MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in Canada follows a similar pattern to the MCAT in the United States. Here's a breakdown of the syllabus and pattern:

MCAT Sections:

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems:
⚫ This section assesses your understanding of basic biological and biochemical concepts.
⚫ Topics include biology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems:
⚫ This section evaluates your knowledge of foundational concepts in chemistry and physics.
⚫ Topics include general chemistry, physics, and introductory biology.

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior:
⚫ This section tests your understanding of the principles of psychology, sociology, and biology.
⚫ Topics include introductory psychology, sociology, and biology.

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS):
⚫ This section measures your ability to comprehend and analyze passages.
⚫ It doesn't require specific content knowledge but focuses on critical thinking and reading skills.

Syllabus Overview:
⚫ Biology: Cellular and molecular biology, genetics, organismal biology, and ecology.
⚫ Organic Chemistry: Structure, bonding, reactions, and synthesis of organic molecules.
⚫ Biochemistry: Macromolecular structure and function, metabolism, and genetics.
⚫ General Chemistry: Stoichiometry, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and equilibrium.
⚫ Physics: Mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and thermodynamics.
⚫ Psychology: Biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, and social psychology.
⚫ Sociology: Social behavior, social institutions, culture, and socialization.

Exam Format:
⚫ The MCAT is a computer-based test.
⚫ It consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with four possible answer choices.
⚫ Each section is timed separately, and there are breaks between sections.
⚫ The total testing time is approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, including breaks and tutorial time.
⚫ Scores range from 472 to 528, with the median score around 500.

Preparation:
⚫ Many students use various resources, including textbooks, review books, online courses, and practice exams, to prepare for the MCAT.
⚫ Some popular resources include Kaplan, Princeton Review, ExamKrackers, and Khan Academy.
⚫ It's essential to develop a study schedule and allocate sufficient time to review each content area and practice test-taking strategies.

Keep in mind that while the MCAT format and syllabus are relatively standardized, it's always a good idea to check the official AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) website or the Canadian equivalent for any updates or specific guidelines for Canadian test-takers.