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MCAT2015: A New Focus On Biochemistry
Author(s) -
Oyewole Saundra Herndon
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.244.1
Subject(s) - presentation (obstetrics) , medical education , outreach , medical school , psychology , medicine , political science , law , radiology
The 5th comprehensive review of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), informed by the AAMC‐Howard Hughes Medical Institute's “Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians (SFFFP)” and the AAMC “Behavioral and Social Science Foundations for Future Physicians” reports, resulted in major revisions to the MCAT. Both reports focused on the competencies that entering medical students need to be successful in medical school and in medical practice. Among the changes in the MCAT is the addition of biochemistry as one of the science content areas. Biochemistry concepts were added based on data presented in the SFFFP report, survey data from medical school respondents, and input from stakeholders at various outreach events regarding the importance of biochemistry. The data suggest that knowledge of biochemistry fundamentals is increasingly important to the academic success of entering medical students. This presentation will provide an overview of the entire exam, with a focus on the importance of scientific inquiry and research skills as students apply their knowledge to answer questions based on passages describing research protocols. Students will be required to analyze data presented in various formats (tables, graphs, etc.) in order to answer passage‐based questions. This exam includes biochemistry content covered in many first semester biochemistry courses. The format of questions requires a deeper understanding of research methods and data analysis than the former MCAT. In addition, the new MCAT covers cellular and molecular biology content that is taught in introductory biology sequences. The speaker served on the MR5 Committee that made the recommendations for the new MCAT.