- Joined
- Jul 5, 2004
- Messages
- 2,792
- Reaction score
- 11
Due to the recent smattering of paranoid, the-sky-is-falling MCAT CBT (computer based testing) threads, I thought I'd post this memo the Princeton Review sent to my schools pre-med group (yes, I am on the list-serve.... I'm so ashamed... )
Note: Mods, I apologize if this thread is not legit due to copyright concerns and must be removed.
From TPR:
The MCAT and Computer-Based Testing
You may have heard rumors that the MCAT is becoming a computer-based test (CBT). After speaking with the folks at AAMC, we don't anticipate this happening for a couple of years, and even when it does, theres no reason for you to stress. While the kinks of administering a large scale CBT MCAT testing program are being worked out, The Princeton Review will be here to keep you posted on whats happening and what to expect once CBT is live. The target date for the new test delivery option is early 2007, but this target could be as elusive as an MCAT score of 45.
The Princeton Review has been teaching students how to excel on CBTs since their implementation over a decade ago. The MCAT is no different. Your focus should be studying for the MCAT, not stressing about a new testing format. As soon as we have definitive information about AAMCs future plans for the test, youll be the first to know.
Here are a few questions you may be asking:
Q: Whats this CBT talk all about?
A: Recently the AAMC offered very limited MCAT CBTs in 2004. Only 560 examinees out of more than 61,000 took the CBT in 2004. As you can see, they have a ways to go to work out the kinks for the new delivery method. We suspect that the CBT will be offered again at the same locations plus some additional sites in 2005. The computer exam will be identical in content to the paper exam, so there should be no appreciable difference between the two models.
Q: If I have a choice and need to decide which one I want to sign up for, do you have any advice?
A: Sign up for the one you'll be more comfortable taking. For most people, that will be the paper exam, as that will be the format they have been practicing in.
Q: My friend took a computer test and said it was really strange. Should I be freaking out?
A: No. There are two types of computer testing: CAT, or Computer Adaptive Testing (like the GRE and GMAT) and CBT, or Computer Based Testing. The MCAT is being offered in a CBT format, which is basically like a paper exam - you can jump around within a section, you can answer items in any order you wish, etc.
Q: Then what's the difference between the two exams then, anything?
A: The timing on the computer exam should be precise in a way you cannot be sure of with a human proctor. In addition, for Reading passages, you may only be able to view one question at a time, rather than the grouping of questions for each passage. Finally, you will type your essays for the writing section using some basic word processing software, rather than writing it by hand.
Q: Ive heard other rumors
A: Other changes are being discussed, but they wont happen for several years, and theyre definitely not confirmed for the current CBT administration. Ultimately, the AAMC has expressed interest in making the test shorter (estimated at roughly 5 hours rather than the usual 8+ hours), having more testing dates, returning scores more quickly (a goal of 14 days rather than 60), and even adding an additional assessment to the exam to measure communication skills. If this changes, well let you know.
If you have any additional questions, please dont hesitate to contact us at 800-2Review.
Note: Mods, I apologize if this thread is not legit due to copyright concerns and must be removed.
From TPR:
The MCAT and Computer-Based Testing
You may have heard rumors that the MCAT is becoming a computer-based test (CBT). After speaking with the folks at AAMC, we don't anticipate this happening for a couple of years, and even when it does, theres no reason for you to stress. While the kinks of administering a large scale CBT MCAT testing program are being worked out, The Princeton Review will be here to keep you posted on whats happening and what to expect once CBT is live. The target date for the new test delivery option is early 2007, but this target could be as elusive as an MCAT score of 45.
The Princeton Review has been teaching students how to excel on CBTs since their implementation over a decade ago. The MCAT is no different. Your focus should be studying for the MCAT, not stressing about a new testing format. As soon as we have definitive information about AAMCs future plans for the test, youll be the first to know.
Here are a few questions you may be asking:
Q: Whats this CBT talk all about?
A: Recently the AAMC offered very limited MCAT CBTs in 2004. Only 560 examinees out of more than 61,000 took the CBT in 2004. As you can see, they have a ways to go to work out the kinks for the new delivery method. We suspect that the CBT will be offered again at the same locations plus some additional sites in 2005. The computer exam will be identical in content to the paper exam, so there should be no appreciable difference between the two models.
Q: If I have a choice and need to decide which one I want to sign up for, do you have any advice?
A: Sign up for the one you'll be more comfortable taking. For most people, that will be the paper exam, as that will be the format they have been practicing in.
Q: My friend took a computer test and said it was really strange. Should I be freaking out?
A: No. There are two types of computer testing: CAT, or Computer Adaptive Testing (like the GRE and GMAT) and CBT, or Computer Based Testing. The MCAT is being offered in a CBT format, which is basically like a paper exam - you can jump around within a section, you can answer items in any order you wish, etc.
Q: Then what's the difference between the two exams then, anything?
A: The timing on the computer exam should be precise in a way you cannot be sure of with a human proctor. In addition, for Reading passages, you may only be able to view one question at a time, rather than the grouping of questions for each passage. Finally, you will type your essays for the writing section using some basic word processing software, rather than writing it by hand.
Q: Ive heard other rumors
A: Other changes are being discussed, but they wont happen for several years, and theyre definitely not confirmed for the current CBT administration. Ultimately, the AAMC has expressed interest in making the test shorter (estimated at roughly 5 hours rather than the usual 8+ hours), having more testing dates, returning scores more quickly (a goal of 14 days rather than 60), and even adding an additional assessment to the exam to measure communication skills. If this changes, well let you know.
If you have any additional questions, please dont hesitate to contact us at 800-2Review.
