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 multiple-

choice 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 o Study strategies

o Sample questions

• MCAT Logistics o Registering for the MCAT

o Test Day

o 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 Fundamental principles in biology, general

chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.

o 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 o 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 o 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 emailed 3-4 weeks after

o 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 Still must study on your own

o Study what you need to

Knowledge Based vs. Skills Based

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving

Building connections

Reading Comprehension:

• Verbal Reasoning

• Biological Sciences

• Physical Sciences

Facts

Equations

Rules

Theories:

• 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 intra-

alveolar 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 o Regular: $270

o Late registration: $75 additional fee

o Date reschedule: $90 additional fee

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 Whole grain carbs balanced by protein

• Arrive early o 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 o Found on www.aamc.org

o Used to release scores to non-AMCAS schools

o Able to print official MCAT score reports

Hawaii's MCAT Scores

2012 Application Year

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

Applied Matriculated

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 What’s 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?