As an undergraduate, you aced the science course, and you know you would make a great doctor, but you first have to pass the MCAT to increase your chances of getting accepted into medical school. The MCAT has existed since the 1920s, but it has slowly evolved into an examination with multiple choice questions, and a writing section that measures your writing skills, problem solving abilities and scientific knowledge. Click on this presentation by Gil Lederman to learn more!

1. Taming the MCAT
As an undergraduate, you aced the science course, and you know you would make a great doctor,
but you first have to pass the MCAT to increase your chances of getting accepted into medical
school. The MCAT has existed since the 1920s, but it has slowly evolved into an examination
with multiple choice questions, and a writing section that measures your writing skills, problem
solving abilities and scientific knowledge.

2. This medical school entrance exam focuses on:
• Biological Sciences
• Verbal Reasoning
• Physical Sciences
You will be scored from one to 15. The writing section gets scored using a letter scale between J
to T, and the average score is 24 O. However, to get into your school of choice, you most likely
will need to score a minimum of 30 and a Q or P. If you invest in a course, make sure it focuses
on the subject material. This subject material focuses on everything a medical student would
have learned in a pre-med program.
Avoid Cramming
Never try to cram your head with unfamiliar knowledge at the last second. You will want to
periodically review the information. This will include introductory texts to physics, organic
chemistry and biology. In process, you will identify your strengths and weaknesses, which you
can work on.
Identify the Questions That Cause Trouble
Pre med students should be aware that the MCAT will use different question types, and if you
can identify the types that cause problems, you can do better on them in advance. Identifying the
type that causes trouble, you can formulate tactics that will handle those questions.

3. Study in a Group
Some of the pre med advice offered is to study in a group. In a group of like-minded and
supportive individuals, the concepts will find easier explanations among those who understand.
Also, you can share answers and compare notes. In addition, the different answers to the
questions will add depth to your studying and deepen your understanding. In one Harvard study,
researchers discovered that small groups led to greater engagement and more individual
participation. They found that group of four to six did better than students who studied alone.
However, keep it productive and never forget why you have assembled.
Passing the MCAT can become a stressful period for a medical student because their acceptance
into medical school relies on it. However, it is important to relax because stressing about it will
not help, and it can even cause you to forget knowledge and score lower on the exam. Preparing
in advance will help to reduce the stress associated with the MCAT.
Gil Lederman is a certified medical doctor and oncologist from NY.