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From Collegiate Presswire (http://www.cpwire.com): Education
Following is a transcript of the Feb. 22, 2006 CP NewsLink conference between college journalists and Liz Wands, National Director of Graduate Programs at The Princeton Review. ---------------------------------------------------- moderator: OK, let's begin. Thank you, everyone, for coming to the CP NewsLink online chat this afternoon. moderator: We are pleased to have as our guest today Ms. Liz Wands, National Director of Graduate Programs for The Princeton Review, and the company's resident MCAT expert. moderator: This afternoon, we will be chatting with Liz about the upcoming changes for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), known to pre-med students everywhere as the MCAT. moderator: You may have noticed that the pre-med next door is a bit more stressed than usual. The marathon-long MCAT is about to undergo some format changes, and we'd like to know if students should start worrying or would they just be getting upset about nothing? Liz has the answers. moderator: Specifically, Liz will tell us about the ways in which the MCAT is really changing, and discuss some of the ways in which it's staying the same. We'll also talk about whether or not the changes make the test better or worse for students. And, as always, you'll be able to ask questions during the conference. moderator: So, without further ado ... Liz, welcome to CP NewsLink. liz_wands: As you've probably already heard, the MCAT will be changing in 2007. Although content of the test will remain the same, the delivery of the exam will go from a paper-and-pencil test to a computer based format. liz_wands: Understandably, many pre-meds are stressing over the changes, and are not sure if they should rush to take the MCAT this year even though they may not be ready to take the exam. liz_wands: So what I hope to convey today is that the MCAT change to a computer based test (CBT) is not cause for concern and as you will see, the changes are actually quite positive. moderator: Let's start with a simple question, Liz. What is the MCAT and why do people take it? liz_wands: That's definitely an easy one. Well the MCAT, or more formally, the Medical College Admissions Test, is a multiple-choice standardized exam that tests basic science concepts, verbal reasoning, and writing skills. liz_wands: I wont kid you, it's a high-stakes, difficult exam and it's an essential component of an aspiring medical student's application. A score of 30 is usually seen as the crucial benchmark of success on the exam. moderator: And can you tell us what about the MCAT is changing? What's staying the same? liz_wands: The MCAT is changing and not changing at the same time. What I mean by not changing is that the actual content will remain the same, and that's extremely important to know. liz_wands: But what is changing is how the exam will be delivered. It will go from a traditional paper-and-pencil exam to a computer-based test (CBT). liz_wands: With the CBT format, some other things will change as well, all of them positive for the MCAT test taker in my opinion. liz_wands: The biggest of these is the reduction in the amount of time the MCAT will take. Right now the MCAT is an all day affair coming in at 8 hours. The CBT version will be much shorter lasting only around 5.5 hours. liz_wands: One of the reasons why the CBT version will be shorter is because it will have 33% fewer questions. Definitely a good thing. liz_wands: Another positive is that scores will be received more quickly. Right now it takes 60 days but in 2007 it will be cut in half to 30 days. liz_wands: Also, the new MCAT will be offered more frequently. It will be administered 20 times per year in four windows of five days each. Right now the exam is only offered twice a year; April and August. liz_wands: By all appearances, the switch from paper-and-pencil to a computer seems like a positive move for students. But with that being said, we understand why some pre-meds may be stressing over the changes. Anything unfamiliar tends to cause some fear and most students are used to taking tests the traditional way. But I would like to reemphasize again to all those who plan on taking the MCAT, content of the exam will remain status quo, so having a strong background in science will remain important. moderator: Now, let's turn the forum over to our audience for their questions. Participants, please enter your questions in the box indicated at the bottom of the Chat window, and click the "ASK" button. If you have already asked a question, it is presently in queue so there's no need to resubmit it. moderator: We'll go ahead now and take our first question... <Q>A question submitted by e-mail: When do the MCAT changes go into effect? liz_wands: The new version of the MCAT will debut sometime in 2007. The new testing dates have yet to be determined. <Q>Does the reduction in time mean that the test is necessarily more intensive than the paper-and pencil version? liz_wands: Regardless of it's format, the MCAT is a difficult, high-stakes exam. It will have fewer questions which means that each question will count more towards your final score but the same exact content will be tested. So no, it won't be more intense, just shorter. <Q>Will there be any new or different ways to prepare for the test? liz_wands: In general, no. They'll still need to have a good knowledge-base of bio, physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry, as well as verbal skills. liz_wands: But they will want to practice taking the exam over the computer. The Princeton Review already offers a practice CBT version on our website. Our Hyperlearning MCAT course will also be fully updated to offer computerized exams, so there will be plenty of opportunities for students to practice the new format. <Q>Who, and why, did they decide to change the test? liz_wands: Well, two reasons. The first is that the AAMC wanted to improve the overall testing experience. Complaints of the test being 8 hours have not gone unheard so they've shortened the test. Also they're making the test available more times per year, getting scores back quicker, and hopefully make the exam available at more locations around the world. The second major reason is that in the long run, computer based tests are more cost effective. They're cheaper to score and they eliminate paper and printing costs. <Q>How many people take the MCAT each year? liz_wands: <A>Around 63,000 people take the MCAT each year. <Q>Why has there been the move to the CBT, which leaves students with no option to take the test the traditional way? liz_wands: Well, as mentioned before, AAMC views the move to the CBT as a positive thing. The test will now be shorter, offered more often, and scores will be received quicker. These were impossible with the paper and pencil test. Also, making the exam computerized is more in line with a student's life today where use of a computer is commonplace. <Q>How do students feel about the upcoming changes to the test? liz_wands: Well, opinions vary. According to our own internal polling, 54% of those who had already planned on taking the exam this year (2006) say they prefer a paper-and-pencil exam. But on the flip side, those who plan on taking the exam next year (2007) welcome the CBT version (58%). In general, all students love the idea of a shorter exam and getting scores back quicker. I think most pre-meds will adapt very well to the CBT version. <Q>Will there be changes as to the types of testing centers that will be offering the MCAT? liz_wands: Yes, definitely. Currently the MCAT is usually offered in large lecture halls or testing areas. The new CBT version will be administered in smaller, climate controlled computer centers. We anticipate that students will appreciate this change. <Q>Are the markers going to be different? liz_wands: Can you clarify this question and resubmit? <Q>Since each question will now be worth more, is there a concern about overall scores dropping? And if so, what will medical schools and test creators do to change this? liz_wands: AAMC has invested a tremendous amount of resources into this change and so they don't anticipate any differences in scores between the paper and pencil and CBT versions. So to answer your question, we don't expect scores to drop. <Q>Have there been any significant changes in the number of students passing or failing the test during the trial rollout of the computer MCAT? liz_wands: Well, there's no actual passing or failing on the MCAT, but most see a score of 30 as the golden ticket to entrance to medical school. But with that being said, AAMC hasn't disclosed the scores of those who have been taking the trial CBT. <Q>A clarification of the earlier question that was re-submitted ... "I wanted to know that it's going to be completely marked by computers or if there are going to be less human markers"? liz_wands: The MCAT in general has always been graded by a computer, except for the essay section. Currently, two human graders score the essay. But with the CBT version, that will change. One computer and one human will now evaluate your writing sample. One other thing of note, there will only be one essay on the CBT. Currently there are two. moderator: Participants, any final questions? <Q>Should students rush to take the pencil-and-paper version if they're not confident with taking the CBT version? liz_wands: Absolutely not. The MCAT is a high-stakes, difficult exam and with that being said, a student should aim to only have to take the MCAT once. Success on the MCAT usually requires two semesters of biology, physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. If a student rushes to take the paper-and-pencil version before completing the required courses, it will only hurt him or her in the long run. liz_wands: As I said before, the changes will not affect content, so taking the exam before having a strong base of science knowledge just won't be helpful. <Q>Why are other test-prep companies trying to scare pre-med students? liz_wands: It's hard to say what their reasoning might be, but in the business world, it's called fear based marketing. When other test-prep companies say the changes are a 9 out of 10, it's just irresponsible. Pre-med students tend to already be stressed out, so The Princeton Review believes that adding another layer of stress is just unfair to them. moderator: So that's the end of our questions. Liz, do you have any closing remarks? liz_wands: Whether a student takes the paper-and-pencil or the computer-based test, the MCAT is a difficult exam a student only wants to take once. Therefore they should be as prepared as possible. liz_wands: One of the best ways to prepare for the MCAT is through practice. The Princeton Review is holding a National Free Practice MCAT day on March 4th at locations nationwide. Students can sign up by either calling 800-2Review or visiting PrincetonReview.com. liz_wands: For those who would like to practice a CBT version of the exam, they can visit www.PrincetonReview.com/MCAT. moderator: This concludes today's newsmaker conference with Liz Wands, National Director of Graduate Programs for The Princeton Review. moderator: On behalf of Liz and The Princeton Review, thank you for attending, and thank you for your interest. And, on behalf of the college journalists attending this event, and those reading about it, our thanks go out to Liz for taking time out of her busy schedule to chat with us today. moderator: If you have additional questions about this story, or would like additional information, please contact Harriet Brand at 212-874-8282, ext. 1091, or by e-mail to [email protected] moderator: Additionally, for your use in writing a story, we will be sending a full transcript of this event over Collegiate Presswire to all of our subscribing newspapers, and we'll be posting a copy on the front page of the CPNewsLink website after that. (http://www.cpnewslink.com) moderator: As a reminder, we will be hosting additional CPNewsLink newsmaker events throughout the Spring semester, and will be posting notification of them on the front page of this website and on Collegiate Presswire prior to the next event. moderator: We hope you enjoyed this chat, and trust that it provided you with some insight and perspectives into this issue for your use in writing stories on this topic. moderator: Thank you, once again, for attending today's CPNewsLink conference. moderator: Good bye, everyone! © Copyright 2004 Collegiate Presswire, Inc. and CP NewsLink |