A strange question about MCAT

[fonzy]

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Hello,

I have very little background in BIO. I have looked at MCAT biological and physical sciences sections. It seems MCAT assumes no previous knowledge of the subject matter. Questions are based upon the given passages. It might help to be familiar with the matter but it is an aptitude test. One needs to read the passage and infer/deduce the answers asked for....Just like analytical reasoning....

Am I right or wrong about my understanding of what exactly MCAT looks for?
Sorry I am very new to all this.

thanks and best

 

[paean]

You are partly right. Many of the questions can be answered from the information in the passage. But some of them require more scientific knowledge, and there are some questions that are free standing, so there is no passage to glean info from. I found knowing the subjects tested was useful, because I didn't have to waste time reading passages for subjects that I knew well, and so had more time for unfamiliar areas.

 

[indianboy]

You are essentially correct. Discrete questions may defy that observation, but its mostly true. If you have especially strong critical thinking skills, it is possible to get a good score without specialized knowledge. Much like many things in life, however, the more prepared you are, there is a greater probability of doing better. Since confidence and attitude are important to many people before they take this test, preparing as well as possible would help. I personally had no passages that were aided by my 'specialized knowledge' and performed well. But I could have.

Hope that Helps

PShankOut46

 

[TroutBum]

I disagree. Knowing a ton of biology and physics doesn't guarantee you'll do well on the MCAT, since the test is primarly measuring your critical thinking skills. However, if you don't know any background science you also probably won't do well.

It's a really good idea to have a solid foundation in these subjects before taking it. MCAT DOES assume previous knowledge for the test, but it is true that you won't require it in all cases. The discrete questions (non-passage based) are proof in themselves that you need background knowledge, and even in passage based problems you will get questions where you'll have to combine your background knowledge with the passage info to come to a correct answer.

How much background do you have in bio and physics? You may be saying this because you already have at least a decent foundation in these subjects, which makes the passages seem less formidable.

In any case, somebody with really strong analytical and reasoning skills will almost always do better than someone who has the textbook memorized but can't handle new problems.

 

[fonzy]

Here is the deal:
I have grad degrees in engineering, one of them in biomed engg. I have done physiology [and lab] at grad level. I plan to take intro courses thru' AP. Intially I planned to take MCAT in April 2004 and apply for 2005. Now I am thinking of taking the MCAT in Aug 2003 and try my luck with a few schools, provided I do well on the MCAT. If I have to retake it, I can do it next year.
I have no problem with physics and chem should be ok too. I do need to prepare for the verbal as even on GRE I did not get excellent score on that part.
However, I do plan to go thru' either Kaplan or TPR material.

That is why I have asked for your opinion.

thanks

 

[siempre595]

You probably could do a lot with the science passages with little previous knowledge, but you'd need a ton of time to read over them. If you know the background inside out ahead of time you don't even hardly have to read the passages, which saves massive amounts of time. I wouldn't recommend assuming you can get by with little science studying.

 

[keptium]

from my experience, the more classes you take the easier the MCAT will be. Notice i said easier....But i really think the more exposure you have inside the classroom the easier it will be to apply that knowledge. Which is what you need to do on teh MCAT

Can you do well on the bio section of the MCAT by only taking 100 level bio classes? Sure. Could you have done better after taking classes in human phys, cell bio, genetics, and microbio. Prolly.

I was a chem major and had taken very little bio classes when I took the MCAT. I had to study a hell of A LOT for the stupd bio section. more so than all the other sections combined. I remember on the actual test one passage was all about the Golgi body and I had forgotten what the hell that was ( i know pathetic, and it wasn't explained in the passsage) anywyas, I bombed that passage. However, now after taking a semester of cell bio that knowledge is so basic, its ridiculous.

anywyas, imho even though you don't NEED to take upper level classes, it helps out greatly.