New Exam Content Challenges Colleges to Augment Already-Packed Pre-Med Curriculum with Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Ethics and Cross-Cultural Studies Concepts – Beginning with Current Freshman Class
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Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
New York, NY (February 21, 2012) – For the tens of thousands of pre-med students and the colleges and universities that teach them, the next few years will be transformational. Last week, the Association of American Medical Colleges – the governing body of all 137 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian allopathic medical schools – formally approved major content changes to the MCAT, the medical school admissions exam, which will include the addition of behavioral and social sciences, advanced science concepts in biochemistry, and expanded critical thinking. While the writing section will be eliminated, the additional content will make the 2015 MCAT over an hour longer than the current one – going from 5 ½ hours to about 7 hours. (For more on the specific changes, go to http://press.kaptest.com.) According to the AAMC, these changes will better prepare students for the medical school experience and ultimately help them become better doctors.
“These are beneficial and needed changes, as today’s medicine includes scientific advances that didn’t exist a generation ago, and today’s doctors serve an increasingly diverse population,” said Amjed Saffarini, executive director of pre-health programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “However, there’s no question the new MCAT will be more difficult than the current one. The additional content will also be challenging for undergraduate pre-med programs that will need to quickly ensure their curricula cover the expanded topics. The MCAT changes will also challenge pre-med students to learn significantly more material within the same amount of time – a potentially daunting, but achievable challenge for a student population that tends to be highly motivated.”
A Kaplan Test Prep survey conducted of 559 MCAT-takers in January sheds some light into the pre-med experience and mindset:
- A Determined Lot: 92% of pre-med students said that even if they had to face the additional content slated for the MCAT in 2015, that it would not have deterred them from pursuing a career in medicine.
- A Rigorous Academic Track: 95% said that their existing pre-med education was intense, including 61% who described it as “very intense.”
- No Time for French 101: 29% reported that the intensity of their courseload prevented them from exploring areas of study outside of pre-med.
In 2011, 43,919 aspiring doctors applied to medical school, a 2.8% increase over 2010. The number of first-time applicants reached an all-time high in 2011. Of those who applied, about 43% were accepted.
To schedule an interview with a Kaplan Test Prep expert about the upcoming MCAT changes, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538. Pre-med students can find a host of additional resources at www.KaplanMCAT.com.
About Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.
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