AAMC PREview Exam Explained: Format, Scoring & Prep Tips (2025)

Why the AAMC PREview Matters in Medical School Admissions

As holistic review becomes the norm, the AAMC PREview Exam is gaining traction among U.S. medical schools. Unlike the MCAT, it doesn’t test science knowledge—it assesses the core behaviors and professional traits med schools value most: ethics, teamwork, adaptability, and more.

What Is the AAMC PREview Exam?

The PREview (Professional Readiness Exam) is a situational judgment test (SJT) developed by the AAMC to evaluate your judgment in professional healthcare scenarios. You'll be asked to rate how effective certain responses are to real-life situations that healthcare professionals might face.

How the AAMC PREview Is Structured

The test is administered online and includes a series of hypothetical scenarios, each followed by several response options. You’ll rate each response based on how appropriate it is.

• Very Ineffective
• Ineffective
• Effective
• Very Effective

This is not about memorization. It’s about how well your decisions align with the expectations of medical schools.

Timing and Format

You’ll have 75 minutes to complete the exam, with the full testing session taking about 90–105 minutes.

Scoring the AAMC PREview Exam

How Scores Are Determined

You receive a score from 1 to 9, based on how closely your responses match expert opinions from medical educators. It evaluates how effectively you judge professional situations.

Rating Definitions

• Very Ineffective: Makes the situation worse
• Ineffective: Doesn’t help the situation
• Effective: Acceptable, contributes to resolution
• Very Effective: Ideal, proactive response

It’s not about choosing the “best” response—rather, understanding how each response ranks on this scale.

What Impacts Your Score

• Number of competencies addressed
• Depth of judgment and professionalism
• Clarity and reasoning in response
• How well you understand the scenario and act on it
  
  

Medical Schools Using the PREview Exam

More schools are adopting PREview as part of their holistic admissions approach. Some include:

• University of California, Davis
• UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
• University of Alabama
• Michigan State University
• Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
• Saint Louis University
• Rosalind Franklin University
• Oakland University William Beaumont
• Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Always check your school’s admissions site for updates.

How to Prepare for the AAMC PREview Exam

Understand the AAMC’s Core Competencies

The exam is based on 8 core competencies like ethical responsibility, teamwork, communication, and self-awareness. Familiarize yourself with how these apply in medical practice.

Reflect on Personal Experiences

Think about your time volunteering, shadowing, or working in healthcare. When did you have to make a judgment call or handle a conflict? These examples help you evaluate PREview-style scenarios better.

Practice Sample Scenarios

Use official AAMC practice questions to understand how scenarios are structured. Try to identify:

• The key people involved
• The ethical or professional challenge
• The possible consequences of each action

Simulate Test Conditions

Practice rating responses under timed conditions so you're comfortable with the pacing and style of questions.

AAMC PREview vs MCAT vs CASPer

PREview and CASPer both test judgment, but PREview is multiple-choice and more structured, which many students prefer.

Go Elective Tip: Strengthen Your PREview Skills Through Experience

PREview scores are stronger when you can apply real-life clinical experiences. That’s where Go Elective comes in.

Our pre-med shadowing programs in Kenya and Tanzania immerse you in global healthcare. You’ll shadow physicians, work alongside interdisciplinary teams, and gain insights into professionalism and ethical decision-making in real-world settings.

These moments give you depth—not only for PREview, but for your personal statement, interviews, and career.

Final Thoughts: Preparing for PREview with Confidence

What to Do Next

• Learn the 8 AAMC core competencies
• Practice using AAMC’s sample scenarios
• Reflect on your healthcare experiences
• Strengthen your communication and ethical reasoning
• Explore hands-on opportunities to develop judgment
  
  

Ready to Build Real-World Experience?

Go Elective’s international internships can help you grow the exact skills PREview tests. Explore our pre-med shadowing programs at goelective.com/healthcare and prepare with purpose.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 8, 2025