Spring Break
MCAT, LSAT undergo changes
By: Diana Burbules
Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: News
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), an exam necessary for those hoping to enter medical school, will soon change to a computerized test, and scores from the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), a test for prospective lawyers, will no longer be averaged together.
The MCAT has been around for 80 years and has undergone multiple changes, but it recently underwent one of the biggest changes in 75 years, said Amjed Mustafa, manager of MCAT programs at kaplan Test Prep and Admissions.
"It will be computerized, and the content will decrease by 30 percent and will turn from an eight-and-a-half hour exam to a five-and-a-half hour exam," Mustafa said.
The first computerized MCAT will be administered on Jan. 27 and registration begins Nov. 14.
Mustafa said the change is proportional when it comes to content and time, but that the biggest challenge for future examinees is anxiety related to computer interface testing.
"They (the examinees) lack familiarity with the computer based testing," Mustafa said. "Students now not only have to learn the science behind the MCAT but also have to learn the testing format on the computer."
Mustafa said operational issues with paper and pencil tests brought the changes.
"It was an administrative hassle," he said. "They were dealing with tests getting lost and security issues. This way they can keep track of your test electronically."
Other changes will be implemented to ensure the examinees' identification, Mustafa said.
"There will be facial identification as well as finger print scanning," he said. "I guess that way you know that the doctor you are going to took the MCAT himself."
Although the new MCAT format may be taxing for future examinees to learn, Mustafa said it would be better. However, more than 50 percent of advisers agree the new format will require more preparation, he said.
Some students might have trouble finding testing facilities near them, because most facilities will be located in bigger cities, Mustafa said, but people can choose morning or afternoon test times from more than 22 dates.
The MCAT has been around for 80 years and has undergone multiple changes, but it recently underwent one of the biggest changes in 75 years, said Amjed Mustafa, manager of MCAT programs at kaplan Test Prep and Admissions.
"It will be computerized, and the content will decrease by 30 percent and will turn from an eight-and-a-half hour exam to a five-and-a-half hour exam," Mustafa said.
The first computerized MCAT will be administered on Jan. 27 and registration begins Nov. 14.
Mustafa said the change is proportional when it comes to content and time, but that the biggest challenge for future examinees is anxiety related to computer interface testing.
"They (the examinees) lack familiarity with the computer based testing," Mustafa said. "Students now not only have to learn the science behind the MCAT but also have to learn the testing format on the computer."
Mustafa said operational issues with paper and pencil tests brought the changes.
"It was an administrative hassle," he said. "They were dealing with tests getting lost and security issues. This way they can keep track of your test electronically."
Other changes will be implemented to ensure the examinees' identification, Mustafa said.
"There will be facial identification as well as finger print scanning," he said. "I guess that way you know that the doctor you are going to took the MCAT himself."
Although the new MCAT format may be taxing for future examinees to learn, Mustafa said it would be better. However, more than 50 percent of advisers agree the new format will require more preparation, he said.
Some students might have trouble finding testing facilities near them, because most facilities will be located in bigger cities, Mustafa said, but people can choose morning or afternoon test times from more than 22 dates.
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