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How does the AAMC PREview® Professional Readiness Exam differ from other assessments like the MCAT, and why is it an important component of the medical school admissions process?
We've noticed an increase in learner interest in the medical field and medical school and are posting a related question!
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Michelle M.
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Hello, CVOH !
It's great to know that more students are becoming aware of this relatively new exam for medical students and starting to ask more questions about it. Not all Medical Schools are requiring this test from applicants, however, it is anticipated that in the near future more Medical Schools will get on board with using this exam to evaluate competency of their applicants.
This exam evaluates how an applicant responds to different scenarios that they will encounter in medical school as well as in their medical careers.
The Association of American Medical Colleges has set some specific competencies in order for students to enter Medical School.
The way it works is that it is done online and the applicant assumes the role of a Medical Student. They are given a scenario and they are tested on how they respond to various ways that scenario can go. The student then responds to how a scenario would be and then rates the responses with a rating of Very Ineffective, Ineffective, Effective or Very Effective. This indicates that the student should actually have some book or hands on knowledge of patient care so that they can evaluate and grade the responses for the example. This exam is graded on a scale of 1 to 9 with 9 being a 100% grade and anything from 7 - 9 is considered a good score and what Medical Schools want to see in applicants. If an applicant does not pass, they can take the exam over again. At this time, the exam costs $100.00 to register for it the first time. If re-taking is needed, it costs $25.00. Cancelling 24 hours in advance, the student will get a 50% refund but a no-show will not receive a refund.
I love the sound of this test and by implementing it, it will serve as motivation for pre-medical students to obtain hands on experience or do volunteer work so that they can relate to the scenarios, be familiar with diagnosis, testing and treatments and have insight for patient care. I think that a pre-test like this should be developed for careers such as law and many other fields of work.
The student will need to check when they should exactly take this exam, I would say before taking the MCAT, but double check that. Not all students will be required to take this exam so they should check with their medical school as to if they need it and when to take it. Now, in contrast, the MCAT is a typical exam with multiple choice questions done online. It is a seven and a half hour exam but the students get breaks. Again, the student has to check with their medical school because not all require the MCAT and some schools waive it for certain students or certain programs at their medical school, so it's always a good idea to double check what is required and the guidelines of the particular medical school. The subjects that the students are tested on with the MCAT are Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Reasoning within text and Reasoning beyond text.
The colleges that are utilizing the AAMC Preview Professional Readiness exam want to evaluate the level of preparedness the student has obtained through their undergraduate studies and experiences. Just as the name says, the schools want insight on how ready the student is for medical school. It is a way to consider applicants when auditing applications.
I hope that this is helpful for a start because I am sure that there is a lot more nuance and more information about the AAMC Exam. I want to wish all students that take this exam the best and hope that becoming aware of it before or while an undergrad will help make the AAMC exam comprehensive and go smoothly for all students.
It's great to know that more students are becoming aware of this relatively new exam for medical students and starting to ask more questions about it. Not all Medical Schools are requiring this test from applicants, however, it is anticipated that in the near future more Medical Schools will get on board with using this exam to evaluate competency of their applicants.
This exam evaluates how an applicant responds to different scenarios that they will encounter in medical school as well as in their medical careers.
The Association of American Medical Colleges has set some specific competencies in order for students to enter Medical School.
The way it works is that it is done online and the applicant assumes the role of a Medical Student. They are given a scenario and they are tested on how they respond to various ways that scenario can go. The student then responds to how a scenario would be and then rates the responses with a rating of Very Ineffective, Ineffective, Effective or Very Effective. This indicates that the student should actually have some book or hands on knowledge of patient care so that they can evaluate and grade the responses for the example. This exam is graded on a scale of 1 to 9 with 9 being a 100% grade and anything from 7 - 9 is considered a good score and what Medical Schools want to see in applicants. If an applicant does not pass, they can take the exam over again. At this time, the exam costs $100.00 to register for it the first time. If re-taking is needed, it costs $25.00. Cancelling 24 hours in advance, the student will get a 50% refund but a no-show will not receive a refund.
I love the sound of this test and by implementing it, it will serve as motivation for pre-medical students to obtain hands on experience or do volunteer work so that they can relate to the scenarios, be familiar with diagnosis, testing and treatments and have insight for patient care. I think that a pre-test like this should be developed for careers such as law and many other fields of work.
The student will need to check when they should exactly take this exam, I would say before taking the MCAT, but double check that. Not all students will be required to take this exam so they should check with their medical school as to if they need it and when to take it. Now, in contrast, the MCAT is a typical exam with multiple choice questions done online. It is a seven and a half hour exam but the students get breaks. Again, the student has to check with their medical school because not all require the MCAT and some schools waive it for certain students or certain programs at their medical school, so it's always a good idea to double check what is required and the guidelines of the particular medical school. The subjects that the students are tested on with the MCAT are Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Reasoning within text and Reasoning beyond text.
The colleges that are utilizing the AAMC Preview Professional Readiness exam want to evaluate the level of preparedness the student has obtained through their undergraduate studies and experiences. Just as the name says, the schools want insight on how ready the student is for medical school. It is a way to consider applicants when auditing applications.
I hope that this is helpful for a start because I am sure that there is a lot more nuance and more information about the AAMC Exam. I want to wish all students that take this exam the best and hope that becoming aware of it before or while an undergrad will help make the AAMC exam comprehensive and go smoothly for all students.