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Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
“The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess the medical school applicant’s problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills in addition to the examinee's knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine. Scores are reported in the following areas: Verbal Reasoning (1-15), Physical Science (1-15), Writing (J-T), and Biological Science (1-15). Medical college admission committees consider MCAT scores as part of their admission decision process.
Almost all U.S. medical schools require applicants to submit MCAT scores during the application process. Many schools may not accept MCAT scores if taken more than three years ago. Applicants should refer to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) to determine specific MCAT requirements for particular medical schools. The MSAR may be purchased from AAMC student publications Web site.” From the MCAT web site.
In 2003, minor changes were made to the MCAT. A few organic chemistry questions were replaced by questions on DNA and genetics, the Verbal Reasoning (VR) section will have five fewer questions (with the same number of passages and time limit), it will be possible to achieve a 14 or 15 on the VR, and a total score will be reported (e.g., 45T). PS will become the first section of the day, followed by VR.
MCAT scores will become part of the examinee's MCAT testing history and when an AMCAS application is sent to a school, April 2003 and later scores will be included.
TEST DATES |
APPLICATION DEADLINE |
FEE |
August 20, 2005 |
July 15, 2005 |
$200 |
April 2006 |
March 2006 |
Applicants must register for the MCAT on-line. There are no paper registration materials.
For information on the 2005 - 2006 Computer-based testing (CBT) International Registration Deadlines visit: www.aamc.org/students/mcat/registration.htm
MCAT Web Site: www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm
MCAT Fee Assistance Program Forms
The Fee Assistance Program (FAP), if approved, reduces the test fee for 2003 from $185 to 80. For FAP deadlines and application form visit: www.aamc.org/students/applying/fap/start.htm
Nearest Location: Clemson or Wofford
“The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA). The DAT is administered on computer on almost any day of the year. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability.” From the DAT web site.
The Dental Admission Testing (DAT) is only administered as a computerized test. Content (Points): Biology (1-30), General Chemistry (1-30), Organic Chemistry (1-30), Reading Comprehension (1-30), Quantitative Reasoning (1-30), Perceptual Ability (1-30)
There are no application deadlines.
The examination fee is $170 for the first five schools and students can schedule the exam on almost any date.
For the Computerized DAT candidates can now register on-line www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp. After submitting the application and fee payment to the Dental Admission Testing Program, students will receive an 800-number to call to register and arrange a day and time. The nearest location is the Sylvan Tech Test Center in Spartanburg, or you can choose a location convenient to you. The Dental Admission Testing Program booklet, which includes samples of four examinations and instructions for ordering a computerized tutorial ($10), is available by calling (800) 621-8099 or (312) 440-2500 or by writing:
Department of Testing Services
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
A tutorial is available that will familiarize the students with the mechanics of taking the DAT on computer. (A sample of the tutorial can be found in the Dental Admission Testing application booklet). This tutorial requires Microsoft Windows. To obtain a copy on diskette students should write a letter and include a money order for $15 to:
DAT Tutorial
Department of Testing Services
211 East Chicago Avenue
6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611
Another resource for students to practice perceptual ability testing is:
Mechanical Aptitude and Spatial Relations Tests, 3rd Ed. 1996
by Joan U. Levy, Ph.D. and Normal Levy, Ph.D., published by ARCO, a division of Simon and Shuster obtained through Macmillan General Reference; A Simon and Shuster Macmillan Company; 1633 Broadway; New York, NY 10019-6785. ISBN # 0-02-860600-0.
Registration Deadlines: Register before October of senior year. Should take the test in spring of junior year. Mandatory 90 day time before retest.
Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
“The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized examination designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information. The OAT is sponsored by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) for applicants seeking admission to an optometry program. All schools and colleges of optometry in the
Beginning January, 2005 the Optometric Admission Test (OAT) is able to be taken at anytime. The paper version will continue to be offered in October and February, for another couple years (phase out date has not been determined). Application information, preparation material and test sites for both the paper and computer version of the OAT may be obtained from http://www.opted.org/info_oat.cfm. Information is also available through your premedical advisor or by writing, or calling:
Optometric Admission Testing Program
211 E. Chicago Avenue
6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
312-440-2693 or 800-232-2159
The most desirable time for applicants to take the exam is no later than the Fall of their senior year in college. If applicants must take it later, some schools will not accept the results of tests written (paper or computer) after the February immediately preceding the August in which they hope to enroll. Applicants must wait at least 90 days before taking the paper or computer version again.
Dates and Application Deadlines
Test Date: October 15, 2005
Note: October 15 is the last time the written format will be offered.
Regular Application Deadline: 1,2 September 6, 2005
Final Late Application Deadline: 3 September 19, 2005
1Applications postmarked after this date must include the additional $25 late application fee.
2All requests for Special Testing Centers and other special testing arrangements should be submitted by this date. Requests received after this date will be honored only if staff, space and time constraints allow.
3Applications received after this date will not be accepted
There are no special or additional OAT testing periods, so it is important that all applicants arrange to take the examination during one of the scheduled testing periods. Exceptions requested by a school of optometry due to a documented emergency will be considered. However, the school will need to contact the testing program immediately following the spring test date.
Fee Waiver
Content (Points): Biology and Chemistry (200-400), Reading Comprehension (200-400), Quantitative Ability (200-400), Physics (200-400)
Nearest Location: Columbia
Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)
“The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), an exam is a specialized test that helps identify qualified applicants to pharmacy colleges. It measures general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for the commencement of pharmaceutical education. The PCAT consists of approximately 280 multiple-choice questions and an essay, and candidates are given four and half hours to complete the exam.” From the PCAT web site.
http://harcourtassessment.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/dotCom/PCATWEB.INFO.htm
No Fee Waiver
Content (Points): Verbal Ability (100-300), Biology (100-300), Chemistry (100-300),
Quantitative Ability (100-300), Reading Comprehension (100-300)
Nearest Location: Columbia
The changes planned for the verbal measure include:
· Greater emphasis on higher cognitive skills; less dependence on vocabulary
· More text-based materials, such as reading passages
· A broader selection of reading passages
· Emphasis on skills related to graduate work, such as complex reasoning
· Expansion of computer-enabled tasks (e.g., highlighting a sentence in a passage that serves the function described in the question)
The changes planned for the quantitative measure include:
· Quantitative reasoning skills that are closer to skills generally used in graduate school
· Proportion of Geometry questions decreased
· Proportion of questions involving "real-life" scenarios increased
· Better use of technology (e.g., on-screen calculator)
The changes planned for the analytical writing measure include:
· New, more focused prompts that will reduce the possibility of reliance on memorized materials
· The Issue and Argument tasks will each be 30 minutes in length
As the direction of the potential changes becomes clearer, information on the GRE Web site will be updated.” From the GRE web site.
Fee Reductions and Fee Waivers can be requested.
For more information, please see the GRE website at: http://www.ets.org