New MCAT 2015 and admissions standards

[investing101]

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When are you taking the MCAT...?

Early 2014 or maybe late 2013!

 

[Aerus]

Not looking forward to the 2015 test. I'm considering taking the test earlier so that I won't have to take another section.

 

[DanGee777]

Did you guys see the PDF that includes the time allotment for each section? 95 minutes per section * 4 sections = 380 minutes (6 hrs and 20 mins). The current MCAT is 260 minutes (4 hours and 20 mins). I shouldn't even count the writing sample as part of the current one because most test takers consider that a nice break from the pressurized MC questions. Sure, it counts, but unless you get below an M or above an R most schools don't care. The new MCAT plays to my strengths because it's 50% hard science and 50% verbal/social science, but I'm still glad I'm taking the current exam. Why? Concentrating on reading passages and answering multiple choice questions for 6 hours and 20 minutes (with no significant breaks) seems far more mentally draining than doing that for only 3 hours and 20 mins (with a nice writing sample included to break up the monotony. Almost seems like they're returning to the MCAT of 1970s, which also included social science questions and was also longer than today. Biggest diff between new MCAT and 70s mcat is that this one is computer-based.

 

[tantacles]

Early 2014 or maybe late 2013!

Read.

Ok folks, I've verified this with a handful of independent sources. Here's how it's gonna work:

January 2013 onward:
- No writing section
- Optional, un-scored biochem, psychology, and social sciences content for data collection

2015 onward:
- No writing section
- Mandatory, scored biochem, psychology, and social sciences content

 

[chiapet874]

I graduate in 2014, so will I be taking the version with the optionable sections?

Depends on when you actually decide to take the MCAT.

Basically, before January 2013, you prepare for the "standard" MCAT we are all familiar with (writing, no psych, no social sciences).

Between Jan 2013-2015, you take the transition exam (only difference being no writing section)

After 2015, you have to take the new MCAT

 

[CaliGirl14]

no writing section? wowie.

 

[Cambino]

OP, depends on how you look at it. The new MCAT has more content and concepts that you must know and less of an IQ test (like the SAT and ACT). The new MCAT will need more of a medical concept understanding rather than a plant biology understanding (for example). I would recommend taking both practice test and seeing which one you excel at and take them in accordance with their respective testing years (<2015)

The SAT and ACT are not IQ tests.

 

[SnoopyMD]

I'll be taking the MCAT in late spring or early summer of 2013, so here's to hoping that the missing writing section will actually cut down on time! 🙂

 

[mclinkin94]

The SAT and ACT are not IQ tests.

in my opinion they are. They test your ability to comprehend and think. The new MCAT will test your ability to understand medical concepts and your thinking ability.

But I have a feeling that it would be adventitious to take the 2015 MCAT because medical schools won't know what to expect and they wont be able to give your numerical score any qualitative significance. What do you guys think?