10/8/09 GM Minutes

 AMSA Fall 2009-Week 7 General Meeting Minutes (10/08/2009) 

Kaplan’s Cracking (Tackling, Befriending, etc.) the MCAT 

What IS the MCAT? 

• It tests not the science content but the critical thinking and ability to apply these contents to solve problems that are described during the test. Knowledge on content throughout the spectra of life sciences (general biology, organic chemistry) and physical sciences (general chemistry, and physics) is assumed

• The Verbal section assumes no prior knowledge. All the information needed to analyze the problems is given in the passage. The test-taker must be able to breakdown the argument in the passage. The three main topics for VR passages are natural science (excluding those in the other two multiple choice section), social science, and humanities

• The writing sample tests the ability to see a problem then apply/posit solutions to it.

• The multiple choice section is relevant in gauging the prospective student’s ability to perform in the first two years of medical school classes. The writing sample is more of a measurement for the last two years.

• MCAT is needed in order to standardize the quality of students from various educational institutions. It is an attempt to eliminate variables such as the “easier classes” or “better schools” ones.

The numbers 

• There are three multiple choice sections: life science (52 questions, 70 minutes), physical science (52 questions, 70 minutes), and verbal reasoning (40 questions, 60 minutes). Each has a score range of 1-15

• There are two essays and both scores are combined formulaically, yielding a letter score with a range of J-T. Writing each essay is given a 30-minute time slot.

• Average matriculate scores:

o Physical Science: 10.3

o Life Science: 10.6

o Verbal Reasoning: 9.9

o Writing Sample: P

Outline of Kaplan Course 

• Technique: Stop (do not read the answer choices for content but glance at it to know the type of question i.e. calculation vs. conceptual), Think (know the actual question i.e. what is left vs. what is used up; relevant information needed), Predict (actual work to get answer), Match (find the answer choice matching prediction).

• The outline of the syllabus: test-taking strategies every other four class, content (the bulk of the course), and endurance (towards the last 1/3 of the course, applying both strategy and content to take practice tests though practice tests are taken throughout the course).

• Smart Report: Kaplan has a pool of ~11,000 questions. Taking all of them would be very time consuming and futile. “Smart Report” portrays the strengths and weaknesses by categories of specific topics, question level, question type, etc. so students can be selective in taking practice questions.

Upcoming Events 

• Free Practice MCAT Test on Saturday, October 10, 2009. Location is 160 Dwinelle. MCAT test takes about 260 minutes and the answers will be discussed afterwards. This will be a paper test but MCAT is a non-adaptive, computer-based test. This event is open to the public so bring your friends with you!

• Kaplan’s Interview Skills workshop on October 12, 2009 in 170 Barrows from 6-7pm.

For more information, contact one of the AMSA board members. For specifically Kaplan questions, contact Petros Minasi at Petros.Minasi@kaplan.com. Remember our National AMSA stackable discount of $200. Also, signing-up around Thanksgiving and Winter Holiday could come with an additional $200. AMSA will email you regarding these specials.