Beginning in 2015, Northwestern's nearly 300 annual medical school hopefuls will face a Medical College Admission Test that is broader in scope. The revamped test will consume a nearly seven-hour time frame and place more emphasis on areas beyond the natural sciences, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the organization in charge of conducting the test.

The changes mark the first major amendments to the test since 1991.

Currently, the exam's four sections cover physical sciences, verbal reasoning, writing and biological science. The 2015 version will add behavioral science and biochemistry content and sections on critical analysis and reasoning, and retain a biological science section.

Although the new exam will not debut until 2015, current undergraduates could soon see corresponding changes in their courseloads, said Russell Schaffer, senior communications manager for Kaplan Test Prep. The shift in focus will require students to begin planning for the MCAT by taking relevant courses and deciding on the medical track as early as freshman year.

"Current college students will feel the impact in their education now," Schaffer said.

Despite the more rigorous timeline the new test presents, Weinberg sophomore Laura Ledvora said she supports the MCAT revisions because they emphasize a more complete medical world view.

"Doctors need to be well-rounded and educated in areas other than the sciences so that they are educated about how society works and know how to connect with people," Ledvora said. "This knowledge is necessary to form a good physician-patient relationship."

Medical school admissions officers hope the changes will provide more holistic information regarding applicant qualifications. In 2011, medical schools were faced with a record 43,919 applicants, and the applicant pool has grown yearly for the past decade, according to the AAMC.

Officials at top medical schools have expressed divided opinions about the changes. Brenda Armstrong of the Duke University School of Medicine told U.S. News and World Report that she fears requiring students to decide on medicine sooner will exclude non-science majors interested in medical school. Others are encouraged by the reforms, believing they will better align the MCAT with medical admissions standards.

NU's Feinberg School of Medicine adminstrators were unavailable for comment Monday.

The changes were finalized Feb. 16 after three years of deliberation and decision-making by the AAMC. The changes come at a time when many medical schools are implementing extensive curriculum reform. The revised MCAT will likely be in place until 2030.

katiemclaughlin2015@u.northwestern.edu

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MCAT changes require curriculum shift