Most, and the key word here is MOST schools take the best set of scores. Some look only at the most recent, some at the first. They do not average them together, nor do they take individual scores from different administrations to form an aggregate set of scores. I STRONGLY recommend you not take the test "for practice". Assume you only have one shot at this test, and approach it accordingly.

MCAT scores are good for a period of two years. For instance, April 2005 is the oldest MCAT accepted for entry with the 2008 first year class.

All applicants to the RMED Program need to have competitive GPA and MCAT scores. Talk to your premedical advisor at your university.

This will depend in part on the school. For many schools, your scores will be valid for five years. However for some, they will be valid for only three years. The medical schools count backward from the time you would matriculate into medical school to determine how old your scores are. So to determine if your scores are valid, determine when you would start medical school, and count back 3 or 5 years.

Of the four MCAT scores, the WS score is usually the least important. Some schools almost disregard it and assess an applicant's writing ability from his AMCAS personal statement. A number of Canadian schools have a WS cut-off, below which an applicant would be automatically rejected. The University of Manitoba actually assigns a numerical value to the WS score and incorporates this into the calculation of the average score.

We will not consider the January 2007 MCAT as a basis for determining whether to invite candidates for an interview. We might, however, consider the score if an applicant on our waitlist after interviewing sends an official score report.

NJMS accepts MCAT scores from any year. All 2007 MCAT dates are acceptable for applicants who wish to enter in 2008.

most schools, a composite score of 30 or higher combined with a GPA of 3.5 or higher is very competitive. Also, "balanced" scores (e.g. 10, 10, 10) are more desirable than "lopsided" scores (e.g. 5, 13, 12).

Yes. Our program will accept MCAT scores instead of GRE scores. Our Admissions Committee is looking for candidates with MCAT scores that would make them competitive with traditional medical school applicants, thus your scores should meet the minimum standard for UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health applicants.

Evaluation methods vary somewhat among schools. Some schools, particularly larger institutions that process many applications, use a scoring system in which each essay receives separate scores for content, style, and mechanics. Other schools take a more holistic approach, relying on written comments from evaluators as well as discussion among admissions committee members.

The criteria are research-based guidelines of systemic school improvement that address accreditation’s central tenet: a school operates with a clear understanding of its purpose. The criteria were developed with the assistance of numerous practicing educational leaders and theorists. The objective was to develop criteria that brought attention to concepts and factors that differentiate between effective and ineffective schools.

If you are hoping to matriculate in a professional school the year after you graduate, you should take these exams in the spring of your Junior year. If you plan to do a gap year after you graduate, you should take the MCAT or GRE in the spring two years before you hope to matriculate. For example, if you plan to matriculate in Fall 2010, you will be applying in Fall 2009, which means you should take the MCAT or GRE no later than the Spring of 2009.

Tests scores and school report cards are available for all schools through the Illinois State Board of Education. Their website (www.isbe.state.il.us) has all of this information. You can also find information at www.nclb.cps.k12.il.us or call the No Child Left Behind Hotline at 773-553-2023.

The answer to this question changes slightly from program to program and is influenced by other factors. Typically, a science GPA of 3.5 or higher combined with a 30 on the MCAT (at least 10 on each section) will make a student competitive. For example, the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine (http://www.ohsu.edu/som/) 2005-2006 entering class had an average total GPA of 3.63, an average science GPA of 3.57, and average MCAT score of 31.

No, your scores are automatically released to AMCAS. You will, however, need to have your scores sent to non-AMCAS schools through the online MCAT Testing History (MCAT THx) Reporting System. In addition, any results from MCATs taken prior to April 2003 must be released through MCAT THx.