MD CAT 2010 preparation document for.ppt

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1. MCAT Preparation
Dr. Ken Crawford

2. Medical School Admissions
•Academic Record
•Application
–Biographical Info
–Activities
–Personal Statement
•Committee Evaluation
•Interview
•MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

3. OVERALL GPA
MCAT
SCORE
>3.8 3.5-3.8 3.2-3.5 2.9-3.2 <2.9 Total
>32
4/4 :
100%
1/2 :
50%
________ 1/2:
50%
________ 6/8 :
75%
28-32
25/26 :
96%
9/12:
75%
8/8 :
100%
________ ________ 42/46 :
91%
24-27
15/19 :
79%
13/24 :
54%
4/10 :
40%
________ ________ 32/53 :
60%
20-23
7/7 :
100%
7/16 :
44%
7/17 :
41%
2/4 :
50%
1/3 :
33%
24/47 :
51%
<20
0/2 :
0%
1/5 :
20%
4/12 :
33%
0/4 :
0%
0/2 :
0%
5/25 :
20%
Total
51/58 :
88%
31/59 :
53%
23/47 :
49%
3/10 :
30%
1/5 :
20%
109/179 :
61%

Combined Acceptance Rates to both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools for
WKU Students from 2002 to 2009.

4. The MCAT
•Computer Based Test
($ 230)
–CBT Since 2007
–Visa or MC
•Fee Assistance Plan –
reduces fee to $ 85
< 300% HHS Poverty
•Registration Began
Nov. 2, 2009 for Jan.-
May Dates
•Registration ends 14
days prior to test. (7
with late fee, $55)
28 Admin. on 26 Dates
Jan. 29, 30
Mar. 27
Apr. 10, 17, 23
May 1, 21, 22, 27
June 17*
July 8, 16, 29, 30
Aug. 4, 5, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24
Sept. 2, 3*, 9, 11
* Double Admin.
PM Admin

5. Where ?
•MCAT is administered by AAMC through
license to Thompson Prometric Testing
Centers
•Regional Centers In: Madison, TN
(Rivergate); Nashville (2), Clarksville, TN;
Lexington; Louisville (2); Evansville, IN;
Cincinnati, OH

6. The MCAT
•Download and read the MCAT Essentials
•Required by all U.S. Medical Schools
>70,000 examinees each year
•Best Single Predictor of Success on
USMLE, especially Step I.
•Assesses skills required for medical school
as well as for the practice of medicine.

7. Test Day
•Note: Arrive at the Testing Center 30 minutes before
scheduled start.
•Be aware of time zone issues!
•Proper ID
•No Personal Items, except foam earplugs
•No Calculator !!!!
•Dress in Layers, Bring Snacks / Beverage
•They Provide: white board/paper + pencil,
headphones

8. Test Format
Section QuestionsTime (min)
Tutorial (Opt.) -- 10
Physical Sciences52 70
Break (Opt.) -- 10
Verbal Reasoning 40 60
Break (Opt.) -- 10
Writing Sample 2 60
Break (Opt.) -- 10
Biological Sciences52 70

9. Test Format
•Physical Sciences, 52 questions, 70 min.
–7 Reading Passages (approx. 300 words)
–4-8 multiple choice questions/ passage
~10-13 independent (discrete) MC questions
–Covers: Physics and General Chemistry

10. Test Format
•Verbal Reasoning, 40 questions, 60 min.
–6-7 Reading Passages (approx. 600 words)
–6-9 multiple choice questions/ passage
–Covers: Critical Reading, Critical Thinking

11. Test Format
•Writing Sample, 2 essays, 60 min.
–Develop central ideas
–Synthesize concepts
–Present ideas logically
–Present ideas clearly (grammar and syntax)
–Covers: General Knowledge

12. Test Format
•Biological Sciences, 52 questions, 70 min.
–7-8 Reading Passages (approx. 300 words)
–4-8 multiple choice questions/ passage
~10-13 independent (discrete) MC questions
–Covers: Biology (4-5 passages) and Organic
Chemistry (2-3 passages)

13. Scoring
•Scores Released approx. 30 days after Date (THx)
•Multiple Choice – Raw Score (# of correct responses)
–No penalty for incorrect responses
•Raw Score Converted to Normalized Score (1-15)
•Experimental Items do not Count
•Writing Sample –
–Each essay evaluated by 2 graders (scored 1-6)
–Raw score is total of 4 scores
–Converted to Letter Score (J to T), O is the median
•Score reported as 8, 10, Q, 9 and 27Q

14. Voiding/ Rescoring/
Question Challenge
•Void Option – issued at end of test, no
report, counts as an attempt
•Rescoring – may request, $55 for MC, $55
for writing, $110 whole test
•Question Challenge – flawed or ambiguous
questions, within 5 days

15. Retesting
•Can Register for Another Date 48 hours
after testing
•Scores released approx. 30 days
•Cannot hold more than 1 reservation at a
time
•Can take no more than 3/year
•Do not plan on taking it twice, but…

16. Preparation ???
•What’s Best For Me ?
•Formal Class ?
–In House
–Commercial
•Study on my own ?
•ExamKrackers- Audio Osmosis$199.95
•Practice!! www.e-mcat.com

17. AHEC Sponsored Prep Class
•Proven Results
–2003 Class (Avg. Increase 5.5, range 2-10 )
–2007 Class (Avg. Increase 5.3, range 1-9)
•Features:
–Full Length Practice Tests (4 CBT)
• 4 additional tests available from AAMC (www.e-mcat.com)
• 2 additional in Kaplan Guide
–Test Taking Tips
–Subject Matter Review (all Professor taught)
–Build Test taking “Stamina”
–Only $100
–Practice Test #3