A&P Questions on the MCAT?

[FutureDrB]

I apologize if this is a dumb question, I've yet to start studying for the MCAT, so I may be slightly ignorant on the topic...

I don't plan to start really studying for the MCAT for a few more months, but I've been taking a bunch of random quizzes online just to mess around.

However, I'm running into all kinds of Anatomy and Physiology questions. I've heard A&P are not necessary for entering med students, so how are you supposed to know this material for the MCAT though?

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[pericardium]

The vast majority of people that I know that have taken the MCAT have taken at least a physiology course. However I do have a friend that scored a 37 and did not take any anatomy or physio prior to matriculating into medical school, so I suppose that means you could learn everything you need to know from a review book. I'd suggest against it personally.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

I apologize if this is a dumb question, I've yet to start studying for the MCAT, so I may be slightly ignorant on the topic...

I don't plan to start really studying for the MCAT for a few more months, but I've been taking a bunch of random quizzes online just to mess around.

However, I'm running into all kinds of Anatomy and Physiology questions. I've heard A&P are not necessary for entering med students, so how are you supposed to know this material for the MCAT though?

I can't reveal specific questions due to the agreement they make you sign. However when I took the test I needed to know physio. Had an entire passage on it. Aamc says you don't need it but its also assuming it was covered in bio a bit. You can self study it. Also go to the MCAT forum and read the sn2 sticky he answers from FAQ and this is there.

 

[baxt1412]

Some basic Physio is covered on the test some times. It just depends on your test.

muscle contraction
structure of muscles (z-disk, etc)
endocrine
nervous system - organization, touch taste hearing vision
circulatory
lymphatic
immune
digestive
excretory (KIDNEYS)
skeletal
respiratory
reproduction


https://www.aamc.org/students/download/85566/data/bstopics.pdf

 

[stevosal91]

The exam kracker books that I used covered all the major systems in the human body and I had several A&P questions on my mcat

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Yea I never took A&P when I took the MCAT and did fine. The stuff I found, while definitely being harder than like 101 bio anatomy stuff, was pretty much covered in some sort of detail through various immunology, biochem, or cell bio courses. I would say the biggest A&P topic that I received (on the real deal and on practice tests) was hormones. I never had to learn the hormones in any of my classes so I had to learn them for the MCAT. Make flash cards and know those bad boys cold.... What they are, where they come from, what they do, and where they are going. I had like 5 super easy questions on the real deal because they were essentially a review of my hormone flash cards. I am pretty sure that the hormones and maybe the blood type stuff were the only things I had to really "know/memorize" for the bio section of the MCAT. Just brush through your prep books for the rest of the basic structure stuff and everything else.

Edit:
And know the menstrual cycle stuff. That killed me on the real deal.

 

[stevosal91]

Menstrual cycle....

Screwing with us even on the MCAT lol

 

[WastedTime]

Menstrual cycle....

Screwing with us even on the MCAT lol

Lmao hahaha

 

[BestDoctorEver]

I personally think a physiology course is important for people who did not take many upper division biology courses. For instance, my bio courses (bio 1&2, genetics, biochem) did not cover any physiology at all... For people who take the bare bio requirement, a physio course is important IMO... My MCAT exam had 2 physiology passages...

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I personally think a physiology course is important for people who did not take many upper division biology courses. For instance, my bio courses (bio 1&2, genetics, biochem) did not cover any physiology at all... For people who take the bare bio requirement, a physio course is important IMO... My MCAT exam had 2 physiology passages...

I would agree. If you have a few high level courses then it should cover the basics, but if you pretty much just have the pre-reqs then I imagine it could be very helpful.