MCAT Preparation

Dr. Ken Crawford

 Medical School Admissions
• Academic Record
• Application
– Biographical Info
– Activities
– Personal Statement
• Committee Evaluation
• Interview
• MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
 OVERALL GPA
MCAT
>3.8 3.5-3.8 3.2-3.5 2.9-3.2 <2.9 Total
SCORE
4/4 : 1/2 : ________ 1/2: ________ 6/8 :
>32
100% 50% 50% 75%
25/26 : 9/12: 8/8 : ________ ________ 42/46 :
28-32
96% 75% 100% 91%
15/19 : 13/24 : 4/10 : ________ ________ 32/53 :
24-27
79% 54% 40% 60%
7/7 : 7/16 : 7/17 : 2/4 : 1/3 : 24/47 :
20-23
100% 44% 41% 50% 33% 51%
0/2 : 1/5 : 4/12 : 0/4 : 0/2 : 5/25 :
<20
0% 20% 33% 0% 0% 20%
51/58 : 31/59 : 23/47 : 3/10 : 1/5 : 109/179 :
Total
88% 53% 49% 30% 20% 61%

Combined Acceptance Rates to both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools for
WKU Students from 2002 to 2009.
 The MCAT
• Computer Based Test 28 Admin. on 26 Dates
($ 230)
– CBT Since 2007 Jan. 29, 30
– Visa or MC Mar. 27
• Fee Assistance Plan – Apr. 10, 17, 23
reduces fee to $ 85 May 1, 21, 22, 27
< 300% HHS Poverty June 17*
• Registration Began July 8, 16, 29, 30
Nov. 2, 2009 for Jan.- Aug. 4, 5, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24
May Dates Sept. 2, 3*, 9, 11
• Registration ends 14
days prior to test. (7 * Double Admin.
PM Admin
with late fee, $55)
 Where ?
• MCAT is administered by AAMC through
license to Thompson Prometric Testing
Centers
• Regional Centers In: Madison, TN
(Rivergate); Nashville (2), Clarksville, TN;
Lexington; Louisville (2); Evansville, IN;
Cincinnati, OH
 The MCAT
• Download and read the MCAT Essentials
• Required by all U.S. Medical Schools
>70,000 examinees each year
• Best Single Predictor of Success on
USMLE, especially Step I.
• Assesses skills required for medical school
as well as for the practice of medicine.
 Test Day
• Note: Arrive at the Testing Center 30 minutes before
scheduled start.
• Be aware of time zone issues!
• Proper ID
• No Personal Items, except foam earplugs
• No Calculator !!!!
• Dress in Layers, Bring Snacks / Beverage
• They Provide: white board/paper + pencil,
headphones
 Test Format
Section Questions Time (min)
Tutorial (Opt.) -- 10
Physical Sciences 52 70
Break (Opt.) -- 10
Verbal Reasoning 40 60
Break (Opt.) -- 10
Writing Sample 2 60
Break (Opt.) -- 10
Biological Sciences 52 70
 Test Format
• Physical Sciences, 52 questions, 70 min.
– 7 Reading Passages (approx. 300 words)
– 4-8 multiple choice questions/ passage
~10-13 independent (discrete) MC questions

– Covers: Physics and General Chemistry

 Test Format
• Verbal Reasoning, 40 questions, 60 min.
– 6-7 Reading Passages (approx. 600 words)
– 6-9 multiple choice questions/ passage

– Covers: Critical Reading, Critical Thinking

 Test Format
• Writing Sample, 2 essays, 60 min.
– Develop central ideas
– Synthesize concepts
– Present ideas logically
– Present ideas clearly (grammar and syntax)

– Covers: General Knowledge

 Test Format
• Biological Sciences, 52 questions, 70 min.
– 7-8 Reading Passages (approx. 300 words)
– 4-8 multiple choice questions/ passage
~10-13 independent (discrete) MC questions

– Covers: Biology (4-5 passages) and Organic

Chemistry (2-3 passages)
 Scoring
• Scores Released approx. 30 days after Date (THx)
• Multiple Choice – Raw Score (# of correct responses)
– No penalty for incorrect responses
• Raw Score Converted to Normalized Score (1-15)
• Experimental Items do not Count
• Writing Sample –
– Each essay evaluated by 2 graders (scored 1-6)
– Raw score is total of 4 scores
– Converted to Letter Score (J to T), O is the median
• Score reported as 8, 10, Q, 9 and 27Q
 Voiding/ Rescoring/
Question Challenge
• Void Option – issued at end of test, no
report, counts as an attempt
• Rescoring – may request, $55 for MC, $55
for writing, $110 whole test
• Question Challenge – flawed or ambiguous
questions, within 5 days
 Retesting
• Can Register for Another Date 48 hours
after testing
• Scores released approx. 30 days
• Cannot hold more than 1 reservation at a
time
• Can take no more than 3/year
• Do not plan on taking it twice, but…
 Preparation ???
• What’s Best For Me ?
• Formal Class ?
– In House
– Commercial
• Study on my own ?
• ExamKrackers- Audio Osmosis $199.95
• Practice!! www.e-mcat.com
 AHEC Sponsored Prep Class
• Proven Results
– 2003 Class (Avg. Increase 5.5, range 2-10 )
– 2007 Class (Avg. Increase 5.3, range 1-9)

• Features:
– Full Length Practice Tests (4 CBT)
• 4 additional tests available from AAMC (www.e-mcat.com)
• 2 additional in Kaplan Guide
– Test Taking Tips
– Subject Matter Review (all Professor taught)
– Build Test taking “Stamina”
– Only $100
– Practice Test #3