The Medical College Admission Test will only be available in computer format after the August 2006 written test is administered, a decision that marks the first change in the test in more than 10 years – Boston University prospective medical students concerned.
In a Kaplan survey, 82 percent of the students polled said they would do worse on the computer exam than on the written one.
According to the survey, some of their fears included computer malfunctions during the test, a lack of scratch paper and discomfort with the new style of test taking.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, this change rates a nine in terms of impact on test takers,” said Justin Serrano, vice president of graduate programs for Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. “This is a high-stakes exam that will be administered in a format with which most test-takers are not completely comfortable.”
College of Arts and Sciences freshman Moustafa Hassan said he is planning to go to medical school.
“I’d rather take it by hand as a normal test,” he said. “I’m more used to it so I’ll do better.”
BU Medical School Associate Dean of Admissions Bob Witzburg said he was surprised at the results of the Kaplan survey.
“The MCAT has been testing [the computer version] very extensively in the past,” he said. “The scores [of the computer and paper versions] are indistinguishable … and the feedback has been favorable.”
Some benefits for students taking the MCAT on the computer are more test dates, faster results and shorter tests, Serrano said.
CAS senior Schirin Tang said she took the written MCAT in August but might have taken the computer version if she had the choice.
“It would be easier to erase answers and the test is supposed to take quicker,” the pre-med student said.
She added that while it may be “daunting” to take the test in a different format, the test would be the same material.
“I think the computer generation would be fine with staring at a computer during the test,” Tang said.
James Botros, a CAS senior and teacher for Kaplan’s MCAT preparation courses, said the biggest problem in the switch is that there is a “much greater chance of fatigue and eye-strain” when sitting in front of a computer for eight hours.
“Kaplan will focus more than before on how to pace yourself and keep yourself from fatigue,” he said.
Botros added the computerized version of the test will be worth it because “the scores come out much faster and [the test] will be offered more times during the year.”
He said with the paper test there were only two opportunities every year and it took months to get the scores.
After taking both computer and written versions of the Graduate Record Examinations and scoring better on the computer version, CAS pre-med senior Tucker Larsen said he is confident about the computerized MCAT.
“I think it will eliminate errors in filling in bubbles,” he said.
Kaplan is urging pre-medical students to take the written test while it still exists to avoid anxiety about the new test format, Serrano said.
“Students … who have satisfied the basic science requirements should take the test before it changes,” he said.
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