Premeds Line Up To Take MCATs

Premeds across the country will be staying up late Tuesday night-and it isn't just because they're cramming for Wednesday's organic chemistry test.

Sign up for the new MCAT begins Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. and many students are poised to log on as soon as possible to secure a seat at their choice test site and date. While the test will now be offered 22 times a year instead of just two, the shift to computer-based tests means seats will be more limited than they have been in the past.

"Much like registering for popular seminars and classes, it is important to register as soon as possible to give yourself the best opportunity for finding a seat in your desired test site," Director of Pre-professional Advising Megan Rigney wrote in an e-mail to premed students.

But Ellen Julian, associate vice president for the Association of American Medical Colleges and director of the MCAT, said the test's new format and schedule will allow increased flexibility and that students shouldn't worry-there will be twice as many places for the estimated 60,000 who take the test annually.

"There are 22 different possibilities," Julian said. "The date you want may indeed be the one [test date that] is full, next one isn't four months away, next one may be literally the next day."

Now, the test will be offered on 19 dates between April and September, with both times during the week and on weekends as well as in the morning and afternoon. On three dates, the test will be offered in both the morning and the afternoon.

The MCAT will undergo other changes as well. The computer-based test will be shorter, with one-third fewer questions than before, meaning that students will have to sit for five-and-a-half hours instead of nine or 10. The computer version will also allow students faster access to results. According to Julian, students will receive their scores in 30 days instead of having to wait 60 as was the case previously.

Liz Wands, executive director at the Princeton Review, which provides a test preparation class for students, said the additional test dates are a good thing for students.

"It allows them to prepare more," Wands said. But she said she is encouraging students to sign up for a test date as early as possible so that they can get the spot they want.

"We anticipate some [sites] filling up," she said. She added that her company has been working with the AAMC to launch more test sites in the future.

Dana Balitzer, CC '08, said that she isn't worried about getting a seat.

"I think it [the changes] will help a lot of people," she said. "It's about the skills rather than just staying awake."

Julian said the AAMC may make more changes as the year goes on.

"This is going to be a learning year," she said. "We probably don't have it perfect the first time."