Welcome to AED!

Meeting 3: The MCAT 2/19/2013

Sign-in up front Help yourself to pizza and drinks!

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What is the MCAT?

• A computerized entrance exam for allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools • Standardizes academic ability • Just as important, if not more important, than your GPA /

MCAT Essentials

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat ΑΕΔ

The Breakdown

• 3 Sections – Physical Sciences—Physics and GChem (15) • 52 questions in 70 minutes – Verbal Reasoning (15) • 40 questions in 60 minutes – Biological Sciences—Biology and OChem (15) • 52 questions in 70 minutes – Optional trial section • 10 minute optional breaks between sections • Length—5 hours and 10 minutes • Perfect Score: 45 ΑΕΔ

Types of Questions

• Passages – 7 passages for each section, with 4 - 7 questions each – Some of these questions might be based solely off the passage, others might not – Sciences: experimental analysis • 13 Free-Standing Questions – You know it or you don’t – Sciences only ΑΕΔ

Changes to the MCAT!

• Writing section (essay) was removed in 2013!

• Trial section in 2013-2014 – Not scored but you get feedback – $30 Amazon gift card – Behavior and social sciences section • Classes in psychology and sociology will prepare you!

• New Section: 45 minutes, 32 questions for trial • Prepare doctors to deal with human interactions and a diverse population ΑΕΔ

MCAT 2015

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (67 questions, 95 minutes) • Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (67 questions, 95 minutes) • Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (67 questions, 95 min) • Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (60 questions, 90 minutes) • Each section out of 15 ΑΕΔ

Example Question of New Section

The concept of cultural capital predicts that: A. Cultural distinctions associated with the young will be more valued within a society.

B. With improved communication, there will eventually be a convergence of cultural practices of all classes.

C. Cultural distinctions by class will become less important during a recession because people will have less money to spend. D. Cultural distinctions associated with elite classes will be more valued within a society.

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Scoring

• Average of all test takers = 24.9O

• Average of applicants = 28.2P

• Average of people who matriculate = 31.1Q

• What you should aim for: – 10s on each section—a “balanced” score – O or better on writing – 32 or higher ΑΕΔ

The Distribution

85 th 99 th percentile: 32 percentile: 38 ΑΕΔ

Score Breakdown by Section

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School Averages

• USC: 32 • UCLA: 32.7

• UCSD: 33.7

• UCI: 32 • WashU in St. Louis: 37.4

• Harvard: 35.1

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When should you take the MCAT?

• After you’ve taken all the prerequisite classes – BISC 220 – CHEM 105ab and 322ab – PHYS 135ab • Classes that might be helpful – BISC 307: General Physiology – BISC 320: Molecular Biology* – BISC 330: Biochemistry* ΑΕΔ

The Test Itself

• $270 per test • $90 to reschedule date or location • Sign-up early to avoid having to take test in out of state testing locations • Up to 3 times per year • May void test at end • ~1 month to receive score ΑΕΔ

Available Dates

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Common Dates

• August or September after sophomore year • January of junior year • April of junior year* • August or September after junior year (if you’re taking a gap year) • Know the cycle you’re applying!!

– Your MCAT scores expire—varies by school, generally two years after you take it ΑΕΔ

Questions?

http://www.aedusc.org

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Prep Courses

The Princeton Review

5 teachers, one for each subject

Kaplan

1 teacher for all subjects More class time (3/4 times a week) Less class time (2 times a week) Focus on teaching the material Focus on applying the material More detailed and thorough Better for people without self discipline Highlight the main points and move on Better for self-studiers

$2,000!!!

Others: Berkeley Review, Swartwood, ExamKrackers

Ask us about the 10% AED Discount!

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