AP Bio,Chem,Physics sufficient for MCAT?

[tuhtles]

So, I've heard and read some remarks claiming/having the impression that it's not necessary to have nearly done all the premed prereqs in order to do well on the MCAT. This kinda throws me off because although doing all the prereqs will clearly help you immensely for the MCAT, I personally don't think having basic AP high school knowledge will suffice unless you are naturally a very intelligent, critical thinker who is good at integrating and applying new information on the spot. It also depends what your view of "well" is. For me, a very good score (and what I am aiming for) is 37+.

I felt like AP classes really just give you a foundation to work with as you learn these subjects more in depth throughout college. AP classes really covered surface material and in reality didn't cover all the topics in college courses.. But now thinking about it, you could definitely be able to do well on *some* mcat questions with having only AP high school knowledge. I'm just wondering what you guys think what makes the MCAT hard? Looking at it with face value, isn't is just basic science and being able to apply it? Or is it the vast quantity of possible topics to be tested on that makes it hard?

Lol I think this is really just a rant. I get offended when people are shocked that I'm spending so much money on an MCAT prep class. They really just view it as another SAT/ACT type test. In all honestly, I don't think the class really helps but the practice material is very, very useful. I guess I'm just ranting a bit on how some pretentious people throwout these unjustified claims like "never took physiology - don't need it to do well" blah blah blah and then all the remarks "is the mcat really that hard??" "took practice test. seems so easy!" haha just annoys me because it kinda puts me down since I'm spending a whole summer studying for this and aiming for my goal and I've also squeezed all prereqs in before end of my sophomore yr of college. It's just making feel like a try hard..but honestly I know very good students that take this long of a time to prep for it too.

So I guess I'm just wondering.. what do you guys think makes the MCAT *hard*?

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[Platonic]

I guess I'm just ranting a bit on how some pretentious people throwout these unjustified claims like "never took physiology - don't need it to do well" blah blah blah and then all the remarks "is the mcat really that hard??"

Not to be THAT guy, but you don't need physiology to do well. I believe I recall reading some AAMC source (official guide to the MCAT, maybe) saying that people with advanced coursework don't outperform those who have only done the pre-reqs. Physiology can't hurt, though. Probably does help a little bit.

what do you guys think makes the MCAT *hard?

It's a critical thinking test that requires you to know a lot of facts about science. And it doesn't give you very much time to think about the questions.

 

[tuhtles]

Ohh hmm for some reason I always thought physiology was required
I took a Physiology/Anatomy course last semester and learned so much it was insane..

Isn't hormones like calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and all the pituitary gland hormones learned in a physiology course though? And these are topics on the MCAT? I did learn all this stuff in AP bio (only superficially though since there's no time in high school to cover topics on a deeper level) but never revisited it thoroughly until physiology although intro bio classes covered the basics of hormone signaling mechanism but never anything specific.. and stuff like how breathing works with volume/pressure relationship and structure/function of the brain, etc.. these are necessary for the MCAT but I feel you would learn these indepth in a physio course, no? 😵

Also, I agree on the time part. It is one thing to have a bunch of knowledge but it is another to be able to apply it quickly and efficiently.

 

[Temperature101]

You will find some smart people in here who did well in BS (12+) and did not take physiology; however, I think for most a physiology class can be very helpful in order to have a good understanding of the organ systems such as the lungs, heart, the reproductive system etc...

 

[sunflower18]

I didn't take physiology because it is an extremely popular class at my school and I couldn't fit it and its prereq of anatomy into my schedule. I really wish I had that knowledge, but with lots of studying and referral to various resources, I think I'll end up okay. Hopefully. But I do wish that I had taken physiology so that this wasn't all new info for me.

Also, my school didn't have AP science courses, so I didn't take any. All I know is that my high school coursework would NOT prepare me at ALL for the MCAT.

 

[The Kraken]

What separates the 30/31 from higher is knowing every subject well, not just your favorites. Once absolutely nothing catches you off guard, you will start to break low 30s.