Starting in January, students taking the MCAT can put down their
pencils and pick up some eye drops. The MCAT is converting to
digital format and students taking the test will be staring into a
computer screen for over five hours.
With the new digital version, 30 percent of the test questions
will be cut, making the test about two hours shorter than it
currently is. The test will be available to take 22 times a year
rather than the current two available dates.
But these positive aspects come with a few drawbacks, said Matt
Fidler, the program manager for the MCAT at Kaplan.
“Almost 80 percent of students have never taken an exam
like this on computers before. Students will have to work up to
it,” Fidler said.
Diana Phan, a fourth-year psychobiology student who has taken
the MCAT, said though the changes seem positive she is unsure of
how the digital format will impact the feel of taking the test.
“On the paper (test), you can write in the margins, and
I’m not sure how you can do that on the computer. You can
pick out the most important passages and highlight them,” she
said.
For the new MCAT format students will have to take the exam at
one of several dedicated testing centers located throughout Los
Angeles, but seating in the exam rooms is limited to about 20
people, so students will have to register far in advance for the
date they want, Fidler said.
“Students seem excited for summer test dates, but with
only 20 seats at each location there may be students that are shut
out. Students need to understand the process and register far in
advance,” he said.
Majid Husain, a second-year undeclared student, does not think
space in the exam room will be a huge problem.
“That might be a problem if you decide last minute or
change your mind, but given the times and dates that
shouldn’t be an issue. The location might come into play, but
this is a big test, so you do what you have to do,” Husain
said.
Phan said the new locations will most likely not be an issue
because the new format eliminates some problems with the
traditional setting.
“I wouldn’t mind (the new testing locations) too
much, because you’re looking for an ideal testing
environment, ideally with a big desk. On a computer that’s
not a problem because everything is on the screen,” she
said.
With the new digital format and the reduction in the number of
questions, the test will take about five hours to complete, two
hours less than the current version.
“All categories will be the same, but there will just be
less questions,” Fidler said.
Husain is happy to see a reduction in the length of the test
before he has to take it.
“Personally, for me, I can’t sit through an
eight-hour test without losing concentration. This should make the
test taking a lot easier,” he said.
Students will also get their results in one month instead of
two, and by 2008 the turnaround could be two weeks, Fidler
said.
With the new turnaround times and availability of test dates
students may also be able to retake the test if they are unhappy
with their results, he added.
“Students may be able to take the test multiple times,
even for an early admissions deadline,” Fidler said.