Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT)
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MCAT Overview
The MCAT is a computer-based exam and consists of 4 sections:
- Biological Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Verbal Reasoning
- Writing Samples
The exam is offered 22 times a year.
The AAMC MCAT site provides comprehensive information about the MCAT.
Important: For Class of 2016 students and Class of 2015 students who may take a gap year, the MCAT is changing, effective spring 2015. Check the AAMC MCAT 2015 website for more information and updates regarding these changes.
Timing of MCAT
NU premed students should take their MCAT after completion of their premed required courses, usually in the spring / early summer of their junior year or the summer after their sophomore year.
We're happy to meet with students to discuss the best time for them to take the MCAT
Preparation
The MCAT web site provides the following preparation materials:
- Content outlines for each test section
- Preparing for the MCAT FAQ answers:
- When should I take the MCAT?
- Am I ready to take the MCAT?
- Do I need to take a commercial reveiw course?
- Multiple Practice Tests
Registration
- Plan to register several months in advance of your chosen MCAT test date because there are a limited number of seats per testing site
- Prior to registering for the exam, you must read the following information:
- 2012 MCAT Essentials (PDF)
Financial Assistance
The AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) assists MCAT® examinees and AMCAS applicants who, without financial assistance, would be unable to take the MCAT or apply to medical schools that use the AMCAS application.
