fontaineb (Student) They're completely different exams for different purposes. MCAT is what gets you into med school. USMLE is what you take after you're already in medical school.
dennisg (Student) Not entirely with on this one. if you're asking which to take first the answer is MCAT. you need it to apply. USMLE Step 1 comes after you've finished your basic science years in medical school.
chikeyusuf (Alumni) Agree with @dennisg (Student) on this. Some people confuse them because both are major standardized exams that define your medical career trajectory. But the MCAT measures readiness for med school. USMLE measures clinical competence.
jali (Student) Caribbean schools do have MCAT requirements for admission though some accept lower scores or have alternative pathways. Once you're in, your focus shifts entirely to USMLE prep.
pchristie (Alumni) Different experience than though. Worth noting that MCAT prep doesn't directly help with USMLE studying. They test different things in different formats. Don't assume the skills transfer cleanly.
lily.ayala (Student) If someone told you to pick one right now and you haven't been accepted to med school yet, it's MCAT
