Students typically take a standardized test as part of their application to health professions school. Each test differs in subject matter. All test for reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, problem-solving ability, and subject area knowledge. Students should plan to take the exams after they have taken the classes in the subject areas covered.

More Information about each standardized tests can be found on their respective websites:

• Medical (MD/DO): Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
• Dental: Dental Admission Test (DAT)
• Veterinary, Public Health, Nursing, Physician Assistant, and Physical Therapy, etc.: Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
• Optometry: Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
• Pharmacy: Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)

The MCAT

Students should take the MCAT after they have taken classes in the subject areas covered. Medical applicants will have taken General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, Psychology and Sociology.

About half of our applicants take prep courses, others self-study using test prep books and resources found online. Beyond studying content, we recommend practicing with online problems and sample exams that replicate the actual MCAT testing conditions, analyzing your strengths and areas to improve with each set of practice material, and adjusting study and preparation strategies accordingly. Below are organizations that provide online courses and/or resources:

• Kaplan
• Princeton Review
• Examkrackers
• AAMC
  
• The Brem Method

Note: We do not officially promote, sponsor or recommend any preparation company.

MCAT Fee Assistance Program

The MCAT and the AMCAS online applications are both administered by the AAMC. The AAMC offers a Fee Assistance Program (FAP) to US citizens or permanent residents who would otherwise be unable to take the MCAT or apply to AMCAS-participating schools. The deadline for applying for the FAP is generally 6-8 weeks prior to the MCAT for which you are registering or 3 weeks prior to your first school’s AMCAS application deadline. Applicants who receive FAP waivers may also be eligible for waivers from secondary application fees. AACOMAS, the application service for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, also offer an application fee waiver. AADSAS, the application service for Dental School also has a fee assistance program. Many other health professions programs also have fee assistance programs. Please check with their respective application services for more information.