MCAT 2022 Eligibility Exam Dates Application Form
the Medical College Admission Test [MCAT] is a standardized examination that evaluates a candidate’s skills of critical thinking, problem-solving and medicine-related knowledge. As a medical ability-testing admission test, it is offered by the Association
April 12, 2022
MCAT: the Medical College Admission Test [MCAT] is a standardised examination that evaluates a candidate’s skills of critical thinking, problem-solving and medicine-related knowledge. As a medical ability-testing admission test, it is offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges [AAMC].
Eligibility Criteria for MCAT Exam
- As international students, one must be enrolled or hold an MBBS degree.
- In cases where applicants do not intend to apply at a health professions school or are already enrolled in medical courses excluding MBBS, ‘special permission’ must be obtained.
- In order to request special permission, one needs to drop a mail to mcat@aamc.org clearly mentioning the reason for taking the exam. After this, the MCAT program office will assess and review the request accordingly and reply to it in typically five business days.
- It is recommended that prospective candidates keep in mind the applicable registration deadlines.
How to Register for the MCAT Exam?
The MCAT is administered at international test locations and can be registered using this link. Follow the steps listed below to register for this exam.
- Create your AAMC ID and password by creating your account.
- Enter relevant details of contact, background and education.
- Select your test date and location.
- Sign the Examinee agreement.
- Schedule the MCAT exam as per your suitability.
More information with respect to scheduling and costs is listed in the following paragraphs.
MCAT Exam with Accommodations
Medical College Admission Test Exam with Accommodations is a specific opportunity that AAMC offers to persons with disabilities. Under this, if any student has a disability or medical condition that requires any adjustment in the standard test procedure, you can apply for the MCAT exam with accommodations in it. However, you must send in your application as soon as possible for your desired date as the entire procedure takes at least 60 days.
Scheduling the Test
The MCAT exam is available across the United States and Canada along with a few major locations worldwide. Unfortunately, it is not available in India and candidates need to fly to their nearest location in order to appear for it.
MCAT Registration 2022
The MCAT exam is scheduled multiple times throughout the year from January and March to September at hundreds of test sites in the United States, Canada, and around the world. Check the date availability and test centers, fill out the form on the official website and apply for the exam.
Exam Pattern
The MCAT exam pattern consists of 230 multiple choice questions which need to be completed in a total of 7.5 hours. It tests the overall hold of the applicant over not only fundamental biology and chemistry, and behaviour related concepts but also their critical analysis and problem-solving skills. A typical exam day would comprise other tasks in addition to the testing portions. More information over topics covered in each question is presented in the following paragraphs.
Section |
Questions [MCQ] |
Time Allotted |
Test-day Certification |
– |
4 minutes |
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems |
44 [passage-related]15 [non passage-related] |
95 minutes |
Break [optional] |
– |
10 minutes |
Critical Analysis and |
53 [passage-related] |
90 minutes |
Mid-Exam Break [optional] |
30 minutes |
|
Biological and Biochemical |
44 [passage-related]15 [non passage-related] |
95 minutes |
Break [optional] |
10 minutes |
|
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior |
44 [passage-related]15 [non passage-related |
95 minutes |
Void Question |
– |
3 minutes |
Satisfaction Survey [optional] |
– |
5 minutes |
Total Content Time |
– |
6 hours and 15 minutes |
Total “Seated” Time* |
– |
Approx. 7 hours & 30 minutes |
*This does not include check-in time on arrival at the venue of the test centre.
MCAT Syllabus
The current pattern of the MCAT exam covers a variety of topics that test one’s understanding of medicine on a conceptual basis. A more elaborate description has been listed below as mentioned in the official MCAT website.
Section |
Topics/Skills Tested |
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems |
Preliminary level biology, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry fundamentals; Biochemistry concepts at the level taught in the first semester of Topics of cellular and molecular biology at the level studied in many colleges and universities in introductory biology sequences and 1st-semester of biochemistry courses; Foundational research methods and statistics concepts as described by many baccalaureate faculty to be important for success in introductory science courses; Individual scientific inquiry and reasoning, research methods, and data-based and statistics skills as applied to the natural sciences |
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills |
Analysis, critical reasoning and comprehension skills through critical thinking tasks in passages; Topics of philosophy, ethics, population health, studies of diverse cultures along with diverse social sciences and humanities disciplines |
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems |
Preliminary level biology, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry fundamentals; Biochemistry concepts at the level taught in the first semester of Topics of cellular and molecular biology at the level studied in many colleges and universities in introductory biology sequences and 1st-semester of biochemistry courses; Foundational research methods and statistics concepts as described by many baccalaureate faculty to be important for success in introductory science courses; Individual scientific inquiry and reasoning, research methods, and data-based and statistics skills as applied to the natural sciences |
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior |
Fundamental topics of psychology, sociology and biology that form a base to study behavioural and sociocultural components of health in medical school; Concepts taught at many institutions in 1st-semester psychology and sociology courses; Concepts of biology relating to mental processes and behavior taught in introductory biology at many colleges and universities; Foundational research methods and statistics concepts as described by many baccalaureate faculty to be important for success in introductory science courses; Skills of scientific inquiry and reasoning, research methods, and |
Exam Scoring
The scoring structure of the MCAT exam consists of individual section scoring as well as overall scoring. Here are a few points which throw light on the scoring pattern.
- All correct answers to each of the four multiple-choice questions are added up to arrive at a raw score.
- No negative marking.
- The calculated raw scores are scaled up to a measure ranging from 118 being the lowest to 32 being the highest. The scaling process is done through equating which takes into consideration the varying difficulty level of question papers as well.
- Section scores are added up to calculate a total score ranging from 472 to 528.
- On the basis of overall scores, a percentile rank is also reported indicating the percentage of candidates scoring higher or lower than the concerned candidate.
Courses after MCAT
In particular, MCAT scores are used for admissions into varied programs such as:
- Doctor of Medicine [M.D.] granting programs
- D.O. granting programs
- Podiatric (D.P.M)
- Veterinary medicine (D.V.M)
- Other health-related programs which accept MCAT exam results to satisfy a test score admissions requirement.
There are certain limits to the number of attempts one can appear for the MCAT.
- There are certain limits to the number of attempts one can appear for the MCAT.
- In a single testing year, it can be taken up to 3 times.
- In a two consequent year period, it can be taken for up to 4 times
- In a lifetime, it can be taken for up to a maximum of 7 times.
What does ‘optional break’ imply?
If you wish to continue your exam right away and move onto the next section immediately after completing the previous section, you may do so. The provision of Optional break is provided to assist those candidates who wish to take a breather between exam sittings. However, the remaining time of breaks if you return early does not carry over to the next break and lapses then and there.
An above-average score on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) exam opens the door to countless opportunities in the health and medicine sector.