COVID-19 Updates: List of Standardized Test Changes (Current as of March 20, 2020)
With COVID-19 precautions forcing the cancellation and postponement of large gatherings of people, standardized tests like the ACT and SAT are finding themselves in similar situations to the NCAA Tournament and Coachella, weighing decisions to postpone or cancel certain test administrations in the name of public safety. And like most airlines and cruises, most testing agencies are relaxing their cancellation and rescheduling policies so that those concerned about coronavirus have the option to postpone their tests, penalty-free. Wondering what’s happening with a standardized test that you’re planning to take this spring? Her ... Read More About COVID-19 Updates: List of Standardized Test Changes (Current as of March 20, 2020)
What is the USMLE?
Medical students spend a significant amount of time in school. Once a doctor has their M.D., or Doctor of Medicine degree, there’s one last thing to do before they can practice medicine: get licensed. In order to become licensed to practice medicine in the United States, doctors must pass the USMLE. Given in a series of three steps, this exam, administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners, is designed to test a physician’s knowledge and ability to provide appropriate medical care. If you’re planning on pursuing a career in medicine, keep reading to learn what you need to know about the USMLE exam. USMLE basics Th ... Read More About What is the USMLE?
Should I Retake the MCAT?
You’ve devoted months—and perhaps even quite a bit of money—to preparing for the Medical College Admission Test, and now that you’ve received your score, all you can wonder is, “Should I retake the MCAT?” Ultimately, everyone has their own opinion about whether a retake is necessary. One way to approach this question is to review the data utilized by medical school admissions committees, as well as several applicable studies. So—should I retake the MCAT? Consider this study, which was a meta-analysis of 23 other studies. It examined MCAT scores and their correlation to medical school GPAs and USMLE ... Read More About Should I Retake the MCAT?
A Last-Minute Checklist for AMCAS Submission
It’s that time of year again. AMCAS, or the American Medical College Application Service, is now open to submissions. It can be overwhelming to compile an application worthy of admission to a medical school, and small (but still important) details can thus fall through the cracks. However, there are several steps you can take to avoid this dilemma. You can download the official AMCAS Instruction Manual. You can also follow AMCAS on Twitter to learn of real-time issues with the submission system. Perhaps most importantly, you can refer to a last-minute checklist for AMCAS submission as you finalize your application, which can help you: ... Read More About A Last-Minute Checklist for AMCAS Submission
What is an Average MCAT Score?
The concept of an “average” MCAT score has been somewhat nebulous since the AAMC’s reformatting of the MCAT in 2015. Previously, the average MCAT score across medical school applicants was 25, and the average MCAT score of admitted applicants to medical school was around 31. Since the test was redone and a new scoring scale was constructed, the average MCAT score across medical school applicants is approximately 500. However, it is important to distinguish between the AAMC’s average MCAT score and the average MCAT scores of students who matriculate at individual schools. Here are some things to know when thinking about ... Read More About What is an Average MCAT Score?
