Application Process

Health Professions Applicant Handbook

III. The Standardized Test: MCAT, Other Standardized Tests

MCAT

The standardized test required by all allopathic and osteopathic medical schools is the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT.) It is given 23 times per year and as of 2007 is a computer-based test. Students who will complete their coursework in the spring semester are strongly advised to take April or May MCATs due to the advantage of being an early applicant.

Registration for the MCAT is on-line at http://www.aamc.org/mcat. The deadlines for registering and the dates that registration opens for each test date can be found on the site. It is best to register as soon as possible after the opening date. Again the instructions are fairly clear and should be read carefully.

The MCAT is not an aptitude test and therefore you can, and should, study for it. As a start, you should visit the http://www.aamc.org/mcat website and read about the test and perhaps even take some sample tests (for a small fee).   Many of you have already decided to take a commercial review course. The established courses in this area are Kaplan (800) KAPTEST and Princeton Review (800) 2REVIEW. While there are differences in these two courses, they are similar and you will decide which best suits your needs. You can certainly study for the MCAT without taking a costly review course. Commercial review courses will offer you a structured, well-organized plan and set of materials for study as well as the possible psychological advantage of feeling that you have done all you can. However, for those students who are self-disciplined and confident in their ability to prepare on their own, review courses can be an unnecessary expense. There are good review books and sample MCAT tests available both on-line and in the Dowling Resource library. 

When you sit for the MCAT please specify that you will release your score to your advisor. This allows for much better advising at Tufts. AMCAS schools will receive your scores automatically if you release them, but you must specify to which non-AMCAS schools and osteopathic schools you want them sent. You will be able to access your scores, as will the medical schools, approximately 30 days after the test date.


Other Standardized Tests

Students applying to dental schools will be required to take the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT), which is given on computer virtually every day of the year. Registration materials are available in Dowling or can be requested directly at http://www.adea.org. Vet schools generally require the GRE (available in the Dowling Resource library or at http://www.gre.org). The GRE is computerized and administered throughout the year.