Introduction of MCAT
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. |