Question: What is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)?
Answer: The Medical College Admission Test is required by all medical schools. The evaluation of grades alone is not helpful in selecting students. Thus, the MCAT is designed to help the admissions committee determine who is best suited for medical school. The American Association of Medical Colleges administers the test once in April and once in August. A whole day is spent at the testing center with an average of 9 ½ hours. In order to take the MCAT, a fee of $200.00 is required. Based on specific criteria, some students may be eligible for a fee reduction or waiver through the AAMC Fee Assistance Program.
The MCAT is divided in to four sections:
- Biological Sciences: 77 questions in Biology & Organic Chemistry – 100 minutes
- Physical Sciences: 77 questions in Physics & Inorganic Chemistry – 100 minutes
- Verbal Reasoning: 65 questions – 85 minutes
- Writing: 2 essays – 60 minutes
The average scores on the MCAT’s are:
- Verbal Reasoning: 9.5
- Physical Sciences: 9.9
- Biological Sciences: 10.2
