Wanted: Well-Rounded Physicians

The Association of American Medical Colleges has revamped the MCAT for the first time in nearly three decades. While the new exam retains the science-based testing historically included, it adds new topics and approaches meant to keep up with a rapidly changing health care delivery system. It aims to test and train aspiring physicians based less on memorizing scientific facts and more on competency: putting that scientific knowledge into practice. Questions on the new MCAT pertain to concepts such as self-identity, social stratification, and multiculturalism and ask students to apply them to certain scenarios.