MCAT 2013-14

Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center

Samantha & Teresa

What is the MCAT?

Medical College Admission Test

Administered by the Association of
American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
Standardized, computerized multiplechoice exam used to screen medical school
applicants
Tests students' knowledge of basic scientific
concepts, critical reasoning, and problem
solving

Why take the MCAT?

Identifies students who will most likely be

"successful" in the first two years of medical
school
Determines a student's areas of strength
and weakness
Used by medical school admission
committees along with transcripts,
applications, personal statement, and
resume to assess applicants

MCAT 2015 Revision

Addition of social and behavioral sciences

section
Inclusion of biochemistry and statistics
Revised to assess students on skill-based
learning of core competencies
For students who plan to enter medical
school in 2016 and beyond

MCAT 2015 Presentation

March 12th 5:30 pm, QLC 412

Agenda

Breakdown of the MCAT

Preparation for the MCAT
Study strategies
o Sample questions
o

MCAT Logistics
o
o

Registering for the MCAT

Test Day
Follow up

Common Rumors and Q&A

Breakdown of the Current MCAT

Physical Sciences
Verbal Reasoning
Biological Sciences
Trial Section

These sections will test:

o
o

Fundamental principles in biology, general

chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.
Analytical reading skills

No more Writing Sample!

Physical Sciences
Tests problem-solving ability and general
knowledge in chemistry and physics
52 questions:
7 passage-based

4-7 questions per set

13 independent questions

Recommended Courses: Math 140 & 215 or 241,

Chemistry 161/L & 162/L, Physics 151/L &
152/L

Verbal Reasoning
Tests ability to understand, evaluate and apply
information found in passages. Content is based on
humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.
40 questions:
7 passages (~600 words/passage)
o 5-7 questions per passage

*Usually the lowest score in Hawaii, and the most difficult

to change
Recommended Courses: English, English Literature, Arts, Humanities, Natural
Sciences and Social Sciences that require reading and analysis

Biological Sciences
Tests problem-solving ability and knowledge in
organic chemistry and biology.
52 questions:
7 passage-based sets of questions

4-7 questions per set

13 independent questions

Recommended Courses: Math 140 & 215 or 241,

Biology 171/L & 172/L, Chemistry 272/L & 273/L

Trial Section (NEW!)

VOLUNTARY!
Owing to the change in 2015, this section will
help build the next version of the MCAT.

Last Section
45 minutes
32 new questions
o

biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics,

psychology, and sociology

$30 Amazon.com Gift Card

o
o

emailed 3-4 weeks after

Will get feedback on results

Preparation for the MCAT

Individual study: Test prep books, practice exams

Pros
o Flexible, tailored to student's needs
o Inexpensive
Cons
o Easy to procrastinate & fall behind
o Difficult to structure
o Knowledge of instructor (self)

Preparation for the MCAT

Group Study: Groups of 2 or more

Pros:
o Gain support, encouragement, feedback
from peers
Cons:
o Difficult to coordinate and manage
o Easy to fall behind with group meetings
o Difficult to maintain focus

Preparation for the MCAT

Commercial Test Prep: Classroom in-person
course, online course

Pros:
o Led by trained instructor
o Structured
o Online or in-person
Cons:
o Expensive
o Designed for general population, not
personalized

How to Study Individually

1. Set a study schedule
-Study 9-12 months in advance
-1 hr/day
2. PRACTICE!
-Start with untimed tests and learn to do
problems correctly
3. Use timer to develop a sense of time and
increase speed
4. Take the full length practice test regularly
-Builds endurance!

How to Take a Commercial Prep

Show up
Do the work
o

Take advantage of opportunities

Course alone will not get you where you

want to be
o
o

Still must study on your own

Study what you need to

Knowledge Based vs. Skills Based

Facts

Critical Thinking

Equations

Problem Solving

Rules

Building connections

Theories:
Biological Sciences
Physical Sciences

Reading Comprehension:
Verbal Reasoning
Biological Sciences
Physical Sciences

Tips!

Study early!
o Build stamina! Take frequent practice tests
Answer every question
o No penalty for guessing
o Use process of elimination
Prepare for the Verbal Section
One course load less
o 10-12 hr/week
Scores are usually 3-5 points below what you can
achieve on the practice test
Prepare for the day
Do your best the first time
o Every program evaluates MCAT scores differently

Sample Questions
Physical Sciences: General Chemistry
Among the halogens F2, Cl2, Br2, I2, an
increase in which of the following types of
intermolecular forces causes an increase in
boiling point going down the group?
A) dipole-dipole forces
B) ion-dipole forces
C) ion-induced dipole forces
D) London dispersion forces
*Gathered from The Offical Guide to the MCAT Exam, 2009 Edition

Sample Questions
Correct Answer: D
Among the halogens considered, the boiling point
increases going down the group because of an
increase in London dispersion forces, which are
caused by momentary electron cloud distortions.
Difficulty level: Medium (55%)

Sample Questions
Physical Sciences: Physics
A rock is dropped from a cliff that is 100 m
above ground level. How long does it take the
rock to reach the ground? (Use g = 10 m/s2)
A) 4.5 s
B) 10 s
C) 14 s
D) 20 s

Sample Questions
Correct Answer: A
You are told the rock falls from a 100 m height to
the ground under the influence of a 10 m/s2
acceleration. Since the rock starts at rest,
evaluating the distance equation:
d=v0t+1/2at2
t=2d/a = 2(100 m)/(10 m/s2)

t=4.5 s
Difficulty level: Easy (75%)

Sample Questions
Verbal Reasoning
Content Category: Social Sciences

Sample Questions
Verbal Reasoning
Suppose that a particular group of people uses
metaphors that reference mechanical objects to
describe living creatures. Based on the reasoning in
the passage, these people would most likely believe
that:
A) mechanical objects are in some sense alive
B) living creatures are in some sense mechanical
C) mechanical metaphors are a neutral way of
referring to living creatures
D) the idea of the mechanical depends on a
conception of the animate

Sample Questions
Correct Answer: B
The second paragraph states, "As for things in the
mineral realm, anatomical metaphors, such as
foothills and headlands,...make them all seem
familiar and personal. Indeed, language tricks
people into believing that...[inanimate things] are all
in some sense alive." Thus, if people were to refer to
living creatures using mechanical metaphors, then
they would most likely be tricked into believing that
living creatures are in some sense mechanical.

Difficulty level: Hard (40%)

Sample Questions
Biological Sciences: Biology
During the respiratory cycle, contraction of the
diaphragm causes:
A) exhalation
B) elevation of the ribs
C) the intrapleural pressure to increase
D) the intra-alveolar pressure to decrease

Sample Questions
Correct Answer: D
Contraction of the respiratory diaphragm causes
it to move downward, thus increasing the
volume of the thoracic cavity. This causes a
decrease in the intrapleural pressure.
Expansion of the thoracic cavity causes the
lungs to expand, which causes the intraalveolar pressure to decrease below
atmospheric pressure & draw air into the lungs.
Difficulty: Hard (30%)

Sample Questions
Biological Sciences: Organic Chemistry
Which of the following carboxylic acids will
have the lowest pKa?
A) 2-methylbutyric acid
B) 3-chlorobutyric acid
C) 2-ethylbutyric acid
D) 3-bromobutyric acid

Sample Questions
Correct Answer: B
A substituent has an inductive effect on the acidity of
the carboxyl group. An electron withdrawing
substituent reduces electron density of the
carboxyl group and increases the acidity. A more
electron withdrawing substituent reduces the
electron density of the carboxyl group further;
thus, the hydrogen becomes even more acidic. The
closer the substituent is to the carboxyl group, the
stronger the inductive effect.
Difficulty level: Medium (55%)

MCAT Logistics

Fee Assistance Program

MCAT Registration & Testing Centers
Preparing for the Day
Test Day
Scoring
Void/Retakes

Fee Assistance Program

For students who are unable to take MCAT

without financial assistance
o Reduced MCAT registration fee ($270

$100)

o Free MSAR online access

o Waiver for all AMCAS fees (up to 14 schools)
o Does not include waiver for individual schools

Am I Eligible for FAP?

Based on US Dept. of Health & Human Services
poverty guidelines, applicants with 2012 total
family income at or below three times the
federal poverty level for their family size in
their state are eligible

Ex) Family of 4 in Hawaii: $26,510

$26,510 x 3 = $79,530 (must be at or below)

How to Apply to the FAP

Start early! Apply far in advance of MCAT

date and AMCAS application submission
o Currently open for 2013 calendar year

Must wait for FAP decision before paying

MCAT or AMCAS fees to receive fee
assistance (No refunds!)

Timeline

Registering for the MCAT

Register online at www.aamc.org

Test dates offered from January to
September
o

Offered in the morning (AM), afternoon (PM), or

both (Double Day)

Registration Fees
Regular: $270
o Late registration: $75 additional fee
o Date reschedule: $90 additional fee
o

When Should You Take it?

Available: from January 24th to

September 12th
Some schools do not accept September
dates!
January test dates are only for upcoming
cycle
Best before the end of June

MCAT 2013 Schedule

MCAT Oahu Testing Centers

Educational Testing Services (ETS)
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2600 Campus Road
QLCSS 307
Honolulu, HI 96822

Prometric Test Center

1130 N Nimitz Highway

Suite B297
Honolulu, HI 96817

Prep for the Day

1. Test site:
-Parking situation
-Location of exam
-Room Conditions
2. Mental Health:
-Relax, review- do not study
-Eat a good breakfast

Test Day

Breakfast!
o

Arrive early
o

Whole grain carbs balanced by protein

At least 30 min prior

Security measures/photo taken/fingerprints

What to bring?
Where to store it?

Items Permitted In
In Test Room:
Current Photo ID
Earplugs

Center Provided:
Paper and Pencil
Locker Key

On Break:
Food, water, and
medication

What Not to Bring?

Cell Phone
Electronic Device
o

Holding or touching an electronic device is a

violation of MCAT policies

Notes or Study Materials

If you need to access food, water or medicine

remove the items from the bag you have
brought as the bag must remain in the
locker at all time.

Sample MCAT Interface

Scoring
Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning and Biological
Sciences
Scored from 1 (lowest) to 15 (highest)
Raw scores are converted to a scale that
considers the level of difficulty of the test
questions to minimize variability in test scores
No penalty for guessing
Total Score is the sum of the three scores
Trial Section will not be scored

To void or not to void?

I wish to have my MCAT exam scored
I wish to VOID my MCAT exam

Things to Consider

Is this an accurate representation of where you are

now?
How far are you in regards to the application cycle?
If I retake this test will I have enough time to prepare
and do better?
Can I afford to retake this test?
How will the schools look at multiple scores?

When should I retake the MCAT?

AAMC recommends that you should retake the
test if:
1. Discrepancy between GPA and MCAT scores
2. Inadequate coursework preparation
3. Misunderstood directions
4. Admission committee member
recommended it.

Score Availability

Scores automatically sent to schools a

student applies to through AMCAS
Available to view scores online through
Testing History (THx) Score Reporting
System about 30-35 days after test date
Found on www.aamc.org
o Used to release scores to non-AMCAS schools
o Able to print official MCAT score reports
o

Hawaii's MCAT Scores

2012 Application Year
Applied

Matriculated

UH Manoa

National

UH Manoa National

Science &
Math GPA

3.32

3.44

3.53

3.62

All other GPA

3.59

3.66

3.71

3.75

Overall GPA

3.44

3.54

3.62

3.68

UH Manoa 2012 Stats

MCAT Rumors

Getting a certain score guarantees getting

in
You don't need to prepare much if you've
done well in your pre-med courses
The MCAT tests science skills, so you don't
have to worry about the verbal section
Studying hard for a few weeks is enough to
do well on the exam
Medical schools will take your highest score

Upcoming Workshops
Pre-Med Panel on Admissions and Life as a
Med Student
Thursday, February 21st
5:30-7:00 PM
CC 308

Graduate School and the GRE

Tuesday, March 5th
5:30-7:00 PM
QLC 412

Upcoming Workshops
Financing Your Graduate Education
Thursday, March 7th
5:30-7:00 PM
QLC 412

MCAT 2015 Look Whats Coming!

Tuesday, March 12th
5:30-7:00 PM
QLC 412

Upcoming Workshops
Multiple Mini Interviews The New Format!
Thursday, March 14th
5:30-7:00 PM
QLC 412

Contact Us!
Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center (PAC)
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services, Rm 101
Phone: (808) 956-4045
Email: uhpac@hawaii.edu
Website: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/pac

Walk-ins welcome!

Resources
Presentation includes information from:

Association of American Medical Colleges

(AAMC) website (www.aamc.org)
The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam, 2009
Edition

Mahalo!
Any questions/comments?