Mastering the MCAT Spring 2013

7/25/2019 Mastering the MCAT Spring 2013

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MCAT 2013-14

Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center

Samantha & Teresa


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What is the MCAT?

Medical College Admission Test

Administered by the Association ofAmerican Medical Colleges (AAMC)

Standardized, computerized multiple-choice exam used to screen medical schoolapplicants

Tests students' knowledge of basic scientificconcepts, critical reasoning, and problemsolving


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Why take the MCAT?

Identifies students who will most likely be"successful" in the first two years of medicalschool

Determines a student's areas of strengthand weakness

Used by medical school admission

committees along with transcripts,applications, personal statement, andresume to assess applicants


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MCAT 2015 Revision

Addition of social and behavioral sciencessection

Inclusion of biochemistry and statistics

Revised to assess students on skill-basedlearning of core competencies

For students who plan to enter medical

school in 2016 and beyond

MCAT 2015 Presentation

March 12th 5:30 pm, QLC 412


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Agenda

Breakdown of the MCAT

Preparation for the MCATo Study strategies

o Sample questions

MCAT Logisticso Registering for the MCAT

o Test Dayo Follow up

Common Rumors and Q&A


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Breakdown of the Current MCAT

Physical Sciences Verbal Reasoning

Biological Sciences

Trial Section

These sections will test:o Fundamental principles in biology, general

chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.

o Analytical reading skills

No more Writing Sample!


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Physical Sciences

Tests problem-solving ability and generalknowledge in chemistry and physics

52 questions:

7 passage-basedo 4-7 questions per set

13 independent questions

Recommended Courses: Math 140 & 215 or 241,Chemistry 161/L & 162/L, Physics 151/L &152/L


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Verbal Reasoning

Tests ability to understand, evaluate and applyinformation found in passages. Content is based onhumanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

40 questions: 7 passages (~600 words/passage)

o 5-7 questions per passage

*Usually the lowest score in Hawaii, and the most difficultto change

Recommended Courses: English, English Literature, Arts, Humanities, NaturalSciences and Social Sciences that require reading and analysis


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Biological Sciences

Tests problem-solving ability and knowledge inorganic chemistry and biology.

52 questions:

7 passage-based sets of questionso 4-7 questions per set

13 independent questions

Recommended Courses: Math 140 & 215 or 241,

Biology 171/L & 172/L, Chemistry 272/L & 273/L


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Trial Section (NEW!)

VOLUNTARY!Owing to the change in 2015, this section willhelp build the next version of the MCAT.

Last Section

45 minutes

32 new questionso biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics,

psychology, and sociology

$30 Amazon.com Gift Cardo emailed 3-4 weeks after

o Will get feedback on results


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Preparation for the MCAT

Individual study: Test prep books, practice exams

Pros

o Flexible, tailored to student's needs

o Inexpensive Cons

o Easy to procrastinate & fall behind

o

Difficult to structureo Knowledge of instructor (self)


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Group Study: Groups of 2 or more

Pros:

o Gain support, encouragement, feedback

from peers Cons:

o Difficult to coordinate and manage

o Easy to fall behind with group meetings

o Difficult to maintain focus


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Commercial Test Prep: Classroom in-personcourse, online course

Pros:

o Led by trained instructoro Structured

o Online or in-person

Cons:o Expensive

o Designed for general population, notpersonalized


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How to Study Individually

1. Set a study schedule-Study 9-12 months in advance

-1 hr/day

2. PRACTICE!-Start with untimed tests and learn to do

problems correctly

3. Use timer to develop a sense of time andincrease speed

4. Take the full length practice test regularly

-Builds endurance!


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How to Take a Commercial Prep

Show up

Do the worko Take advantage of opportunities

Course alone will not get you where youwant to beo Still must study on your own

o Study what you need to


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Knowledge Based vs. Skills Based

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving

Building connections

Reading Comprehension: Verbal Reasoning

Biological Sciences

Physical Sciences

Facts

Equations

Rules

Theories:

Biological Sciences

Physical Sciences


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Tips!

Study early!o Build stamina! Take frequent practice tests

Answer every questiono No penalty for guessing

o Use process of elimination

Prepare for the Verbal Section

One course load lesso 10-12 hr/week

Scores are usually 3-5 points below what you canachieve on the practice test

Prepare for the day

Do your best the first timeo

Every program evaluates MCAT scores differently


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Sample Questions

Physical Sciences: General Chemistry

Among the halogens F2, Cl2, Br2, I2, anincrease in which of the following types of

intermolecular forces causes an increase inboiling point going down the group?

A) dipole-dipole forces

B) ion-dipole forcesC) ion-induced dipole forces

D) London dispersion forces*Gathered from The Offical Guide to the MCAT Exam, 2009 Edition


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Sample Questions

Correct Answer: D

Among the halogens considered, the boiling pointincreases going down the group because of anincrease in London dispersion forces, which arecaused by momentary electron cloud distortions.

Difficulty level: Medium (55%)


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Sample Questions

Physical Sciences: Physics

A rock is dropped from a cliff that is 100 m

above ground level. How long does it take the

rock to reach the ground? (Use g = 10 m/s2)

A) 4.5 s

B) 10 s

C) 14 sD) 20 s


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Sample Questions

Correct Answer: A

You are told the rock falls from a 100 m height to

the ground under the influence of a 10 m/s2acceleration. Since the rock starts at rest,evaluating the distance equation:

d=v0t+1/2at2

t=2d/a = 2(100 m)/(10 m/s2)

t=4.5 s

Difficulty level: Easy (75%)


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Sample Questions

Verbal ReasoningContent Category: Social Sciences


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Sample Questions

Verbal ReasoningSuppose that a particular group of people usesmetaphors that reference mechanical objects todescribe living creatures. Based on the reasoning in

the passage, these people would most likely believethat:

A) mechanical objects are in some sense alive

B) living creatures are in some sense mechanical

C) mechanical metaphors are a neutral way of

referring to living creatures

D) the idea of the mechanical depends on a

conception of the animate


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Sample Questions

Correct Answer: B

The second paragraph states, "As for things in themineral realm, anatomical metaphors, such as

foothills and headlands,...make them all seemfamiliar and personal. Indeed, language trickspeople into believing that...[inanimate things] are allin some sense alive." Thus, if people were to refer to

living creatures using mechanical metaphors, thenthey would most likely be tricked into believing thatliving creatures are in some sense mechanical.

Difficulty level: Hard (40%)


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Sample Questions

Biological Sciences: Biology

During the respiratory cycle, contraction of thediaphragm causes:

A) exhalation

B) elevation of the ribs

C) the intrapleural pressure to increase

D) the intra-alveolar pressure to decrease


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Sample Questions

Correct Answer: D

Contraction of the respiratory diaphragm causesit to move downward, thus increasing thevolume of the thoracic cavity. This causes adecrease in the intrapleural pressure.Expansion of the thoracic cavity causes the

lungs to expand, which causes the intra-alveolar pressure to decrease belowatmospheric pressure & draw air into the lungs.

Difficulty: Hard (30%)


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Sample Questions

Biological Sciences: Organic Chemistry

Which of the following carboxylic acids willhave the lowest pKa?

A) 2-methylbutyric acid

B) 3-chlorobutyric acid

C) 2-ethylbutyric acid

D) 3-bromobutyric acid


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Sample Questions

Correct Answer: B

A substituent has an inductive effect on the acidity ofthe carboxyl group. An electron withdrawing

substituent reduces electron density of thecarboxyl group and increases the acidity. A moreelectron withdrawing substituent reduces theelectron density of the carboxyl group further;

thus, the hydrogen becomes even more acidic. Thecloser the substituent is to the carboxyl group, thestronger the inductive effect.

Difficulty level: Medium (55%)


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MCAT Logistics

Fee Assistance Program

MCAT Registration & Testing Centers

Preparing for the Day

Test Day

Scoring

Void/Retakes


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Fee Assistance Program

For students who are unable to take MCATwithout financial assistance

o Reduced MCAT registration fee ($270 $100)

o Free MSAR online accesso Waiver for all AMCAS fees (up to 14 schools)

o Does not include waiver for individual schools


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Am I Eligible for FAP?

Based on US Dept. of Health & Human Servicespoverty guidelines, applicants with 2012 totalfamily income at or below three times the

federal poverty level for their family size intheir state are eligible

Ex) Family of 4 in Hawaii: $26,510

$26,510 x 3 = $79,530 (must be at or below)


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Timeline


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Registering for the MCAT

Register online at www.aamc.org

Test dates offered from January to

Septembero Offered in the morning (AM), afternoon (PM), or

both (Double Day)

Registration Feeso Regular: $270

o Late registration: $75 additional fee

o Date reschedule: $90 additional fee
http://www.aamc.org/http://www.aamc.org/http://www.aamc.org/http://www.aamc.org/


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When Should You Take it?

Available: from January 24th toSeptember 12th

Some schools do not accept Septemberdates!

January test dates are only for upcoming

cycle

Best before the end of June


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MCAT 2013 Schedule


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MCAT Oahu Testing Centers

Educational Testing Services (ETS)University of Hawaii at Manoa

2600 Campus Road

QLCSS 307Honolulu, HI 96822

Prometric Test Center

1130 N Nimitz Highway

Suite B297

Honolulu, HI 96817


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Prep for the Day

1. Test site:

-Parking situation

-Location of exam

-Room Conditions

2. Mental Health:

-Relax, review- do not study

-Eat a good breakfast


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Test Day

Breakfast!o Whole grain carbs balanced by protein

Arrive earlyo At least 30 min prior

Security measures/photo taken/fingerprints

What to bring?

Where to store it?


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Items Permitted In

In Test Room:

Current Photo ID

Earplugs

Center Provided:

Paper and Pencil

Locker Key

On Break: Food, water, and

medication


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What Not to Bring?

Cell Phone

Electronic Deviceo Holding or touching an electronic device is a

violation of MCAT policies Notes or Study Materials

If you need to access food, water or medicine

remove the items from the bag you havebrought as the bag must remain in thelocker at all time.


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Sample MCAT Interface


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Scoring

Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning and BiologicalSciences

Scored from 1 (lowest) to 15 (highest)

Raw scores are converted to a scale thatconsiders the level of difficulty of the testquestions to minimize variability in test scores

No penalty for guessing

Total Score is the sum of the three scores

Trial Section will not be scored


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To void or not to void?

I wish to have my MCAT exam scored

I wish to VOID my MCAT exam


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Things to Consider

Is this an accurate representation of where you arenow?

How far are you in regards to the application cycle?

If I retake this test will I have enough time to prepareand do better?

Can I afford to retake this test?

How will the schools look at multiple scores?


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When should I retake the MCAT?

AAMC recommends that you should retake thetest if:

1. Discrepancy between GPA and MCAT scores

2. Inadequate coursework preparation

3. Misunderstood directions

4. Admission committee memberrecommended it.


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Score Availability

Scores automatically sent to schools astudent applies to through AMCAS

Available to view scores online throughTesting History (THx) Score ReportingSystem about 30-35 days after test date

o Found on www.aamc.orgo Used to release scores to non-AMCAS schools

o Able to print official MCAT score reports


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Hawaii's MCAT Scores

2012 Application Year

UH Manoa National UH Manoa NationalScience &Math GPA

3.32 3.44 3.53 3.62

All other GPA 3.59 3.66 3.71 3.75

Overall GPA 3.44 3.54 3.62 3.68

Applied Matriculated


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UH Manoa 2012 Stats


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MCAT Rumors

Getting a certain score guarantees gettingin

You don't need to prepare much if you've

done well in your pre-med courses The MCAT tests science skills, so you don't

have to worry about the verbal section

Studying hard for a few weeks is enough todo well on the exam

Medical schools will take your highest score


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Upcoming Workshops

Pre-Med Panel on Admissions and Life as aMed Student

Thursday, February 21st

5:30-7:00 PMCC 308

Graduate School and the GRE

Tuesday, March 5th

5:30-7:00 PM

QLC 412


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Upcoming Workshops

Financing Your Graduate Education

Thursday, March 7th

5:30-7:00 PM

QLC 412

MCAT 2015 Look Whats Coming!

Tuesday, March 12th

5:30-7:00 PM

QLC 412


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Upcoming Workshops

Multiple Mini Interviews The New Format!

Thursday, March 14th

5:30-7:00 PM

QLC 412


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Contact Us!

Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center (PAC)

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services, Rm 101

Phone:(808) 956-4045

Email:[email protected]:http://manoa.hawaii.edu/pac

Walk-ins welcome!


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Resources

Presentation includes information from:

Association of American Medical Colleges

(AAMC) website (www.aamc.org) The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam, 2009

Edition


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Mahalo!

Any questions/comments?

Mastering the MCAT Spring 2013

Documents

Transcript of Mastering the MCAT Spring 2013