Exact Answer: Two To Three Years
MCAT is the short form of the Medical College Admission Test, which is conducted for admitting students interested in the medical field. This test is primarily conducted in the United States and Canada, along with fifteen other countries. The test is entirely computer-based, and it is given physically by reaching the exam centers.
Summary
The test paper contains many questions ranging from problem-solving skills to critical thinking. It also contains questions about writing analysis and tests the students’ knowledge of various scientific theories and problems related to the medical sector. It checks the student’s knowledge on all fronts, and it requires a lot of hard work to excel in this exam.
How Long After MCAT Can You Apply?
MCAT was started in the year 1928 and was conducted on pen and paper up to 2006. However, because of the overuse of natural resources and unfair means of pen and paper exams, the test was conducted on computers from 2007. The most recent version of the introduced exam takes seven and a half hours to complete the test. The score of the test typically ranges from 472 to 528. AAMC or the American Association of Medical Colleges is responsible for the smooth and hassle-free conduction of the exams in all places.
Students aspiring to appear for an MCAT exam can appear for a maximum of three-time in one year. They are allowed to take the paper four times in two years. The total number of attempts that a student can take is seven, and there is no age limit for a student to appear for the exam. It is considered one of the toughest exams, and it requires consistent grit and determination and to succeed in the exam.
| Country In Which MCAT Is Conducted | Time After MCAT To Apply |
| America | Three Years |
| Canada | Two Years |
After the MCAT score is out, the students can check whether they are eligible to apply for a college or not. In America, the MCAT score is accepted for three years after the exam. In contrast, Canada accepts the score for a maximum of two years. All other countries generally accept the MCAT score for two to three years after the exam.
Why Does It Take That Long After MCAT To Apply?
MCAT was first started in 1928 following a surge in the number of dropouts from medical colleges. The United States government investigated the reason behind it and found out that most medical students are not prepared or not interested in working in this field. As a result, the government decided that there was a need to conduct an exam that can test the student’s skills and filter out the deserving candidates to help control the dropout count and provide education to the interested students.
The pattern of the MCAT exam has been revised multiple times since its inception. In the beginning, from 1928 to 1946, a moss test was organized to test the students. However, a more straightforward test was introduced in 1946, which continued till 1962. From 1962 to 1977, the pattern was shifted to a status quo-based exam. Phase four of the pattern change was observed from 1977 to 1991. Up to 2014, a few minor changes were introduced, and the latest pattern was adopted in 2015.
It takes that long after MCAT to apply because most of the students appearing in the exam have not completed their science coursework in high school. They are required to complete that in their high school and then get admitted to the college. The students start preparing for the exam very early and sit for the exams from their high school days.
Conclusion
Finally, it can be concluded that MCAT is used to refer to Medical College Admission Test and is conducted in many countries, including Canada and the United States. The students can appear for this exam three times a year and a maximum of seven-time in their lifetime.
On average, students can apply for admission in the medical colleges for two to three years after clearing the exam. The exam was first conducted in 1928 and has seen many changes in the exam pattern since then. The test is based on merit and tests the knowledge of the students on various fronts.
References
- https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1998-12855-006
- https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Fulltext/2007/01000/Effectiveness_of_a_Formal_Post_baccalaureate.15.aspx
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