MCAT FAQ
What are the dates of the 2006 MCAT?
The MCAT will be given on Saturday,
April 17 and Saturday, August 14, 2004.
The regular registration deadlines for the
April 17 MCAT and the August 14 MCAT are March 12 and July 9,
respectively. The late registration deadlines are March 26 for the April
administration and July 23 for the August administration
Can I get my MCAT rescored?
Yes. If you think a scoring error has
occurred, you may request that your multiple-choice answer documents be
rescored by hand. Answers recorded in the test book will not be
considered in this verification process. At your option, you may be
present during the rescoring, which is done at the MCAT Program Office
in Iowa City, Iowa. The result of rescoring the multiple-choice answer
sheets by hand will be reported to you in writing. The response letter
will either confirm that your original scores were correct as reported
or you will be informed of the corrected scaled scores for each test
section.
Please note: Answer sheets or test booklets
will not be examined for indications of misgridded answers. This is a
determination we cannot make.
The fee to rescore the answer documents for
the multiple-choice sections of the MCAT is $50. This fee applies
whether you want one, two, or all three multiple-choice sections
rescored.
You may also request that your essays be
reevaluated. Essays will be read and graded by an experienced reader
external to the original scoring process. Copies of essays will not be
released or provided to examinees. The fee for rescoring your MCAT
essays is $50.
If you wish to use this service, you must
write to the MCAT Program Office, P.O. Box 4056, Iowa City, IA 52243,
noting on the envelope "Attention: MCAT Rescoring Service." In your
letter, identify yourself by your full name, Social Security number (SSN/SIN)
or the ID number assigned to you by the Program Office, mailing address,
and telephone number. Specify the date of the test and the sections of
the test you wish rescored, either the three multiple-choice sections,
the essay section, or both. Also, explain why you feel rescoring is
necessary. Enclose a check, money order, or credit card information
(MasterCard or VISA, 16-digit card number, expiration date, amount, and
signature of card-holder) for the full fee: $50 to rescore the
multiple-choice answer documents, $50 to reevaluate the essays, or $100
to rescore both the multiple-choice sections and the essays.
Requests for rescoring must be received at
the MCAT Program Office within four months after the test date. The
results of rescoring the multiple-choice answer documents will be
reported to you about three weeks after we receive and begin processing
your request. Due to the time involved in imaging the essays and the
nature of the essay scoring process, essay rescoring will require
additional time to accomplish. However, you will be notified of the
outcome as soon as possible.
Please note: If rescoring results in scores
that are higher or lower, revised score reports will be sent to you.
How do I request special testing
accommodations?
The MCAT does provide accommodations for
those who qualify under the American Disabilities Act. To apply for
accommodations, please register online and then send in your
documentation, as outlined in the
MCAT
Disabilities document, to the MCAT program office before the
deadline.
I have taken the MCAT three times already.
Do I need special permission to take the test again?
You must apply for special permission to
take the MCAT if you have attended three or more MCAT administrations
since 1977 (whether or not the test was completed and/or answer
documents were voided). Individuals who sit for the MCAT should be
preparing to apply to a health professions school.
Your request should include evidence of
intent to apply to a health professions school (e.g., a completed
application, letter of rejection, or letter from a medical school or
advisor), which must accompany the registration materials. This
documentation is required each time you wish to retest.
When will I receive my scores from the
MCAT?
AAMC and the MCAT Program Office will use
all available and reasonable means to mail scores by first-class mail to
examinees approximately 60 days after each test date. Scores will be
available in the Online Testing History system at that time.
I have already registered for the MCAT but
will not be able to take it. Can I get a refund?
If you submit your registration to the MCAT
Program Office and then, for whatever reason, do not attend the test,
you are eligible for a partial refund of your registration fee.
The maximum refund for the regular
registration fee is $100.00. Additional fees paid for a Sunday test
center or for late registration are not refundable.
Refund requests must be postmarked no later
than 60 days after the test date on your Admission Ticket. You should
receive your refund within 90 days after the test date.
To obtain a refund, write "REFUND" across
your unused Admission Ticket. If you paid your fees by credit card and
wish to have the refund credited, please write the credit card number
and expiration date on the Admission Ticket. Otherwise, the refund will
be issued in the form of a check payable to you. Please also indicate a
change of mailing address, if necessary. Mail your unused Admission
Ticket to: Refund Request, MCAT Program Office, PO Box 4056, Iowa City,
IA 52243-4056.
I have registered to take the MCAT, but I
have not yet received my test center admission ticket. Whom should I
call?
The MCAT Program Office will begin mailing
admissions tickets approximately five weeks prior to the test date. If
you do not receive your admission ticket within a reasonable amount of
time, it is your responsibility to call the MCAT Program Office at (319)
337-1357. The MCAT Program Office will confirm whether your registration
has been submitted.
How can I send my MCAT scores to other
people, schools, or institutions?
From 1991 - 2004:
MCAT
Testing History (THx)
Report System
Before 1991:
For MCAT scores before 1991, please
complete the
MCAT Additional Score Report Form (PDF, 4 pages - 153KB)
I didn't release my MCAT scores to AMCAS at
the time of the test. How can I release them now?
MCAT scores earned in 2003 and later will
be automatically released to AMCAS. MCAT Scores earned prior to 2003
that were not released to AMCAS on the day of the test may be released
at any time thereafter. You may release your scores via MCAT's
online score release.
Where can I find information about MCAT
policies, publications, and locations?
2004 MCAT Essentials
What is my MCAT Series Code?
The following are the MCAT series codes:
23 - April 2002
24 - August 2002
25 - April 2003
26 - August 2003
27 - April 2004
28 - August 2004
How can I change the address where my MCAT
scores will be sent?
If you did not change your address on
Answer Document 1 on the day of the test, please send your request in
writing (we need a signature) to:
The MCAT Program Office
PO Box 4056
Iowa City, IA 52243-4056.
How is the MCAT scored?
MCAT scores are based on the four parts of
the MCAT exam: Physical Sciences (PS), Verbal Reasoning (VR), Biological
Sciences (BS), and the Writing Sample (WS).
For PS, there are 77 questions, with a scoring range of 1 to 15.
For VR, there are 60 questions, with a scoring range of 1 to 15.
For BS, there are 77 questions, with a
scoring range of 1 to 15.
For WS, there are 2 questions, with a scoring range of J to T.
How long are MCAT scores valid?
In general, MCAT scores are valid for 3
years. However, this time frame varies from school to school. So you may
wish to contact the school(s) of your choice to find out their policies
concerning MCAT scores.
Are timers allowed for the MCAT?
Due to advancing technology and the wide
spread availability of digital image capturing equipment, no timers are
allowed for the MCAT, except wristwatches (and we prefer analog
watches).
How does the MCAT get test
questions?
A large pool of content experts writes the
items. New items are included in each administration of the MCAT as
"field test" questions. Field test questions are not scored, but they
are assessed for their performance and, if they are approved, are used
on a future MCAT.
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