VIII. NATIONAL PREPROFESSIONAL EXAMS

(MCAT, DAT)

The MCAT is an all-day test administered in four subtests: verbal reasoning, physical sciences, writing samples, and biological sciences. The verbal reasoning section measures the ability to comprehend, apply, evaluate, and utilize information and arguments presented in a narrative format. The physical science section measures the ability to integrate basic concepts, principles, and knowledge to solve physics and chemistry problems. The biological science section measures the ability to integrate basic concepts, principles, and knowledge of biology, organic chemistry, and biological chemistry to solve problems. The writing sample consists of two separate 30-minute essay questions.  The latter item is graded on: grammar, syntax, and punctuation consistent with a first draft; the organization, development of a central idea; synthesizing concepts, logic, and clarity of thought; and is given a letter grade (from J to T with O representing the average) to distinguish it from the scores on the verbal, biological, and physical sections. The latter three sections are scored on a 15-point scale; the adjustment mean for each section is 8 so that the national average or mean is 24.

There are several reasons professional schools require this test:  (1) They want to ensure that students have a good understanding of the facts and concepts that form the basis of the science courses taught in the first and second years of medical school (e.g., biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, etc.). Unfortunately, admissions committees cannot always tell how well prepared you are by looking at your college grades in science and math courses. (2) While high grades are good indicators of a strong academic background, the rigor of courses at different colleges and universities vary and the MCAT can be used to validate these grades. (3) High MCAT scores are generally presumed to predict good performance in the basic science courses in medical school. The "average" MCAT score for those accepted to medical schools in Texas during the last few years has ranged between 27 and 29 total points. This means that, in general, medical schools admit applicants who have MCAT scores above the national average. The preprofessional advisor can counsel you regarding whether or not you should retake the MCAT. Students with high total MCAT scores and college grades have a high likelihood of being interviewed by medical schools.

A preparation guide for the MCAT can be ordered from Betz Publishing Co., Inc., P.O. Box 3461, Bethesda, MD 20817. The set is revised periodically. Inquire about the most recent edition.

The AAMC publishes the MCAT Student Manual to help the student planning to take this examination. This manual is updated or revised periodically. It includes an outline of the examination, subjects tested and practice examinations. It is available at many bookstores or can be ordered from the address below. It may also be ordered using forms provided in MCAT registration packets.

Membership and Publication Orders

Association of American Medical Colleges

One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20036

Preparing for the National Preprofessional Exams

Research has conclusively demonstrated that preparation for the MCAT or DAT can affect performance. Ideally, you should begin to prepare for these tests when you enter college since they require well-developed reading, analytical, and test-taking skills. The minimum required to prepare adequately is about four months. You must have enough time to organize your approach to study and to cover the material thoroughly. Study can be through the use of commercially or self-prepared materials or a combination of the two. The most expensive method is commercial preparation. The expense is the major disadvantage. It does, however, have some advantages. Commercial preparatory services offer opportunities to meet and study with other preprofessional students, who like yourself, are preparing for one of the most important examinations they will ever take. These services provide written condensations of course work pertinent to the MCAT and DAT. One example of commercial tutoring is the Princeton Review: call 1-800-Review6. You can study from this material or from your notes using the materials as guides. Self-study is the method in which the student uses only his or her notes, texts and perhaps MCAT or DAT preparation manuals. This method can be difficult since it requires more self discipline, but it can yield excellent results when it is well planned and diligently pursued. It is important for the student to have access to class notes, textbooks, and MCAT or DAT preparation manuals. A course of action must be planned!

Initially, it is important to identify those broad areas which need to be strengthened. It is advantageous to continue to identify areas of weakness and strengths throughout the period of study. This can be determined in the following ways:

1. Review of the outline in the MCAT Student Manual or Dental Admission Test Preparation Materials booklet (see below).

2. Self-administration of sample MCAT or DAT examinations (for example, those in the MCAT Student Manual or Dental Admission Test Preparation Materials booklet).

After broadly organizing your time, select a study method. Do not feel you must stay with one method. Much will be determined as you progress with your studies. The MCAT Student Manual and the Dental Admission Test Preparation Materials booklet contain outlines that isolate specific topics which may be helpful to you.

Taking the MCAT and DAT. Preprofessional students are encouraged to take the MCAT or DAT during the spring of their sophomore year if general biology, general and organic chemistry, and general physics courses have been completed. (Physics is not tested on the DAT.) A good reason for taking these tests in the spring is that if the initial scores are low, there is an opportunity to take the fall test and have the new scores considered with a current application. This gives you an opportunity for score improvement without the penalty of delaying an application for an additional year. There is no limit to the number of times the test may be taken, but the professional schools are informed of retesting. Applications for various preprofessional exams are available in Chemistry, Room 217.