The exam itself, which is offered throughout the year at various locations, cost $225 in 2009. But the bulk of the expense associated with medical school applications stems not from the exam, but the prep work necessary for the test. Many applicants take six- to 12-week courses to prepare for the test, at a cost of $1,500 or more. The test should be taken the year prior to entry into medical school, so a student wishing to begin medical school in the fall of 2011, for example, would take the exam in 2009-2010.
Scores are released to students and AMCAS, the American Medical College Application Service, which serves as a clearinghouse for applications and supplementary materials for nearly every U.S. medical school, about one month after the exam is taken. Students receive a score of 1 to 15 for each of the three portions of the exam - verbal, physical sciences and biological sciences - for a total score of up to 45 points. The written portion of the exam is assigned a letter grade ranging from J (the lowest score) to T (the highest). And no, there's no explanation as to why they pick this portion of the alphabet.
Huge caveat: The MCAT is undergoing an enormous revision. Beginning in 2015, the writing section will be dropped, and two new sections added - one on critical thinking and another devoted to the psychological, social and biological foundations of behavior. And what was once a five-plus hour exam will be six and a half.
Need more advice? This parent guide to med school apps should help.
