Portions of the new MCAT exam will ask you to use your data-based statistical and reasoning skills. Found in various sections of the exam, these questions will ask you to reason based on the data that is provided. You will be required to read and interpret tables, charts and graphs, and show that you can recognize patterns in data and find conclusions from evidence shown.
Data-Based Statistical and Reasoning Skills
Some portions of the MCAT exam may ask you to show your data-based statistical and reasoning skills by doing the following:
- Use, Analyze and Interpret Data Found in Figures, Graphs and Tables
- Determine if Representations are Applicable for Certain Scientific Observations and Data
- Use Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion to Describe Data
- Reason About Random and Systematic Error
- Reason About Statistical Significance and Uncertainty
- Use Data to Determine Relationships Between Variables
- Use Data to Make Predictions
- Use Data to Research Questions
- Use Data to Draw Conclusions
- Find Conclusions that are Supported by Research Results
- Identify the Implications for Results in Real-World Situations
Within the MCAT, questions from the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior sections may ask you to show your knowledge of data-based and statistical reasoning by doing the following:
- Identify the Correlation Between a Demographic Variable
- Identify the Relationship Between Demographic Variables and Health Variables as Reported in a Table or Figure
- Explain Why Income Data is Generally Reported Using the Median as Opposed to the Mean
- Use Data to Determine a Practical Approach Based on the Findings of a Study
- Evaluate Data Collected from Various Research Studies
- Draw Conclusions About the Part of Memory that Is Affected by Experimental Manipulation
This is just a sampling of some of the things you will be asked to do as part of the MCAT exam.