Do you think the new MCAT was created to decrease discrepancies in URM scores?

[NYCNative]

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Do you think that one possible goal of the new MCAT is to reduce the discrepancies in overall scores between URMs and non-URMs? This thought initially occurred to me with the recollection that there were quite a few AA students who majored / minored in sociology at my university. I couldn't help but notice a fairly large number of URMs in my intro to psych class, as well. Not to mention the large number of URMs who majored / minored in various disciplines that would fall under the "cultural studies" umbrella -- African-American Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies / Cultures, Urban Studies, Chicana/o Studies (more common on the West Coast) etc. I would say that URMs were fairly over-represented in all of the above fields, the converse of which meant, of course, that they were anemically under-represented in most others, particularly the sciences.


Improving individual sub-section scores would go a long way to decreasing the gap currently seen between URMs and non-URMs:
From the 2012 AAMC MCAT data table (https://www.aamc.org/download/161696/data/table19.pdf):

Mean PS score

AA: 7.4; Mexican American 8.6; White: 9.6; Asian: 10.2


Mean PS score

AA: 7.8; Mexican American 9.3; White: 10.1; Asian: 10.3


Mean VR score

AA: 7.0; Mexican American 8.5; White: 9.4; Asian: 9.0


Mean total MCAT score

AA: 22.2; Mexican American 26.4; White: 29.1; Asian: 29.4


Adding up the subsections of the scores, you basically arrive at the mean total MCAT score. A decrease in URM score discrepancies on two of four subsections would result in an instant decrease in the performance gap.


So we have 4 new sections of the MCAT:

"Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems" (formerly PS)
"Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems" (formerly BS)
"Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior" (completely new -- attempting to measure an understanding of behavior, perception, culture, poverty, and other concepts from psychology and sociology)
"Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills," (formerly VR, though shifting content away from natural sciences and technology in favor of cultural studies, population health, and behavioral and social sciences)


The literature reveals decades of consistent racial discrepancies in each of the three current subsections: PS, BS and VR. I wonder if we will see the overall MCAT scores of URMs increase with the de-emphasis of the current PS and BS sections following the addition of two sections featuring content that is arguably more in line with what URMs commonly major / minor in. I would imagine that the decades-running racial discrepancies would remain in place for the first two sections. For the other two, though, I wonder if the AAMC has already conducted research into the racial disparities seen in terms of the scores within those sections, and found them to be decreased? If that is the case, the implementation of the new MCAT will result in a substantial, overnight decrease in the racial performance gap. What does SDN think?

 

[Mr Avante]

Do you think that one possible goal of the new MCAT is to reduce the discrepancies in overall scores between URMs and non-URMs? This thought initially occurred to me with the recollection that there were quite a few AA students who majored / minored in sociology at my university. I couldn't help but notice a fairly large number of URMs in my intro to psych class, as well. Not to mention the large number of URMs who majored / minored in various disciplines that would fall under the "cultural studies" umbrella -- African-American Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies / Cultures, Urban Studies, Chicana/o Studies (more common on the West Coast) etc. I would say that URMs were fairly over-represented in all of the above fields, the converse of which meant, of course, that they were anemically under-represented in most others, particularly the sciences.


Improving individual sub-section scores would go a long way to decreasing the gap currently seen between URMs and non-URMs:
From the 2012 AAMC MCAT data table (https://www.aamc.org/download/161696/data/table19.pdf):

Mean PS score

AA: 7.4; Mexican American 8.6; White: 9.6; Asian: 10.2


Mean PS score

AA: 7.8; Mexican American 9.3; White: 10.1; Asian: 10.3


Mean VR score

AA: 7.0; Mexican American 8.5; White: 9.4; Asian: 9.0


Mean total MCAT score

AA: 22.2; Mexican American 26.4; White: 29.1; Asian: 29.4


Adding up the subsections of the scores, you basically arrive at the mean total MCAT score. A decrease in URM score discrepancies on two of four subsections would result in an instant decrease in the performance gap.


So we have 4 new sections of the MCAT:

“Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems” (formerly PS)
“Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems” (formerly BS)
“Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior” (completely new -- attempting to measure an understanding of behavior, perception, culture, poverty, and other concepts from psychology and sociology)
“Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills,” (formerly VR, though shifting content away from natural sciences and technology in favor of cultural studies, population health, and behavioral and social sciences)


The literature reveals decades of consistent racial discrepancies in each of the three current subsections: PS, BS and VR. I wonder if we will see the overall MCAT scores of URMs increase with the de-emphasis of the current PS and BS sections following the addition of two sections featuring content that is arguably more in line with what URMs commonly major / minor in. I would imagine that the decades-running racial discrepancies would remain in place for the first two sections. For the other two, though, I wonder if the AAMC has already conducted research into the racial disparities seen in terms of the scores within those sections, and found them to be decreased? If that is the case, the implementation of the new MCAT will result in a substantial, overnight decrease in the racial performance gap. What does SDN think?

What a load of waffle

 

[inycepoo]

I think gunner Asians will study whatever is required to score well. So will most other races.

End of story. So no.

 

[Mr Avante]

MR5 got it right with the 2015 mcat.

 

[Escape_Goat]

OMG just what we need, more Affirmative Action!! Thanks, OBAMA!!!

 

[FormerPhysicist]

OMG just what we need, more Affirmative Action!! Thanks, OBAMA!!!

 

[BABSstudent]

Do you think that one possible goal of the new MCAT is to reduce the discrepancies in overall scores between URMs and non-URMs? This thought initially occurred to me with the recollection that there were quite a few AA students who majored / minored in sociology at my university. I couldn't help but notice a fairly large number of URMs in my intro to psych class, as well. Not to mention the large number of URMs who majored / minored in various disciplines that would fall under the "cultural studies" umbrella -- African-American Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies / Cultures, Urban Studies, Chicana/o Studies (more common on the West Coast) etc. I would say that URMs were fairly over-represented in all of the above fields, the converse of which meant, of course, that they were anemically under-represented in most others, particularly the sciences.


Improving individual sub-section scores would go a long way to decreasing the gap currently seen between URMs and non-URMs:
From the 2012 AAMC MCAT data table (https://www.aamc.org/download/161696/data/table19.pdf):

Mean PS score

AA: 7.4; Mexican American 8.6; White: 9.6; Asian: 10.2


Mean PS score

AA: 7.8; Mexican American 9.3; White: 10.1; Asian: 10.3


Mean VR score

AA: 7.0; Mexican American 8.5; White: 9.4; Asian: 9.0


Mean total MCAT score

AA: 22.2; Mexican American 26.4; White: 29.1; Asian: 29.4


Adding up the subsections of the scores, you basically arrive at the mean total MCAT score. A decrease in URM score discrepancies on two of four subsections would result in an instant decrease in the performance gap.


So we have 4 new sections of the MCAT:

“Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems” (formerly PS)
“Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems” (formerly BS)
“Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior” (completely new -- attempting to measure an understanding of behavior, perception, culture, poverty, and other concepts from psychology and sociology)
“Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills,” (formerly VR, though shifting content away from natural sciences and technology in favor of cultural studies, population health, and behavioral and social sciences)


The literature reveals decades of consistent racial discrepancies in each of the three current subsections: PS, BS and VR. I wonder if we will see the overall MCAT scores of URMs increase with the de-emphasis of the current PS and BS sections following the addition of two sections featuring content that is arguably more in line with what URMs commonly major / minor in. I would imagine that the decades-running racial discrepancies would remain in place for the first two sections. For the other two, though, I wonder if the AAMC has already conducted research into the racial disparities seen in terms of the scores within those sections, and found them to be decreased? If that is the case, the implementation of the new MCAT will result in a substantial, overnight decrease in the racial performance gap. What does SDN think?

Or it could be to incorporate more of the social sciences into the test. I mean, that stuff is on step 1 and you get to take psychology courses during medical school.

Man am I sick of learning about Freud, the ego, Erikson, etc.

 

[BlackBox]

I can't decide which is worse, this post or the one about you wanting to eat cadavers...

 

[Espadaleader]

The 2015 MCAT will decrease URM enrollment.

 

[ChemEngMD]

The 2015 MCAT will decrease URM enrollment.

My dude ain't scared to tell it like it is haha

 

[NYCNative]

The 2015 MCAT will decrease URM enrollment.

My dude ain't scared to tell it like it is haha

I'm curious about why you guys think that? Considering all the emphasis on increasing the supply of minority physicians for the US's changing demographics, etc., somehow I feel like I would be really surprised if they didn't consider URM enrollment, when they designed the new test. When I wrote this post I also had in mind all those threads in which AA premed students ask SDN URMs if they are also the only AA / URM in their premed classes. So don't you think this test seems to be more friendly to what AA / URMs are actually studying in school, and will make the transition to premed easier? I mean, the numbers for URMs in college is lower than other groups, but the numbers are still quite substantial, especially relative to the fact that there are only 20,000 MD school seats.... the biggest problem is that their numbers in the sciences are super low. I would also note that the changes will also be a boon for anyone, URM or not, who is also not a pure-sciences person, to perform better on the MCAT than they would on the current exam which is fully 2/3 science. The new MCAT is essentially adding another "verbal" section which I think will even the playing field a bit for non-science people (2/4 of the test will be more geared towards them) -- and I'm curious about why people are thinking this change wouldn't disproportionately include URMs, who are more typically non-science majors than other groups. Or, what are some of the reasons why you think the 2015 MCAT will decrease URM enrollment?

 

[Euxox]

I'm curious about why people thinking this change wouldn't disproportionately include URMs, who are typically non-science majors. Or, what are some of the reasons why you think the 2015 MCAT will decrease URM enrollment?

Why do you think URMs are more likely to be nonscience majors? Do you have any hard evidence?

The only reason that URMs have do slightly better on VR than PS or BS is that the standard deviation for VR is lower than that of PS or BS. If you add another social sciences section, you will just be lowering the overall standard deviation some more. But ultimately, everything boils down to percentile scores, and nowadays you need roughly a 30 (80th percentile, roughly) to be considered competitive for med school. Changing the standard deviation won't affect the percentiles. So, assuming that the net effect of the 2015 MCAT is to lower the standard deviation of the exam, it won't give a boost to URMs or any other specific demographic.

What is more important is the fact that the average URM score on VR is still lower than that of the population as a whole. Assuming that URMs score the same on the social sciences section as they have scored on VR, they will still score lower on the MCAT than the general population. So the MCAT will remain stacked against URMs.

Besides, even if URMs do score better on the new MCAT, who cares? If URMs get good scores on the 2015 exam, will be because they studied well and earned it, or (as you claim) because they know more about the subject matter, not because they got some kind of secret URM-only extra credit.

 

[NYCNative]

Why do you think URMs are more likely to be nonscience majors? Do you have any hard evidence?

I just had my anecdotal evidence... but here is a chart from a 2004 article in the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. In the biological and physical sciences, AAs make up 8.3 and 6.1 percent of all degrees in those respective fields, which is very low compared to their 13-odd percent of the population. On the other hand, AAs make up 10.1 and 10.9 percent of social science and psychology majors, as well as 13.4 percent of all ethnic / cultural studies majors, which would suggest to me that they would, as a whole, perform better on an MCAT that is more geared towards these subjects that they more commonly study. I'd be really curious to know what the numbers for the right-most column are for asians, whites, and hispanics, but I haven't been able to locate them yet.

http://www.jbhe.com/features/52_degree-attainments.html

 

[Euxox]

Interesting link, but I still don't think it really matters. I'll refer you to the last paragraph of my previous post.

 

[NYCNative]

Besides, even if URMs do score better on the new MCAT, who cares? If URMs get good scores on the 2015 exam, will be because they studied well and earned it, or (as you claim) because they know more about the subject matter, not because they got some kind of secret URM-only extra credit.

100% agree. And I'm not sure why you threw that last jibe in there -- I don't think myself or anyone made that implication anywhere. What I do think is that non-science majors everywhere will be jumping for joy at this change. However, I wanted to limit the discussion to URMs since I wanted to see what people though re: if this change was made by AAMC partially with the hope to aid their long standing mission to increase the number of URM physicians for minority communities.

 

[deleted393595]

I just had my anecdotal evidence... but here is a chart from a 2004 article in the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. In the biological and physical sciences, AAs make up 8.3 and 6.1 percent of all degrees in those respective fields, which is very low compared to their 13-odd percent of the population. On the other hand, AAs make up 10.1 and 10.9 percent of social science and psychology majors, as well as 13.4 percent of all ethnic / cultural studies majors, which would suggest to me that they would, as a whole, perform better on an MCAT that is more geared towards subjects that they more commonly study. I'd be really curious to know what the numbers for the right-most column are for asians, whites, and hispanics, but I haven't been able to locate them yet.

http://www.jbhe.com/features/52_degree-attainments.html

But which percent values were statistically significant?!?

 

[Euxox]

Okay, so African Americans are more likely to study humanities than others. But they still score lower than the general population on the VR section, even with that additional humanities background. And this brings me back to my earlier point:

What is more important is the fact that the average URM score on VR is still lower than that of the population as a whole. Assuming that URMs score the same on the social sciences section as they have scored on VR, they will still score lower on the MCAT than the general population. So the MCAT will remain stacked against URMs.

Why would throwing in a social sciences section make any difference?

 

[nvnme]

 

[Espadaleader]

I want to say this as friendly as possible. If you think the new MCAT will help URMs you live in a fantasy land.

1.) They added MORE science. The BIO and PHY sections will have more content which will make them more difficult.

2.) Medical schools are requiring more courses like biochemistry and psychology. This will give more opportunities for students to be weeded out, cost more money for students to take more courses, and favor admissions to students that are Pre-Med from day 1. They new requirements will decrease flexibility which will hurt students that are a little list early on or came from public schools without good college prep. Remember MORE courses means MORE money. When you're looking at a group of students that are more likely to be poor that is a problem.

3.) Kaplan and prep materials in general will increase dramatically in cost and the time to prep will increase. Again, this will hurt more disadvantaged students and URMs. Okay, even if you prep for free you have to prep longer, which means a longer time for prep that conflicts with coursework and part time
jobs.

4.) Listen. Nothing is easier. They took an already extremely difficult exam, ADDED more science content AND then ADDED a entire new section. Even if the new section is a little "easier", everything else didn't get easier. Also, even if it is easier, the additional stress of prepping for that section may hurt the science scores. I talked to many adcoms on the admissions trail and they are worried. Look, if medical schools are still going to use the 80th percentile (roughly a 30 in the old MCAT) as the de facto cut off, URM admissions will decrease. Blacks in particular are in trouble. Their enrollment hasn't grown by even 50 students in 5 years. Latino/Latinas has grown by over 500. Please look at the applicant data just released on the AAMC Facebook for 2013.

5.) Let's move away from URMs and blacks. Disadvantaged students from all races and students period will be in trouble. Pre-Med offices were already bad, now we're giving them MORE courses to manage etc.

 

[NYCNative]

I want to say this as friendly as possible. If you think the new MCAT will help URMs you live in a fantasy land.

1.) They added MORE science. The BIO and PHY sections will have more content which will make them more difficult.

2.) Medical schools are requiring more courses like biochemistry and psychology. This will give more opportunities for students to be weeded out, cost more money for students to take more courses, and favor admissions to students that are Pre-Med from day 1. They new requirements will decrease flexibility which will hurt students that are a little list early on or came from public schools without good college prep. Remember MORE courses means MORE money. When you're looking at a group of students that are more likely to be poor that is a problem.

3.) Kaplan and prep materials in general will increase dramatically in cost and the time to prep will increase. Again, this will hurt more disadvantaged students and URMs. Okay, even if you prep for free you have to prep longer, which means a longer time for prep that conflicts with coursework and part time
jobs.

4.) Listen. Nothing is easier. They took an already extremely difficult exam, ADDED more science content AND then ADDED a entire new section. Even if the new section is a little "easier", everything else didn't get easier. Also, even if it is easier, the additional stress of prepping for that section may hurt the science scores. I talked to many adcoms on the admissions trail and they are worried. Look, if medical schools are still going to use the 80th percentile (roughly a 30 in the old MCAT) as the de facto cut off, URM admissions will decrease. Blacks in particular are in trouble. Their enrollment hasn't grown by even 50 students in 5 years. Latino/Latinas has grown by over 500. Please look at the applicant data just released on the AAMC Facebook for 2013.

5.) Let's move away from URMs and blacks. Disadvantaged students from all races and students period will be in trouble. Pre-Med offices were already bad, now we're giving them MORE courses to manage etc.

Good post, and thank you for your in-depth and thoughtful response. I guess I just have a few responses to some of the points that you bring up.

1. So you are saying that you think this change will increase the score discrepancy for BS and PS? I guess my assumption was that it would remain exactly the same. It will be interesting to see what happens.

2. I don't think the financial aspect really applies in terms of more courses = more financial disadvantage. College is a zero-sum game as far as I can see. After all, to get a diploma you have to take a lot of courses, all of which are financed by government subsidized loans. So whether you take more pre-reqs and less non-prereqs... you still have to take the same amount of classes to graduate. What this change will affect financially are post-baccs, which have blown up in the past 5 years. I wonder if there will be a decline in non-trads?

3. Agree 100% regarding this. Anyone who is able to afford all the test prep materials (and especially coaches), and have the ability to move home while they study, or at the very least, not worry about having to work if they are studying for the MCAT in school is definitely at a huge advantage, which is getting to your 5th point

4. I would just qualify that to say that the new section will only be "easier" in the sense that it would be easier for someone with that background to do well on. In the sense that the current bio section is "easier" for someone who is a bio major than it is for a social sciences major who took intro to bio only. So that's the essential reason that I think URMs (AAs in particular) will do better on this MCAT compared to the current MCAT.

5. Can't agree with you any more here about disadvantaged students of all races being in the same boat together. However, I'm not so sure that the issues faced in point number 3 in the future will be too much different from what they already face currently.

 

[Espadaleader]

Good post, and thank you for your in-depth and thoughtful response. I guess I just have a few responses to some of the points that you bring up.

1. So you are saying that you think this change will increase the score discrepancy for BS and PS? I guess my assumption was that it would remain exactly the same. It will be interesting to see what happens.

2. I don't think the financial aspect really applies in terms of more courses = more financial disadvantage. College is a zero-sum game as far as I can see. After all, to get a diploma you have to take a lot of courses, all of which are financed by government subsidized loans. So whether you take more pre-reqs and less non-prereqs... you still have to take the same amount of classes to graduate. What this change will affect financially are post-baccs, which have blown up in the past 5 years. I wonder if there will be a decline in non-trads?

3. Agree 100% regarding this. Anyone who is able to afford all the test prep materials (and especially coaches), and have the ability to move home while they study, or at the very least, not worry about having to work if they are studying for the MCAT in school is definitely at a huge advantage, which is getting to your 5th point

4. I would just qualify that to say that the new section will only be "easier" in the sense that it would be easier for someone with that background to do well on. In the sense that the current bio section is "easier" for someone who is a bio major than it is for a social sciences major who took intro to bio only. So that's the essential reason that I think URMs (AAs in particular) will do better on this MCAT compared to the current MCAT.

5. Can't agree with you any more here about disadvantaged students of all races being in the same boat together. However, I'm not so sure that the issues faced in point number 3 in the future will be too much different from what they already face currently.

2. I counter your point again because more prereqs mean less time for mistakes and flexibility. Fitting all of those classes in 4 years will only happen with extremely talented students/students with good resources. Retaking courses costs money which impacts students. URMs already have lower 4 year graduation rates and many attempt to do GPA repair through a postbac. Actually, you support what I am saying here.

4. Man, listen. This section may be easier, but its more work in general. Its another section that will take focus away from the science courses where URM students struggle most. Honestly, I hope you're right though. I really do. We'll see.

 

[The Buff OP]

Pumping Iron?