Everything You Need To Know About The MCAT

The field of medicine is still one of the most in-demand careers despite its challenges. While it can take a bit longer compared to other tracks, it’s one of the most rewarding and fulfilling fields out there, especially if you love your job. 

If you’re interested in becoming a doctor, it’s important to understand the necessary steps you need to take in order to achieve your goal. And if you’ve got even bigger dreams, why not take medicine abroad? The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is one of the most crucial deciding factors in this process. Medical schools in the United States and Canada use the MCAT to find out how well you did in college as well as the knowledge you have in the disciplines used in medicine. 

Is your road to becoming a doctor paved in the land of the free? Then here’s a guide to the MCAT, the test to get you into a medical school in the US! 

What is the MCAT?

The Medical College Admissions Test, more commonly known as the MCAT, is a standardized test required for admissions to medical schools located in the USA and Canada. The MCAT examines your knowledge of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology. Aside from these subjects, it also tests your reasoning and critical analysis skills.

Yearly, over 200,000 aspiring medical students take the MCAT. Interested in taking it this year? Here’s a kit with everything you need to know about the test!

What is the coverage of the MCAT?

Subject	Content	Time
Chemistry and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems	Basic principles underlying the operations of the human body    44 passage-based questions 15 standalone, non-passage-based questions 59 total questions	95 minutes
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills	Argument analysis and inferences   52 passage-based questions	90 minutes
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems	Disciplines of biology, biochemistry, and organic and general chemistry   44 passage-based questions 15 standalone questions 59 total questions	95 minutes
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour	Implementation of research and statistical principles related to behavioral and sociocultural relationships   44 passage-based questions 15 standalone questions 59 total questions	95 minutes

How is the MCAT scored?

The MCAT scores are based on the number of correct answers. Wrong answers do not affect your score and are not given any penalty. Each of the 4 sections is converted to a scaled score,  from 118 (lowest) to 132 (highest). The median score being 125.

With this, smart guessing is a great strategy to get as many points as you can. It is much better to use the process of elimination and have a slight chance of getting it right than leaving the number blank and warranting a sure wrong answer.

What are the passing scores of the MCAT?

Medical schools vary in test requirements or average scores of admitted students. Moreover, here are scaled scores that can help you gauge what score you aim to reach.

Top 10% of all test takers	514 to 528
Top 25% of all test takers	508 to 513
Top 50% of all test takers	500 to 507
Below 50th percentile of all test takers	499 or below

How do I apply for the MCAT?

The MCAT is offered over 20 times per year, between January to September.  You can apply to take the MCAT up to three times in one year. The registration can be done through the Association of American Medical Colleges online.

To register for the MCAT, you must complete the following steps:

1. Create an account on the  Association of American Medical Colleges website.
2. Fill up the personal information asked for. Be extra careful in this step as your data must match the government issued ID needed on the day of the test.
3. Before registration, ensure you have your credit card in order to secure your seat right away.
4. Register for a test date and choose your location. Keep in mind that scores are released a month after the test date so make sure to register for a test that is not too close to your medical school application deadline.

When and where can I take the MCAT?

Students who are in their 3rd year of college often decide when they will be taking their MCAT. The common time period when students opt to take the MCAT is towards the end of their junior year and summer before senior year. You must also note that by the time you take the test, you must have taken the following courses in order to lessen review period: Biology, Physics, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Psychology, and Sociology.

Deciding as early as 3rd Year allows you to know how much you need to prepare. Are you going to take a gap year after you get your undergraduate degree? Do you need a year to prepare? Are you planning to go to med school right away? 

There are over 20 test dates opened by AAMC yearly. This 2019, the remaining MCAT test dates are as follows:

• June 28 & 29  
• July 10, 13, &  20
• August 2, 3, 9, 17, 30, & 31
• September 6, 13, & 14

Here’s a list of countries that administer the MCAT. Unfortunately, there are no testing centers in the Philippines.

Is the MCAT expensive? How much do I have to pay to take it?

The MCAT costs $315, which is around P16,300,  when you register during their regular window. Being proactive will definitely benefit you as there are late registration fees and rescheduling fees added on top of this testing fee. If you want to save some cash, opt to borrow review books or purchase used ones instead of buying brand new.

Medical school is indeed going to be a tough journey; however, the experience will all be worth it. Although taking the MCAT is just the beginning, you are still one step closer to your dreams.

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