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.