The MCAT, spooky! The dreaded test that most hopeful future medical students must take to apply to medical school. Although there are some special programs where students are able to bypass this requirement, in general, most pre-med students have to take this test at least once.
What is the MCAT?
It’s the Medical College Admissions Test, a standardized test created by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) that is “designed to assess your problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine” (1). It’s completely multiple choice, made up of four sections across a wide range of subjects: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/Biochem), Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys), Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc), and Critical Analysis and Reading Skills (CARS). Each of the four sections is 90-95 minutes in total (maximum, that is) and made up entirely of 53-59 multiple choice questions, depending on the section.
On the MCAT, possible scores range from 472-528, with a student’s specific score on each section added together to generate this total score (2). Medical schools will display their MCAT score requirements and stats, like median MCAT of enrolled students and their score minimums, if applicable, on their websites; this info is also found on other sites, like the MSAR (Medical School Admissions Requirements) site.
What is MSAR?
MSAR is a resource for future and current medical school applicants that provides detailed information about all US medical schools – their admission requirements, financial information, GPA and academic stats, and other info; this resource does require a subscription, which is $28 for one year or $36 for two, but it is basically a necessity for anyone looking to apply to med school (3; you can find the link to purchase a subscription at the link for source 3 below).
Is there financial assistance available for the MCAT?
Yes! The AAMC offers discounts and financial support to qualifying individuals that are approved through the Fee Assistance Program (FAP). The FAP application, found on the AAMC website, requires you to input your and your family’s financial information. If approved for fee assistance, you can receive significant discounts on MCAT registration and a free MSAR subscription, as well as free MCAT test prep supplies and resources and free application to your first twenty medical schools, when application season comes (4). Many medical schools will also waive their fees for secondary applications for those approved for FAP.
Blueprint, a company that offers a variety of MCAT test prep help, offers a 50% discount on their courses for those approved for FAP; you just have to contact the company and ask! (5) I myself was enrolled in the 515+ MCAT course through Blueprint and had a positive experience with the course overall.
Any tips for MCAT prep?
I am personally pretty new to the MCAT and haven’t yet taken the test. However, as a recent college grad and current postbac, I have the chance to talk to med school applicants and others knowledgeable on the topic on a pretty regular basis. Many people have recommended UWorld, a company that offers thousands of practice MCAT questions and super helpful insights across the wide range of subjects covered on the test. UWorld access requires a subscription, which ranges from $299 to $399, depending on the subscription duration, but you can test it out with a 7-day free trial (6).
I have also been told about the importance of making a realistic study plan, one that fits your current life and obligations… and sticking to the plan. After all, what is a plan for if you don’t follow it? Be honest with yourself about how much time you will be able to dedicate to MCAT prep every week, make a plan (some websites, like Blueprint, can help with that), and follow it. The MCAT is hard, but when you are accepted into medical school, all of your hard work will pay off.
Finally, my biggest tip is to discuss your MCAT (and general career) plans with your advisor. If you are out of college, find someone knowledgeable and experienced in med school applications and talk with them. These people will be your best resource throughout the process, even beyond the MCAT.
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Works Cited
(1) https://students-residents.aamc.org/about-mcat-exam/about-mcat-exam
(2) https://www.kaptest.com/mcat/what-is-the-mcat
(4) https://students-residents.aamc.org/fee-assistance-program/fee-assistance-program-fap
Science with Mandy 