Are you preparing for the MCAT Exam? First things first, you might be wondering “What does MCAT stand for?” MCAT Stands for “Medical College Admission Test”, which is a crucial step in applying to a top medical school. Most entrance committees consider your MCAT score, among other factors, to assess whether you are capable of handling a medical career.
And you may also be wondering, “What is the MCAT?” The MCAT is one of the most demanding graduate school entry exams, approximately a six-hour test with three science sections and a critical reading part. In order to be successful, you must prepare because a high MCAT score range can lead to admission into the most prestigious medical schools in the Caribbean, Canada and the U.S. This means MCAT practice is vital for your future career. Keep reading to learn more about the exam and how to prep for the MCAT.
What is the MCAT?
The MCAT is a multiple-choice question-based standardized exam used by medical schools across North America for their admissions criteria and is developed and conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Its content can be broken down into four sections:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Each section is scored from 118 to 132, and the total exam score ranges from 472 to 528. The percentile rank that you receive is not based solely on your raw score, but rather on the performance of all the other students who have taken the exam.
How Can You Prepare for the MCAT?
Studying for the MCAT requires dedication, and with the help of the following strategies and study techniques, you can make the most of your preparation.
- Dedicate time for preparation: There is no definitive answer for how long to study for the MCAT or how to start studying for the MCAT. Many students prepare for the MCAT while juggling a career or full-time courses on the side, which means they end up sacrificing their study time for other commitments. If you are involved in a full-time course or job, ensure that you dedicate time to studying and manage everything well so your study time remains unaffected.
- Take regular breaks between your study sessions: The human brain is unable to process or retain complex information if it doesn’t get sufficient rest. While MCAT preparation should be extensive, it’s also essential to take regular breaks to recharge your mind and body. In fact, ensuring proper sleep and physical exercise can enhance your productivity during your study sessions.
- Create study techniques tailored to your strengths: You are the best person to design study plans for yourself as you know your strengths and weaknesses. There is no right or wrong technique to study for the MCAT – take a look at the methods that work for you and remain open to changing them if they are insufficient. Determining how hard is the MCAT is for each individual person depends on various factors so make sure you know what works best for you.
- Attempt mock exams to build endurance: Wondering how long is the MCAT? The MCAT exam lasts for six-plus hours and can be physically and mentally overwhelming, just like a marathon, unless you prepare. Therefore, there’s no need to attempt the exam without building your stamina first. You can do this by taking mock exams early in your preparation and spacing them out throughout the length of your practice. This way, you will quickly develop the endurance to pass a seven-hour exam by the time your revision ends.
- Set a realistic goal score: During your MCAT preparation, don’t forget to set a realistic goal for your MCAT score. This should take into consideration the requirements of your shortlisted medical colleges, and will help you make decisions regarding how long you need to study and what test date you should aim for.
- Know you can retake the test if needed: Wondering how many times can you take the MCAT? In short, you can take the MCAT up to seven times in your lifetime. You can take the MCAT up to three times in one year and four times over two years; this also includes no-shows and voided tests. So if you are nervous, sick, or just want to try again for a better score, know you can retake the test.
When Should I Take the MCAT?
The AAMC conducts the MCAT multiple times throughout the year, specifically in January and from March through September, providing around thirty different test dates. This gives you ample opportunity to schedule your exam whenever you’re ready. Ensure you have covered the syllabus fully before taking the test to increase your chances of success. It’s advisable to take the MCAT earlier in the year, ideally by mid-May, before the AMCAS application submissions start in early June. Completing the exam sooner allows you to submit your AMCAS application earlier, which can be advantageous.
We hope this information helps you determine how to prepare for the MCAT and how to study for the MCAT exam. We wish you the best of luck!
If you are about to take the MCAT, and are looking for suitable MD programs in the Caribbean, you should consider Medical University of the Americas (MUA). The institution has excellent academic standards and has produced an impressive USMLE Step 1 first time pass rate of 95% between 2015-2019.
MUA is known for an optimal class size of 60-80 students, and therefore students receive one-on-one attention from the experienced faculty. Click here to browse through the admissions requirements for the Clinical Medicine MD program at Medical University of the Americas.