2015 New MCAT vs. Current MCAT

[rolliespring]

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Question is should I be taking the new MCAT or the current MCAT?

Not sure which section I should post this in but I apologize if this is the wrong section.

I’m graduating in 2016 and I think many people are having the same problem. I found a couple of threads talking about this before I tried to make a new post. I don’t think any of them gave me enough information.

I've heard lots of people saying avoid the new version at any cost. I've looked at the preview guide and the psych/sociology part was definitely more intimidating than I thought, in addition to the more emphasized biochem.

If I were to take the current exam I would have to do that during my first semester of my junior year. I have no problems finishing all the prereqs before that including biochem. My original plan was to loosen up my junior year schedule to study for the MCAT. If I’m studying for the current exam I’d then have to start studying a lot earlier (I’m the type of person who likes to prepare things ahead of time).

Also I’ve heard that some schools will not accept the old exam if the new exam is released. If the three year rule applies, how does that happen? How will adcoms view the new MCAT exactly? I heard it might be by percentiles, but wouldn't there be a mix of people who took the different versions and applying during the same cycle?

What are your opinions? If I don’t get enough information here, I guess I’d have to start emailing schools and ask about their opinions.

Thanks!

 

[TheBossDoctor]

If you're applying the summer of 2016, the 2014 MCAT would be accepted if the 3 year rule holds. Not sure if they're going to revoke that rule with the switch though.

There will be that disparity at some point where some applicants have the old MCAT and other applicants in the same cycle have the new MCAT. Nothing that can be done about that. Its technically happening now where some applicants have a writing score and others don't.

All I know is that if possible, avoid the new MCAT. The new section was terrible (I just looked at it and knew it wasn't going to go well). Advanced biochem stuff. Also, there's the issue about stamina. It's easier to put more effort per section when you're pacing yourself over 3 sections compared to 4 sections.

If possible, just take summer classes and try to wrap up your pre-reqs early. You don't really need to take biochem before the MCAT (it helps but it isn't necessary). If you can finish bio, physics, and orgo by end of sophomore year or maybe during the first summer session after sophomore year, then you should be good to take the Sep 2014 test. It will be a packed schedule, but IMO, I'd rather that than take the new section.

 

[GomerPyle]

Not only are they adding a new section to the MCAT, but they are significantly extending the time and number of questions of the other three sections.

You take the pick - a 6 hour exam vs a 3.5 hour exam...

 

[imadome]

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[SilverCat]

I would call the schools to be on the safe side.

Here's what they posted on the MCAT site:

"If you plan to apply to medical school with a goal to start in the fall of 2016, this is the exam to consider. If you are applying for medical school with a start date before the fall of 2016, please visit the Web site for the current MCAT exam for more information."

If you're graduating in May, 2016, and applying your senior year, you would be applying to start in the fall of 2016. This would place you in the new MCAT crowd. The three year rule may not apply, given that med schools prefer to see the most recent scores possible.

However, calling to see if the old MCAT would be acceptable is your best option. If you can avoid the new one, do so at all costs.

 

[Flashfan]

I am a psych major, so I wasn't too concerned about the new MCAT, but now you are all freaking me out.

Can you successfully take the MCAT with one semester of physics?

 

[487806]

Everyone gives this response but it doesn't answer the question. The length of the exam is completely irrelevant if med schools won't accept an old MCAT score once the new one has been released. I don't know whether or not they will accept the old MCAT score for those of us applying in summer 2015 but it would be good to know this information.

Schools will still accept the old MCAT until probably before 2018.

 

[Radon XP]

I don't mind the addition of biochem on the new MCAT, but the addition of all this psych/sociology garbage is just a nuisance.

 

[487806]

I would call the schools to be on the safe side.

Here's what they posted on the MCAT site:

"If you plan to apply to medical school with a goal to start in the fall of 2016, this is the exam to consider. If you are applying for medical school with a start date before the fall of 2016, please visit the Web site for the current MCAT exam for more information."

If you're graduating in May, 2016, and applying your senior year, you would be applying to start in the fall of 2016. This would place you in the new MCAT crowd. The three year rule may not apply, given that med schools prefer to see the most recent scores possible.

However, calling to see if the old MCAT would be acceptable is your best option. If you can avoid the new one, do so at all costs.

The three-year rule would still apply. There is no reason for someone who took the 2014 MCAT and did well would have to take a newer one because he/she decided to take a gap year or two. Schools are still accustomed to the older scores and may not immediately respond to the AAMC change

 

[Doudline]

I am a psych major, so I wasn't too concerned about the new MCAT, but now you are all freaking me out.

Can you successfully take the MCAT with one semester of physics?

Yeah, but you'll have to self-study E&M, Optics and Waves. Many people do it.

 

[Radon XP]

The best part is there are going to be only 2 practice tests released by the AAMC for the 2015 MCAT.

Do you guys think it will still be worthwhile to do the old AAMC tests for the new MCAT?

 

[rolliespring]

If you're applying the summer of 2016, the 2014 MCAT would be accepted if the 3 year rule holds. Not sure if they're going to revoke that rule with the switch though.

There will be that disparity at some point where some applicants have the old MCAT and other applicants in the same cycle have the new MCAT. Nothing that can be done about that. Its technically happening now where some applicants have a writing score and others don't.

All I know is that if possible, avoid the new MCAT. The new section was terrible (I just looked at it and knew it wasn't going to go well). Advanced biochem stuff. Also, there's the issue about stamina. It's easier to put more effort per section when you're pacing yourself over 3 sections compared to 4 sections.

If possible, just take summer classes and try to wrap up your pre-reqs early. You don't really need to take biochem before the MCAT (it helps but it isn't necessary). If you can finish bio, physics, and orgo by end of sophomore year or maybe during the first summer session after sophomore year, then you should be good to take the Sep 2014 test. It will be a packed schedule, but IMO, I'd rather that than take the new section.

I have no problems finishing the prereqs, including biochem. And I think many people are capable of doing that. I'd really like to avoid the new test but it's just how schools would compare the different versions of MCAT worries me. It'd also affect how I'd have to study.

 

[rolliespring]

I would call the schools to be on the safe side.

Here's what they posted on the MCAT site:

"If you plan to apply to medical school with a goal to start in the fall of 2016, this is the exam to consider. If you are applying for medical school with a start date before the fall of 2016, please visit the Web site for the current MCAT exam for more information."

If you're graduating in May, 2016, and applying your senior year, you would be applying to start in the fall of 2016. This would place you in the new MCAT crowd. The three year rule may not apply, given that med schools prefer to see the most recent scores possible.

However, calling to see if the old MCAT would be acceptable is your best option. If you can avoid the new one, do so at all costs.

One more task again this fall

 

[rolliespring]

The three-year rule would still apply. There is no reason for someone who took the 2014 MCAT and did well would have to take a newer one because he/she decided to take a gap year or two. Schools are still accustomed to the older scores and may not immediately respond to the AAMC change

But schools might vary, correct?

 

[rolliespring]

The best part is there are going to be only 2 practice tests released by the AAMC for the 2015 MCAT.

Do you guys think it will still be worthwhile to do the old AAMC tests for the new MCAT?

The new MCAT is everything we have now + more biochem + a whole new section
So yeah, you just need more extra study in addition to the current test

 

[487806]

But schools might vary, correct?

I doubt it, but it's good to contact them.

 

[mynameistoolong]

According to AAMC it's an option to take the old MCAT and apply to enroll in 2016:
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/350130/data/whichexam.pdf

Although it also says it's ok to take the old one and enroll in 2018, which isn't true for schools that only accept scores that are <=2 years old...

 

[487806]

According to AAMC it's an option to take the old MCAT and apply to enroll in 2016:
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/350130/data/whichexam.pdf

Although it also says it's ok to take the old one and enroll in 2018, which isn't true for schools that only accept scores that are <=2 years old...

Awesome link. Thanks! 👍

 

[mynameistoolong]

baleeted

 

[Mavs88]

By the way, January 2015 will be the last time to take the old MCAT...so you could study that summer and fall + winter break right before it. That's my plan and applying in summer of 2015 with hopeful matriculation fall 2016.

 

[Radon XP]

The new MCAT is everything we have now + more biochem + a whole new section
So yeah, you just need more extra study in addition to the current test

I really hope so

 

[Dral]

I checked out the bulletin. The psych/socio section honestly doesn't seem too bad.

 

[Radon XP]

I checked out the bulletin. The psych/socio section honestly doesn't seem too bad.

Elaborate, please!

 

[rolliespring]

According to AAMC it's an option to take the old MCAT and apply to enroll in 2016:
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/350130/data/whichexam.pdf

Although it also says it's ok to take the old one and enroll in 2018, which isn't true for schools that only accept scores that are <=2 years old...

So it seems I can still take the current exam if I want to enroll in 2016. I'd still contact the schools to be on the safer side.
Extremely helpful, thanks!

 

[rolliespring]

By the way, January 2015 will be the last time to take the old MCAT...so you could study that summer and fall + winter break right before it. That's my plan and applying in summer of 2015 with hopeful matriculation fall 2016.

I guess that will be my plan as well. If it doesn't go as planned, I might as well take the new test in April or something.
Will have a loosened up junior year anyways. I hope everyone makes their right choice.

 

[Radon XP]

I hope there will be a new version of the sn2ed schedule for the new MCAT

 

[SpaceyWacey]

I hope there will be a new version of the sn2ed schedule for the new MCAT

Me too. I was looking over to see if there was anyway to apply it to the new version but it doesn't really seem like it. That was the method I really wanted to use but now I'm not sure if that will be possible at all.

 

[Spitphire]

Ehh, since i'm a rising freshman I assume I should just buckle down and prepare to take the 2015 version? I've finished my 4 year plan and well...I barely have time to get biochem in before the end of my junior year and physics II for me will be spring of my junior year. Either way im cutting it close 👎

 

[deleted307836]

Ehh, since i'm a rising freshman I assume I should just buckle down and prepare to take the 2015 version? I've finished my 4 year plan and well...I barely have time to get biochem in before the end of my junior year and physics II for me will be spring of my junior year. Either way im cutting it close 👎

Rising freshman as in you haven't started college yet? That would give you three semesters of coursework before needing to take the last administration of the old test. That's not cutting it close, IMO, it's completely missing the mark. I'd prepare for the new one if I were in your shoes.

 

[Dral]

Elaborate, please!

I did the passages and was getting way more correct on the psych parts than the bio/chem/phys parts. Maybe I'm too far removed from the basic science stuff, but it seems the psych part is more about reasoning than actual book knowledge.

 

[Spitphire]

Rising freshman as in you haven't started college yet? That would give you three semesters of coursework before needing to take the last administration of the old test. That's not cutting it close, IMO, it's completely missing the mark. I'd prepare for the new one if I were in your shoes.

I meant I was cutting it close to even take the 2015 mcat my junior year I'm not even considering the older version because it's not possible for me 😳

 

[SpaceyWacey]

Ehh, since i'm a rising freshman I assume I should just buckle down and prepare to take the 2015 version? I've finished my 4 year plan and well...I barely have time to get biochem in before the end of my junior year and physics II for me will be spring of my junior year. Either way im cutting it close 👎

Yes definitely, I'm not a freshman and I would be cutting it close if I tried to take the current MCAT. It's probably been stated but it is absolutely necessary to not rush into the test, so although it may be more difficult at least I'll have more time to prep.

 

[Spitphire]

Yes definitely, I'm not a freshman and I would be cutting it close if I tried to take the current MCAT. It's probably been stated but it is absolutely necessary to not rush into the test, so although it may be more difficult at least I'll have more time to prep.

I feel rushed to even get everything done by the end of my junior year I've considered taking a year off and applying my senior year, but i really want to matriculate asap. It's a really tough decision. On one hand, i get to go to med school right out of college, but if i took a year off, i'll be less rushed and will probably have a better application. Oh the joys of change 🤣

 

[deleted550985]

I really don't think it will matter too much which version anyone takes. Sure, the new one will be harder, but you're still being compared against other applicants. ADCOMs aren't stupid, they'll take the difficulty of this new test into account. There will still be equivalent percentiles to each score (such as how now a 30 is roughly 80th percentile).

I'm not saying that you shouldn't take the old one if you have the chance, but saying to avoid it at all costs is excessive

 

[Spitphire]

I'm too lazy to look this up but...

There's 4 sections on the new MCAT, correct? is the new section scored out of 15 like the others? Will this mean the score will increase to 60 instead of 45? 😕 Sorry if it's a stupid question 🙄

 

[deleted550985]

I'm too lazy to look this up but...

There's 4 sections on the new MCAT, correct? is the new section scored out of 15 like the others? Will this mean the score will increase to 60 instead of 45? 😕 Sorry if it's a stupid question 🙄

"Scores are reported on a scale similar to the current 1-15 scale, and a separate score is recorded for each of the four test sections: four sections, four scores."

Page 8:
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/266006/data/2015previewguide.pdf

 

[Spitphire]

"Scores are reported on a scale similar to the current 1-15 scale, and a separate score is recorded for each of the four test sections: four sections, four scores."

Page 8:
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/266006/data/2015previewguide.pdf

Thank you

 

[deleted550985]

Thank you

No problem. It doesn't totally answer your question (we're still not sure exactly how many points each section will be), but I think it's a safe bet that the max score will be a multiple of 4 (so not 45).

 

[Spitphire]

No problem. It doesn't totally answer your question (we're still not sure exactly how many points each section will be), but I think it's a safe bet that the max score will be a multiple of 4 (so not 45).

Yea, i'm just going to assume 60 until i know for sure