In response to the challenges faced in the education sector, changes in educational technology (EdTech) approaches are yielding innovative solutions. These new technologies are either enhancing existing tools or introducing new ones to overcome learning barriers.
King of the Curve (KOTC) is an emerging EdTech startup aiming to alleviate the impending doctor shortage. Utilizing gaming and social techniques, KOTC strives to help science students achieve better scores on medical school admission tests and other related assessments. The company is also working on developing utility-focused apps to aid healthcare professionals, helping them better manage the complexities of medical treatment provision.
The startup was founded by Heath Rutledge-Jukes, who initially contemplated a career in psychology before deciding to pursue a path in surgery. He is currently a medical student at Washington University School of Medicine. Prior to his medical school journey, Rutledge-Jukes diverged from his original path to leverage his scientific skills as a software developer. He moved from creating instructional strategies for dyslexic individuals to developing a suite of apps geared towards exam preparation for prospective medical students.
KOTC is not a mere replication of other self-study products and doesn’t align with conventional learning app methodologies.
Rutledge-Jukes shared with TechNewsWorld, “Education should be based on individual learning paths, not just a one-size-fits-all template.”
The App that Learns from the User
Rutledge-Jukes’ philosophy is exemplified in his own education journey. As a psychology student, he delved into various learning methodologies. His research primarily involved using video games to acquire genuine skills like eye-hand coordination, strategic thinking, critical analysis, and much more.
Upon graduation, he created tools for dyslexic children to enhance their learning experience. This project involved designing tactile devices to help young learners better understand and remember information.
Unlike many learning tools, KOTC doesn’t become redundant or less effective due to overuse. Instead, the app learns from the user’s performance, helping them to improve continuously rather than just memorizing pre-determined responses.
King of the Curve: A Gamified MCAT Study App
The King of the Curve app integrates gaming elements into study practices for medical school entrance exams. Some of its features include an Adaptive Question Bank, Review Mode, Endless Mode, Timed Mode, and Multiplayer Mode.
Many educational apps can languish without updates for long periods or depend on memorization techniques, which can limit progress by teaching only to the test. Rutledge-Jukes believes, “This makes users more eager to explore other options.”
Aiming to Make a Difference
In 2020, Rutledge-Jukes launched KOTC with an emphasis on preparing students for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Given his familiarity with the content, creating a test prep app for medical school entrance exams was a logical first step for his company.
Rutledge-Jukes explains, “This was how we started. It was the foundation for developing this app to assist people in qualifying for various tests.”
The mission of KOTC, as seen by its founder, is straightforward: transforming students’ stress into success, enabling today’s students to become tomorrow’s professionals.
Addressing a National Medical Crisis
In a unique way, KOTC’s innovative approach to MCAT preparation is helping more candidates gain acceptance. As noted by the 2022 AMA President Gerald E. Harmon, M.D., training competent doctors can take up to a decade.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projected a shortage of 37,800 to 124,000 physicians in the U.S. within the next 12 years in their June 2021 report. KOTC’s gamified techniques are playing a crucial role in preventing a “Game Over” scenario for aspiring doctors amidst this impending physician shortage.
Rutledge-Jukes pointed out that 60% of medical school applicants are not accepted. Applicants who score above 510 on the MCAT are three times more likely to gain admission, as this is the only standardized part of the medical school application.
KOTC’s track record in helping candidates achieve higher scores is commendable. The MCAT’s score range is 472 to 528 for the four-part written exam, with a midpoint of 500.
The KOTC development team consists of individuals who are well-versed in the MCAT testing process. To be part of this team, they must have scored in the top 1%.
