MCAT

What is the notorious MCAT? It stands for Medical College Admissions Test, and it is simply that an admissions test. It truthfully has nothing what so ever to do with medical school in the slightest.  The MCAT has four parts: 1. Physical sciences 2. Verbal Reasoning 3. Writing and 4. Biological Sciences. The test takes most of the day or at least if did for the paper exam. Since it has now been moved to a computer based exam the administrators have reduced the time a little and it now takes about 6 to 7 hours I believe. The MCAT tests not your knowledge of these various subjects but rather your thinking style and test taking ability. There are tricks to taking this o so important torturous test. The MCAT is graded on scale that is different for each testing; it is out of a possible 45 points, which almost no one gets. The last time I took the MCAT the average scaled score was a 24. A decent score would be at least a 27, with schools such as University of Michigan's average being around 30 and Johns Hopkins average being around 31. The key is to study hard and put in the time and effort. This one piece of your application can make or break you. If you have a lower GPA but ace the MCAT you have a good chance of getting in. Obviously if you have a good GPA and MCAT you have a good chance to get in. But if you have a decent GPA and do not so good on the MCAT you do not have a good chance of getting in. Of course, there are always exceptions etc these are general guidelines to help you get on the ball and know where you stand, there is no reason to lie to yourself about your chances it will cost you money and time and most likely a fair amount of your self-esteem.

  DAT

The DAT is similar to the MCAT but there is no physics on it. There is more Organic chemistry on the DAT that the MCAT. There is some math up to pre-calc I believe. And a special part the P.A.T. (perceptual ability test). This part of the DAT is very important.