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MCAT Exam: What Does MCAT Stand for?
CollegeInfo.com Features Top Online Universities and campus-based colleges in your area. Enroll today. CollegeInfo.com Works With Over 1300 Online Schools And Campuses. Enjoy The Flexibility Of Online Nursing Schools. Explore Online Nursing Programs at CollegeInfo.com. Interested In Nursing Programs? Choose from different nursing degrees at collegeinfo.com. The MCAT stands for Medical
College Admission Test. Unlike the GRE CAT, the MCAT lasts twice as long
and covers a broader range of verbal, science, and writing components.
Most medical schools assess your academic prowess from your transcript
and your MCAT score; the MCAT indicates whether you possess a solid
foundation to build a successful medical career. Although you can
prepare for the test by reviewing scientific concepts, the test stresses
the assimilation of new information and the thought required to answer
questions surrounding it. The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC)
indicates that the MCAT measures not only proficiency in the basic
sciences, but also the more general problem-solving, critical thinking,
and communication skills developed in humanities curricula. In the end,
the MCAT sits among the top three selection factors for admissions
officers surveyed by the Princeton Review.
MCAT Test Sections
Given twice a year, in April and
August, the MCAT consists of four timed sections administered over a
period of more than seven hours. Broken down, it contains four and
three-quarters hours of multiple-choice-testing plus a one-hour writing
sample. After the administrative details and three breaks, you can count
on a long day. The four timed sections include verbal reasoning,
physical sciences, the writing sample, and biological sciences.
How Long Is the MCAT?
TOTAL TIME: Approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes, plus 1 hour for
lunch, 20 minutes for breaks, and 45-60 minutes spent filling out
personal information. Expect to spend about 8 ½ hours total at the
testing center.
They
always appear in the same order on a test day.
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MCAT
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verbal |
physical |
writing |
biological |
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reasoning |
sciences |
sample |
sciences |
|
time |
85 minutes |
100 minutes |
60 minutes |
100 minutes |
|
format |
65 multiple-choice questions: approx. 9-10 passa ges
with 6-10 questions each |
77 multiple-choice questions: approx. 10-11 passages
with 4-8 questions each; 15 stand-alone questions |
2 essay questions (30 minutes per essay) |
77 multiple-choice questions: approx. 10-11 passages
with 4-8 questions each; 15 stand-alone questions |
|
tests |
critical reading |
basic general chemistry & physics concepts, analytical
reasoning, data interpretation |
critical thinking, intellectual organization, written
communication skills |
ba sic biology & organic chemistry concepts, analytical
reasoning, data interpretation |
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