Table 1 Features of a variety of general mental ability/aptitude tests compared
Assessment tool | HPAT | UMAT | UKCAT | MCAT | BMAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Target candidates | Undergraduate medical school applicants – predominately school leavers | Undergraduate medical school applicants – predominately school leavers | Undergraduate medical school applicants – predominately school leavers | Medical School applicants – predominately college students | Undergraduate medical school applicants – predominately school leavers |
Type of test | MCQ | MCQ | MCQ | MCQ plus written essay* | MCQ, written answers and written essay |
Duration | 2 hrs 30 mins | 2 hrs 45 mins | 2 hrs | 4.5 to 5 hours * | 2 hr |
How administered | Paper based | Paper based | Computer based | Computer based | Paper based |
Standard Cost to applicant | €95 | €161 | €78 | €181 | €50 |
No of participating schools | 5 | 14 | 26 | Required by almost all medical schools in North America | 6 |
Year it was first used | 2009 | First used in 1991 at Newcastle University, Australia with expansion to other institutions in 1997/98 | 2006 | Earliest versions commenced in 1946 and have evolved over time. Current format exists since 1992 with some minor adjustments since | 2003 |
Subsections of test | 1. Logical Reasoning & Problem Solving | 1. Logical Reasoning & Problem Solving | 1. Verbal reasoning | 1. Verbal Reasoning Skills | 1: Aptitude and Skills |
2. Interpersonal Understanding | 2. Understanding People | 2. Quantitative reasoning | 2. Physical Sciences – chemistry, physics and data interpretation | 2: Scientific Knowledge and Application | |
3. Non-Verbal Reasoning | 3. Non-verbal Reasoning | 3. Abstract reasoning | 3. Biological Sciences – biology and organic chemistry | 3: Writing Task | |
4. Decision analysis | * The writing sample section will be removed in 2013 thus shortening the test |