See below.  Take a dry erase marker and the eraser with you!

 

I recently had several reports from students taking both the MCAT and DAT that the dry erase markers they were provided by Prometric lacked any semblance of a point, making it impossible to take notes or read calculations they made on the wipe-off sheets.  For one student in particular, I was told that it totally messed up his strategies in the Physical Science and Verbal sections.  His scores, as predicted, indicated this problem.  I’ve started telling my students to take with them their own dry-erase marker with a solid point in case this comes up.  Some are still getting to use paper for calculations, while others get the wipe-off sheets and have to wait for the proctor to wipe off the sheet for them.  What a pain! 

 

I understand the complexity of trying to have uniformity throughout the Prometric system and realize that this isn’t a perfect world.  However, as long as medical school admissions place such GREAT importance on a one-day exam, we must fight for the rights of our students through whatever means available to us as advisors.  I agree with Ed that the MCAT demonstrates the haves and have-nots in the applicant pool.  Rarely have I seen someone of a disadvantaged background “wow” us with a score.  Why not make this the year that less emphasis is placed on the MCAT when viewing applicants?  It’s a simple matter and easily administrated by admissions offices.  Weigh the GPA more heavily, especially the most recent 60 hours and use that as the indicator of the applicant’s strength and ability to be successful in medical school curriculum. 

 

If we all stick together on this issue, perhaps we can affect change in the system!