As if getting in medical school wasnt hard enough. The Medical College Admissions Test is extending the five and a half hour test to seven hours, creating the largest revision to the test since 1991. The changes, which will take effect in 2015, will create additions to the behavioral social sciences and advanced science concepts in biochemistry and critical thinking sections on the test. In addition to the changes, the writing section of the test is being removed. Kaplan Test Preps director of pre-heath programs, Dr. Jeff Koetje, said changes to the test were implemented in order to align the test material with the current state of medical education and ultimately better prepare students for med school. A lot has changed in medicine and the sciences in the last 20 years, Koetje said. In basic sciences and especially in molecular biology there have been a lot of advances in the in-treatment programs and the way it applies directly to patients. Koetje explains that in addition to these advances, the relationship between doctors and patients has shifted, causing doctors to adopt a more holistic approach in patient care. Theres been a shift in culture of medicine in holistic approach to patient care, Koetje said. In the past, doctors have been criticized. Theres a real commitment on the part of physicians in cultural values and people who have language issues and different social economic backgrounds. Koetje said doctors are often faced with critical decisions on continuing medical treatment with patients who cannot afford care or do not have health insurance. Since the addition to the behavioral science portion will test students on this new holistic approach in medicine, Koetje said pre-med students should expect to take more social science classes to be better prepared for the test. Its not something you necessarily gain overnight, Koetje said. It has to be trained. In a survey conducted by Kaplan in January, about 95 percent of students described their current pre-med education as intense. Koetje said students might find it difficult to fit in the extra course work needed to prepare for the new MCAT, but taking the right classes is vital. Alex Galvin, senior in chemistry, has already taken the test, and she said students should talk to their advisers to prepare for the test changes. I would say just talk to the professional advisers and do your research before you take the exam, Galvin said. Make sure you do really well in your classes before you start and really focus on the big knowledge before taking the exam. Galvin plans to retake the MCAT in late March and is studying four to six hours a week. She said the hardest aspect of the MCAT is not the test-taking itself, but rather the anxiety of the impact the results have on a students future. I think the hardest part is kind of getting over the impact that it has on your chances on getting into school, Galvin said. Really its one of the biggest things to consider. You really have to get past that to even think about what is on the exam. According to Kaplan research, 43 percent of students who applied were accepted into med school across the country. Koetje said that despite the tedious changes in the test, he doesnt expect pre-med students to change their academic courses. Pre-med students are a tenacious bunch, especially the ones who wanted to be doctors since they were five, Koetje said. This is not going to deter someone who has had the goal for a long time. Its going to make it more important to manage the undergrad experience and really take full advantage of study opportunities. For information about MCAT changes, including updates and study tips, students can visit Kaplans website http://www.kaptest.com/mcat.

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MCAT to add new test sections in 2015 | News