The MCAT represents an attempt to evaluate
- the student’s knowledge and ability to
solve problems in the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics,
- the student’s skill in analysis of paragraph,
tabular material, graphs, etc., and
- the ability to write two first drafts compositions
in correct English. Separate score will be reported for Verbal
Reason, Physical Science, Writing Sample, and Biological Science.
It is expected that those taking the test will have
the equivalent of one year of college study in each of the scientific
areas: biology, general and/or inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry,
and physics. Although advanced study in one or more of this discipline
may give a better understanding of concepts, it is not indented that
the questions will require knowledge of concepts not thought in basic
courses.
A mathematical background including one year of college mathematical
should suffice for the science questions; calculus is not required.
Indeed, it has been suggested that high school courses, which included
the following, would represent adequate preparation in mathematics;
two year of algebra; use of trigonometric functions; memorization
of sine and cosine of 0o, 90o, and 180o; facility in use of metric
and English units and conversion from one set of units to another
(when conversion factors are given); experimental error; statistics
to include the concepts of arithmetic mean, range, variability, and
vector addition and subtractions.
It is our suggestion that you begin preparation by studying the review
sections of this book. Areas that is particularly difficult for you
may require some review of your college texts. When you are taking
tests, try to pace yourself to allow completion of each section within
the allowed time. (If it is necessary to omit some questions because
of time limitation, you may wish to go back after you have scored
the test and try to answer them without pressure of time limit.)
After taking your first practice test and correcting the answers,
you should score your test as it will do as actual test. First count
the correct number of answers in
- Verbal Reasoning,
- Physical Science, and
- Biological Science.
The number of correct answers is raw score and
must then be converted into a 15-point scaled score approximately
by the following tables. The approximation exists because raw score
to scaled score table may vary form test to test due to slight difference
in degree difficulty.
Although individual medical schools vary with respects to the score
they require, a standard score of 11 or greater will probably considered
to be quite competitive. A standard score of 7 or less would indicate
an area requiring substantial preparation. Before taking the next
practice test, you should concentrate on the areas of low scores.
The Science area may be remediated by additional study and working
problems. The area of Verbal Reasoning, however, may require a slightly
different approach. Try going back over this part of the examination,
reading carefully, and answering the questions again without a time
limit. Read the paragraph again and try to determine why you miss
certain questions. Be sure to use only the information in the paragraph.
Then go on the additional practice examinations. One additional
suggestion: Read the question carefully before answering. Sometimes
students answer the question they expected rather than the question
what asked. Try to avoid pitfall.
If you are unable to read at required rate and comprehensive level,
then your problem may be more serious. After studying the Verbal
Reasoning section of the book, you may want to review some reading
sections from your Freshman English course. You may also want to
practice by reading articles in the magazines such as TIME, NEWSWEEK,
or THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, consciously noting the central ideas and
distinguishing major from minor points in each article as you read.
Verbal
Reasoning |
Physical
Science |
Biological
Science |
Raw Scored |
Scaled Score |
Raw Scored |
Scaled Score |
Raw Scored |
Scaled Score |
0-7 |
1 |
0-8 |
1 |
0-8 |
1 |
8-14 |
2 |
9-16 |
2 |
9-16 |
2 |
15-20 |
3 |
17-28 |
3 |
17-28 |
3 |
21-26 |
4 |
29-33 |
4 |
29-33 |
4 |
27-31 |
5 |
34-39 |
5 |
34-39 |
5 |
32-36 |
6 |
40-44 |
6 |
40-44 |
6 |
37-41 |
7 |
45-49 |
7 |
45-49 |
7 |
42-46 |
8 |
50-55 |
8 |
50-55 |
8 |
47-50 |
9 |
56-60 |
9 |
56-60 |
9 |
51-53 |
10 |
61-64 |
10 |
61-64 |
10 |
54-57 |
11 |
65-67 |
11 |
65-67 |
11 |
58-60 |
12 |
68-70 |
12 |
68-70 |
12 |
61-62 |
13 |
71-73 |
13 |
71-73 |
13 |
63-64 |
14 |
74-75 |
14 |
74-75 |
14 |
65 |
15 |
76-77 |
15 |
76-77 |
15 |
As you progress through the other practice tests,
you should develop facility in working faster to allow completion
of each section. Although wild guessing is of no value, it is to
your advantage to guess among a select number of answers if you
have ruled out some answers.
Remember that we cannot hope to present everything you should have
learned in years of study. We can help to you identify areas of
weakness, give some review of important concepts, and provide experience
and confident in tanking a test having the format of the Medical
College Admission Test (MCAT). We hope this will allow you to reach
your own potential at this test.
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