MCAT Preparation Dr Ken Crawford Medical School

MCAT Preparation Dr. Ken Crawford

Medical School Admissions • Academic Record • Application – Biographical Info – Activities – Personal Statement • Committee Evaluation • Interview • MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

The MCAT • Computer Based Test ($ 230) – CBT Since 2007 – Visa or MC • Fee Assistance Plan – reduces fee to $ 85 < 300% HHS Poverty • Registration Began Nov. 2, 2009 for Jan. May Dates • Registration ends 14 days prior to test. (7 with late fee, $55) 28 Admin. on 26 Dates Jan. 29, 30 Mar. 27 Apr. 10, 17, 23 May 1, 22, 27 June 17* July 8, 16, 29, 30 Aug. 4, 5, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24 Sept. 2, 3*, 9, 11 * Double Admin. PM Admin

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 Tutorial (Opt. ) Physical Sciences Break (Opt. ) Verbal Reasoning Break (Opt. ) Writing Sample Break (Opt. ) Biological Sciences Questions -52 -40 -2 -52 Time (min) 10 70 10 60 10 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 27 Q

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 ? Exam. Krackers- 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