MCAT Canada Registration - Information for Canadian Test Registrants

Oxford Seminars MCAT Information

Upcoming MCAT Test Dates Across Canada

The MCAT exam is offered at various centres in Canada from the end of January to early September. An individual can only register for one test session and can take the exam a maximum of three times a year. Students are recommended to register at least 60 days prior to their preferred exam date.

Students can register for the MCAT by visiting www.aamc.org/mcat.

For further information regarding location or scheduling, contact the MCAT office by mail or phone:

Association of American Medical Colleges
Medical College Admission Test
2450 N St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-828-0690
mcat@aamc.org

The following chart outlines MCAT test dates for 2010, Registration Deadlines, and the Score Release Schedule.

* Regular Registration Closes: Last date for initial registration without late fee and last date for changes to initial registration (including cancellations).
** Late Registration Closes: Last date for initial registration (late fee assessed).

Canadian Test Centres

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Manitoba

Quebec

Saskatchewan

Nova Scotia

Newfoundland

New Brunswick

MCAT Test Fees for Canadian Registrants

The following table summarizes the MCAT fees and services. Acceptable payment includes U.S. funds only by Visa or Mastercard.

Regular registration applies to registrants in Canada and the U.S. For more information regarding registration fees, fee assistance program, and penalties pertaining to cancellation, visit the official website at: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/reserving/fees.htm

About the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)

The AAMC serves and leads the academic medicine community to improve the health of all.

The AAMC represents all 131 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; approximately 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centres; and nearly 90 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 125,000 faculty members, 75,000 medical students, and 106,000 resident physicians.

The vision of the AAMC and its members is a healthy nation and world in which:

• America 's system of medical education, through continual renewal and innovation, prepares physicians and scientists to meet the nation's evolving health needs;

• the nation's medical students, biomedical graduate students, residents, fellows, faculty, and the health care workforce are diverse and culturally competent;

• advances in medical knowledge, therapies, and technologies prevent disease, alleviate suffering, and improve quality of life;

• the nation's health system meets the needs of all;

• concern for compassion, quality, safety, efficacy, accountability, affordability, professionalism, and the public good guide the health care community;

• medical schools and teaching hospitals continually earn the trust and support of the public for their special missions.

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About the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to measure problem solving, critical thinking, writing skills, and knowledge of scientific concepts and principles which are considered essential for success when studying medicine.

The multiple choice section consists of four core components:

• Physical Sciences
• Verbal Reasoning
• Biological Sciences
• Writing Sample

Each of the four sections contributes to the test taker’s score. Scores that are more than three years old will not be considered in many schools.

To view each section in more detail, visit the “Exam Content” section of MCAT Essentials: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatessentials.pdf

MCAT Test Centre Regulations

It is important to take proper identification to the testing centre. This must be a valid government-issued ID containing an expiration date, a photo, and a signature. The following documents are accepted forms of identification:

• Driver’s licence
• Passport

The name listed on the documentation must match what is listed on the registration form. Work or school IDs and library cards are not accepted.

Food or drinks and other personal items (i.e., calculator, phone) are not allowed in the room when writing the test.

If a test-taker has a medical condition or disability that requires them to bring personal items into the test room, they will need to apply for accommodations and receive approval.

MCAT Contact Information for Canadian Registrants

Canadian registrants can contact MCAT by internet, email, telephone, fax, or mail. The contact information for each method is listed below.

• Internet
  www.aamc.org
  
• Email
  annmeet@aamc.org
  
• Telephone
  Customer Service Representatives
  Phone: (202) 828-0400
  Fax: (202) 828-1125
  
• Mail
  Association of American Medical Colleges
  2450 N Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20037-1126

Contacting the MCAT Office of Accommodated Testing Services

Accommodation Requests and Supporting Documentation:

All requests for accommodations and supporting documentation must be sent by mail or courier.

AAMC
MCAT Office of Accommodated Testing
Attn: Saresa Davis, Mailroom Supervisor
2450 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037

Inquiries and Decision Letter Requests:

For general inquiries and decision letter requests, email accommodations@aamc.org.

If a test-taker has concerns about the test centre’s policies, they can visit the website at http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/taking/testcentreconcern.htm for more information.

Note: Application materials sent by electronic mail or facsimile will not be accepted.

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MCAT Exam Scores and Release Dates

Test-takers can review their exam scores via the MCAT Testing History (THx) System at https://services.aamc.org/mcatthx/. The release date for the exam scores are 30-35 days after the completion of the exam.

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Understanding Your MCAT Scores

Multiple-Choice
Raw scores for the multiple-choice sections (Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, and Biological Science) will be graded on a scale ranging from 1 (lowest) to 15 (highest). Questions that are left unanswered are classed as an incorrect answer.

Writing Sample
The writing sample score is a result from adding the scores acquired on the two responses written on the exam. Writing samples are graded by two readers; concluding in a four score rating: two for the first response and two for the second. From the raw scores, the scale scores are determined; the scale scores appear on your final score report.

Raw scores for the writing sample are converted to an alphabetic scale that ranges from J (lowest) to T (highest).

Scaled Scores

Raw scores are converted to scaled scores because of the small variations in difficulty between the questions. Converting the scores helps lower the variability in test scores. The 15 point scale provides a more precise evaluation of a student’s abilities.

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Requesting a Rescore

MCAT Test-takers who believe that there have been scoring errors may request a rescore of the multiple choice sections and the writing sample section. To request a rescore, view the “Request a Rescore” section of the 2010 MCAT® Essentials: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatessentials.pdf

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Getting Your Scores into AMCAS and Releasing to Non AMCAS Institutions

Scores are automatically released to the AMCAS for students who have taken the exam since 2003. Students do not need to insert their scores into an application; however, they cannot withhold any scores either. For students who wrote prior to 2003, please visit http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/start.htm

Scores that are two or three years old are generally accepted by Medical Schools. However, it is recommended that you check the application policies of the school that you plan to apply to ensure your score is not outdated.

Test Centre or Date Changes

Changes to your test date and/or test centre can be made as long as there are seats available before the posted regular registration deadline associated with your initial test date. Also keep in mind that additional registration fees will apply. If you make a change in both test date and center simultaneously, you will be charged a single charge of just $55; however, if you make separate changes, you will be charged individually for each, resulting in total charge of $110.

For more information on test centre or date changes, visit http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/reserving/changesandcancellations.htm.

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Cancellation and Refund Policy

If a test-taker decides that they do not want to participate in the writing of the exam after they have registered for it, they will be eligible for a partial refund if the cancellation is performed by the posted regular registration date.

The maximum refund for the regular registration fee is $115; if a test-taker receives fee assistance from the AAMC, their refund will be $85. Additional fees paid for late registration or other charges are not refundable.

To make a refund request, students will need to cancel their exam online at least 14 days in advance to the test date. Generally, the refund will be automatically applied to the original form of payment; however the funds may not appear on your account for a few days. Please note that the AAMC does not grant deadline extensions or have an appeal process.

If a student misses the cancellation deadline, it is best to still request a cancellation without a refund. This process will allow the student to register sooner for another test date. If doing so, contact the MCAT Resource Centre no later than 2 business days prior to the test date registered for.

For more information on cancellations and refunds, visit http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/reserving/changesandcancellations.htm

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Voiding Your Exam

MCAT test-takers have the option to void their exam if they do not feel comfortable with their performance and would prefer that their exam not be scored. Students are provided this opportunity at the conclusion of the exam.

Repeating the MCAT

Test-takers may register for another writing 48 hours after their scheduled test date. This rules applies to all registered examinees, including examinees who experience a problem at the test centre, are turned away for improper ID, or simply do not show up for the exam.

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Ordering Practice Tests

Online practice tests will help one to become familiar with the format and content of the exam, as well as scoring. To access free practice materials or those that may be purchased, visit http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/preparing/orderingpracticetests.htm. Select from updated versions of retired exams that include MCAT questions and solutions explained by the test developers, customized content to target specific material, automated scoring, and diagnostic reports.

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MCAT Preparation Courses Across Canada

Oxford Seminars offers 22-hour and 40-hour MCAT test preparation courses all across Canada:
Calgary | Edmonton | Guelph | Halifax | Kingston | London | Ottawa | Toronto | Vancouver | Victoria | Winnipeg

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Canadian Medical School Profiles

The following links take you to concise descriptions of fourteen Canadian medical schools. Each profile covers admission requirements, application deadlines, first-year class sizes, curriculum, special programs, expenses and financial aid, and a link to each medical schools own website for additional information.

• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• University of Calgary
• Dalhousie University
• University of Manitoba
• McGill University
• McMaster University
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Northern Ontario School of Medicine
• University of Ottawa
• Queen's University
• University of Saskatchewan
• University of Toronto
• University of Western Ontario

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