Medical College Admission Test
Standardized examination for prospective medical students in the United States and Canada / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT; /ˈɛmkæt/ EM-kat) is a computer-based standardized examination for prospective medical students (both Allopathic M.D. and Osteopathic D.O.) in the United States, Australia,[9] Canada, and the Caribbean Islands. It is designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, written analysis and knowledge of scientific concepts and principles. Before 2007, the exam was a paper-and-pencil test; since 2007, all administrations of the exam have been computer-based.
Acronym | MCAT |
---|---|
Type | Computer-based standardized test |
Developer / administrator | Association of American Medical Colleges |
Knowledge / skills tested | Physical sciences, biological sciences, verbal reasoning |
Purpose | Admissions to medical colleges |
Year started | 1928; 96 years ago (1928) |
Score / grade range | 118–132 for each of four sections, totaling 472–528[1] |
Score / grade validity | Usually 2 to 3 years[2] |
Offered | 25 times from January 2017 through September 2017[3] |
Restrictions on attempts | Maximum of three times in a one year period; four times in a two year period; and seven times for life[4] |
Countries / regions | Mainly United States and Canada, in addition to 19 other countries[5] |
Languages | English |
Prerequisites / eligibility criteria | Preparing to apply to a health professional school (fluency in English is assumed)[6] |
Fee | US$310–US$460[7] ("Fee Assistance Program" available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents or refugees, demonstrating financial need.[8]) |
Scores / grades used by | Medical colleges (mostly in United States and Canada) |
Website | students-residents |
The most recent version of the exam was introduced in April 2015 and takes 7+1⁄2 hours to complete. The test is scored in a range from 472 to 528. The MCAT is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).[10]