GPA and MCAT scores as predictors of successhttp://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatinterpmanual05.pdfChoices of major and courses do not predict scores! http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatinterpmanual05.pdfMCAT –what role does it play?Criteria used to admit applicants into medical schools:1. GPA, especially science2. MCAT scores3. Personal experiences and attributes a. Personal statementb. Secondary applicationsc. Interview4. Premed committee’s letterDifferent schools weigh each criterion somewhat differently,but virtually all schools use all of the above criteria in a significant way.Your MCAT scores correlate with the probability of yourbeing admitted to at least one medical school.About half of the accepted applicants have a total score of 30 or higher; about 80% of rejected applicants have scores<30. With scores <30 it is still possible to be accepted, but probably not at one of the better schools.FamiliarizeReviewPracticeAnalyzePerformMCAT –strategy for successFamiliarize2. Physical Sciences 52 Qs 70 minIntro ChemistryIntro Physics8. Biological Sciences 52 Qs 70minIntro BiologyOrganic ChemistryA. Format4. Verbal Reasoning 40 Qs 60 min500-600 word excerpts on subjectsnot covered in sections 1 and 4;5-10 Qs on each excerpt VocabularyComprehensionAbility to Evaluate6. Writing Sample 2 essays 30 min eachOrganize ideasExpress clearlySpell correctlyUse correct grammar1. Tutorial (Optional) 5 min3. Break (Optional) 10 min5. Break (Optional) 10 min7. Break (Optional) 10 min9. Break (Optional) 10 minB. Types of questions1.Multiple choicea. based on provided passageverbal reasoningsome science questionsb. based on general knowledge2.Essays; i.e., writing sample2 30 min essaysidentify central themeidentify tasks you will be asked to performoutline thoughtsconstruct clear and concise argumentscheck spellinguse correct grammarThe MCAT Physical Sciences sectionassesses reasoning skills in the generalchemistry and physics disciplines.Physical Sciences questions arepresented in two formats. The majorityof the questions are based on passages,each about 250 words in length, thatdescribe a situation or problem. Elevenproblem sets are included, with each setconsisting of four to seven questions. Anadditional 15 questions are independentof any passage and of each other.Neither the passage-related questionsnor the independent questions test theability to memorize scientific facts.Rather, both types of questions assessknowledge of basic physical scienceconcepts and facility at problem solvingin physics and the general chemistryareas.http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatinterpmanual05.pdfThe format of the MCAT BiologicalSciences section is similar to that of thePhysical Sciences section. Multiple-choicequestions test knowledge andreasoning in biology and organicchemistry using eleven problem sets offour to seven questions each, and 15independent questions. Passages areapproximately 250 words in length.Questions do not assess rotememorization of scientific facts butinstead test knowledge of basicbiological science concepts andproblem-solving ability in biology andthe biologically related areas ofchemistry. Some questions requireinterpretation of information found ingraphs, tables, or figures. Questions mayalso require application of certainmathematics concepts and skills,summarized later in this document.http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatinterpmanual05.pdfThe Verbal Reasoning section of theMCAT is designed to assess skill inunderstanding, evaluating, and applyinginformation and arguments presented inprose texts. This section of the testconsists of nine passages, each 500 to600 words in length, taken from thehumanities and social sciences and fromareas of the natural sciences not testedon the MCAT science disciplinessections. Each passage is accompaniedby five to ten multiple-choice questionsbased on the information presented inthe passage.Some questions assess basiccomprehension of the text, while othersrequire the examinee to analyze data,evaluate the validity of an argument, orapply knowledge gained from thepassage to other contexts. Since thehumanities, social sciences, and naturalsciences include a vast range of subjects,and courses in these areas differ greatlyin content, test questions do not cover aspecific set of topics. That is, examineesare not tested for specific subjectknowledge in the disciplines addressedby the Verbal Reasoning section.http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatinterpmanual05.pdfThe MCAT Writing Sample consists oftwo essays, each written during a 30-minute time period.The WritingSample is designed to assess skills in thefollowing areas:• Developing a central idea• Synthesizing concepts and ideas• Presenting ideas cohesively andlogically• Writing clearly, following acceptedpractices of grammar, syntax, andpunctuation consistent with timed,first-draft compositionEach essay question provides a specifictopic that requires an expositoryresponse. Essay topics do not pertain tothe technical content of biology,chemistry, physics, or mathematics; themedical school application process orreasons for the choice of medicine as acareer; social or cultural issues not inthe general experience of MCATexaminees.http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatinterpmanual05.pdfReview A.Use outline of topics as a study guide1. provided at www.aamc.org2. provided in Meeting the Challenge of the MCAT(order at www.naahp.org)B.Use class notes and texts to refresh understanding of topics on outlineD.Take MCAT prep course (only if you are not disciplined enough to study on your own)(e.g., Kaplan, Princeton Review)E.Buy study guides; sign out study guides from Science Library or Health Careers OfficeC.Be honest with yourself in terms of what youreally know, and what you have to really focus onF.Be realistic in your approach to studying1. you cannot cram everything2. follow the topic outline, learn basic conceptsand formulae, and make connections PracticeA.Get practice exams at www.aamc.org, through the Health Careers Office, in study guides, or as part of MCAT prep course.D.Take the practice exams (separately) under realistic, timed conditions (i.e., no TV, not in a restaurant, etc.).Do this so you have something to analyze, not to predicthow you will do on exam day.B.Use off-the-wall proverbs or topics provided at the AAMCweb site as topics for essays.Practice summarizing what is meant, constructing arguments in support, and constructing argumentsagainst.C.Use 500-600 word excerpts from editorial articles(i.e., ones that try to impress you with their vocabulary,present a specific point of view, and justify their argument with evidence). Practice identifying key wordsthat are essential to each paragraph. On the MCAT, youcan then write these key words next to each paragraph,and use them to locate information you need to answer the questions. Don’t get bogged down in the details whilereading the excerpt; just scan it to identify keys to eachparagraph.AnalyzeA.Identify questions you could not answer becauseyou did not know the material; use this information toguide the choice of topics to study furtherB.Identify questions you got wrong because oftactical errors in the way you approached the question;then develop and practice better tacticse.g., not understanding the question,not relying on the provided information,not picking up on key words in the question,spending too much time reading passages withoutknowing what you’re looking for C. Practice individual sections again after reviewing weak areas and developing new strategies Repeat until your scores are >10 for each section;understand that your scores will be lowerwhen you take the whole examPractice entiretimed exam to get a feel for where you stand,and repeat process until your overall score is >30 PerformA.Relaxa day or 2 before the examB.Get a good night’s sleepC.Get an early start and eat a good breakfastD.Plan to get to the testing station earlyE.Be cool, calm and confidentF.Use good examsmanshipKnow how much time is allotted for each questionDon’t bog down on any one questionFind the easy questions and answer them firstEliminate obviously wrong answersIf you can narrow the choice to 2 answers, pick oneKeep track of the questions that you skip (make surethat they are highlighted)If time permits, go back to workon ones you skippedWith 2-3 min left, choose a letter and answer allunansweredquestions with that letterOn verbal section, choose easiest excerpt firstOn writing section, pay more attention to how you construct your arguments, spelling, and grammarthan to what you actually say• Registration DeadlinesYou must register through the online program hosted by AAMC (http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/). You will be able to accessthe system approximately 12 weeksprior to each test date.• The regular registration deadlineis 14 calendar daysprior to the test date.• If you miss the regular deadline, you may be able to register during the late time period. A late fee will apply. (The AAMC will be unable to grant fee assistance, ADA accommodations, or special permission during late registration.)2007 MCAT Administration Schedule(http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/datesdeadlines.pdf)2008 MCAT Projected Exam Dates(http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcat2008.pdf)