Do You Get a Calculator on the MCAT?
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The medical school entrance exam, also known as the MCAT, finds many students diligently preparing in the weeks leading up to test day. As students are cramming and hoping for the best, it’s not uncommon for them to ask, “Do you get a calculator on the MCAT?”
You might feel confident about the science and reasoning skills the test covers. But can you lean on a calculator for the math the MCAT asks you to do?
Check out our post on the Best MCAT Prep Courses as well for you to know what’s best for you.
In this article, we’ll answer this question and share some tips for approaching MCAT math without one.
Are You Allowed to Use a Calculator on the MCAT?
Do you get a calculator on the MCAT? The short answer is no.
The AAMC does not allow calculators. Its MCAT Essentials limit what you can bring into the testing room to eyeglasses, your ID, and items the test center provides: earplugs, a storage key, a noteboard booklet, and a fine-point marker.
The MCAT tests your problem-solving based on what you know about statistical reasoning, chemistry, physics, and more.
While you may wish you had access to a calculator, all the questions are of a design so that you don’t need one.
Why Does the MCAT Not Allow Calculators?
Many people get hung up on the fact that the MCAT does not allow exam takers to use a calculator. But the reason is simple: the MCAT is not a mathematics test; it’s a test of reasoning.
The AAMC wants to see how you can work through a problem using logic, reason, and accumulated knowledge rather than how you can press buttons on a calculator.
The exam evaluates how well a student can read the question, analyze it, and approach the problem with rational thinking and logic. Knowing whether someone can type numbers into a calculator to get an appropriate number isn’t what they’re determining.
While it is not a mathematics test, some questions require strong mathematical thinking strategies and skills. One great example would be a question around acids and bases. Perhaps it asks the test-taker to identify the pH of a specific solution. That means estimating a base-10 logarithm, and for a weak acid, a square root too. It would be easier with a calculator, but careful estimation gets you there.
Ultimately, medical schools want to see that you can approach conceptual questions with reason and past knowledge. They want to see you demonstrate the practical and analytical reasoning you’ll need when practicing medicine.
Preparing Yourself for the MCAT
If you’re taking the MCAT and found yourself wondering, “Do you get a calculator on the MCAT?” don’t worry.
The best trick to overcoming a tricky math question without a calculator is leaning on mathematical strategies. You can apply these fundamentals to even the most complex seeming numbers.
The thing to know about the MCAT is that the test creators have designed the questions so that applicants can solve them using mental math and scratch work rather than a calculating machine. The key to finding the correct answer is thinking of the most straightforward and short way to arrive at the solution.
The AAMC’s content outline lists the math you need: ratios, percentages, probability, square-root estimates, scientific notation, Algebra II-level logarithms and exponents, and basic trigonometry. It also notes that calculus is not required and a periodic table is provided.
In most cases, you can round numbers, use scientific notation, or convert to simple fractions and work through them by hand.
If a student practices enough without a calculator, it should feel like second nature when you get to the actual testing center. You won’t even find yourself wishing you had a calculator.
You can also see our How Many Times Can You Take The MCAT for you to know more about the MCAT
How to Study for the MCAT without a Calculator
Solving a bunch of math problems without a calculator by your side may seem daunting at first, but it won’t be as difficult as you imagine it. Keep in mind that you’ll get a noteboard booklet and fine-point marker to work problems out by hand.
If you’re still worried about handling these mental math problems, you’re best off practicing similar questions in the weeks leading up to the test. Don’t practice crazy equations. Practice simple tricks, such as rounding and working in powers of 10, that turn a complex-looking problem into something you can handle.
Our article on How Long Does It Take to Study for the MCAT will surely help you on creating a study plan for the MCAT.
There are many test prep resources you can use to train with as you prepare for the exam. You can even utilize the MCAT Sample Question Guide through the AAMC. Also, it is very important to know When Should You Take The MCAT, so check our full post here. If you want to know how hard the MCAT is, see our post on How Hard Is The MCAT here.
Conclusion
The biggest key to overcoming the mental barrier of not being able to use a calculator when taking the MCAT is practice. While you might be nervous now, you can get the hang of solving mathematical problems with reasoning and math tricks. You’ll come to realize that you can handle anything the test throws your way.
