MCAT
Part of Speech
Abbreviation
Pronunciation
Definition
The MCAT (abbreviation for the Medical College Admissions Test) is a standardized, computerized, multiple choice exam taken by those (typically students) who wish to attend medical school. Nearly all US medical schools require students to submit MCAT scores in order to be considered for admission (one exception, though, is students in specialized programs such as the HPME program at Northwestern).
For those seeking additional information, such as the history of the MCAT, a more comprehensive guide may be found on Wikipedia's MCAT page.
Format
The MCAT is currently structured in three sections, which assess the examinee’s knowledge and critical reasoning in Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Verbal Reasoning. More specifically, the Biological Sciences section tests general biology and organic chemistry, and the Physical Sciences section tests general chemistry and physics. Plus, due to the addition of a new section in 2015, a current ungraded trial section is offered for this new area. Examinees are highly advised to have a strong background in each of these subjects prior to taking the MCAT, as the AAMC is able to see every score from every MCAT attempt.
In the spring of 2015, though, it has been announced that the format of the MCAT will change. In addition to the previously mentioned sections, a new section encompassing psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior will be added. Due to the addition of this new section, time will be added to the exam. The current MCAT runs for 5 hours and 10 minutes, and the new MCAT is scheduled to be 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Example Sentence
I'm taking the MCAT in two months, so I will be studying every weekend from now until then.
