The MCAT Essentials For Testing Year 2018

Medical College Admission TestThe MCAT Essentialsfor Testing Year 2018Required Reading Registration instructions Test-day policies Scoring details and suggestions to help you prepare forthe MCAT exam, a list of contacts and onlineservices, and other helpful informationMCAT is a program of theAssociation of American Medical Collegesaamc.org/mcat

Prepare for the MCAT ExamThere isn’t a right or wrong way to prepare for the MCAT exam, and knowing how and whereto start can be a challenge. The AAMC has developed resources to help you understand and studyand practice for the exam!How to Create a Study PlanGet a five-step guide to help you create your own study plan. Download it at offers.aamc.org/mcat-study.UnderstandUnderstand what the MCAT exam is and whatit tests.StudyStudy with a full complement of materials.Khan Academy MCAT CollectionWith more than 1,100 free videosand 3,000 review questions, the KhanAcademy MCAT Collection covers allthe content tested on the MCAT exam.The collection was created by KhanAcademy with support and fundingfrom the AAMC and the Robert WoodJohnson Foundation.Interactive Content Tool:What’s on the MCAT Exam?Read the content lists andwatch videos to explorewhat’s tested in the fourexam sections.The Official Guideto the MCAT ExamThis guide is the first andonly official comprehensiveoverview of the new exam.It also includes 120 practicequestions and solutions.The fifth edition of the guidewill be launched this winter!A Roadmap to MCAT Content inPsychology and Sociology TextbooksAssociation ofAmerican Medical CollegesPsychology and SociologyTextbook RoadmapIn this “roadmap,” publishersof introductory psychology andsociology textbooks provide detailedinformation on where to find theconcepts that you’ll need to studyfor the Psychological, Social, andBiological Foundations of Behaviorsection of the MCAT exam.continued Association ofAmerican Medical Colleges

PracticePractice with print and online resources written by the test developers. (Unless noted otherwise, all resourcesinclude both discrete and passage-based questions, as well as solutions to the questions.)Sample TestThe 230-question onlinesample test mirrors the actualMCAT exam in both length andfunctionality. The sample test isa great way to help you identifythe sections you need to focuson the most because it gives youthe number and percentage ofcorrect answers for each section.It does not, however, provide ascaled score.Practice Exams 1, 2, and 3The 230-question online practiceexams have the same featuresand functionality as the MCATexam—with the added benefit ofa scaled score. The third officialfull-length practice exam islaunching in fall 2017!Question PacksEach question pack offers 120practice questions. Buy thepacks individually or as a bundleof six: biology (two packs),chemistry, physics, and criticalreasoning (two packs).AAMCMCAT SectionBankSection BankThe online MCAT SectionBank consists of 300 all-newpractice questions in thenatural, behavioral, and socialsciences, with an emphasis onbiochemistry, psychology,and sociology.FlashcardsThis packet of flashcards contains150 discrete practice questions.You get 25 questions in each ofthese six disciplines: biochemistry,biology, chemistry, physics,psychology, and sociology.Practice with the MCATExam FeaturesPractice with the features ofthe real MCAT exam, includinghighlight, strikethrough,and flag for review.Complete OfficialMCAT Prep BundleThe complete package includesall the current MCAT productsat a significant discount overordering each separately.The Online-Only Official MCATPrep Bundle (without the OfficialGuide and Flashcards) is alsoavailable for you to purchase.Learn more about official MCATresources and practice materials atstudents-residents.aamc.org/mcatprep.17-189 (08/17)

The MCAT EssentialsContentsThe MCAT Essentials for Testing Year 2018 . 5Part 1: The Essential MCAT . 6Exam Content . 6Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems . 7Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills . 8Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems . 8Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior . 9Exam Scoring . 9Part 2: Registration Essentials . 10Eligibility. 10Eligible Health Professions Graduate Programs . 10Obtaining Special Permission . 10International Examinees. 11Before You Register . 11AAMC ID . 11Registering for an MCAT Exam . 12Registration Name/Identification . 12Use of Personal Information . 13Identity Verification Consent . 13MCAT Recruiting Service . 13Health Professions Advisor Release . 14Medical Minority Applicant Registry (Med-MAR) . 14Release to Alternate Contact . 14AAMC Policies Regarding MCAT Examinee Data . 15Testing with Accommodations . 16Part 3: Scheduling Essentials . 16Selecting a Test Date and Location . 16Scheduling Details . 16The AAMC Fee Assistance Program . 17Scheduling Fees and Deadlines . 17Applicable Taxes . 18Changing Your Appointment . 20Cancellations and Refunds . 20Emergency Refund. 21Other Scheduling Details . 21Absences/“No-Shows” . 21Registering for Another Test Date . 22Testing More Than Once and Testing Limits . 22MCAT Appointments are Subject to Change or Cancellation. 22 2017 AAMC. May not be reproduced without permission.V02.06.20183

The MCAT EssentialsPart 4: Test Day Essentials . 23Know the Basics . 23Time Zone . 23Current Address . 23Check-In . 23Providing Valid Identification on Test Day . 23Voiding Your Exam . 25Test Day Rules . 26Testing Room Entrance and Exit . 26In the Testing Room. 27Noteboards . 27Breaks . 27Other Security Rules and Procedures . 28Violations and Investigations . 28Examinee Agreement . 29Test-Day Certification Statement . 32Registration/Scheduling Violations . 33Testing Irregularities . 33Discussion of the MCAT Exam . 34Investigation Procedures . 35Arbitration for Investigation Disputes . 36Reporting Suspected Violations . 36When an Error Occurs . 37Disruptions in Testing and Potential Compromises. 37Reporting a Test Center Concern . 37Test Center Closures or Workstation Outages . 38Test Question Challenges . 38Part 5: Post-Test Essentials . 39Receiving and Sending Scores. 39Receiving Test Scores . 39Score Reporting through AMCAS . 39Score Reporting through the MCAT Score Reporting System . 39Retaking the Exam . 40Rescoring Exams . 40Contacting Us . 41Appendix A: Contacts and Online Resources . 42Appendix B: Scheduling Deadlines . 43 2017 AAMC. May not be reproduced without permission.V02.06.20184

The MCAT EssentialsThe MCAT Essentials for Testing Year 2018Congratulations! Reading this guide is the first step in preparing yourself to take the MCAT exam―another step toward a rewarding and fulfilling career in medicine.The MCAT Essentials is the official policy and procedure guide for the MCAT exam. The followingpages will provide you with fundamental information about registration, scheduling, test day policies,rules to protect the integrity of the exam, and post-test procedures. You will also find a brief overview ofexam content and scoring, a list of contacts and online services, as well as other helpful information.The information included in this guide is necessary for a smooth registration, scheduling, and testingexperience. At the time of registration and on test day, you will be asked to certify that you agreeto comply with the policies and procedures contained within The MCAT Essentials.If you are a returning examinee, you must read The MCAT Essentials associated with your newappointment. Note, The MCAT Essentials is subject to change. The version applicable to you is theversion in effect at the time of registration.The AAMC provides the MCAT exam with the assistance of its test delivery administrator, PearsonVUE.Please contact us if you have questions after reading this guide. You will find contact information forMCAT staff and related resources in Appendix A.All of us at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) wish you the best and muchsuccess as you move forward with your career in medicine. 2017 AAMC. May not be reproduced without permission.V02.06.20185

The MCAT EssentialsPart 1: The Essential MCATThe Medical College Admission Test (MCAT ) is a standardized, multiple-choice exam that has beenpart of the medical school admissions process for 90 years. Almost all medical schools in the UnitedStates, and many in Canada, require applicants to submit recent MCAT scores as part of theirapplication, and many health professions and graduate programs accept MCAT scores in lieu of otherstandardized tests. Considering its widespread acceptance, it is no surprise that more than 85,000examinees sit for the exam each year.The MCAT exam tests you on the skills and knowledge medical educators and physicians haveidentified as key prerequisites for success in medical school and in the practice of medicine. Content isdivided into four multiple-choice sections and is delivered as a computer-based exam. The MCAT examdoes not contain a written portion or writing sample.In conjunction with its member medical schools, the AAMC develops and administers the MCAT exammultiple times each year at hundreds of test sites throughout the United States and Canada, as well asselected locations throughout the world.Exam ContentThe MCAT exam has four test sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological SystemsBiological and Biochemical Foundations of Living SystemsPsychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of BehaviorCritical Analysis and Reasoning SkillsThe first three listed sections are organized around 10 foundational concepts or “big ideas” in thesciences and draw from the following disciplines in year-long, introductory courses in: biology, organicchemistry, general chemistry, and physics, and from first-semester introductory courses in biochemistry,psychology, and sociology. Questions in these sections will ask you to combine your scientificknowledge from multiple disciplines with your scientific inquiry and reasoning skills.The final listed section, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, includes questions that test your abilityto comprehend and analyze what you read and requires no specific outside content knowledge.Each of the four sections of the exam include some “field test” or experimental questions (i.e. questionsthat are being considered for future use and do not count toward your total score.AAMC and its members are actively working to promote a more diverse population within the study ofmedicine. It is hoped that the content and skills tested on the exam will encourage people from broadeducational backgrounds to apply to medical school.Full details on the exam content and skills can be found in our What’s on the MCAT Exam? tool.You can also watch this two-minute video to learn more about the MCAT Exam. 2017 AAMC. May not be reproduced without permission.V02.06.20186