Section 9
Health Professions School Application Process: Preparation for Entrance Exams
Howard Duncan
Health professions schools usually require that applicants complete an entrance exam. Examples of these are the Medical College Admission Test for allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, podiatry schools, and some veterinary schools; the Dental Admission Test for dental schools; the Veterinary College Admission Test for veterinary schools; the Optometry Admission Test for optometry schools; the Graduate Record Examination for some physical therapy, pharmacy, health administration, and public health schools; the Miller Analogy Test for some physical therapy schools; the Graduate Admissions Test for some pharmacy schools; and the Graduate Management Admission Test for some public health and health administration schools. Although some medical schools may not require that applicants complete the MCAT, it is in your best interest to do so, since these schools often review these scores regardless. You must contact individual schools and request their catalogs in order to identify which entrance exam is relevant to you. You should also consider factors listed in the paragraphs below.
- Obtain your exam application packet from your pre-professional advisor or write or call the examining agency directly and have an application packet sent to you.
- Read your application instructions carefully and fill out the application accurately and completely. Make sure you include all documentation that is requested (most applications have a checklist). Any deletions or inaccuracies can delay or halt the processing of your application.
- Send in your application at the earliest possible date. The likelihood of getting assigned your preferred test site is increased the earlier you can apply. However, many examining agencies have a date before which applications will not be accepted. Even if there is a late registration date, you may have to pay an additional fee, and you may not get the test site that you requested.
- Health professions school examinations are challenging and comprehensive. You must begin preparation early. For example, students who plan to take the MCAT examination in April should begin studying in September of the preceding fall at the latest. Remember, if you are a college student, you still have your normal courses to study for at the same time.
- A student who plans to enter professional school the fall after spring graduation should plan to take the MCAT in April of the junior year.
- Obtain an MCAT Student Manual (or a comparable publication for your health professions examination). Publications of this nature provide valuable information such as what topics will be covered on the exam, how to study, the length of various sections, how much time is allowed for each section, and the examination design and question format.
- Manage your study time. Prepare a calendar of when you will study various topics and stick to it. Remember that large amounts of information are best learned in small increments. Do not forget to allow time at the end for review.
- If you have to travel to your testing site, plan to get there the day before so you have time to eat dinner and relax afterwards. Locate the building and the room where the test will be administered so you won't lose time in the morning.
- Get a good night's sleep before the exam, and be sure to eat a healthy breakfast and lunch.