The infamous MCAT is something all pre-med students know that they will eventually take, but little know much about it. Additionally, it is hard to determine which is best for you with millions of different preparatory options! I have done my best to explain the MCAT and list various prep courses, but you must do your own research as well!
When to take the MCAT
Ultimately, you want to take the MCAT when you have finished all of the pre-requisites that you will be tested on. These include Chemistry 1&2, Organic Chemistry 1&2, Biology 1&2, Biochemistry, Physics w/o Calc 1&2, Psychology, and Sociology. I highly recommend that you take all of these courses before you begin studying/taking the MCAT, except for Physics 2. Physics 2 is something that many pre-med students end up taking while studying for the MCAT. Although this is not ideal, it is possible to self-teach the content in Physics 2 as the MCAT is not heavily focused on it. Personally, because I am taking a gap year, I am studying for the MCAT after I have completed Physics 2 (which I will this semester).
Another thing to consider is that MCAT scores take about a month to come in, so if you plan to submit your application in June, you want to make sure to take it before May. However, I also suggest you leave enough time to retake the MCAT before you want to turn in your application in case your score is not what you desired.
MCAT Information
Exam Content
The MCAT is divided into 4 different sections that are as follows:
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
59 questions with 10 passage-based sets (4-6 questions per set) and 15 independent questions
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
59 questions with 10 passage-based sets (4-6 questions per set) and 15 independent questions
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
59 questions with 10 passage-based sets (4-6 questions per set) and 15 independent questions
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
9 passages with 5-7 questions per passage
The following table taken from the AAMC website includes the allotted time of each section totaling 6 hours and 15 minutes of content time.
Registration fee
The registration fee is $325 if you sign up 1-2 weeks before the exam. Different cancellation and rescheduling fees apply depending on how far away the exam is.
Scoring
Each section is scored based on the number of correct choices and scaled from 118 to 132. Then all four sections are added together between 472 and 528. The average score is roughly 511.9.
Prep Courses
There are millions of prep courses out there, and for me to discuss each one would take you way too long to read. Instead, I have attached the most common programs that students use. Cost is an important factor, and everyone will have a different budget. The more prestigious prep courses start around $1,500-$2,000, but that usually is their lowest level. There are also self-study options similar to what you may have done for the SAT or ACT. Some programs have self-study courses, but you can always get the large study books and purchase AAMC material.
Each of these have different strengths and different pricing. Here is a website that ranks the most common ones and gives pros and cons of them for your perusal: https://www.investopedia.com/best-mcat-prep-courses-5189866#toc-best-value-magoosh
Conclusion
The MCAT takes a lot of time and effort to study for, so make sure you give yourself ample time and resources to succeed. Although extracurriculars and clinical experience are important for your medical school application, your MCAT and GPA is what gets them to look at you.
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