Mastering the MCAT exam: Your ultimate guide to medical school admission

You know how it goes with many Asian parents – they’ve got that classic dream of us becoming lawyers or doctors.

So, if you’re leaning towards the whole doctor path, there’s this one exam that’s an absolute must to ace if you want a shot at getting into medical school – the MCAT exam. In this blog, we’re diving into everything you need to know about the MCAT.

What is MCAT exam?

So, what is MCAT exam required for? Well, the MCAT, put together by the AAMC, has been the go-to entrance exam for medical school hopefuls for nearly a century now. Both in the US and Canada, medical schools want a peek at those MCAT scores before giving you a green light.

But hang on, it’s not just doctors who benefit. If you’re eyeing any gig in the health and medical domain, MCAT scores are like a stamp of approval for your academic know-how and skills in that arena.

So, if you’re dead set on diving into this field, having a solid grip on certain subjects is your golden ticket.

MCAT exam syllabus

Curious to know what’s on the MCAT exam?

Well, it’s a whole bunch of science stuff. There are four main sections to tackle:

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of the Living System
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of the Living System

Imagine it like a cool challenge where you get to use your biology and biochemistry knowledge to solve problems. But it’s not your everyday biology – it’s about the special things that happen in living beings, like how they grow, stay healthy inside, and get energy. They’re also curious about how cells and body parts team up to make these things happen in animals and plants. The aim? To see if you really get how these processes work, from the smallest cells to the bigger picture in the living world.

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

It wants you to take what you’ve picked up in psychology, society, and biology and use it to crack problems. Basically, it’s all about figuring out how our thoughts, actions, and well-being are shaped by our minds, the society we live in, and our bodies.

The goal here is to check if those future doctors are geared up to help everyone out there and if they get how behavior links to health. They’re going to test you on stuff you’ve learned in psychology, sociology, and biology classes, plus they’ll see if you can use science smarts to mull over social and behavioral stuff.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

This part is all about using your chemistry and physics smarts to solve problems – imagine it like a puzzle. They want to see if you can wrap your head around how our body bits, like tissues and organs, work together, kind of like a mechanical team. Plus, they’re throwing in a test to see if you know the basic rules of chemistry and physics that make our bodies tick, and if you can use these rules in real-world situations.

So, what’s the bottom line? They’re basically checking if you’re comfy with the basics of biology, chemistry, and physics, and if you can apply that knowledge to get how our bodies roll. Oh, and they’re also making sure you’re not afraid of a little science detective work and numbers. Showcasing your scientific thinking and logical skills, all wrapped up in the natural world of science, is the name of the game here.

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

It’s like a reading test, but it’s got a med school twist. They’re curious about how well you can understand and think about what you read. They toss in some short yet tricky passages from different areas and then pop questions to see if you can catch the main points and think deeply about what’s written. These passages might sound a bit fancy, and the questions aren’t just about facts – they’re digging into what the authors really meant and how they said it. So, it’s all about figuring out if you can read, truly get different ideas, and sort out the tricky stuff.

At the end of the day, these are crucial for new students to do well in their medical school journey.

How long is the MCAT exam?

Well, buckle up! It’s a 7.5-hour journey, breaks included. Each of the four sections takes around 90-95 minutes to finish, and you’ve got the option of a 10 to 30-minute breather between each section. Think of it as a sneak peek into the life of a med student – you’re getting a taste of what’s coming down the road before even stepping into that doctor’s coat.

Before we forget, MCAT is done on a computer, and it’s got those usual multiple-choice parts. But here’s the scoop: the questions are a mix of two types – you’ve got passage-based ones and then there are those standalone questions.

MCAT exam eligibility

Good news, if you are an international examinee, you’re in the clear – no extra rules for you.

If you’re planning to apply for health professions programs that accept MCAT scores, you’re good to go for the exam. Just remember, if you’re already in or were in one of these programs like MD, DO, podiatric medicine, or veterinary medicine, this doesn’t apply. When you register, you’ll need to confirm that you’re taking the test specifically to apply and get into a health professions program.

But wait, there are some limits to note – you can’t take the MCAT more than seven times in your life. During that span, here’s the lowdown:

• You can try one MCAT at a time.
• Not more than three shots in a single year.
• And no more than four tries over two back-to-back years.

MCAT exam cost

Now that you’re clued in about who’s eligible and what’s on the test, let’s get real with a practical question – how much does MCAT exam cost?

Now it really depends if you are on the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP).

The AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) is like a helping hand for those who might not have enough money for the MCAT exam or other med school stuff. Through this program, the cost of the MCAT exam drops from 330 USD to 135 USD. Take note that you have to pay additional fees as an international student. So what is the cost of the MCAT exam as an international applicant?

MCAT exam fee – Others

MCAT exam dates 2024 -Testing Calendar for International students

Now, when is the MCAT exam offered?

Here’s the scoop on the exam dates for 2024, all sorted out by country. Check it out!

What about MCAT exam in India?

Now you might be wondering is there any MCAT exam for Indian students? And what are the MCAT exam fees in India?

The MCAT exam doesn’t happen in India. So, if you’re all geared up to take the test, you’ll need to hop on over to a nearby country or make your way to the good old USA to give it a shot.

As for how much does MCAT exam cost in INR, you will have to convert USD to INR.

Here is a rough estimation for MCAT exam fees in India: around $37,929 INR. The breakdown is listed below:

*The exchange rate is taken on 7 Dec 2023, 4:37 am UTC

This deal covers just your MCAT registration. But, here’s the thing: since you’re jetting out of India to do the exam, you have to factor in costs for staying, flights, and all the day-to-day stuff too.

When do you take the MCAT exam?

Sure, you know when is the mcat exam offered, but really as a candidate, you should be asking yourself “when should I take my MCAT exam?”.

With a bunch of dates to choose from, timing is key. So, here’s the deal – ask yourself these questions to nail down the perfect MCAT timing:

• Are you totally ready for it? Got the content down pat?
• When’s med school in your sights? Think about your timeline.
• Will you need a retake? Keep that in mind too.

How to register for MCAT exam?

Now once you have locked down the best time to take the test, it’s time to register. Once you log into the system, you will have better visibility of the following:

• When can you take the MCAT exam
• Where can I take the MCAT exam

Ready to kick off the registration? Here is your game plan:

1. Jump into the MCAT Registration System (MRS) and create your account. Get your username and password all set.
2. Share your details like your name, contact info, education , and agree to the MCAT examinee rules.
3. Boom, once that’s all squared away, hit the “schedule a date” button.
4. Pick your date and location to take the test.
5. Pay up, and you’re good to go.

MCAT exam requirements – test day

So, when the big day arrives, what’s in store? Apart from keeping those nerves in check, here’s what you’ll need:

Check in process (arrive 30 minutes before the starting time)

1. Check in with the Test Administrator when you reach the test center.
2. Sign in and show your ID.
3. Your palms will be scanned digitally.
4. They’ll take a photo of you for test day records.
5. As for your personal stuff, you will need to put into the secure storage they provide. The test administrator will guide you on where to stash it.

Testing room

• Photo ID
• Noteboard and marker provided by the center
• Storage key given by the center
• Earplugs (the foam, wireless ones they provide)

Alright, brace yourself because this exam stretches out for seven hours. But don’t worry, they’ve got your back with two optional 10-minute breaks and a 30-minute break smack in the middle.

Just a heads up, if you decide to take a break that’s not part of the plan, your test clock won’t pause. So, it’s on you to keep track of your break time – they’ve got a clock in the test center waiting area to help you out.

Oh, and here’s a bonus: you can bring your snacks and drinks to munch on during your breaks. But here’s the catch – they need to chill outside the testing room in your assigned locker or whatever storage the centre offers you.

MCAT scores

So, after you take the MCAT, it takes around 30 to 35 days for your official scores to pop up. Just hit “Get Your Test Scores” button on the site to check them out.

You’ll get scores for each of the four sections plus a total score. So, how well you did in the multiple-choice parts depends on the number of right answers you got in each section. So never leave your answers blank – go ahead and guess if you’re not sure.

Now they will change these raw scores into a scaled score, ranging from 118 to 132. Your total? It’s the sum of your section scores, and it’ll fall anywhere between 472 and 528.

And when it comes to how long these scores stick around, most medical schools are cool with scores from about two to three years back.

How to create a study plan for the MCAT exam?

Figuring out how to create a study plan for the MCAT exam? Well, here’s the scoop – it usually takes over 20 weeks to get ready. First, ask yourself a couple of things:

1. What’s your know-how on the topics? You can take a practice test to figure out your strong points. List down what you want to study and how you want to do it. Maybe start with your strong areas or mix up comfy and challenging sections.
2. Jot downyour school, job, and other stuff you’re into, and how much time each takes. Toss in the hours you can study daily.
3. Get your hands on free study resources or think about buying practice materials.

AAMC’s also has a guide to help you chart out your study plan. It’s like a map for your prep journey, especially since the exam goes on for a solid seven hours – you are going to have to build up that stamina, you know?

MCAT exam sample paper

Here’s the lowdown on resources – you’ve got both freebies and things you can shell out for:

For specific sections

How hard is the MCAT exam?

Is the MCAT the hardest entrance exam?

At the end of the day, it’s a marathon of a test, demanding everything from years of course material to sharp critical thinking. There’s a mountain of stuff to grasp, and you’ve got to apply it to unfamiliar territory. It’s not about cramming for a grade; it’s about delving into scientific thinking and truly understanding the stuff, not just memorizing it to answer questions.

It won’t be a walk in the park, but it’s doable. The trick? Break your prep into manageable steps over a good chunk of time. Give yourself the chance to relax and trust in your smarts.

Before you go…

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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with products or vendors mentioned.