Entrance Exams
The Medical College Admissions Test, more commonly referred to as the MCAT, is a high-stakes, standardized exam designed to assess an applicant's knowledge of scientific concepts as well as their problem solving and critical thinking abilities. Scores provide podiatry schools with a universal way to compare applicants. Scores are typically valid for three years.
MCAT Basics
The MCAT is broken into four sections of equal weight:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations for Behavior
The best place to go for information on test content, preparation advice (check out the MCAT Hub), and scoring is the AAMC website. The AAMC also offers free preparation resources and reduced registration fees for students who qualify for the Financial Assistance Program.
The list of recommended pre-podiatry courses on the Academic page is designed to help students create an academic plan that will prepare them for the MCAT. A PMHSC advisor can help with course sequencing and selecting MCAT dates. During the year leading up to the exam, students need to educate themselves about the test and preparation options. The PMHSC does not endorse any particular course or method, but supports students in making the best choice for themselves. The PMHSC offers a workshop about all of the things students should consider prior to preparing for the exam in the fall semester each year. Check the Workshop Series webpage for dates and times.
MCAT Scoring
Each section of the MCAT is scored in a range of 118 to 132 with a midpoint of 125. The full exam scores range from 472 to 528 with a midpoint of 500. Percentile ranks are updated annually.
Competitive MCAT Scores for Podiatry School
Just like GPAs, each podiatry school has its own cut off and competitive range of scores. Each of the nine podiatry schools publishes a class profile in the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) College Information Book.