The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is undergoing changes that are to be finalized in 2015.
The current test includes two natural science sections that cover biology and chemistry. The new version of the MCAT will be almost twice as long and cover two topic areas that were not previously a part of the test.
There will be a section on psychology and sociology and another on critical skills and reasoning. The natural science sections are also being revised to be more in depth and include biochemistry.
The goal of these additions is to make the test more relevant to the students’ future as doctors.
“Right now, there’s little correlation between an MCAT score and the students’ performance later,” pre-med adviser Mani Campos said.
The new critical skills and reasoning portion will be more inquiry-based. Students will be asked to analyze data, rather than memorize facts or vocabulary. Questions about ethics and philosophy as well as population health will be included.
“They will be tested more on the process and to see if they really understand what they’re doing,” Campos said. “I’m sure we will see improvements.”
The process for this change began in 2008, when committees from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) first met. For three years, they surveyed over 2,700 medical school faculty, residents, medical students and admissions offices asking what they believe should be changed.
The change in the MCAT also means a change in courses required before the exam. Students will soon be advised to take introduction psychology and sociology courses alongside their natural science courses to prepare for the new test sections.
The psychology portion of the exam will focus on mental processes and behaviors, and the sociology portion will focus on the importance of socio-cultural determinants of health.
Because of the changes in the science sections, students will also be advised to take Biochemistry before taking the MCAT.
Most students and faculty seem to agree that a change in the test is a good idea.
“Medical schools look for students who are well-rounded, and this test will show that better,” CSB senior pre-med student Erin Karl said.
However, not all pre-med students like the idea of changing the requirements. Students at public schools who are not currently required to take social sciences now need to add them into their schedules.
“Here, we have to take a social science anyway, so pre-med students can take psychology. At public schools they’re not required to,” Karl said.”Some may complain that it’s extra work, but it will benefit you in the future. In the end, it’s all about the patients and treating them in a way that’s more personal.”
For many pre-med students, the MCAT changes will require additional classes to their busy schedules and create additional preparation before taking the test.