MCAT, or the Medical College Admission Test, is one of the most challenging computer-based standardized examinations.
It is designed to test prospective and potential medical students in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean islands.
If you are planning to take up MCAT and deal with some questions like if calculators are allowed for MCAT? Then here you are.
In this article, you will get your answer and also some tips to prepare for MCAT, so read on further.
Can Calculators Be Used In The MCAT?
MCAT is one of the challenging and interdisciplinary exams used to examine your knowledge, critical thinking, and your reasoning skills in various fields.
The answer to the question, can calculators be used on MCAT? Is
Unfortunately no.
As per the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), calculators, including phone apps, basic ones, or advanced graphing calculators, are not permitted for MCAT.
Never mind, even though calculators are not permitted, you can still crack the exam with some practice and tricks. To know them, read on further.
Why Are Calculators Not Allowed On MCAT?
Many of you may be wondering why calculators are not allowed for MCAT. So here is your answer.
MCAT is a reasoning exam rather than a mathematical exam, and the main aim of this exam is to assess whether the students are potential enough to join medical school.
Below are a few reasons to justify why calculators are not permitted by AAMC.
Nature Of The Exam.
The MCAT exam is not a typical mathematical one that would require the use of calculators. It is mostly based on reasoning skills.
It is used to evaluate your problem-solving skills, written analysis, and knowledge relevant to the field of verbal reasoning, physical sciences, and biological sciences.
Yes, there are some problems for which you may require mathematical skills, but learning some mathematical tricks will create ease for you to draw solutions for such problems.
Potential For Cheating.
Calculators, especially scientific and graphing ones, can easily save equations and data, making mathematical endeavors much easier.
Due to this, it is possible for hackers to access these files and equations even on those small screens leading to more potential for cheating.
Which Questions May Require The Use Of Calculators?
MCAT is a conceptual exam that may require fundamental mathematical concepts like algebra, trigonometry, arithmetic functions, and basic statistics.
These mathematical questions are mostly based on the physical and chemical foundation of the biological system.
MCAT is designed in such a way that students can answer the questions by applying strategies, knowledge, and tricks without any need for a calculator.
Tips To Crack MCAT Without Calculators.
Here are some of the tips that will definitely help you to crack the MCAT even without using calculators.
Determine Your Baseline
Before designing your study schedule for the MCAT examination, go for a full-length practice test.
The results from this practice test will help you to determine which areas need more focus and improvements and drastically increase the chances of securing good scores for the MCAT.
Practice Skills In Mental Maths.
We are so dependent on calculators that we often forget how to draw solutions for basic mathematical problems.
Before appearing for the MCAT, brush up on your basic mathematic skills. Solve fundamental mathematical problems.
Try to familiarize yourself with basic equations and incorporate mental maths in everyday life.
Here are some of the mathematical concepts you should be clear about before appearing for the MCAT.
- Equations.
Get familiar with the basic linear and quadratic equations so that you can easily solve the problems.
- Trigonometric functions.
Trigonometric functions are used to solve a wide range of problems, whether it be calculating the distance of a faraway object or determining the relationships between the angles and sides of a triangle.
- Formulas.
Make sure you are aware of basic algebraic and arithmetic formulas and basic statistics like mean, median, mode, standard deviations, percentiles, proportions, logarithms, etc.
Manage Stress And Pace Yourself.
MCAT is a lengthy test, and you often may get exhausted, especially while solving tricky mathematical questions.
At such time the only option is to manage your stress and pace yourself in order to have a positive impact on your results.
In order to manage the stress before the exam, here are a few tips for you.
- Plan your MCAT study schedule.
- Set long-term and short-term MCAT preparation goals.
- Exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep.
- Eliminate distractions while preparing for the MCAT examination.
Brush Up Your Reasonable Accuracy.
As most of the questions are tricky, you can make simple approximations that will help you to solve them easily.
Don’t get confused or pressure yourself seeing the big numbers; apply your logic and strategies to solve such questions.
Take Up Practice Tests.
As it is said, ‘Practice Makes Man Perfect,’ Take-up as many practice tests as possible, as it will help boost your confidence and improve your performance.
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Conclusion: You Can’t Use Calculators for MCAT!
By putting in the necessary efforts and enough study time, you can crack the MCAT even without using calculators.
Once you understand the tact to solve such tricky mathematical problems with reasoning skills and tricks, you will realize that you can crack anything the test has your way.
Don’t get anxious; follow all the tips mentioned above before preparing for MCAT.
If you have any queries feel free to drop them in the comments section below.
FAQs
No, You are not allowed to use any type of calculator for the MCAT. Math-related questions are not so complex; you can solve them without the need for calculators.
Yes, MCAT is one of the extremely difficult and challenging exams. But it can be cracked by putting in the necessary efforts and applying knowledge, skills, strategies, etc.
No, MCAT is not a mathematical exam. It comprises maths problems based on knowledge of Chemistry, Physics, and Statistics that can be mastered with enough practice.
In order to get admission to an MD program in the top most Medical schools or colleges, you will require an MCAT score of 510 or above.
You can take the MCAT exam about three times a year, four times over a period of two years, and not more than seven times in your lifetime.
