MCATs to switch to computer format

Procrastination will be a little more detrimental to Medical College Admission Test-takers in 2007.\nStarting Jan. 27, students applying to medical colleges across the country will have to take their MCAT exams via the computer. The change will create 20 additional test dates throughout the year, making the annual number of tests 22.\nStudents are recommended to register early because test centers can only seat 18 people, said Matt Fidler, a program manager for test preparation company Kaplan, Inc.. \n"(Test-takers) need to understand what its like to test on computer and understand the logistics work (before they take the real test)," Fidler said. "That's why we want people to register way in advance, and don't worry about it."\nThe tests will be administered at Thomson Prometric centers.\n"Delivering the test on a computer provides a consistency which provides a security," Fidler said. "It makes sure no one can cheat and ensures that everyone can demonstrate their share of knowledge in a better way."\nKaplan helps students prepare for the MCATs and will help future test takers adjust to the new system. The company also offers a free practice MCAT that is similar to the new computer-based MCAT on its Web site.\nAs the MCATs move to the computer, the amount of time allotted to take the test will be reduced because test-takers are asked to answer fewer questions, though there will still be the same number of sections. In previous years, the test lasted eight and a half hours but will now be five hours. \nIn a survey conducted by Kaplan, students across the country do not feel completely at ease with the new format. The survey found that 82 percent of students feel they might perform worse on a \ncomputerized exam because of the limited ability to go over answers. Respondents also said they are concerned because they have never taken a computerized exam of this magnitude before.\n"I think it would be a problem to stare at a computer, but at the same time I don't think people are used to staring at a piece of paper for eight hours," said senior Rohit Devnani. "Yes it's a problem, but it's one of those things that you have to deal with in life."\nDevnani took the MCATs last year, when it was on paper, but he will be assisting students as a teacher at Kaplan. He said that while the strategies for taking the test will change from previous exams, Kaplan will teach students new techniques for the computer exam.\nFidler said one of the ways Kaplan will try to help students is by building their stamina on computers.\n"It's not to say that people aren't familiar with the computer; everyone's familiar with the computer," Fidler said. "It can be very taxing and draining to stare at a computer for five hours while having to think about science"