
• 3 tasks
• Explain the prompt, give a counter example, and
  explain when statement does or does not apply

7
Biological Sciences

• 52 questions
• 70 minutes
• Mix of 7 passages with 4-7 questions each and 13
  discrete questions (stand alone)
• Covers biology (Bio 110/111 or 121/131 required
  270/280 help) and organic chemistry (Chem
  255/256)
• Topics listed online at AAMC

8
How to Prepare for the MCAT

• Make a study timeline
• Study the material and TAKE PRACTICE TESTS
• Studying the material
• Class notes
• MCAT courses
• MCAT books
• Online resources
• BRC has old books and note cards (use in BRC)
• GS 294 Reading Efficiency Class, or just visit
  the Academic Success Center in BRNG to use speed
  reader computer program

9
MCAT Study Materials

• Kaplan (Course and books/flashcards/practice
  tests)
• Examkrackers (Books/flashcards/practice tests)
• Princeton Review (Completely comprehensive book)
• Real MCAT Practice exams at AAMC
• MUST DO, one is free
• Kaplan and Princeton Review offer free practice
  exams
• Kaplan has 1 written, 1 online
• PR has 1 online (only one that grades the essays)

10
Example Study Timeline

• Sophie May 10th MCAT
• Started by reading MCAT books over winter break
  and outlined material
• Began Purdue MCAT course during spring semester
• Took practice exams (AAMC) starting 2 months
  before exam
• Week before, locked myself at Purdue and studied
  24/7

11
Example Study Timeline

• Paul January 31st MCAT
• Started studying Material in June with MCAT book
  (1000 pages, took the book EVERYWHERE)
• Outlined all material in October into convenient
  study sheets (3 pages for the ENTIRE MCAT!!!!)
• Took 3 written practice tests during fall
• Took 5 online practice tests during January
• Reviewed material during final week
• Planned for test day

12
Example Study Timeline

• Anna January 31st MCAT
• Began reviewing physics and gen chem during
  summer
• MCAT Question- A- Day
• Set up strict daily schedule
• Took dead week off
• Re-studied and reread book over break
• New book last 3 weeks
• Cannot prepare for everythingbeing sick!
• Sample problems final week
• Get in a routine!!

13
MCAT Study Calendar
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1
2 Model Exam B 3 Class Organ. Living Org Gr
ignard Rxn 4 Chem Cmpds Energy 5 Skeletal S
ys Alcohols 6 Solution Momentum 7 Muscular S
ys Amines 8 Acid/ Base Circular Motion 9 Mod
el Exam C 10 Circulatory Sys Amides 11 Electr
ochem Fluids at Rest 12 Respiratory Sys Alde/K
etone 13 Thermodynamic Gravity 14 Urinary Sys
Carboxylic Acid 15 Rates of rxns Temp Calc.
16 17 Integumentary Esters 18 Mix and Cmpds
Heat 19 Digestive/Nut. Ethers 20 Reactions
Thermodynamic 21 Nervous Sys Final Remarks 22
Enzymes Electrostatics 23 24 Special
Senses 25 Temperature Electricity 26 Endocrin
e Sys 27 Formulas Law Electric Current 28 R
eproductive 29 Biochemistry Electric Energy 3
0 Online Exam
We must become the change we want to see...
14
Day/Night before the exam

• Relax, try to sleep
• You have learned everything that you can
• DO NOT CRAM
• Sophie Got a back massage and slept
• Paul Played Wii, tried to go to sleep around 9
• Anna Looked through flagged pages and in bed
  early

15
Test Day
16
When is the test offered?

• You should take the test when you feel ready, but
  if you are Junior, try to take it before July.
• It is offered in January (2), March (1), April
  (3), May (4), June (2), July (4), August (7),
  September (5)
• Some start at 8AM, some start at noon, and a few
  start at 2PM.
• Arrive 30 60 minutes before (must be there at
  least 30 minutes before)
• Know where the location is, take a trip there
  during the week before!

17
What to bring?

• ONLY YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE. (OR PASSPORT, MUST BE
  VALID, SIGNED GOVERNMENT ID).
• That is the ONLY item you are allowed to take
  into the testing room (no watches, hats,
  ANYTHING)
• You will be given a locker outside of the testing
  room for you keys, cell phone, snacks (good
  idea).
• Do not bring study materials, these are not
  allowed during breaks.

18
What happens before the exam?

• Sign-in, have your picture taken, have your
  finger print taken.
• You have to sign-in/sign-out and do your finger
  print every time you leave or enter the testing
  room (during breaks)
• Try to relax, take deep breathes, close your
  eyes, clear your mind, go to your happy place.

19
During the exam

• You are provided with headphones, scratch paper,
  and pencils.
• Not everyone starts at the same time, not
  everyone taking the MCAT (GRE is popular). Learn
  to focus and concentrate, tune out everyone else.
  
• Taking practice tests in computer labs or library
  is great way to do this.
• Watch your time, but dont check it every minute.
• Use all the time, even if you finish early, this
  is the MCAT, check your answers, no bonus for
  finishing early.

20
When you are done.

• CELEBRATE
• Wait a month, but try not to think about it,
  cant change it now!

21
Info

• You will receive an e-mail from Paul with
  websites that have useful MCAT prep material.

22
Questions?

• ?