What is changing on the MCAT?

The switch to a computer-based format will be the biggest change the MCAT has seen in over a decade. The chart below outlines some of the ways in which the new MCAT will differ from the current test.

	Current MCAT	MCAT in 2007 and Beyond
Format	Paper-and-pencil format for 60,000 test takers Computer-based format for 500-600 test takers	US: All administrations on computer International: Most on computer with limited paper and pencil in a few isolated areas
Content	214 multiple-choice questions: 77 Physical Sciences, 60 Verbal Reasoning, 77 Biological Sciences Two essays	144 multiple-choice questions: 52 Physical Sciences, 40 Verbal Reasoning, 52 Biological Sciences Two essays
Essay Grading	Two human graders, with a third if the two scores differ by a large margin	One human grader and one computer grader
Breaks	Mandatory breaks as part of the proctoring 1-hour lunch between the Verbal Reasoning questions and the essays	Optional breaks No lunch hour given
Length of Test Day	8-9 hours	5.5 hours
Test Dates	One test date in April and one in August	22 test administrations spread out in January and April through September
Delivery of Results	Students receive scores in 60 days Electronic and paper scores available	Students receive scores in 30 days in 2007 and in 14 days in 2008 and beyond Electronic and paper scores available
Check-In Security Requirements	Government-issued photo ID Manual fingerprint	Government-issued photo ID Electronic thumbprint Electronic signature verification
Testing centers	College lecture rooms Hotel conference rooms	Small computer testing sites

Why is the MCAT changing?

The main motivation for the computer-based MCAT is the AAMC's desire to offer students greater flexibility: more test sites, more testing times, greater security, a more controlled testing environment, a shorter test day, and faster score results.

Will the role of the MCAT in admissions change?

Not substantially. The AAMC has said that MCAT scores will continue to be valid for 3 years and that the scoring of the multiple-choice questions administered by computer will not differ from that of the paper-and-pencil test, although the essays will be graded by one human and one computer grader instead of by two human graders as it is now.

The number of people taking the MCAT and applying to medical school is growing continuously. It's important for you to recognize that while high MCAT scores are a critical component in getting admitted to top med schools, they aren't the only factor. Medical school admissions officers weigh grades, interviews, MCAT scores, level of involvement in extracurricular activities, and your personal essays while evaluating your application.

In a Kaplan survey of 130 pre-med advisors, 84% called the interview a "very important" part of the admissions process, followed closely by college grades (83%) and MCAT scores (76%). Kaplan's medical school admissions consulting service works with students on their secondary applications so that they can position themselves to admissions boards as strongly as possible.

Return to the MCAT Test Change Resource Center.