Information For:

MCAT

Background

Healthcare is a dynamic field of study and professional realization. With the fast pace of scientific progress and the significant demographic, economic, and policy changes that affect us nationally, medical and other health professions school have the great responsibility to ensure they prepare competent health professionals and leaders for the future. Healthcare practice is moving from a physician-centered to a team-based model and healthcare studies similarly focus on collaboration and interprofessionalism.  The social determinants of health are as important for patients' and communities' well-being as scientific expertise and clinicians need to possess knowledge, qualities, and skills not only in the life and physical sciences but also in the social and behavioral sciences.

Medical professionals, educators and admission officials recognize the need to adapt pre-medical and medical education to the changing needs of the profession and the patients. Several initiatives undertaken in the past few years have resulted in a new format for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and a clear articulation of the scientific and personal competencies necessary for success in medical school and practice.  The new MCAT replaced the old one in spring 2015 (more information here). Most medical schools evaluate competencies based on the range offered by the AAMC but they do differ according to the schools' missions. These differences are not radical and the overarching goal of the medical school application process evolution is to make the admission review more holistic and inclusive. The typical Brown course work for pre-medical students continues to be the best preparation for the MCAT and medical schools' course work expectations. 

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) has undergone several revisions since its inception but had not been modified between 1991 and 2015. In response to the growth and inter-dependence of scientific knowledge, as well as the need to serve a progressively more diverse population, the MCAT assumed its present form in spring 2015. The exam consists of 4 sections:

  • Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
  • 59 items, 95 minutes
  • Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
  • 59 items, 95 minutes
  • Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
  • 59 items, 95 minutes
  • Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
  • 53 items, 90 minutes

The first two sections test concepts in biology, general and organic chemistry as well as biochemistry. The content knowledge expected of you is not fundamentally different from that in the old exam format. Emphasis is placed on drawing connections between the concepts you have learned in these various disciplines and the overall context of medicine and living systems. Following the pre-medical/health careers courses should give you a solid foundation.


The third section draws on knowledge you gain from work in courses such as psychology, sociology, or other social sciences and public health. Foundational courses in these subjects will be helpful in preparing for this section of the test. Interspersed throughout the exam are questions that draw on your familiarity with statistics.


The fourth section draws on experience with critical reading and writing. It does not test any specific subject matter. You are asked to analyze, evaluate and apply information from a range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Courses with extensive reading and writing, as well as critical analysis will give you the skills you need to do well on this section. We also recommend that you embrace liberal learning at Brown and read consistently and broadly academic journals or periodicals in a breadth of fields for your own personal growth. These will help you further hone the analytical skills to do well on this portion of the MCAT.

 

All questions are designed to test one of the following four skills: 

  • Knowledge of scientific concepts and principles
  • Scientific reasoning and evidence-based problem solving
  • Reasoning about the design and execution of research
  • Data-based and statistical reasoning

*** See bottom of page for exam preparation resources***

 

 

MCAT Test Date Calendar


 

MCAT Scoring

For detailed information from AAMC, click here. 

Test takers receive five scores from their MCAT exams: one for each of the four sections and one combined total score. The AAMC produces a score report that brings together MCAT scores, percentile ranks, confidence bands, and score profiles in a way that highlights applicants' strengths and weaknesses. You can view a sample score report here.

Section Scores: Each of the four sections—Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills; Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior—are scored from a low of 118 to a high of 132, with a midpoint of 125. Test takers receive scores for each of the four sections.

Total Score: Scores for the four sections are combined to create a total score. The total score ranges from 472 to 528. The midpoint is 500. Note that these are the projected scores of test-takers. The section and total scores of admitted applicants are always higher than the scores of all test-takers. See "What do my Scores Mean?" below for further detail. 

MCAT 2015 ScoringMCAT 2015 Scoring



Confidence Intervals: The exam uses confidence intervals to remind score users to use scores in a way that recognizes the inherent imperfections in the test.

Percentiles: In addition to scores and confidence intervals, test takers receive percentiles on the MCAT exam. Percentile ranks are reported for the total and section scores so examinees can see how they compare to others who have taken the exam. Because the test is relatively new, admission committees are most likely to focus on the percentiles to gauge applicants' performance on the test. Every year on May 1 the AAMC will update the percentiles based on the scores of all examinees during that and previous years. These annual updates will ensure that the percentile ranks reflect current and stable information about all examinees scores. To learn more, consult the AAMC page on the subject. 

Score Profiles: Score profiles that show test takers' strengths and weaknesses on the new exam are also provided.

Score Release: The AAMC releases test takers' scores within a month. This is important to note as you plan the optimal timing of your test in relation to your course completion, test preparation and application timing.

What do my scores mean? MCAT scores are an important element of your medical school application but not the only factor that matters. Admission committees generally review applications holistically. They look at everything in the context of everything else (MCAT scores, academic records, co-curricular engagement with clinical, service, leadership, research and other activities you have pursued, the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of your application narrative, letters of recommendation and the overall arch of your life and practical experience). 

Two reference points to consider: the median MCAT score for those admitted to MD programs is currently 511 (84th percentile of test takers). The median MCAT score for applicants admitted to DO schools is approximately 503 (59th percentile of test takers). All schools accept applicants with a range of MCAT scores, although this is not a very wide range. Keep in mind that schools review applications based on a number of factors and understand that the pathway to and through college may be harder for some students than others.

The Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) lists the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile of applicants and admitted applicants for each individual MD program in the US. For various demographic distributions of applicant and matriculant MCAT scores, you may find the AAMC Applicants and Matriculants Data informative. 

AAMC provides these two graphic representations of score and percentile distributions for the current and the old MCAT formats.

Percentile Ranks for the MCAT Exam


Preparing for and timing the MCAT

The MCAT requires content knowledge which you acquire in your courses and subsequent preparation for the exam itself. Test takers should complete all necessary courses and dedicate at least 2-3 months of intensive exam preparation before taking the MCAT.

Applicants to medical school generally take the exam in early fall (August-September) in the year before applying to medical school, mid-winter (January), or late spring (April-May) just prior to the beginning of the application process in June. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare well for the exam. All test scores remain permanently on your record and are visible to all medical schools to which you apply. Take the exam only when you are best prepared. Consult with us if you don't believe your exam scores are representative of your preparation and are considering a re-take. Explore the Applicants section for details about the application process and the support that Brown provides.

We strongly recommend you use the excellent Official AAMC free and low-cost preparation resources below.

Taking the MCAT with accommodations

If you have needed accommodations, such as additional time on exams and assignments while in college, you may benefit from accommodations on the MCAT as well. All details about possible accommodations and the documentation you need to provide are on the AAMC MCAT Exam with Accommodations page. Explore it in detail. Importantly, if you take the exam with accommodations there will be no notation about this provided to medical schools. 

 

Learn More About the Design of the Test

To learn more about the the reform to competency-based medical education explore: