The Medical College Admission Test – better known as the MCAT – is a standardized test that must be taken by all prospective students before applying to medical school. Because of the importance of this examination, many students come to dread the MCAT, but with a little understanding of how the MCAT works and what you can do to prepare yourself, you can look at this test as an opportunity to put your best foot forward and demonstrate to the various admissions offices that you are someone that they want studying at their school.

The MCAT is in many ways analogous to the SATs that every high school student must take before applying to colleges. These standardized tests, of course, are not the be all and end all of a college application, but a good score can help your application stand out from the rest of the pack. Most medical schools do not publish the average MCAT score of their incoming classes, but rather offer a median score to offer perspective about how most of their students have fared on the test. Sure, a couple of people might get accepted with less than sterling scores and a couple of people might have really aced the test, but by and large, the median will give you an idea for the ballpark you should shoot for if you want to attend that particular medical school.

One of the important things to remember with the MCAT is that you want to give yourself ample time to prepare so you don’t push against your medical school application deadlines. The last thing you want to do is rush, not do as well as you like, and then not have time to try again before it is too late to apply to your dream medical school. You also need to understand that it takes 30 days to get your scores, which might have a significant impact on your application timeline. And considering that many graduate schools only have one class of students a year, missing a deadline might mean you’ll have to delay enrollment for a full calendar year.

In regard to the test itself, the MCAT is several hours long and includes sections on physical science, biological science, verbal reasoning, physical and biological sciences cognitive skills, and verbal reasoning cognitive skills. It is absolutely essential that you familiarize yourself with the test and the subject matter before the testing day, and many individuals sign up for official test preparation classes and spend significant time working with the official guide to the MCAT exam that is published every year by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Another thing to keep in mind with the MCAT is that you can take it as many as three times a year, so if the first attempt doesn’t meet your standards, you can register again. Many times, this second round goes better because you have a better idea of what to expect and some of the uncertainty surrounding the test is removed. Above all else, do your due diligence, prepare yourself, and then work your way through the MCAT with the confidence that comes with knowing that you’re ready.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare careers.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare careers. https://careers-lsi.icims.com/jobs/intro?hashed=0

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare careers.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: healthcare careers