efars1
05-05-2006, 10:54 AM
The AAMC Introduces the Computerized MCAT
From: Ellen Julian, Director of the MCAT
To all those interested in the new computerized MCAT: Welcome!
The AAMC expects August 2006 to be the final paper-based administration of the MCAT. On these Web pages dedicated to the transition to a fully-computerized MCAT, we are proud to present the dates for the 22 computerized MCAT administrations in 2007. You will also find a current list of Thomson-Prometric testing centers where the test will be administered and an extensive list of questions and answers about the computerization of the MCAT.
We encourage you to register for the computerized MCAT this August, when it will be offered in every Thomson-Prometric center. Feedback from the examinees about the computer-based test has been very positive. We've included some of their reviews in the pages that follow.
We're excited to have you join us during this important milestone in the long history of the MCAT.
Ellen Julian, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President, AAMC
Director, MCAT
The MCAT® is going Paperless!
The MCAT is going paperless! Most of our international test sites have been computer-based for several years. Last year we added 10 US sites as alternatives for those who prefer the computer-based test (CBT). We have learned a lot about computer-based testing from these experiences, and now intend to deliver the MCAT exclusively as a CBT in 2007. Thomson-Prometric will deliver the computer-based MCAT on behalf of the AAMC multiple times per year, through hundreds of testing labs throughout North America and select sites in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
Benefits of a Computerized MCAT
Computerizing the MCAT will offer advantages for both students and the professional schools that use MCAT scores for admission decisions. Test administrations will increase from twice a year to 22 test sessions per year. Morning and afternoon sessions will be available, as will be both weekdays and Saturdays. Students may take the MCAT up to three times per year, but may be registered for only one test date at a time. Dates and times are available on the MCAT Web site.
The computerized test day will be approximately half as long as the current paper administration day primarily because there is less administrative overhead. In addition, research showed that a shorter MCAT would retain its predictive power. Beginning in 2007, the number of questions will be reduced by about one-third (without changing the content representation,) and the allowed testing time by about 30%.
Scores will be reported in 30 days instead of 60 days. Our objective is to eventually reduce reporting to 14 days.
Thomson-Prometric testing centers are climate- and sound-controlled, designed and built exclusively for computer-based testing. Ergonomic chairs, guest lockers state-of-the-art equipment, and noise reduction headphones will be available to examinees.
Computerized MCAT Registration and Scheduling
Online registration for each test day will open six months prior to each testing date. Thomson Prometric will reserve test seats for MCAT examinees until 60 days before the test day in consideration. After this period of time expires, the seats will be released to people who wish to register for other tests. However, a student will still be able to register for the MCAT up until two weeks in advance of the chosen test day. Through online registration and scheduling, changing test dates will also be possible.
Updates, dates, times and general locations for MCAT administrations will be available on this web site. Thomson-Prometric has sites around the world and spread throughout North America. They are building new sites in locations where the MCAT has more examinees than they can seat. When registration opens for the computerized MCAT in June 2006, the final list of computer-based testing sites for August will be available.
The Beta Computerized MCAT
On August 19, 2006, the AAMC will administer the computerized MCAT in all Thomson Prometric testing sites, in conjunction with the regular paper administration on that date. Registration will open to all MCAT students in June 2006. Paper- and computerized-MCAT examinees will take the same test, but the computerized MCAT day will most likely be shorter. Computerized MCAT testing has averaged two hours shorter than paper because of its increased efficiency. Students wishing to register for the August 19th computerized MCAT should select the "computer-based" option when registering.
Once the August data are analyzed and evaluated, we fully expect to announce at the AAMC's November Annual Meeting that the MCAT will be entirely computer-based beginning in January 2007.
Thomson Prometric Testing Centers
Thomson Prometric is the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services, offering hundreds of testing sites throughout North American and the world for MCAT administration. Thomson Prometric is also expanding its test center network in select locations to ensure proper and adequate coverage for MCAT examinee demand. View the current list of available Thomson Prometric test sites. This list is dynamic and new testing centers will be added as they are established. To learn more about Thomson Prometric, Visit: www.prometric.com.
From: Ellen Julian, Director of the MCAT
To all those interested in the new computerized MCAT: Welcome!
The AAMC expects August 2006 to be the final paper-based administration of the MCAT. On these Web pages dedicated to the transition to a fully-computerized MCAT, we are proud to present the dates for the 22 computerized MCAT administrations in 2007. You will also find a current list of Thomson-Prometric testing centers where the test will be administered and an extensive list of questions and answers about the computerization of the MCAT.
We encourage you to register for the computerized MCAT this August, when it will be offered in every Thomson-Prometric center. Feedback from the examinees about the computer-based test has been very positive. We've included some of their reviews in the pages that follow.
We're excited to have you join us during this important milestone in the long history of the MCAT.
Ellen Julian, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President, AAMC
Director, MCAT
The MCAT® is going Paperless!
The MCAT is going paperless! Most of our international test sites have been computer-based for several years. Last year we added 10 US sites as alternatives for those who prefer the computer-based test (CBT). We have learned a lot about computer-based testing from these experiences, and now intend to deliver the MCAT exclusively as a CBT in 2007. Thomson-Prometric will deliver the computer-based MCAT on behalf of the AAMC multiple times per year, through hundreds of testing labs throughout North America and select sites in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
Benefits of a Computerized MCAT
Computerizing the MCAT will offer advantages for both students and the professional schools that use MCAT scores for admission decisions. Test administrations will increase from twice a year to 22 test sessions per year. Morning and afternoon sessions will be available, as will be both weekdays and Saturdays. Students may take the MCAT up to three times per year, but may be registered for only one test date at a time. Dates and times are available on the MCAT Web site.
The computerized test day will be approximately half as long as the current paper administration day primarily because there is less administrative overhead. In addition, research showed that a shorter MCAT would retain its predictive power. Beginning in 2007, the number of questions will be reduced by about one-third (without changing the content representation,) and the allowed testing time by about 30%.
Scores will be reported in 30 days instead of 60 days. Our objective is to eventually reduce reporting to 14 days.
Thomson-Prometric testing centers are climate- and sound-controlled, designed and built exclusively for computer-based testing. Ergonomic chairs, guest lockers state-of-the-art equipment, and noise reduction headphones will be available to examinees.
Computerized MCAT Registration and Scheduling
Online registration for each test day will open six months prior to each testing date. Thomson Prometric will reserve test seats for MCAT examinees until 60 days before the test day in consideration. After this period of time expires, the seats will be released to people who wish to register for other tests. However, a student will still be able to register for the MCAT up until two weeks in advance of the chosen test day. Through online registration and scheduling, changing test dates will also be possible.
Updates, dates, times and general locations for MCAT administrations will be available on this web site. Thomson-Prometric has sites around the world and spread throughout North America. They are building new sites in locations where the MCAT has more examinees than they can seat. When registration opens for the computerized MCAT in June 2006, the final list of computer-based testing sites for August will be available.
The Beta Computerized MCAT
On August 19, 2006, the AAMC will administer the computerized MCAT in all Thomson Prometric testing sites, in conjunction with the regular paper administration on that date. Registration will open to all MCAT students in June 2006. Paper- and computerized-MCAT examinees will take the same test, but the computerized MCAT day will most likely be shorter. Computerized MCAT testing has averaged two hours shorter than paper because of its increased efficiency. Students wishing to register for the August 19th computerized MCAT should select the "computer-based" option when registering.
Once the August data are analyzed and evaluated, we fully expect to announce at the AAMC's November Annual Meeting that the MCAT will be entirely computer-based beginning in January 2007.
Thomson Prometric Testing Centers
Thomson Prometric is the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services, offering hundreds of testing sites throughout North American and the world for MCAT administration. Thomson Prometric is also expanding its test center network in select locations to ensure proper and adequate coverage for MCAT examinee demand. View the current list of available Thomson Prometric test sites. This list is dynamic and new testing centers will be added as they are established. To learn more about Thomson Prometric, Visit: www.prometric.com.