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will a medical school be able to see that you've taken the test multiple times and dock you for it?
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<p>Yes - all of your MCAT scores are automatically included in you AMCAS application. You do not have the option of only releasing the most recent one or whatever.</p>
<p>I know some schools average your test scores together ( i know some do this for the GRE)…is this true of the MCAT?</p>
<p>Officially, no. Unofficially, it varies school-to-school. All schools see and consider all scores. Some admissions offices have privately told me that they <em>only</em> consider your lower score, but (I think) these are the exception.</p>
<p>By the way, I was trying to find out the distribution of points in MCAT.</p>
<p>Between Physics, Bio, Chem, and Verbal - How are the points distributed?</p>
<p>Physics section is usually 60/40 split with the 60 being physics and 40 being gen chem. Verbal is verbal. The biological sciences section is around 75/25 bio vs. orgo. 15 points assigned to each section. So, you can do better on physics to make up for deficits on gen chem. However, these are averages across many tests. My particular test, for example, had 8 passages of bio and only 1 passage of orgo.</p>
<p>Thanks much!</p>
<p>really sorry if this has been answered before, but i havent seen it if it has (at least not this “changing focus” idea):</p>
<p>im planning on taking the mcat in august, which is just after the end of my sophomore year. i have taken gen chem, physics, orgo, and bio.</p>
<p>my questions are
1)is it possible that the mcat has changed its focus on the bio section in recent years? i have spoken to people who have taken it who highly recommended biochemistry and genetics, arguing that the focus of the bio section has shifted more to biochemistry in recent years. (i know ppl on this board suggest biochemistry is not necessary)</p>
<p>2)i am planning on taking genetics over the summer, while taking a kaplan class and being fairly busy with research/volunteering. i am taking it partly to prepare for the mcat, partly for making my courseload a little easier in future semesters. is it better to not take it now and focus more on mcat-only prep? </p>
<p>3)is it advisable to wait longer before taking the mcat (junior year?), if only to take classes like physiology, cell biology, biochem etc.? i have already sort of mentally prepared myself to begin studying this summer, and i would love to have it done with before junior year really gets going. also, i would greatly prefer to study for it over the summer rather than during fall or spring</p>
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<p>They do seem to be shifting there focus but I haven’t heard anything about biochemistry. From SDN, they seems to be less emphasis on organic than in the past. You might get 1 passage, maybe 2, now. There seems to be more genetics than in the past.</p>
<p>I suggest you read through some of the threads, they talk about each administration dates. [MCAT</a> Discussions - Student Doctor Network Forums](<a href=“MCAT - Medical College Admissions Test | Student Doctor Network”>MCAT - Medical College Admissions Test | Student Doctor Network)</p>
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<p>Take it when you feels the most prepared.</p>
<p>What would be considered a “decent” MCAT score?</p>
<p>^ 30+ with an even distribution among the 3 sections</p>
<p>On average, how many passages are there on the verbal section? And how many questions are there per passage?</p>
<p>just a quick question for MCAT prep. are biochemistry or microbiology very necessary for the MCAT or do the prep books cover the basics fore these?</p>
<p>BR review books cover the key points really well. I suppose the others do too.</p>
<p>7 passages in verbal, 40 divided by 7 questions on average.</p>
<p>Additional chem and bio courses are useful, if only because they reinforce the concepts one additional time before you begin prepping. Ultimately, the books should have all that you need (but it might take a little longer without a strong background)</p>
<p>The average score of an accepted student is between a 31 and 32. I would consider a 32+ “good”. 35 is about 95th percentile. I’d rank anything above 35 as highly competitive.</p>
<p>Hi! I’m going to be a freshman in the fall, but I’m trying to plan out my premed requirements in preparation for taking the MCAT the August before my junior year.</p>
<p>Bio class questions:
I know there were quite a few posts recommending to take the intro to bio class, even though a student already took AP Bio. Would it still be worthwhile to take the intro to bio class if 1.) I got a 5 on AP Bio and an 800 on SAT Bio - Molec and have been hired to “pre-teach”/private tutor AP Bio over the summer (so, I’m reviewing as I tutor) AND 2.) I’m planning to take cell+molecular bio, physiology, and genetics before my MCATS? Or is there enough different and meaningful information (from c+m bio, physio, and genetics) taught in the intro to bio class to make it worth taking? Or is intro to bio just a simpler alternative to taking those three (I don’t know what kind of material the MCAT tests)?</p>
<p>Physics class question:
I have already taken the first semester of physics at my community college, but no AP Physics. Does the MCAT test magnetism and optics (second semester material) much? I know I have to eventually take a second semester of physics, but if I can push it to AFTER the MCATs, I would like to.
Also, my university has 2 different year long biology tracks. One is basic physics (non-calculus based). One employs elementary calculus. Which is recommendable for premeds (taking account MCAT + med school admissions committees)?</p>
<p>Thank you for your help!!</p>
<p>The one thing is that a few schools require gen bio with no exceptions. Most will accept Genetics and the such, as long as you get two bio related labs. It’s an easy A if nothing else, you could see if you could take it in the same semester as genetics or the like (probably need special excemption). I recommend taking all of those high bio classes if they fit. Gen bio covers everything on the MCAT for biology. Taking the other ones will reinforce your knowledge for sure, and just help in analytical reading and question answering during the MCAT.</p>
<p>I would say that 2nd semester physics is the primary focus on the MCAT. I would take the algebraic version. It can be a pain to have to get used to simplified and slightly untrue formulas and concepts. It always annoyed me when I studied for gen chem after taking physical chem and advanced inorganic.</p>
<p>What self-study MCAT book is the easiest to read and closely relates to the actual MCAT exam?</p>
<p>ExamCrackers, The Princeton Review, and Kaplan seem to be the most common.</p>
<p>I heard that the Kaplan is harder than the MCAT. I kind of want a book that closely words and relates to the MCAT. Is ExamCrackers very easy to read?</p>
<p>Kaplan IS harder than the MCAT, but would you rather weight lift too much or too little when preparing for a competition.</p>