Is the MCAT format changing in 2-3 years?

[KingTutATL]

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Hi, i'm currently a Sophomore in one of the Pre-Med programs at The University of Colorado and I was talking to my RA at the end of this semester who just recently took the MCAT. I had explained to him my future plans of taking it one day as well, and he said that the format would be changing a lot and that the exam will be severely shortened to 3 1/2 hours or so. He said that they were going to change this in 2007 i think. Is this true? I really don't know too much about the MCAT except it has the verbal reasoning, biological sciences, and the physical sciences. I looked at the practice test, 3R i think, and the verbal looked much like the SAT. Is it all comprehensive reading and understanding? That's all the practice preview showed. Thanks

 

[DrBowtie]

As of the Spring of 2007 it will be all computer based. The reason why it is a shorter day is that you don't need to wait around. You get all the break time like normal but you can use it or skip to the next section. Also a lot of the administrative junk is cut out of the day. The section times will still be the same so your RA is mistaken on the 3.5 hours. Needless to say, I will be taking the last paper test. 5 hours staring at a computer = eye strain. Look at the AAMC website for the official release. Also as others have said, 3R isn't the best representation of the current MCAT so take it with a grain of salt. Try 8R or 7R

 

[koopa_troopa]

http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/reporter/feb05/mcat.htm

They do plan to shorten the actual length of the exam sections. According to that link it will be less than 5 hours. They don't mention anything about skipping the break or anything.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

5 hours staring at a computer = eye strain.

I initially thought this as well, but now I realize that over the years I've built quite an immunity to this. One time on a homework set, I was constantly at the computer from like 9 PM to 4 AM. That was quite a night.

Anyway so what I would be most worried about with the computer-based format is the fact that you dont get to highlight and underline the passage... I wonder if they provide scrap paper? It would suck if they gave you nothing!

The length of the test shouldn't really change too drastically... I think the major advantage would be faster score reports and more test dates would be available.

Best of wishes.

 

[gluon999]

http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/reporter/feb05/mcat.htm

They do plan to shorten the actual length of the exam sections. According to that link it will be less than 5 hours. They don't mention anything about skipping the break or anything.

Yes, you can skip the breaks or take a little longer break if you want. For example, you can only take half an hour for lunch or one hour and fifteen minutes. The writing section won't begin until you click start. Staring at the computer screen will not be a problem if you are used to working on a computer everyday. Anyway, with all the breaks invovled, you will get plenty of time to give your eyes a breather.

 

[KingTutATL]

I've been reading these forums for quite a while and was wondering if the verbal section of the test is the hardest because it looks like that is where a lot of people struggle?

 

[AcousticDoc]

5 hours staring at a computer = eye strain.

5 hours staring at a screen is nothing for SDNers 😛

 

[theblastopore]

5 hours staring at a screen is nothing for SDNers 😛

I agree!