The Medical College Admission Test

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a standardized test that you only take up to seven times in your life. You are restricted to 3 times per year, and four times per two-year period. The test is broken down into several sections during a seven and half hour test taking period. 

The categories are broken into:

•  Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems 
  • large portions of biology, a reasonable size of biochemistry/organic chemistry/general chemistry
• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
  • large portions of biochemistry/organic chemistry/general chemistry and physics.
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
  • a mixture of psychology, sociology, and a little biology.
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
  • a mixture of the foundations of comprehension, reasoning within the text, reasoning beyond the text

Each part of the test is about an hour an half long, making a total test taking time slightly under 6 and half hours, the remaining time used is for breaks and test tutorial/survey.

The MCAT is taken at one of many Pearson's testing center locations found around America. To register for the test, you must go through the official channel, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). One must first create an account with them, this is important as you will send application through this channel. at the top right of your AAMC portal, there is a search bar. Type "Register for the MCAT® Exam" in the search bar and click the magnifying glass. One of the results should appear the same as your search, please click that hyperlink. Once on the page, to the right there should be three buttons, one is labeled "Register For The MCAT Exam," click that. Follow the remaining prompts and then click "schedule an exam." You will first search for an appointment date, after selecting a date, select a location. Remember to schedule as soon as possible. You cannot schedule a second exam while waiting to take an exam, however, you can schedule while waiting for your exam scores.

There are many resources that are available to you online, and many do cost money. If you are willing to spend money to prepare for the MCAT, the Berkley Review (and their tests), Kaplan, Exam Crackerz, and Princeton Review (do not necessarily recommend Princeton, however). These books are great in bringing you back to pace with your biology, chemistry, and physics, however, keep in mind, the MCAT test changed in 2015, which means, textbooks dating before then are not useful. Psychology and sociology have a useful community centered drop box filled with notes from other students taking the MCAT and studying off of Khan Academy (a great resource to study at).  Khan Academy Notes Transcription Project by MCATBROS - Dropbox is the drop box used by premed students often. For other tests you can take, use the AAMC to get a feel on how one of their tests are formatted and worded. Remember before going in to take your test, get plenty of rest, and have a good meal the night before, and pack snacks/lunch for your breaks there. Good luck!