Taking the MCAT
Posted on January 10th, 2013 by Jenny FrankelInternational students who want to apply to graduate school need to first take the MCAT, or Medical College Admissions test. The MCAT is a computer based multiple choice test that assesses a student’s reasoning skills, scientific knowledge, and ability to write clearly. Almost all medical schools require taking the MCAT within three years of the application process to become eligible to study medicine in the US.
Unlike the GRE, SAT or LSAT, taking the MCAT doesn’t just measure your ability to reason things out, it measures your scientific knowledge. Because of this, you must make sure you have studied intensively before hand. You can do this by either buying a book made specifically to help you with the test, or by taking specific college classes in the sciences and even English.
There are four parts to the test: physical science, verbal reasoning, writing sample (which will be removed come 2013), and biological sciences. In total, it takes most people around 5 hours to complete the test, which, if that seems long, is almost half of the test’s previous 8 hour length.
If you start to take the test and realize you are way in over your head, or if you finish and you’re convinced you didn’t do well enough you are actually allowed to void the test. A voided test will not appear on your transcript, and it will be as though you never took the test in most aspects. However, if you wind up taking the MCAT three times in a year (even if you void any of them), you will have to wait until the next year to be allowed to try again.
If you want to register for the MCAT or take a sample test, you can visit the Association of American Medical College’s website. The site also has a lot of helpful information regarding the test and other medical news related material.
February 26th, 2019 at 4:21 am
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO TAKE THE MCAT ?
IF I TAKE THE MCAT THIS YEAR CAN I TAKE ADMISSION IN MED SCHOOL THE SAME YEAR?
November 3rd, 2019 at 4:39 am
Hi, please I’m in Nigeria and I’ll like to study medcine in NYU. How do I go about it? Plus I already have a Bsc in Microbiology. How many years will it take me to complete the course. I don’t mind starting afresh. When should I register for the MCAT and how do I register? Please I’m completely lost
November 4th, 2019 at 9:11 am
Hi Lawren,
You can read about the admissions process at NYU and request more information about the School of Medicine here. We also have some information about the MCAT and when you should take it here. Hope this helps!
January 20th, 2020 at 12:24 am
I studied medicine abroad in the Dominican Republic and finished sep 2019 and my graduation is April 2020. I took federal loans my last year of med school and my financial advisor told me that i needed to take the MCAT in order for them to release my diploma because of the loans i took. Is that even true? Like, i finished med school, i am a Doctor, so why make me take a medical admission test?
January 20th, 2020 at 10:39 am
Hi John! Unfortunately, we don’t know why you are being advised to take the MCAT but if you need to get more information about this test you can do that here. Best wishes!
May 17th, 2020 at 12:10 pm
Hi ,
I am a medical student in Turkey. Here med schools last 6 years. Can i take the MCAT exam at 4th class and start my education in US? or this exam is only for students who study in US?? Please answer, i am very very confused.
May 20th, 2020 at 4:02 pm
Hi Ezgi! Thank you for reading. If you are interested in going to med school in the US, you will be required to take the MCAT. There are several testing locations around the world where you can take this exam, including Turkey. We recommend visiting AAMC’s website to learn more and register for an exam.
April 24th, 2021 at 6:49 am
Hi,I am an engineer by profession but I want to switch to medicine in US, currently residing in India. How can I take MCAT? What is the procedure?
April 26th, 2021 at 12:03 pm
Hi Sanah! Thanks for reading our blog! Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide personalized assistance. But you can read more about taking the MCAT here.