THE APPLICATION PROCESS: The MCAT and Other Health Professions Examinations
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The MCAT
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills in addition to the examinee's knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.

Scores are reported in each of the following areas: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences. Medical college admission committees consider MCAT scores as part of their admission decision process.

Almost all U.S. medical schools require applicants to submit MCAT scores during the application process. Many schools do not accept MCAT scores if taken more than three years ago.

Applicants should refer to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR™) to determine specific MCAT requirements. The MSAR may be reviewed at many premedical advising offices or purchased from the AAMC Publications Web site.

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The DAT
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) and has been in operation on a national basis since 1950. The Dental Admission Test is administered on computer on almost any day of the year. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability. While all dental schools require examinees to participate in the Dental Admission Testing Program, test results are only one factor considered in evaluating the admission potential of a examinee. Validity studies conducted by the testing program have shown that test scores in conjunction with collegiate records are useful in predicting performance. The relative importance of these predictors in the admission process is determined by the dental school.

The usual pre professional education requirement for admission to dental school stipulates at least two academic years of liberal arts study; however, many dental schools in the United States require three or more years of college. Applicants should be aware that 90 percent of the first year dental class completed four years of pre-professional education and that 82 percent of the first-year dental class received a baccalaureate degree prior to dental school enrollment.

There are certain basic pre-dental education courses that must be completed prior to enrollment in dental school. Because dental schools vary with regard to the required pre-dental education courses, it is essential that the applicant contact the appropriate schools to determine specific admission requirements. The ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure supports the acquisition of a baccalaureate degree prior to dental school enrollment.
Information about the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) is available from the American Dental Education Association.

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The OAT
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized examination designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information. The OAT is sponsored by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) for applicants seeking admission to an optometry program. All schools and colleges of optometry in the United States, and the University of Waterloo, Canada require the OAT.

The OAT consists of four tests: Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics and Quantitative Reasoning.

At least one year of college education, which should include courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, is required prior to taking the OAT. Most students, however, elect to complete two or more years of college prior to taking the exam.

The OAT exam is computerized and examinees are allowed to take the OAT an unlimited number of times but must wait at least 90 days between testing dates. However, only scores from the four most recent attempts and the total number of attempts will be reported. 

You can submit your application for the OAT examination and/or request additional copies of score reports online. You can view the Optometry Admission Testing Program - Online Candidate Guide, by clicking here: On-line Registration for OAT. You can request a free OAT candidate guide information booklet and a test application form by contacting the Optometric Admission Testing Program, 211 East Chicago Avenue, 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611-2678, (800) 232-2159. Only the printed edition of the OAT Candidate Guide contains samples of the four tests used in the Optometry Admission Testing Program.

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The GRE
The GRE® General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study.

Verbal Reasoning — The skills measured include the test taker's ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it analyze relationships among component parts of sentences recognize relationships between words and concepts.

Quantitative Reasoning — The skills measured include the test taker's ability to understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis reason quantitatively solve problems in a quantitative setting.

Analytical Writing — The skills measured include the test taker's ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively examine claims and accompanying evidence support ideas with relevant reasons and examples sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion control the elements of standard written English.

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