Medical schools use scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to objectively rate the likelihood of candidates performing successfully if admitted.  Taking the test and achieving an acceptable score are essentially universal requirements for attending American med schools.

MCAT test sections

The MCAT is 4 1/2 hours and consists
of four sections.

Physical Sciences
Length: 70 minutes
Questions: 52
Focus: basic chemistry and physics concepts, analytical reasoning, and
data interpretation

Multiple choice questions that test your reasoning reasoning ability in general chemistry and physics.  Most of the questions are based on 250 word passages that describe a situation or problem.  Each of these problem sets

contains 4-8 questions.  There are also standalone questions which are not related to a passage.

Verbal Reasoning
Length: 60 minutes
Questions: 40
Focus: critical reading skills

Assesses your ability to understand, evaluate, and apply information and arguments. Consists of several 500-600 word passages each followed by 5-10 multiple choice questions.

Writing Sample
Length: 60 minutes
Questions: 2
Focus: critical thinking, intellectual organization, and written communication skills

Two 30 minute essays.  Assesses your skill in four areas: developing a central idea,  synthesizing concepts and ideas, presenting ideas cohesively and logically, and adhering to good grammar and punctuation.

Biological Sciences
Length: 70 minutes
Questions: 52
Focus: basic biology and organic chemistry concepts, analytical reasoning, and data interpretation

Multiple choice questions that test your reasoning in biology and organic chemistry.  As with the Physical Sciences Section, the test contains problem sets of 4-8 questions based on 250 word passages.  It also includes questions not based on a passage.

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Other admission requirements

Besides an acceptable MCAT score, medical schools have other admission requirements.  While policies vary somewhat from school to school, the following are almost always required:

• 4 year undergraduate degree

• Undergraduate courses
One or more years of biology, general chemistry. organic chemistry, and physics

• Acceptable undergraduate GPA

Additional common requirements are letters of recommendation, background check, admission essay, interview, community service, and prior experience in a health related field.

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2012 MCAT test dates
Test date Day Time
January 27 Friday Morning
January 28 Saturday Afternoon
March 24 Saturday Morning
April 5 Thursday Afternoon
April 13 Friday Morning
April 28 Saturday Afternoon
May 12 Saturday Morning
May 19 Saturday Morning
May 24 Thursday Afternoon
May 31 Thursday Afternoon
June 21 Thursday Both
July 6 Friday Afternoon
July 14 Saturday Morning
July 26 Thursday Morning
July 27 Friday Morning
August 3 Friday Morning
August 4 Saturday Afternoon
August 10 Friday Both
August 16 Thursday Afternoon
August 17 Friday Afternoon
August 23 Thursday Afternoon
September 1 Saturday Morning
September 6 Thursday Both
September 7 Friday Afternoon
September 11 Tuesday Afternoon
Morning tests begin at 8 AM, afternoon tests at 1 PM.  When tests are given at both times, the afternoon administration begins at 2 PM.
Registration usually opens about twelve weeks before the test date.

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First Year Med School Courses
First year studies tend to focus on the human body and how it functions.  Classes dealing with the doctor-patient relationship are often included, as well as ones exploring medicine in a social context.  M1 courses at a sampling of medical schools are listed below.
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Ambulatory Care
Cardiopulmonary
Evidence-Based Medicine & Population Health
Gastrointestinal
Head, Neck, and Special Senses
Health Policy and Economics
Limbs
Medical Neuroscience
Metabolism, Nutrition, and Endocrinology
Medical Neuroscience
Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Molecular and Human Genetics
Patient Behavior & Development
Physician-Patient Communication
Physician Role and Behavior
Renal & Electrolytes
Sexual Development and Reproduction
Social and Cultural Issues in Health Care

UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, TX
Anatomy
Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Embryology
Genetics
Human Behavior
Immunology
Neuroscience
Physiology

   New York Medical College
Valhalla, NY
Behavioral Science
Biochemistry
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Community and Preventative Medicine
Foundations of Clinical Medicine
Gross and Developmental Anatomy
Histology and Cell Biology
Medical Ethics
Neuroscience
Physiology

Harvard University
Boston, MA
Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health
The Human Body
Human Genetics
Immunology, Microbiology & Pathology
Integrated Human Physiology
Introduction to Health Care Policy
Introduction to the Profession
Introduction to Social Medicine and Global Health
Medical Ethics and Professionalism
The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Medicine
Patient-Doctor I
Physician in Community
Scholarship in Medicine

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