Biometric Identity Verification Service

The AAMC's Biometric Identity Verification Service allows registered users at each U.S. Medical school to verify the identity of matriculants using data collected at the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This Web-based service will be deployed in two phases.

Phase I provides the ability to verify the photographs of MCAT examinees against the personal appearance of matriculants to your medical school. In this version, matriculants are defined as anyone who has a 'MA' action in AMCAS. Phase I is currently available to registrars at AMCAS participating schools.

Phase II will include fingerprint verification capability and may be used by admissions officers at the point of interview as well as registrars at the point of matriculation. In this phase, admissions officers and registrars will have access to all of the biometric data collected at the MCAT. A timeline for the launch of Phase II has not yet been determined.

Goals

• To ensure the integrity of the MCAT and the medical school admissions process.
  
  
• To provide a mechanism for verifying identity throughout medical education.
  
  
• To be accepted by all stakeholders as a key part of the infrastructure of security in medical education.
  
  
• To offer a simple and accessible solution.

What is Biometric Data?

When applicants take the MCAT:

1. The fingerprint of the digit closest to the thumb on both the right and left hand is captured.


2. A picture is taken on test day.


3. A government issued photo ID is scanned.

Therefore, biometric data includes fingerprints, test day pictures and photo IDs.

How can U.S. medical schools use this data?

The Biometric Identity Verification Service allows U.S. Medical schools to access the biometric data using a Web interface. Registered users are able to:

• Compare the photos to the physical appearance of the interviewee or matriculant.
  

• Use the Web interface along with a fingerprint reader to automatically compare fingerprints against our database.

Benefits

• Admissions officers will be able to verify that the interviewing applicant is the same applicant who took the MCAT.

• Registrars will be able to verify that the applicant who interviewed with the admissions officers is the same one who attends orientation and registers for the first day of medical school.

• The integrity of the MCAT is protected and the risk to the medical school is reduced.

• The MCAT examinee is assured that no other person can try to use his/her test scores to get into medical school.

Cost

There is no cost to participate in the AAMC's Biometric Identity Verification Service. During Phase II, all participating U.S. Medical schools will be provided with fingerprint readers at no charge to the institution.

Countries from which we receive biometric data

In addition to the United States, the MCAT is administered at several international sites.

Data Policy

The AAMC takes extensive measures to ensure the safety and security of its Web site and information collected through the Web site. We recognize that users of this Web site, AAMC programs and services, and surveys may have questions about how and why this information is collected. The AAMC Privacy Notice explains what kinds of information we collect through our Web site, Web-based applications, and other AAMC programs, and how we use this information.

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