The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is required for admission to most medical schools. The main subjects of the MCAT are physical and biological sciences, verbal reasoning, and writing skills. This is one of the most mentally and physically grueling tests out there. At 7½ hours, it is almost one of the longest entrance exams.
How to prepare for the MCAT?
Preparing for the MCAT requires designated studying time for 10-15 hours each week for multiple months as there is an extensive amount of material to cover, therefore requiring at least 300 to 350 hours of preparation prior to the MCAT. However, the AAMC has provided a six-step study plan guide on their website and plenty of free MCAT practice tests or resources that make studying much more systematic. Taking numerous practice tests that gradually simulate the extensive duration of the MCAT can help students not only practice the content, but also enhance their test-taking endurance. Being able to be flexible to change your studying plan to focus on different topics and work with professors can greatly ease your stress prior to taking the 7½ hour MCAT.
Cost/other logistics
Registration for the MCAT costs $315 for all US and Canada testing centers. This fee covers the cost of the exam as well as distribution of scores. However, if you register late (1-2 weeks before the test date), the price rises to $370. There are also additional fees for cancellations or rescheduling the exam. There are about 15 test dates offered per year, but there are limits as to how many tests you are allowed to take within a certain time frame. Students are allowed to take the MCAT up to three times in one year, four times over a two year period, or seven times in a lifetime.
Any alternatives to taking the MCAT?
Although some loopholes and quicker paths into medical school exist, there is one chief alternative to taking the MCAT. This way to avoid taking the MCAT altogether is by going to medical schools that do not require the exam, such as the University of Reno, SUNY Downstate or Upstate Medical, University of Alabama School of Medicine, and more. This process for getting into medical school without taking the MCAT is through doing BA/MD and BS/MD programs at one school for 4 - 8 years. These combined programs provide a more focused curriculum that can help students who want to pursue medicine but find the MCAT as an unnecessary struggle that should be avoided. However, getting into such programs happens directly after graduating from high school, so being accepted into them is difficult due to the GPA, upper percentile, and achievement requirements. Around 54 medical schools have this option, and many of these medical schools offer Flexible Admissions Programs that allow students to also take part in other activities apart from medicine and medical science due to the given idea that medical school will directly follow graduation.
Authors: Rushil Khadilkar, Tvisha Thorat, and Thina Nguyen