The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) remains a rite of passage for any doctor or want-to-be doctor.
A recent New York Times article titled A Better Medical School Admission Test reports on the 5th major revision of the test. As a test of knowledge, the MCAT functions well, however, it has a major short coming: it has been unable to consistently predict the personal and professional characteristics becoming a good doctor.
A good MCAT performance does not predict an empathic, personable and ethical physician. We all know that these too are essential professional qualities. I have trained many students who are good test takers but who are mediocre in patient care.
The new exam will also test analytical and reasoning skills in ethics, philosophy and cross-cultural studies.
