(for more information, please visit the American Association of Medical Colleges MR5 Committee website at: AAMC.org)
The 5th Comprehensive Review of the MCAT (since the exam was first administered in 1928) has been in progress since the fall of 2008. The new version of the MCAT is expected to be introduced in 2015 and is likely to be in place until 2030.
The proposed 2015 version of the MCAT will include four (4) major test sections:
- Molecular, Cellular and Organismal Properties of Living Systems;
- Physical, Chemical and Biochemical Properties of Living Systems;
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Principles; and
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.
- Natural Sciences: Sections One and Two of the proposed new MCAT will cover natural sciences. In addition to introductory biology, chemistry, and physics, the proposed exam will test highly rated biochemistry concepts at the level and depth found in many first-semester biochemistry courses. It will test highly rated cellular/molecular biology concepts at the level and depth found in introductory biology sequences. The test will target research methods and statistics concepts that are basic and described by many baccalaureate faculty as important to success in introductory science courses. Test questions will ask examinees to use knowledge of natural science concepts to demonstrate their scientific inquiry and reasoning, research methods, and statistics skills.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences: Section Three of the proposed exam will test examinees’ knowledge and use of those concepts in social and behavioral sciences, research methods, and statistics which provide a solid foundation for learning about the behavioral and socio-cultural determinants of health in medical school. The content for these exam questions is taught at most colleges and universities in one-semester introductory psychology and one-semester introductory sociology courses. Again, test questions will ask examinees to use knowledge of introductory psychology and sociology concepts to demonstrate their scientific inquiry and reasoning, research methods, and statistics skills.
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: Section Four of the proposed exam will ask examinees to analyze and reason through passages in ethics and philosophy, cross-cultural studies, population health, and a wide range of social science and humanities disciplines. This section will not test specific subject-matter knowledge.
The PreHealth Program will update this page periodically as new information is received. New information will also be disseminated through the PreHealth Program Newsletter, too.