Trying to make a complete list of items that have been removed from previous MCAT

[OuchCharlie]

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This will be useful for anyone considering using older material. Please feel free to add (or take away) from this list.

Chemistry:
- Quantum numbers l, m, s
- Phase equilibria (seems like the entire section is removed -- except phase diagrams)
- Colloids

Organic chemistry:
- Alkane, alkene, alkyne reactions (Nucleophilic substitution still tested)
- Pinacols, Halogenation, Inorganic Esters (Under Alcohols)
- 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, internal hydrogen bonding, organometallic reagents, Wolf-Kishner reaction, Grignard reagents, haloform reactions (under Aldehydes and Ketones)
- Hofmann rearrangement (under Acid Derivitives)
- Wittig reaction
- Amines (except imines and enamines)
- Recrystallization

Physics:
- Projectile motion
- Universal Gravitation law
- Momentum
- Ropes/Pulleys
- Solids (density, elastic, shear, compression etc.)
- Springs & Pendulums in regards to periodic motion (Spring potential energy still tested)
- Circular motion
- Alternating current
- Power in circuits (not sure)
- Gauss' Law
- Mass Deficit/Energy liberated/Binding energy

Biology:
- Fungi
- Comparative Anatomy
- Bone growth & Bone regen
- Pedigree analysis (Not mentioned in new outline -- but it's ambiguous, so it's better to know it)
- Origin of life

 

[OuchCharlie]

Does anyone else find it odd that momentum is removed? It seems like it's pretty fundamental to understanding physics.

 

[FOCUSandEARNit]

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[OuchCharlie]

Are you just comparing this to the AAMC guide from before and now?

Yes, Not sure if I missed anything though.

 

[FOCUSandEARNit]

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[OuchCharlie]

Pedigree analysis seems strange to remove. I read somewhere that they deemphasized the constant acceleration/projectile motion equations type questions.

Yeah, I think that's the case too. Practically all the physics and chemistry are rooted in biology in the new mcat, and thus projectile motion, free fall, pulleys and the bunch cannot be properly tested.

 

[OuchCharlie]

Pedigree analysis seems strange to remove. I read somewhere that they deemphasized the constant acceleration/projectile motion equations type questions.

I edited my original post about pedigree analysis. Who knows if it will be tested, but it's not explicitly mentioned like it was in the previous official MCAT guide. But just FYI, Kaplan's guide says that it's removed.

 

[FOCUSandEARNit]

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[OuchCharlie]

Link to Kaplan's guide? Can't find what you're referring to.

http://www.kaptest.com/static/pdf/Test-Change-Cropped.pdf It starts on page 43.

Like usual, it's erroneous, so tread carefully. It says that Center of Mass and Mass Spec is removed, however, both of those are explicitly stated in the 2015 AAMC official MCAT guide.

 

[GCSDOC]

check this out--->

http://www.reddit.com/r/Mcat/comments/2sbkb5/brief_guide_to_addedremoved_content_on_the/

 

[deleted158872]

why don't they just remove all O-chem 🙄

 

[OuchCharlie]

check this out--->

http://www.reddit.com/r/Mcat/comments/2sbkb5/brief_guide_to_addedremoved_content_on_the/

That thread seems to be copy paste of Kaplans list, which says that Center of Mass and Mass Spec are removed, even though they aren't.

 

[RH8448]

I would only trust the AAMC latest guide as to what will be tested. One that I will specifically point out is projectile motion. That is not listed. Center of mass is.

 

[Doug Underhill]

Wow, they really butchered the physics section. I spent so much time and energy reviewing that stuff for the old 2014 MCAT. It probably took at least one year off my life.

 

[GCSDOC]

Wow, they really butchered the physics section. I spent so much time and energy reviewing that stuff for the old 2014 MCAT. It probably took at least one year off my life.

how much time are you putting into it for the new mcat?

 

[deleted158872]

This will be useful for anyone considering using older material. Please add (or take away) from this list.

Chemistry:
- Phase equilibria (seems like the entire section is removed -- except phase diagrams)

Organic chemistry:
- Alkanes, alkenes, akynes (Nucleophilic substitution still tested)
- Ethers
- Amines
- Carboxylic acid derivatives - Acyl halides (not sure about this)
- Recrystallization

Physics:
- Projectile motion
- Momentum
- Ropes/Pulleys
- Solids (density, elastic etc.)
- Periodic motion (Springs & Pendulums) (Spring potential energy still tested)
- Circular motion
- Alternating current
- Gauss' Law
- Mass Deficit/Energy liberated/Binding energy

Biology:
- Bone growth & Bone regen
- Pedigree analysis (Not mentioned in new outline -- but it's ambiguous)
- Origin of life

how can i know this for sure? is this public information from AAMC?

 

[OuchCharlie]

how can i know this for sure? is this public information from AAMC?

I just compared the previous outline, and the new outline.

 

[DrHart]

i think we should get some current medical students to weigh in on their opinion about some of this (not that they would really care about it). But I think it would be interesting to hear what undergrad prereqs have been useful in their first years of med school. Obviously this would detract from the topic a little. But it seems logical to me to remove a lot of semester 1 physics. I can't imagine it's of much use in med school.

 

[newbeginnings]

Hmm.. I think the outline still lists "Acid Derivatives (Anhydrides, Amides, Esters) (OC)" right under Carboxylic acid... As for the pedigree stuff, the outline also lists "Sex-linked characteristics Very few genes on Y chromosome Sex determination Cytoplasmic/extranuclear inheritance"... so i think it's good to know at least some inheritance stuff.

 

[Mad Jack]

They removed circular motion, pulleys, projectile motion, momentum, etc? What is this, an MCAT for grade schoolers?

 

[OuchCharlie]

Hmm.. I think the outline still lists "Acid Derivatives (Anhydrides, Amides, Esters) (OC)" right under Carboxylic acid... As for the pedigree stuff, the outline also lists "Sex-linked characteristics Very few genes on Y chromosome Sex determination Cytoplasmic/extranuclear inheritance"... so i think it's good to know at least some inheritance stuff.

Had some conflicting sources on that, but you're right. I'll update the post.

 

[OuchCharlie]

They removed circular motion, pulleys, projectile motion, momentum, etc? What is this, an MCAT for grade schoolers?

I guess there are too many physicist-MDs now 😛

 

[umgoblue2008]

Here's what i posted in another thread. As to what is important per physics, any high yield principles that apply to biochem/medicine will be more emphasized

a) electrostatics/magnetism- electrostatics is a fundamental phenomenon that is basic to all of chemistry/biology (polarity, attraction, chemical bonding, soaps/micelles, etc)
b) circuits - analogies to blood pressure, cardiac output, peripheral resistance of blood vessels
c) fluids, gasses- again to blood flow, anesthetics, etc (poiseuille flow)
d) electrochemistry- analogies to resting membrane potential, nerve cells, bioenergetics (metabolism)
e) sound- Doppler effect (doppler ultrasound)
f) light, electromagnetic radiation- eyes, myopia/hyperopia, geometric optics
g) Nuclear physics- alpha/beta/gamma decays and half life, all very applicable to medicine (drugs)
h) lab techniques- IR, UV, HNMR, etc

I can see stuff like kinematics and double/single slit experiment stuff (light as a wave) being de-emphasized as it is less important medicine.

What i've noticed so far from the AAMC official stuff:
1) Big focus on Biochemistry (need to know AA's inside out, different types of enzymes, Michaelis Menton, structures of lipids/nucleic acids/carbs/proteins, etc)
2) Everything is bio/medicine focused, including physics/chem. I doubt you will see stuff like Double/Single slit experiment passages on the new test.
3) Like Dr.Hart said, a major focus is the ability to comprehend experiment studies, know the limitations (indep/dep variables, confounding variables), how to improve experimental conditions, etc
4) The passages will throw proper names at you like enzymes, different forms of alleles and genes to confuse you. Sometimes you'll have to read things twice just to keep stuff straight in your mind.
5) The better knowledge of different types of experiments/methods (gel electrophoresis/PCR/DNA hybridization/chromatography/IR/H-NMR/extraction/distillation), the better you will understand passages
6) The Psych/Soc section i think will be the shortest (more time left over). I feel like its very definition based, either you know it or you don't. I've seen the Interference theory/theories of emotion/prejudice+discrimination come up a lot.

 

[Ailleurs]

I spent a lot of time practicing projectile motion. So much so that it became one of the many topics of physics that I enjoyed. Sad to see it not be on the MCAT (I'd rather take all of physics any day than all of organic chem any day).

 

[positiveprotons]

I don't think Newton's law of universal gravitation is on the new 2015 MCAT.

 

[OuchCharlie]

I don't think Newton's law of universal gravitation is on the new 2015 MCAT.

Definitely don't think its applicable to biological systems, and it's not mentioned in the topics list. I'll edit the post.

 

[Levrone]

thanks spoderman

 

[NeuResurgens]

Boy oh boy, am I happy to see all that physics taken off!

 

[catchm3]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I remember there being a buoyancy question on the practice FL. I think it was a FSQ though.

 

[deleted158872]

Physics:
- Projectile motion
- Universal Gravitation law
- Momentum
- Ropes/Pulleys
- Solids (density, elastic etc.)
- Springs & Pendulums in regards to periodic motion (Spring potential energy still tested)
- Circular motion
- Alternating current
- Gauss' Law
- Mass Deficit/Energy liberated/Binding energy

So... what IS on the MCAT? 🙄

 

[OuchCharlie]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I remember there being a buoyancy question on the practice FL. I think it was a FSQ though.

Fluids is still being tested!

 

[FOCUSandEARNit]

.

 

[deleted492904]

Quick question here guys. Are you guys just basing your info off of the new outline or is there some written/verbal info out there that confirms it? The reason I ask is because I saw the old outline for translational motion. Even though it doesn't say projectiles were tested but it was still on the MCAT was it not?

 

[FOCUSandEARNit]

.

 

[deleted492904]

Just looked at the old outline and the new outline and the only thing that was removed from that section was freely falling bodies. Honestly, the AAMC worked with Khan Academy and they don't touch constant acceleration equations at all.... so I think it's safe to say it's not on there. Know it if it makes you sleep better, but with them wanting to make this a more medical applicable exam, I don't see kinematics playing a big role.

Yea I agree with you on the part that with the new MCAT being more medical related, we can't really apply projectiles to medicine. Also, acceleration and velocity is still on there so if people want to sleep better just brush up on projectiles if they want. Projectile is not that much more material to learn I guess, just like you were saying. But I just wanted to mention the projectile thing so people don't come back later and blame someone else for providing them the wrong info. I just want people to make their best judgement when comparing the old outline to the new one.

Edit: I was just doing some problems from Khan Academy and a question asked about an object dropped from the Empire State building. Here's the question: An object is dropped from the top of the Empire State Building. Which of the following statement best describes the motion of the object as it experiences air resistance during its downward fall?

I just want to add that because I feel like the AAMC can be ambiguous sometimes.

 

[daftypatty]

Is this a pretty comprehensive list of everything that is removed? I don't get why AAMC can't just straight up tell us which topics are removed from the last mcat... geez

 

[OuchCharlie]

Is this a pretty comprehensive list of everything that is removed? I don't get why AAMC can't just straight up tell us which topics are removed from the last mcat... geez

It's pretty comprehensive, or at least, I like to think it is.

As for AAMC not telling us what has been removed, maybe they thought it wasn't worth the effort since that kind of info is applicable to people writing the test in 2015 with old prep material. Next year when the prep companies are all caught up and more official FLs come out, any thoughts of the old mcat will RIP.

 

[bio4life6]

I compared the outlines in detail: (Question:Since these were ALL removed in the new outline, is it safe to not study these topics at all? We can't be tested on something they removed right?)

-No law of gravitation
-Uniform circular motion
-Incline planes
-Momentum
-Weight
-Hooke's Law is no longer on the outline
-harmonic motion
-pendulums
-Superposition of waves, wave addition
-Beat frequencies
-Solids
-Electric dipoles
-Induction
-Batteries (internal resistance of a battery
-Power in circuits
-A.c and R.c circuits
-Ray tracings

 

[OuchCharlie]

I compared the outlines in detail: (Question:Since these were ALL removed in the new outline, is it safe to not study these topics at all? We can't be tested on something they removed right?)

-No law of gravitation
-Uniform circular motion
-Incline planes
-Momentum
-Weight
-Hooke's Law is no longer on the outline
-harmonic motion
-pendulums
-Superposition of waves, wave addition
-Beat frequencies
-Solids
-Electric dipoles
-Induction
-Batteries (internal resistance of a battery
-Power in circuits
-A.c and R.c circuits
-Ray tracings

My answer to your question would be: maybe. When AAMC takes off a bullet point, I'm under the impression that it may fall under the umbrella of a more general topic. As usual the passages will provide you with all the specifics, but it's still an obvious advantage if you're familiar with a passage topic that isn't explicitly stated in the AAMC outline.

However, I for one will not be studying anything that isn't explicitly stated in the outline due to time constraints.

 

[Altius Premier Tutor]

Just a word of caution, I think this list goes a little too far and could cause some frustrated students when they come back from the test and report that they had a motion problem or a spring on their exam. I think it will lend perspective to this discussion to observe that these are not the same list. It is not list A, from which they removed x number of topics to create list B. Viewing it that way is problematic. The new topics list was completely from scratch. Many old topics aren't exactly re-instated, but are described in essentially the same topic with a different name, or fall logically as an inclusive part of one of the topics on the new list.

I think you are safe on well-defined concepts that are unrelated to topics on the new list (i.e., momentum, specific-named O-Chem reactions, etc.). You get into murky water if you say springs or gravity is clearly off limits when the list still includes periodic motion and MULTIPLE terms, principles and topics which absolutely require gravity either conceptually or as part of an equation. Are you going to be calculating g between two planets? NO. But, I feel quite confident you had better understand gravity and be able to use it--it is involved in so many applications of Newton's second Law which is specifically listed, it is included and conceptually inherent in fluid problems and calculations, etc. Probably the best example of overreach in what to exclude is phase equilibria. The term may be gone word-for-word, but you still have phase diagrams, on which the lines themselves represent phase equilibria, and you have heat of vaporization, heat of fusion, liquid phase, and gas phase specifically called out.

Second, it is always wise to remember that "NOT on the list" does NOT--absolutely does NOT--equate to "NOT on the exam." It only means: "NOT required prior knowledge for the exam." Everything is fair game if the passage gives you sufficient hints or background such that combined with testable concepts you can answer the questions. The perfect example is alkenes and benzene, which AAMC said were removed a few years back. Have you seen an MCAT exam lately? Alkenes and benzene are all over the place! The removal only meant you weren't required to know specific reactions for those two compounds, but general understanding of them was obviously still required and they will continue to be important for MCAT-2015 because they are found in unsaturated lipids, many biochemicals, and nearly all drug molecules.