Questions re: CBT-MCAT and GPA

[travelbug73]

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1) I would not have finished my prereqs until Spring 2007, but, I understand MCAT is going all-computer in 2007. I have never taken a computer based test. Would anyone recommend taking a prep course and taking the paper based exam in 2006? If yes, is April or August better?

2) I'm a non-trad applicant. I got my undergrad degree in Agriculture from India, and my MS and PhD from the US. I'm not in any formal post-bacc program, rather, I'm taking the required courses one at a time. I did Physics I and II at the school where I got my PhD and now, I'm doing the remaining in the city that I work in. Would anybody know how the GPA would be calculated?

Any suggestions, personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[glp]

1) I would not have finished my prereqs until Spring 2007, but, I understand MCAT is going all-computer in 2007. I have never taken a computer based test. Would anyone recommend taking a prep course and taking the paper based exam in 2006? If yes, is April or August better?

1) i spent last year completing my pre-reqs as a post-bacc (i did it full-time, quit my job and lived off saved money), took the princeton review in the winter, and took the april 05 mcat. after taking the princeton review course, i realized that everything i learned and more was in the books that they give you to study. so if you are super legit serious about studying on your own, you could theoretically do well on your own, but the reading alone is about 1000 pages (mol). the good thing if you did that and did poorly, the princeton review generally lets you retake the review class for a small administrative fee (about $300). but if you are working full-time as well that sounds like a bold plan.

 

[Scottish Chap]

1) I would not have finished my prereqs until Spring 2007, but, I understand MCAT is going all-computer in 2007. I have never taken a computer based test. Would anyone recommend taking a prep course and taking the paper based exam in 2006? If yes, is April or August better?

2) I'm a non-trad applicant. I got my undergrad degree in Agriculture from India, and my MS and PhD from the US. I'm not in any formal post-bacc program, rather, I'm taking the required courses one at a time. I did Physics I and II at the school where I got my PhD and now, I'm doing the remaining in the city that I work in. Would anybody know how the GPA would be calculated?

Any suggestions, personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

On the AMCAS form for applying to allopathic (M.D.) schools, you'll have a GPA for your graduate work in the U.S. and you'll have a separate GPA for your postbac work in the U.S. Your undergraduate work from overseas cannot be used on the AMCAS form and no GPA will be assigned.

Be sure to check each school's policy before applying. Some schools will absolutely require you to have an undergraduate degree from the U.S. or Canada and a U.S. Ph.D. won't supercede that requirement. However, you'll find that a few schools will consider a combination of postbac work (usually the prerequisite chemistry, biology and physics) as well as graduate credits as long as you have at least 60 credits (some schools will ask for 90).

I personally can't imagine having to do the MCAT verbal section on a computer. If I were in your shoes, I would take a prep course and ensure that your MCAT is as high as possible. If you already took basic chemistry, physics, and biology in India, there's an excellent chance you'll do well on the MCAT with good preparation. Honestly, I was an internationally-educated applicant like you last year, with graduate work in the U.S., and SO MANY people at my medical school took the Kaplan or Princeton review course; I didn't and I had never studied a couple of the prereqs before taking it. Not good. I would take the prep. course if I had to do it all again. Believe me - you want to take the MCAT only once so make sure you are fully prepared. I never recommend that people take it 'just to see how it goes' with the aim of retaking. Good luck!

 

[Truth_seeker]

I heard the same thing that the test is moving to CBT. I work in the telecom industry and have taken several CBT's for Cisco and Microsoft stuff. I have to say that I prefer them. I can't really put my finger on it but I just like those better than the paper. I have taken a CBT where you cannot go back. So say you answered a question and moved onto the next one. But then after rethinking the answer, you wanted to go back to make sure you were right, the test wouldn't allow it. Now for me, that's really dumb. The CBT should be similar to paper in that you can go forward and back and change answers as needed. But yeah, if there's any apprehension about taking a CBT, I'd definitely recommend taking a review course as you'll take several timed practice tests on the computer to get ready. So basically, you'd kill two birds w/ one stone. You'd get the disciplined studying and you'd gain competence and confidence on a CBT. Good luck.

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,
Think of the CBT MCAT as prep for USMLE which, was computer-based in all three steps starting with my class (2002). I took GRE on computer far back when I applied for graduate school and there were no problems and no differences. Once the test gets switched over to computer (like USMLE), you will be able to go to a website and get used to the software and working with it to answer question. Generally, it is more user-friendly than posting on SDN. 🙂

If you are not prepared for the computer MCAT, you would not be prepared for a paper exam. By going to computer, you can take the exam when you peak and not just twice each year. This is far better for scheduling and applying than centering your life around two dates.

njbmd 😎

 

[NRAI2001]

Hi there,
Think of the CBT MCAT as prep for USMLE which, was computer-based in all three steps starting with my class (2002). I took GRE on computer far back when I applied for graduate school and there were no problems and no differences. Once the test gets switched over to computer (like USMLE), you will be able to go to a website and get used to the software and working with it to answer question. Generally, it is more user-friendly than posting on SDN. 🙂

If you are not prepared for the computer MCAT, you would not be prepared for a paper exam. By going to computer, you can take the exam when you peak and not just twice each year. This is far better for scheduling and applying than centering your life around two dates.

njbmd 😎

When it goes CBT will they offer it more times a year? Will you be able to scheduel a test date of your own choosing? I ve heard that they already started CBT in some areas, in those areas can u schedule to take the test whenever u like?

 

[Beau Geste]

When it goes CBT will they offer it more times a year? Will you be able to scheduel a test date of your own choosing? I ve heard that they already started CBT in some areas, in those areas can u schedule to take the test whenever u like?

I think it will be offered more times per year, but I don't think it will become a "schedule when you want it" test. Even the GRE is offered several times a year, but it is scheduled.

You could e-mail the AAMC and ask them all your questions. They would know best.

 

[NRAI2001]

I think it will be offered more times per year, but I don't think it will become a "schedule when you want it" test. Even the GRE is offered several times a year, but it is scheduled.

You could e-mail the AAMC and ask them all your questions. They would know best.

I always thought that u could schedule to take ur GREs anytime you would like?

 

[Beau Geste]

I always thought that u could schedule to take ur GREs anytime you would like?

I took it on the computer in '01. It was offered every other Saturday, and I had to pick the date from the choices they gave me. It may be different now.

 

[MiesVanDerMom]

I always thought that u could schedule to take ur GREs anytime you would like?

That's how it was when I took it. I read up on the computer based MCAT and I believe it said it will be administered on specific dates, a heck of a lot more than twice a year, but still specific dates. There will also be chnages made to the number of questions and the amount of time you have to complete it (more questions in less time essentially).

I myself much prefer paper tests and will be taking the MCAT this spring despite having a couple pre-reqs left. I spent this past summer teaching myself the missing courses and I'm doing well on practice exams so far.

Just my 2 cents. Everyone tests differently.

 

[ShyRem]

I can take the general GRE any time Mon-Thurs, I just have to schedule it with my local testing center. The subject GRE is given much less often - the chemistry subject exam is still on paper and is only given twice a year (last time I checked). I believe the math subject exam is also still on paper and only offered two or three times a year.

Last I heard the MCAT was going CBT only and would be offered 20 times a year. Still specific dates, but 20 times a year. The test may be shorter for some people - if you answer harder questions correctly, the program will cut out the easy questions. If you miss a harder question, the computer will go back to easy questions. Also, your results should be ready in 30 days. They hope.

 

[NRAI2001]

I can take the general GRE any time Mon-Thurs, I just have to schedule it with my local testing center. The subject GRE is given much less often - the chemistry subject exam is still on paper and is only given twice a year (last time I checked). I believe the math subject exam is also still on paper and only offered two or three times a year.

Last I heard the MCAT was going CBT only and would be offered 20 times a year. Still specific dates, but 20 times a year. The test may be shorter for some people - if you answer harder questions correctly, the program will cut out the easy questions. If you miss a harder question, the computer will go back to easy questions. Also, your results should be ready in 30 days. They hope.

This become mandatory in 2007 right? Can you schedule it earlier? What i m asking i guess is to take the next mcat do we still have to wait for april?

 

[ShyRem]

According to the AAMC website, there will still only be two testing dates for the 2006 MCAT: April 22 and August 19, regardless of whether you take the CBT or paper format exam.

 

[Beau Geste]

Plus, with the way the AAMC operates, I don't think it will be a matter of "scheduling" the time to sit for the exam. Registering for available dates and showing up is more accurate, even if there are 20 dates.

 

[NRAI2001]

According to the AAMC website, there will still only be two testing dates for the 2006 MCAT: April 22 and August 19, regardless of whether you take the CBT or paper format exam.

I took the august exam, was really really sick during it and I think i did bad even though i was sooooo prepared. I wish i didn't have to wait 8 months to retake, i m gonna forget so much by then. 👎

 

[CoffeeFreak]

CBT sucks! I hate those things. I have taken many of them and it is the intangible aspect of it. THEY SUCK

 

[njbmd]

CBT sucks! I hate those things. I have taken many of them and it is the intangible aspect of it. THEY SUCK

Hi there,
Get used to CBT if you elect to go into medicine because it is going to be with you until you finish residency (USMLE). Even then, I am sure that the Specialty Board exams will be CBT. Enjoy and welcome to the 21st century!

njbmd 🙂

 

[dasta]

I was told that while one can retake the MCAT multiple times, med schools really want to see it well done the first time around. So do whatever you can to be prepared for it, such as taking a prep course. I talked with Kaplan last week at a career faire and their rep said that they are starting CBT for their MCAT prep.

On the other hand, I prefer paper-based tests because I like to flip between problems and work on the ones with which I am most confident and comfortable. CBT, if it is done in the style of the GRE, prevents the test taker from doing that.

As far as your Indian undergrad degree, be aware that many U.S. med schools want applicants to have a U.S. (or Canadian) undergrad degree, and in some cases, an applicant must have graduated from a U.S. high school (e.g. Creighton University wants this, I believe). Check out this candidate for med school (not me, but he's from India with an India & U.S. education: go here . But as you can see from this applicant's success, don't let your rejections deter you from your goal.

 

[NRAI2001]

April 2006 will still be paper right?

 

[Truth_seeker]

April 2006 will still be paper right?

I heard from Kaplan last week that the first run of CBT tests will be January 2007. So April 2006 will be paper according to Kaplan.

 

[travelbug73]

I was told that while one can retake the MCAT multiple times, med schools really want to see it well done the first time around. So do whatever you can to be prepared for it, such as taking a prep course. I talked with Kaplan last week at a career faire and their rep said that they are starting CBT for their MCAT prep.

On the other hand, I prefer paper-based tests because I like to flip between problems and work on the ones with which I am most confident and comfortable. CBT, if it is done in the style of the GRE, prevents the test taker from doing that.

As far as your Indian undergrad degree, be aware that many U.S. med schools want applicants to have a U.S. (or Canadian) undergrad degree, and in some cases, an applicant must have graduated from a U.S. high school (e.g. Creighton University wants this, I believe). Check out this candidate for med school (not me, but he's from India with an India & U.S. education: go here . But as you can see from this applicant's success, don't let your rejections deter you from your goal.

Dear Dasta, Thank you so much for the link. It surely is going to help me in choosing schools. I knew of a few because I either called or looked at their website but of others I was uncertain.

Everybody else, including Dasta, thank you for all the input regarding CBT MCAT.