mcat 2015 the basics aamc/mcat2015

MCAT ® is a program of theAssociation of American Medical Colleges

MCAT2015

The Basics

www.aamc.org/mcat2015

Agenda• How is MCAT keeping pace with medicine?• Timeline for the new MCAT exam• Overview of MCAT2015

• Understanding the Four Sections• Using the Preview Guide for the MCAT2015

• Answers to Burning Questions• Spreading the Word

Thank You!The MCAT means change for all of us.

Planting seeds for a physician workforce to improve the health of all.

Transforming admissions to keep pace with healthcare.

Transforming Medical School Admissions

Academic Competencies• Courses completed• Undergraduate grades• MCAT Scores

Personal Competencies• Personal statements• Letters of

recommendation• Reflections on

experiences• Interviews• More tools to come

Improving the holistic review of students….

Transforming Medical School Admissions

Academic Competencies Personal Competencies

Improving the holistic review of students….

Learn more:

Analysis in Brief for September 2011Medical School Admissions: More than Grades and Test Scores https://www.aamc.org/download/261106/data/aibvol11_no6.pdf

How is MCAT Keeping Pace With Medicine?• Periodic reviews to ensure

measure of most important academic competencies in most capable ways

• Competencies required in medical school are shifting

• 5th review of the MCAT since 1928

• Previous review 1991• New version in place

through 2030

How is MCAT Keeping Pace With Medicine?• Formed MR5 Committee

in 2008• Fact-finding efforts:

• Blue-ribbon panels• Holistic Review Project

Advisory Committee• Innovation lab• Large-scale surveys

Roadmap to Diversity: Integrating Holistic Review Practices

Scientific Foundations of Future Physicians Report

Behavioral and Social Science Foundations for Future Physicians

MR5 Final Recommendations• Preserve what works best.• Eliminate what doesn’t.• Enrich with concepts that future physicians are

likely to need.• Use testing format that has proven successful.

MR5 Final Recommendations

• Provide resources to help prepare for the new exam.

• Develop new admissions tools to measure personal competencies important to medical school success (integrity, service orientation, etc).

Ask AAMC to…

Partnering For Students

MCAT is committed to providing:• Resources to help student prepare.• A good testing experience.

ANY QUESTIONS?Before moving on…

Overview of MCAT2015

Final recommendations: Approval by AAMC Board of Directors anticipated February 2012

Administer new exam:Spring 2015


MCAT2015

Enriches Exam By Testing:• Competencies in Scientific Foundations of

Future Physicians Report (SFFP)• Scientific inquiry, reasoning, research methods

and statistics skills• Foundational concepts in social and behavioral

sciences.

MCAT2015

Preserves Testing Of:• Natural sciences concepts medical school

faculty want entrants to know• Critical analysis and reasoning skills needed for

success in medical school

Eliminates:• Under-utilized writing sample section in 2013

MCAT2015 – 4 Sections, 4 ScoresBiological & Biochemical

Foundations of Living Systems

Chemical & Physical

Foundations of Biological Systems

Psychological, Social, & Biological

Foundations of Behavior

Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills

current MCAT

# of Test Items

Testing Time

(minutes)MCAT2015 # of Test

ItemsTesting

Time (minutes)

Biological Sciences 52 70

Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

65 95

Physical Sciences 52 70

Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

65 95

Lunch Break

Verbal Reasoning 40 60 Critical Analysis &

Reasoning Skills 60 90

Writing Sample 2 Essays 60

Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations of Behavior

65 95

Total Content Time

4 hours, 20 min

Total Content Time

6 hours, 15 min

MCAT2015

Who will take the new exam?

2015

New exam goes live in

spring

Anticipated BOD approval

Feb. 2012

November 2011

Final recommendations

Spring2014

Prep materials available

More prep materials released

Jan2015

First Med School Class selected with new MCAT

Fall2016

Sept2012

2012 entering freshman take 2015 MCAT as Juniors

Last dates for current exam

Spring2015



Chemical & Physical





Scientific Inquiry &Reasoning Skills (SIRS)

Knowledge of Scientific Concepts & Principles

Scientific Reasoning & Evidence-based Problem Solving

Reasoning About the Design and Execution of Research

Data-based and Statistical Reasoning

Biological & Biochemical


What it tests?Combine knowledge of foundational concepts in the biological and biochemical sciences with your scientific inquiry, reasoning, and research and statistics skills to solve problems that demonstrate readiness for medical school.



Concept 1

• Biomolecules have unique properties that determine how they contribute to the structure and function of cells, and how they participate in the processes necessary to maintain life.

Concept 2

• Highly-organized assemblies of molecules, cells, and organs interact to carry out the functions of living organisms.

Concept 3

• Complex systems of tissues and organs sense the internal and external environments of multicellular organisms, and through integrated functioning, maintain a stable internal environment within an ever-changing external environment.



Foundational Concept 2

• Highly-organized assemblies of molecules, cells, and organs interact to carry out the functions of living organisms.

Combining SIRS & Concepts

Foundational Concept 1 Foundational Concept 2Content

Category1A

Content Category

1B

Content Category

1C

Content Category

2A

Content Category

2B

Content Category

2CSkill 1

Skill 2

Skill 3

Skill 4

• Each cell represents the point at which foundational concepts, content categories, and scientific inquiry and reasoning skills cross.

• Test questions are written at the intersections of the knowledge and skills.



Exam content in this section typically taught in:• Introductory biology• Introductory general chemistry• Introductory organic chemistry• First semester biochemistry



Chemical & Physical





Chemical & Physical Foundations of

Biological Systems

What it tests?Combine your knowledge of foundational concepts in the chemical and physical sciences with your scientific inquiry, reasoning, and research and statistics skills to solve problems that demonstrate readiness for medical school.

Concept 4

• Complex living organisms transport materials, sense their environment, process signals, and respond to changes using processes that can be understood in terms of physical principles.

Concept 5

• The principles that govern chemical interactions and reactions form the basis for a broader understanding of the molecular dynamics of living systems.


Biological Systems



Category1A

Content Category

1B

Content Category

1C

Content Category

2A

Content Category

2B

Content Category

2CSkill 1

Skill 2

Skill 3

Skill 4




Biological Systems

Exam content in this section typically taught in:• Introductory biology• Introductory general chemistry• Introductory organic chemistry• Introductory physics• First semester biochemistry



Chemical & Physical







What it tests?Knowledge and use of the concepts in psychology, sociology, biology, research methods, and statistics that provide a solid foundation for learning in medical school about the behavioral and socio-cultural determinants of health and health outcomes.



Concept 6

• Biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors influence the ways that individuals perceive, think about, and react to the world.

Concept 7

• Biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors influence behavior and behavior change.

Concept 8

• Psychological, socio-cultural, and biological factors influence the way we think about ourselves and others.

Concept 9

• Cultural and social differences influence well-being.

Concept 10

• Social stratification and access to resources influence well-being.



Category1A

Content Category

1B

Content Category

1C

Content Category

2A

Content Category

2B

Content Category

2CSkill 1

Skill 2

Skill 3

Skill 4





Exam content in this section typically taught in:• Introductory psychology• Introductory sociology• Introductory biology



Chemical & Physical






What it tests?This section asks you to critically analyze, evaluate, and apply information presented in a passage.


Application Incorporation of Information

EvaluationComprehension

Skills tested:


*Specific knowledge of these disciplines is not required for this section

Passages from humanities & social sciences:• Ethics• Philosophy

• Cross-cultural studies• Population health

Using Preview Guide

Have you already looked at the preview guide in detail?


Using Preview Guide• Remember – NOT final• Details of all sections

SIRS Foundational Concepts for

each section Detailed outlines of finer level

of concepts and sub-topics

• Sample items with answers


Using Preview Guide• Shows combination of concepts tested

and Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning Skills (SIRS)

• Sample items demonstrate how this works

Using Science Discipline Information• Section outlines include

notes on disciplines• Science discipline

information used to indicate: level of knowledge

requiredof a topic

courses topic typically taught


Example of Science Disciplines

Answer to Burning QuestionsDon’t have all the answers right now….

Promise to share what we know and provide timelines for answers.

Why Is the Test So Long?MCAT2015 # of Test

Items*Testing

Time (minutes)

Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

65 95

Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

65 95

Lunch Break

Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills 60 90

Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations of Behavior

65 95

Total Content Time *approximate 6 hours,

15 min

• Test questions have been added to increase the accuracy of individual section scores

• One break has been lengthened to allow examinees time to eat.

How does a longer test impact test administration?We’re not sure yet.Will share info as soon as we know.Possible changes:• only administer one test

per day• Small bump in testing

fees for a longer test

Will Medical Schools Accept Scores From Previous Version?• Issue under consideration • Input from:

• MR5 Committee• Holistic Review Project

Advisory Committee• Committee on Admissions• MCAT Technical Advisory

Committee

• Timeline:• Goal to have a decision by

Spring 2012

What Courses Do Students Need?

• Depends on your school • Providing information in the

Preview Guide to assist

Support for Curriculum Change?Prehealth iCollaborative• Searchable online repository of free

recommended content• Available summer 2012

Contact :Jen [email protected]

Resources to Prepare Students?By 2014 committed to:• Free practice test• The Official Guide to

MCAT2015

By 2015 committed to:• One more practice test

Additional Possibilities:• Improved content outlines• Additional sets of practice

items• Self-assessment package

like one planned for current MCAT (some sections, not all)

Financial Support For Students?• Fee Assistance Program will continue• Continue free test prep resources • Free Summer Medical and Dental Education

Program continues• Considering additional support

More info at:www.aamc.org/fapwww.smdep.org

Other Burning Questions?We’ll share the answers we have!

Spreading the WordCan you help?• Share information with your students

• Reaching out to advisors who aren’t here

• Reaching students without advisors

• Boots on the ground Ideas? [email protected]

For students: For faculty, advisors and others:

MCAT2015 Videos

For easy sharing visit us on YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/AAMCvideo

Thanks!


mcat 2015 the basics aamc/mcat2015

Documents

behalf of mcat

basics aamc

applicants characteristics

academic information

upcoming changes

new exam

holistic look

preview guide