To get into a good medical school, you not only need to have a good GPA but have a good MCAT score. Getting admitted to a good medical school is the dream of many medical aspiring students. MCAT is a multiple choice questions test that you will need to clear to get into a medical school. But how much time does it take to complete the MCAT exam?
Quick Takeaways
- The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a multiple-choice, computer-based test that is standardized and has been used in the admissions process for medical schools for over 90 years.
- If we talk about the sitting time for the MCAT exam, is 7 hours and 27 minutes.
- But if we limit it up to only the exam time then it is 6 hours and 15 minutes.
However, you must read till the end so that you do not miss any important facts related to the MCAT exam and how long the MCAT exam takes to complete.
What is MCAT?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a multiple-choice, computer-based test that is standardized and has been used in the admissions process for medical schools for over 90 years. More than 85,000 students take this test each year. Many health profession institutions and graduate programs now accept MCAT scores in place of other standardized examinations.
Almost all medical schools in the United States and many in Canada also need MCAT scores. The MCAT exam tests evaluate the requirements and knowledge that medical educators, students, and residents must have. Overall we can say that you will need the MCAT to get into medical school. It mainly has 4 sections which are mentioned below-
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
How long does the MCAT take?
The MCAT exam is not easy, it includes 230 questions covering four different sections that you need to answer. The MCAT’s total time without breaks and additional optional parts is 6 hours and 15 minutes. Its “seating time” is 7 hours, 27 minutes when breaks and optional portions are included. Unlike multiple-day exams you may take later in medical school, the MCAT is done in a single day. Your MCAT score will help you easily get into medical school which further may help you to get paid in the medical school.
When should you take the MCAT?
There are around twenty-five MCAT test days available, and the exam is given from January through September. Aim to take the MCAT as early as you can in the year, ideally by mid-May before the AMCAS application submission. You can complete your AMCAS application earlier if you finish the exam earlier. This means the earlier you submit your application, the better are your chances. You can also send the VITA application that will help to enter in the med school.
It’s important to schedule your first MCAT as early as possible if you expect to have to retake it. This will give you enough time to register for a seat, plan your preparation for MCAT #2, and get your MCAT results. If you haven’t taken the MCAT before or want to raise your score, try to take it in the early summer.
What time should you arrive at the MCAT?
To give yourself enough time to check in, you should aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of your exam. The test centre may or may not be open more than 30 minutes before the test, but this is not guaranteed. As a result, you should show up 35 to 40 minutes before the exam’s start time. The most important thing to remember is that if you come after the test’s planned start time, you might not be able to take it. This means that it will be recorded as a no-show. However, always remember that your MCAT score will help you to get into a medical school interview for which you will also need to wear a specific outfit.
Is it hard to pass the MCAT?
The MCAT exam is a basic requirement to get into medical colleges. This means that it is a difficult test to take on. There are four different sections that you will need to clear in the exam. In addition to that, you will need to attempt 230 questions which are tough to remove. Also, the amount of knowledge that you will need to attend the MCAT, is much more than a simple test that you will take in school. There would be questions that may be needed to answer based on hypothetical situations. This may make you get confused while you are sitting on the test.
Who is eligible to take the MCAT exam?
There are not many criteria to take up MCAT exams, anyone can take it. But it becomes ideal for you if you are interested in joining Medical School for higher studies. There is no fun in taking up the MCAT exam and not applying to medical schools. Though if you are a foreign student, you must be enrolled in or have an MBBS degree.
How to register for the MCAT exam?
To register for the MCAT exam, follow the steps given below-
- You first need to create your account on the official website of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
- Once you created your account, log in to your account and click on Start with Registration. You will need to add up the information required.
- Don’t forget to add information that is added to your government id. When done you will need to click on the Schedule page.
- Now it’s time to select the location and time of taking the MCAT test. If there is no seat available as per your choice, then you can choose the time to notify you once it is available.
- When done, you will need to click on proceed to checkout.
What is the cost of the MCAT exam?
The registration cost for the MCAT exam is $325. This will cover the cost of the exam and the cost of distributing your MCAT exam to the med schools you have applied to. Although, it will not cover your transportation as well as accommodation cost.
Conclusion
MCAT is a multiple-question exam that is needed to complete so that you can get admission to your choice of medical school. This is one of the tests which is considered to be harder than other exams. It is because if you are taking this exam, you will need to attend 230 questions within 7 and half hours. This means that you will be spending one whole day taking up the exam.