Kaplan MCAT General Chemistry Review

More and more people are applying to medical school and more and more people are taking the MCAT. It’s important for you to recognize that while a high MCAT score is a critical component in getting admitted to top med schools, it’s not the only factor. Medical school admissions officers weigh grades, interviews, MCAT scores, level of involvement in extracurricular activities, as well as personal essays.

In a Kaplan survey of 130 pre-med advisors, 84 percent called the interview a “very important” part of the admissions process, followed closely by college grades (83%) and MCAT scores (76%). Kaplan’s college admissions consulting practice works with students on all these issues so they can position themselves as strongly as possible. In addition, the AAMC has made it clear that scores will continue to be valid for three years, and that the scoring of the computer-based MCAT will not differ from that of the paper and pencil version.

REGISTRATION

The only way to register for the MCAT is online. The registration site is: www.aamc.org/mcat.

You will be able to access the site approximately six months before your test date. Payment must be made by MasterCard or Visa.

Go to www.aamc.org/mcat/registration.htm and download MCAT Essentials for information about registration, fees, test administration, and preparation. For other questions, contact:

MCAT Care Team

Association of American Medical Colleges

Section for Applicant Assessment Services

2450 N. St., NW

Washington, DC 20037

www.aamc.org/mcat

Email: mcat@aamc.org

Keep in mind that you will want to take the MCAT in the year prior to your planned med school start date. Don’t drag your feet gathering information. You’ll need time not only to prepare and practice for the test, but also to get all your registration work done.

The MCAT should be viewed just like any other part of your application: as an opportunity to show the medical schools who you are and what you can do. Take control of your MCAT experience.

ANATOMY OF THE MCAT

Before mastering strategies, you need to know exactly what you’re dealing with on the MCAT. Let’s start with the basics: The MCAT is, among other things, an endurance test.

If you can’t approach it with confidence and stamina, you’ll quickly lose your composure. That’s why it’s so important that you take control of the test.

The MCAT consists of four timed sections: Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences. Later in this section we’ll take an in-depth look at each MCAT section, including sample question types and specific test-smart hints, but here’s a general overview, reflecting the order of the test sections and number of questions in each.

Physical Sciences

Time 70 minutesFormat • 52 multiple-choice questions: approximately 7–9 passages with 4–8 questions each•approximately 10 stand-alone questions (not passage-based)What it tests basic general chemistry concepts, basic physics concepts, analytical reasoning, data interpretation

Verbal Reasoning

Time 60 minutesFormat • 40 multiple-choice questions: approximately 7 passages with 5–7 questions eachWhat it tests critical reading

Writing Sample

Time 60 minutesFormat • 2 essay questions (30 minutes per essay)What it tests critical thinking, intellectual organization, written communication skills

Biological Sciences

Time 70 minutesFormat • 52 multiple-choice questions: approximately 7–9 passages with 4–8 questions each• approximately 10 stand-alone questions (not passage-based)What it tests basic biology concepts, basic organic chemistry concepts, analytical reasoning, data interpretation

The sections of the test always appear in the same order:

Physical Sciences

[optional 10-minute break]

Verbal Reasoning

[optional 10-minute break]

Writing Sample

[optional 10-minute break]

Biological Sciences

SCORING

Each MCAT section receives its own score. Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, and Biological Sciences are each scored on a scale ranging from 1–15, with 15 as the highest. The Writing Sample essays are scored alphabetically on a scale ranging from J to T, with T as the highest. The two essays are each evaluated by two official readers, so four critiques combine to make the alphabetical score.