What to Expect When Writing

the MCATPresented by PMSA

MCAT OverviewMedical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

Standardized exam

Used as part of the admissions process

Basic science knowledge and critical thinking

UBC -Uses the best score achieved -MCAT score must be received by October 1, 2014

Year Written Test Type Valid Until Application Cycle

2013 VR, PS, BS 2016/2017

2014 VR, PS, BS 2016/2017

2015 MCAT 2015 2019/2020

http://mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/admissions/admission-requirements/

Test Day Overview

Wake Up Drive to Test Center

Sign InWrite Exam

Exam OverviewSection Number of Questions Time (minutes)

Name Confirmation Screen 2Examinee Agreement 10

Tutorial (optional) 10Physical Sciences 52 70Break (optional) 10

Verbal Reasoning 40 60Break (optional) 10

Biological Sciences 52 70Void Question 5

Total Content Time = 3 hours, 20 minutes

Total Seated Time = 4 hours, 7 minutes

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/63060/data/mcatessentials.pdf

Exam OverviewSection Number of Questions Time (minutes)

Name Confirmation Screen 2Examinee Agreement 10

Tutorial (optional) 10Physical Sciences 52 70Break (optional) 10

Verbal Reasoning 40 60Break (optional) 10

Biological Sciences 52 70Void Question 5

Break (optional) 10Trial Section (optional) 32 45

Satisfaction Survey (optional)

12 10

Total Content Time = 4 hours, 5 minutes Total Seated Time = 5 hours, 10 minutes

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/63060/data/mcatessentials.pdf

MCAT Scoring

• Each section on the MCAT converts the raw scores to scaled scores.• Each section is scored from a low of 1 to high of 15

– Total score = The sum of the scores from each section.• Every exam covers the same basic knowledge and skills.• No Penalty for guessing.• Trial section is NOT scored.

MCAT Scoring Example

Physical SciencesPhysical Sciences Verbal ReasoningVerbal Reasoning Biological SciencesBiological Sciences

Converted Raw Converted Raw Converted Raw

15 43-52 15 40 15 52

14 40-42 14 39 14 49-51

13 37-39 13 38 13 46-48

12 35-36 12 37 12 43-45

11 32-34 11 36 11 40-42

10 29-31 10 35 10 38-39

9 27-28 9 33-34 9 35-37

UBC MCAT Statistics

MCAT CONTENT – 2013/2014 Overview

1.) Physical Sciences - 52 Questions in 70min–50% Physics –50% General Chemistry

2.) Verbal Reasoning – 40 Questions in 60min–Critical Thinking

MCAT CONTENT – 2013/2014 Overview

3) Biological Sciences - 52 Questions in 70 min–25% Organic Chemistry –75% Biology/Physiology

4.) Trial Section - 45 min time period–Psychology, Sociology, Biochemistry–Compensated for participation–Scores not reported–*Admissions officers will continue to receive Writing Sample scores from exams taken in 2012 and prior

PHYSICAL SCIENCES – Physics and General

Chemistry

PHYSICAL SCIENCES - Physics-Kinematics

-Newton’s Laws

-Work, Energy and Momentum

-Thermodynamics -Electrostatics

-Fluids and Solids

-Magnetism

-DC and AC Circuits

-Periodic Motion and Waves

-Sound

-Optics

-Atomic and Nuclear Phenomena

PHYSICAL SCIENCES – General Chemistry

-Atomic Structure

-Bonding and Chemical Interactions

-Compounds and Stoichiometry

-Kinetics and Equilibrium

-Thermochemistry

-Gases

-Phases and Phase Changes

-Solutions

-Acids and Bases

-Redox Reactions and Electrochemistry

VERBAL REASONING

VERBAL REASONING•7 Passages – Average of 8.5 min per passage

–Social Sciences–Natural Sciences–Art/History

•Read Passage and Answer Corresponding Questions

•Decipher Arguments

•Primarily Tests Critical Thinking

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES – Biology and Organic

Chemistry

-The Cell

-Enzymes

-Homeostasis

-Reproduction

-Endocrine System

-Nervous System

-Musculoskeletal System

-Classical Genetics

-Evolution

-Molecular Genetics

-Data Analysis

-Circulation

-Respiration

-Digestion

-Immune System

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES - Biology

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES – Organic Chemistry

-Nomenclature

-Alkanes

-Bonding

-Isomers

-Alkynes

-Alkenes

-Aromatic Compounds

-Alcohols

-Ethers

-Aldehydes

-Carboxylic Acids

-Amino Acids, Peptides, & Proteins

-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

-Purification Methods

-Spectroscopy

-Carbohydrates

How to Prepare for the MCAT?? ? ? ? ?? ???? ???????? ? ? ????? ?? ? ? ?

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MCAT Prep• Kaplan• The Princeton Review• Oxford Seminars• PREP 101• Or on your own!– Kaplan & The Princeton Review– Examkrackers– Berkeley Review

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Additional SELF-STUDY Methods

• Examkrackers• Berkeley Review

EXAMKRACKERSProducts for self-study:• Complete MCAT Study Package

$199.95• 1001 Questions Series $29.95

each subject

• Access to the MCAT forum for help with specific topics and even questions from the Study package and 1001 Questions series

BERKELEY REVIEWProducts for self-study:• Complete MCAT Study Package $330• $70 to buy each subject’s books

separately• Cover subjects in detail and provide

hundreds of practice passages and thousands of practice questions all in the same book set

• 7 full-length CBTs $210

Tips• Schedule study time like its a job• Don't put off registering, the spots

fill up quick• Get your study materials organized

early • Start by doing a quick overview of

all the content– Don't waste too much time getting

every detail on only one subject• Practice under timed conditions

But the MCAT is changing....

2015 MCAT• “The changes to the MCAT exam in

2015 preserve what works about the current exam, eliminate what isn’t working, and further enrich the MCAT exam by giving attention to the concepts tomorrow’s doctors will need.” - MCAT site

Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning Skills

2015 MCAT Overview• 4 new sections

1.) Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBFLS)

2.) Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPFBS)

3.) Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBFB)

4.) Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

• Each scored 1 to 15 (total out of 60)

• “Natural sciences sections of the MCAT2015 exam reflect recent changes in medical education.”

• New distribution of content1.Biological and Biochemical

Foundations of Living Systems2.Chemical and Physical

Foundations of Biological Systems

Sections 1 and 2

1.) Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

•65% on introductory biology •25% on first-semester biochemistry• 4% on general chemistry• 6% on organic chemistry

2.) Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

•33% on general chemistry•15% on organic chemistry•25% on introductory physics•25% on first-semester biochemistry•2% on introductory biology

• “Recognizes the importance of socio-cultural and behavioural determinants of health and health outcomes.”– ways in which psychological, social, and

biological factors influence perceptions and reactions to the world

– behaviour and behaviour change– what people think about themselves and others– the cultural and social differences that influence

well-being– the relationships between social stratification,

access to resources, and well-being.

3.) Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behaviour

3.) Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behaviour

•60% on introductory psychology•30% on introductory sociology•10% on introductory biology

• “Reflects the fact that medical schools want well-rounded applicants from a variety of backgrounds.”

• Analyze, reason, evaluate, and apply– Basically the same as Verbal Reasoning is

now• Passages from a wide range social

sciences and humanities disciplines

4.) Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

50% Humanities– Architecture – Art – Dance – Ethics – Literature – Music – Philosophy – Popular Culture – Religion – Theatre

50% Social Sciences– Anthropology – Archaeology – Cultural Studies – Economics – Education – Geography – History – Linguistics – Political Science – Population Health – Psychology – Sociology

4.) Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

4.) Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

• Nearly identical to the content on the old verbal reasoning section, but...

• It’s longer with the same time constraint!

2015 OLD # Questions 60 40 Time (mins) 90 60 min/Q 1.5min 1.5min

MCAT 2015 OverviewSection # Questions Time (min)Tutorial (optional) 10Examinee Agreement 10PBFLS 67 95Break (optional) 10CPFBS 67 95Break (optional) 10

MCAT 2015 OverviewSection # Questions Time (min)PSBFB 67 95Break (optional) 10CARS 60 90Break (optional) 10Void Question 5Satisfaction Survey 12 10DONE

MCAT 2015 Overview2015 MCAT Total Content Time 6hrs15minsTotal “Seated” Time 7hrs 30mins

2013 & 2014 MCAT (with trial section)Total Content Time 4hrs 5minsTotal “Seated” Time 5hrs 10mins

2013 & 2014 MCAT (without trial section)Total Content Time 3hrs 20minsTotal “Seated” Time 4hrs 5mins

New Content vs. Old ContentNew Old

introductory biology 26% 37.5%introductory psychology 20% 0%first-semester biochemistry 16.5% 0%general chemistry 12.5% 25%introductory sociology 10% 0%introductory physics 8.5% 25%organic chemistry 7% 12.5%

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• Preview Guide for the MCAT2015 Exam– www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/

mcat2015/

More Info on 2015