Taking a mock MCAT exam is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the real test. Familiarity breeds confidence.
Taking a practice exam simulating test day conditions prepares your students for the real experience.
What You Will Need to Host a Mock Exam:
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A quiet room that can be reserved for 8.5 hours (7.5 hours for the exam, 1 hour for setup and cleanup).
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One computer with an internet connection for each student.
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One full-length practice exam for each student. The AAMC offers two free practice exams and low-cost practice exams.
How to Prepare to Host a Mock Exam:
Identify students who would benefit from mock exam day.
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Ask the participating students which AAMC MCAT Official Prep full-length practice tests they’ve already taken, if any. If you need to order practice exams on behalf of your students, advisors receive a 30% discount on all MCAT Official Prep products.
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If you purchase MCAT Official Prep products on behalf of your students, send them the access code from your code bank and request that they redeem it in advance.
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Invite students and determine the number of committed participants.
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Send an invitation and instructions to participating students. Request that students read the MCAT Essentials and watch the video about check-in and security procedures in advance of the mock exam. Your students should also come prepared with ID that meets requirements, lunch and snacks/drinks, and a practice exam to take.
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Reserve a room.
- Reserve an 8.5-hour block (7.5 hours for the exam, 1 hour for setup and cleanup).
- Select a room that has an internet-connected computer for each student.
Review the MCAT Test Day and Security resource to get acquainted with test-day procedures.
- Get familiar with test day conditions so you can recreate them as close as possible. For the real exam, all participants sign-in, present valid identification, have their palms digitally scanned, and have a test-day photograph taken. They will leave all their belongings in a locker, including water bottles, and are only allowed to have ID, a notepad and marker, their locker key, and earplugs provided by the testing center in the test center. (There are some medical items allowed without prior approval.)
- Plan to provide paper and a pen (or notepads and markers if available) and consider providing foam earplugs.
How to Host on Test Day:
Check in students as they arrive.
- Instruct students to store all belongings, food, and drink in a specific area of the room.
- Check for valid ID. Remind students their ID may be digitally scanned to verify authenticity on exam day.
- Inform students that they will have their palms scanned on test day and that they may also be subject to scanning by a security wand.
- Provide paper and a pen, and earplugs if using.
Once all students are seated, explain test day rules.
- Approximate seat time is 7 hours and 30 minutes.
- All personal belongings are stored in a secured locker or other storage solution provided by the test center. Students may not access their phones or any other electronic devices until the end of the exam.
- Food and drink may be accessed only during breaks. There are no refrigerators or microwaves, so students should not bring items that require temperature control.
- To take a break or leave the testing room, students should raise their hand to get the attention of the test administrator. The test administrator will escort those students out of the testing room.
- You are not permitted to leave the test room floor or building once you start the exam except to access the restroom.
- Taking more than the designated amount of time during a break will reduce the amount of time available to complete the next exam section.
- In case of a technical problem, students should raise their hand and request that the on-site test administrator submit a report.
- Students will be provided with a note board, fine-tipped marker, and foam ear plugs.
Explain the procedure for mock exam day. The practice test will guide students through all the timed sections and breaks for the day.
Instruct students to sign in to their AAMC MCAT Official Prep Hub accounts and start the practice test.
What Your Students Will Need:
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A valid ID.
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An AAMC account to access the AAMC MCAT Official Prep Hub with a practice exam they have not yet taken.
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A packed lunch and snacks/drinks that do not require refrigeration.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I purchase products and distribute them to my students?
The AAMC offers discounts to prehealth advisors purchasing MCAT Official Prep products for students. Learn more about the discount and how to distribute online products.
How many times can a student take an exam?
Students will have unlimited access to any of the MCAT Official Prep products for 365 days from date of purchase. The free practice exams also have unlimited access.
Do all practice exams provide a score?
The AAMC MCAT Official Prep Sample Test does not provide a scaled score and percentile rank. The other AAMC MCAT Official Prep Practice Exams provide a scaled score and percentile rank.