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Administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the MCAT® delves into a diverse array of subjects covered in the initial semester of undergraduate courses. This Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) is ingeniously crafted to assess a candidate’s problem-solving acumen, critical thinking prowess, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles, all vital for the pursuit of medicine. Employing a standardized format, this multiple-choice computer-based exam is designed to put the aspirant’s intuitive and critical thinking skills to the test. AAMC, in conjunction with its esteemed member medical schools, spearheads the development and administration of the MCAT exam. Read more career blogs at college49

Preparation Tips and Tricks to Crack the MCAT Exam

1. Prioritize MCAT Test Preparation: Allocate dedicated time in your daily routine for MCAT exam preparation. Ensure to balance your schedule if you have other commitments like work, school, or extracurricular activities. Consider making temporary arrangements to create study time and rest adequately.
2. Give Yourself Enough Time: Don’t underestimate the preparation time needed for the MCAT exam. Dedicate four to six months for focused preparation. Invest in a reliable MCAT prep book, create a daily study schedule, and continuously assess your progress.
3. Create a Detailed Schedule: Plan your study time meticulously to stay on track with application deadlines and avoid procrastination. Set specific and achievable study blocks with a clear breakdown of topics and tasks for each day.
4. Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: The MCAT assesses analytical and reasoning skills, not just knowledge. Understand the concepts deeply instead of rote memorization. Review explanations, analyze your mistakes, and connect content with questions for a better understanding. Find a Study Buddy: Studying with others can be enjoyable and beneficial. Form a study group or partner up with a friend to share knowledge, and study tips, and support each other during the preparation.
5. Use Practice Questions and Exams: Invest in a reliable MCAT study guide that includes realistic practice questions and exams. Familiarize yourself with the test format and improve your performance through regular practice.
6. Research MCAT Score Requirements: Know the score requirements of the medical schools you are interested in. Check AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements for necessary information. Choose an appropriate test date based on your target score.
7. Plan Ahead for Test Day: Prepare for the actual test day by knowing all the details, such as the exam start time, transportation to the test center, and required materials. Plan your meals and outfit to minimize distractions and stay focused on the exam.

Introduction

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized examination accepted for medical admission in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands. Administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the MCAT assesses prospective MD students’ understanding and knowledge of various scientific concepts essential for pursuing a career in the medical and healthcare field. It is a computer-based test that evaluates physical and biological sciences knowledge, as well as verbal reasoning and writing skills.

The MCAT syllabus includes sections on psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior, added by the AAMC in 2015. The exam scores are valid for up to three years, and some colleges and universities only accept scores up to two years old.

The MCAT is conducted in various locations, including U.S. Territories like Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Internationally, the exam is held in countries such as Australia, China (Hong Kong), France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

MCAT Exam Date

MCAT Exam Dates in August 2023	August 4, 2023 August 19, 2023 August 25, 2023 August 26, 2023 August 31, 2023
MCAT Exam Dates in September 2023	September 1, 2023 September 8, 2023 September 9, 2023
Registration for the MCAT 2024 testing will have two opening dates	October 2023: Registration opens for those who want to test in the first half of 2024. February 2024: Registration opens for the Jul-Sep test dates in 2024.

MCAT Exam Registration

To register for the MCAT exam, aspirants must create an AAMC account by following these steps:

1. Visit the official AAMC website.
2. Open an AAMC account and provide necessary information such as First Name, Middle Name, Last Name, E-Mail, Sex, etc.
3. Answer questions regarding their status in the medical field.
4. Fill in personal details like date of birth and location.
5. Enter the complete communication address.
6. Set a username, password, and three security questions for added security.

Important Notes:

• Save the account credentials for future reference.
• Upon completion of account creation, aspirants will receive a confirmation email.
• It is advised to register at least 60 days before the exam to secure available seats.
• Only American Express, VISA, and MasterCard, including debit cards with the VISA or MasterCard logo, are accepted for MCAT 2023 registration.
• Aspirants eligible for the Fee Assistance Program (FAP) must obtain FAP approval before registering for MCAT 2023. Otherwise, they will be charged the full application fee during registration.
• MCAT Registration Fees for 2023:
  • Standard Registration: $325
  • Fee Assistance Program Registration: $130

MCAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to take the MCAT exam in 2023, candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Interest in Healthcare and Medicine: The candidate should have a genuine interest in pursuing an educational course in the field of healthcare and medicine.
2. Programs Covered: The MCAT exam is applicable to various programs, including:

• M.D. (Medical Doctor)
• D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
• Podiatric (D.P.M.) – Podiatry Medicine
• Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
• Any other healthcare or medicine-related program that requires MCAT scores for admission.

3. Statement of Interest: Upon registration, candidates must submit a statement expressing their interest and intention to apply for a program in a health professions school.
4. International Students: International students enrolled in an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) program are exempt from additional eligibility requirements.
5. Special Permission for International Candidates: International candidates pursuing healthcare and medicine programs other than MBBS or those without immediate intentions to pursue a profession in healthcare and medicine must obtain special permission to be eligible for the MCAT exam. Detailed information about the special permission process can be found on the official MCAT web portal on the AAMC website.

MCAT Exam Syllabus

The MCAT Exam Syllabus for Indian Students covers an extensive range of subjects, testing their proficiency in various sections:

1. Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: This section encompasses content from ethics, philosophy, diverse cultural studies, population health, and an array of social sciences and humanities disciplines. Its primary focus is to assess candidates’ comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills.
2. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: Candidates are evaluated on their understanding of introductory biology and concepts in organic and inorganic chemistry. The section also includes cellular and molecular biology, as well as first-semester biochemistry. Natural sciences, scientific inquiry, reasoning, research methods, and statistics play an integral role in this section.
3. Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: Testing candidates on their scientific inquiry, reasoning, research methods, and statistical skills within the social and behavioral sciences domain. This section delves into psychology, sociology, biology, and socio-cultural health determinants, along with the concepts of mental processes and behavior.
4. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: This segment evaluates a candidate’s knowledge in physics, chemistry, and introductory courses taught during the first semester in biology, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. The use of scientific inquiry, reasoning, research methods, and statistics in the natural sciences is emphasized. Additionally, first-semester molecular biology is included, along with introductory statistics concepts and research methods for introductory science courses.

MCAT Exam Pattern and Test Structure

MCAT 2023 Exam Pattern – Number of Questions and Test Duration

Sections:

1. Test-Day Certification:
   • No of Questions: 4
   • Duration (in mins): Not Applicable
2. Tutorial (optional):
   • No of Questions: Not Applicable
   • Duration (in mins): 10
3. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems:
   • No of Questions: 59
   • Duration (in mins): 95
   • Break-up of Questions:
     • 10 passage-based sets of questions with 4–6 questions per set
     • 15 independent questions
4. Break (optional):
   • No of Questions: Not Applicable
   • Duration (in mins): 10
5. Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills:
   • No of Questions: 53
   • Duration (in mins): 90
   • Break-up of Questions:
     • 9 passages with 5–7 questions per passage
6. Mid-Exam Break (optional):
   • No of Questions: Not Applicable
   • Duration (in mins): 30
7. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems:
   • No of Questions: 59
   • Duration (in mins): 95
   • Break-up of Questions:
     • 10 passage-based sets of questions with 4–6 questions per set
     • 15 independent questions
8. Break (optional):
   • No of Questions: Not Applicable
   • Duration (in mins): 10
9. Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior:
   • No of Questions: 59
   • Duration (in mins): 95
   • Break-up of Questions:
     • 10 passage-based sets of questions with 4–6 questions per set
     • 15 independent questions
10. Void Question:
    • No of Questions: 3
    • Duration (in mins): Not Applicable
11. Satisfaction Survey (optional):
    • No of Questions: 5
    • Duration (in mins): Not Applicable

Total-Content Time: 6 hours 15 minutes

Total “Seated” Time*: 7 hours 27 minutes (Approx)

MCAT Exam Books

Here are six of the best MCAT prep books:

1. MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review
2. Princeton Review MCAT Subject Review
3. Barron’s Test Prep: MCAT with Online Tests
4. AAMC The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam
5. MCAT Prep Books 2021-2022 (Test Prep Books)
6. Exam Crackers MCAT Complete Study Package

MCAT Exam Highlights

Particulars	Details
Full Exam Name	Medical College Admission Test
Short Exam Name	MCAT
Conducting Body	Association of American Medical Colleges
Exam Level	National Level Exam
Languages	English
Mode of Application	Online
Mode of Exam	Online
Exam Duration	7 Hours 30 Minutes