<p>i would have to disagree nj, i am indian and as such i have been exposed to both education systems. i would agree that schools and universities in rural Indian villages may not have the educational standards of the U.S. simply due to a lack of resources. </p>
<p>however, don’t be hasty to judge India by those kinds of educational systems alone. Every time I visit India i am blown away by the work ethic and perseverance those students have. The daunting competition for seats themselves spur students to wake up in the morning around 6, go to school, come home at 4, and study till 12 or 1 in the morning.</p>
<p>this isn’t an exaggeration, i have seen it myself. </p>
<p>The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is one of the world’s premier engineering colleges. IIT grads are sought after everywhere around the world. The acceptance rate to MIT is around 10%, however only the top 2% of the applicants are admitted to IIT, making it perhaps one of the worlds most competitive institutions to get into. I know people who got into Ivy League schools, and used them as fall backs because they didn’t get in to IIT. </p>
<p>There are a myriad of other colleges that are world renowned…Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institute of Management, All India Medical School…the acceptance rates to these universities are so low, that the competition, and the perseverance it takes to get into these places makes Ivy League admissions seem like a cakewalk.</p>
<p>However, I am not undermining the reputation of U.S. schools, merely pointing out that your ignorance of the Indian education system does not tarnish its quality or its reputation.</p>
<p>As to the OP’s actual question…I would agree with everyone who said that the PMT and the MCAT are two VERY different exams. The PMT is a more substantive test (testing how much you know), whereas the MCAT is a more analytical test (testing how well you can apply what you know). The PMT also leaves out the verbal and the essay, two important sections of the MCAT. I would not use the PMT to study for the MCAT.</p>