<p>I think there is some confusion here.</p>
<p>New MCAT starts in March 2015. If someone is applying in summer 2014, there is no way they can test that MCAT.</p>
<p>If this kid is taking a test this month to starting apply in 5 months, it won’t get old for the application season. I would assume the test has to meet the age test at application time rather than date of start of college.</p>
<p>All I know is he takes the MCAT next Saturday (not tomorrow).</p>
<p>And seriously,that’s all I know. Honestly, I can’t even figure out when you apply. Sometimes I read Fall and other times I’m reading June. So confused. 
But at the end of the day, it’s not my life. That’s the story and Im sticking with it.</p>
<p>AMCAS (centralized application service for allopathic schools) will start accepting applications in early- to mid-June. AACOMAS (centralized application service for osteopathic schools) also opens in June. (Texas has its own separate application service, TMDSAS. It opens earlier.) </p>
<p>There are school-specific dates when applications close. These are generally Oct 15 -Nov.1.</p>
<p>And now to confuse even more–there are TWO separate applications for med school (primary and secondary). And yes, every applicant needs to complete both.</p>
<p>S took the MCAT today… and had the option when he was done to do a sample section of possible questions for 2015. You had to complete the original test and submit for scoring before you could even get access to the trial section (vs voiding). Anyway, at the end of the exam, I guess there was supposed to be some sort of print out for confirmation and his wouldn’t print. He stuck around for like an hour trying to get it figured out. While he will definitely be following up with the AAMC to make sure this has no bearing, has anyone else heard of this kind of a glitch? I’ve read the website and it seems they are very clear about examinee responsibilities, and very good about the details of registrations etc, but no where does it mention this exit sheet (for lack of a better word). Some people told him its just a marker for the testing center vs something relevant/confirming from the AAMC. Any insight would be appreciated as I don’t think I will survive a retest!</p>
<p>My son is in the same predicament. He’d a sophomore now. He’ll be graduating in 2016. He’s finishing all his premed course requirement by the end of this semester and wants to take MCATs by the end of the summer. His pre-health advisor told him that both old and new MCATs will be accepted by med schools. How can pre-health advisor be wrong? I’m really confused now. </p>
<p>Well, I’ve learned a few things and one of them is that the MCAT score is only good for about two years on average. Some are three, but very few are much more than that. Therefore, I am not sure I would rush to take the exam between sophomore and junior year unless you are absolutely certain that you won’t want to take a year off between undergrad and med school. BUT… at the same time, part of studying is taking practice exams thru the AAMC and I am not sure how that will happen with the entirely new section when there will have been no previous sections. While S did a trial section at his exam, he had no idea what the subject matter would be beforehand and so, it’s not like he had been studying it. However, he ended up with a section on Biochem - which was his major and said it was surprisingly very hard. Of course, he also said that his brain was about spent and so he didn’t have a lot of mental energy remaining to give it his full effort throughout. </p>
<p>As of now he’s absolutely sure he doesn’t want to take a gap year. Also if he take MCATS in fall. and applies a year later then the test will only be a year old at that time. Correct? In addition I think if you’re accepted to med school you can then take a year off and the school will hold your spot. Just looked at the chart of when you’re supposed to take MCATs if you’re a 2016. And it seems you can go either way. I understand that some schools like Harvard might not accept it, but I think there will be enough school that do. Anyway, this is my take on this, but I’m new to the process. So please let me know if I’m missing anything. </p>
<p>I think you can take all the prereqs but as far as I can ascertain, preparing for the test is even more important. While my son did not take a formal prep test, he was very dedicated in his study schedule, and was fortunate to be living here at home so not only did he have dedicated space for studying, but also no interruption. He took quite a few practice tests. Perhaps thats an idea for your son to see just how ready he’d be? I don’t know if you have to already be registered for the test to take one, but certainly worth the investment since the general counsel is to take this test once and only once for best impression. (not that you can’t take it again, but it’s definitely not like the SAT etc)</p>
<p>My son brought it up again today and is now thinking of taking the test in October after studying all summer. He will have taken all of the prerequisites except for one semester of a lab for physics. My question is how much would upper level science classes help with the current exam. (biochem, genetics, cell molecular bio)? Should he take those classes next fall as a junior and then take the exam in January (with less time for concentrated MCAT studying)? Thanks so much for any additional insight.</p>
<p>Upper level science classes will help, but the pre-requites are enough to prepare for the 2014 MCAT. </p>
<p>No clue. But I will say that my son was a biochem/molecular bio major and had taken all the classes of the double major plus a number of genetics and other classes, graduated magna and felt the biochem test section was unusually hard considering he was a straight A or A- student both Jr and Sr year. But, having only taken whatever physics is actually required, this was always his least successful section in practice. As for good advice, S’s school had a an office where all those premed or medical profession post grad kids could see all kinds of timelines and get advice. In looking at med schools, he usually goes to their website for undergrads as it outlines their process very well.</p>