The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a five-and-a-half-hour standardized test designed to determine the applicant’s problem-solving, writing, and critical-thinking skills. The MCAT is formatted as a computer-based, multiple-choice exam covering topics in biological science, physical science, verbal reasoning, and writing. While the exam identifies a thorough knowledge in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, it is primarily intended to test the examinee’s thinking abilities. Exam scores are meant to represent how capable the student will be in medical school.

The MCAT is administered twenty-two times per year over a seven-month span with the option of morning or afternoon sessions on select testing dates. Registration for the exam can be completed on the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Web site and begins roughly six months prior to the examination date. The MCAT costs $210.00. It can be repeated up to three times per year, but a student may only be registered for one exam at a time. The MCAT is scored on a scale from 0-45 with the average MCAT score being a 24. Most medical schools prefer students with scores in the 30’s. However, it is usually possible to get into medical school with a score of 24 or higher accompanied by a strong academic record, community service hours, and physician observation.

The Pre-Medical Society offers a variety of MCAT preparation services to members including MCAT study groups, information about deadlines and registration dates, and contact information for Kaplan’s MCAT preparation course.