The 2015 MCAT changes from the current version in six

major ways:
1. The New MCAT Has More Tested Topics:
There will be three additional semesters worth of material in college-level
biochemistry, introductory psychology and introductory sociology, increasing the
number of prerequisite classes from eight to eleven. Passages will also place
more emphasis on integrating topics, with general chemistry, physics, and
biochemistry (for instance) all appearing within the same passage! Heres the
new MCAT at a glance:

2. The New MCAT Is Almost Double The Length:

On the new MCAT, youll face 230 questions over 6 hours and 15 minutes versus
144 questions in 3 hours 20 minutes currently. The new test will require a lot
more stamina and focus. The breakdown of these questions is 10 passages with 4
to 7 questions each and 15 stand-alone questions in each of the science sections,
and 9 passages in the CARS section. (Information from AAMC Quarterly Update
Meeting, May 2014)

3. The New MCAT Will Have a Different Scoring Scale:

Each of the four sections on MCAT 2015 will be scored 118-132, for a total
possible score of 528. The mean is expected to be 125 per section for a total
mean score of 500. This differs from the current 1-15 per section and 1-45 total
scale. The first administration of the new MCAT will be in April 2015.

4. Youll Face New Question Types & Skills:

The current MCAT focuses on content knowledge and critical thinking, but the
new MCAT tests two additional skills. Research Design focuses on the
fundamentals of creating research projects, bias, faulty results, and variable
relationships. Graphical Analysis & Data Interpretation focuses on deriving
conclusions and drawing inferences from visual data, including figures, graphs
and data tables.

5. The New MCAT Has A More Medical Approach:

On the new MCAT, passages will be restructured to test all of the natural sciences

within biological systems, often invoking physiology or pathology. Showing the

application of all the tested sciences to medicine encourages students to view
these subjects not simply as prerequisites for med school, but for the practice of
medicine in general.

6. Verbal Reasoning Is Changing Slightly:

The new section will now be called Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, or
CARS. Unlike the current Verbal Reasoning section, the new CARS section will no
longer include passages on the natural sciences; instead, it will focus exclusively
on humanities and social sciences passages. This section will now have 53 items,
which will need to be completed in 90 minutes. The passages will have 500 600
words.

How is the New MCAT Exam Scored?

You will receive five scores from your MCAT exam: one for each of the four sections and one
combined total score.
Section Scores: Each of the four sections--Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living
Systems; Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Psychological, Social,
and Biological Foundations of Behavior; and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills--is scored
from a low of 118 to a high of 132, with a midpoint of 125. Test takers will receive scores for
each of the four sections.
Total Score: Scores for the four sections are combined to create a total score. The total
score ranges from 472 to 528. The midpoint is 500.