Some Basic Questions about the MCAT

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zk5034

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I read the AAMC website, did some searches, can't really find satisfactory answers to these questions..

1) Do you get a calculator? If not, is there some sort of basic calculator function on the computer screen?

2) How much factual information do you get? Periodic table...equations...anything? If periodic table, how detailed is it...does it contain all the information a regular textbook PT has?

3) SCRATCH PAPER! How big is the scratch paper, and how many sheets do you get? Can you request more if you run out? Is the paper a plain old white sheet of printer paper or is it like a booklet, or what?

4) What's the computer set up like? Is there ample room on the desk to place your scratch paper and work on it while easily seeing the screen? Is the computer user interface for the test easy to use? It's not slow or anything right?

I'll probably have more technical questions like this but I guess that's it for now..
 
I read the AAMC website, did some searches, can't really find satisfactory answers to these questions..

1) Do you get a calculator? If not, is there some sort of basic calculator function on the computer screen?

2) How much factual information do you get? Periodic table...equations...anything? If periodic table, how detailed is it...does it contain all the information a regular textbook PT has?

3) SCRATCH PAPER! How big is the scratch paper, and how many sheets do you get? Can you request more if you run out? Is the paper a plain old white sheet of printer paper or is it like a booklet, or what?

4) What's the computer set up like? Is there ample room on the desk to place your scratch paper and work on it while easily seeing the screen? Is the computer user interface for the test easy to use? It's not slow or anything right?

I'll probably have more technical questions like this but I guess that's it for now..

1) No and no, you get a pen and paper for your calculations
2) You get a periodic table, it has Atomic Number, Masses, and symbols. There is a decent amount of calculations you have to know, though if you can derive quickly you need to know even less. Even more calculations will be given to you.
3)As much scratch paper as you want
4) Varies from test center to test center, but I believe they are "supposed" to have adequate working room and working computers
 
Oh yeah also!

Is there a penalty for wrong answer choices? (Do you lose points for wrong choice?)

If you leave a question blank, do you lose points or don't gain or lose?

Basically, is scoring like SAT or something totally different?
 
Like I notice TPRH Verbal review book suggests skipping the "KILLER" verbal passage and randomly guess on the questions.

So I'm guessing no penalty for wrong answers?
 
I have "The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam" and it says that there is no penalty for wrong answers, so don't leave anything blank. It also says that you should usually be able to rule out at least one or two answers right off the bat b/c of wrong units etc.
 
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