Biology for MCAT

[drbatsandwich]

I'm not taking the MCAT until next summer. What I'd like to know is whether or not you guys think my course load this year will prepare me for the test (specifically in the case of the biology section)

I took Biology 1 and 2 around 10 years ago. Just went back to school this semester. I am taking chemistry 1 now, 2 this summer, organic chemistry 1 and 2 in the fall and spring, physics 1 and 2 in the fall and spring, cell biology in the fall, genetics in the spring, and biochemistry in the spring.

What I'm concerned with is it having been so long since I took general biology. I really don't remember a whole lot. Do you think that cell bio/genetics/biochem and MCAT review books will be sufficient for the biology section?

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[Altius Premier Tutor]

I'm not taking the MCAT until next summer. What I'd like to know is whether or not you guys think my course load this year will prepare me for the test (specifically in the case of the biology section)

I took Biology 1 and 2 around 10 years ago. Just went back to school this semester. I am taking chemistry 1 now, 2 this summer, organic chemistry 1 and 2 in the fall and spring, physics 1 and 2 in the fall and spring, cell biology in the fall, genetics in the spring, and biochemistry in the spring.

What I'm concerned with is it having been so long since I took general biology. I really don't remember a whole lot. Do you think that cell bio/genetics/biochem and MCAT review books will be sufficient for the biology section?

Hi silverqueen16,

Having tutored for the MCAT for several years, I feel pretty safe in saying that between Cell Bio, Genetics, and Biochem, you will probably be fine. You will almost certainly need to review general bio concepts this year as they come up in the context of your current classes, but they will build on the foundation laid by Bio 1 and 2. Just make sure to seek out help when you have questions. Don't put them off and hope that they will become clear down the road. Don't take that risk.

As for being prepared for the MCAT, realize that your undergraduate courses will test material very differently than the AAMC will. College finals tend to reward you for memorizing facts. The MCAT rarely rewards rote memorization, but rather conceptual mastery. As you go throughout your courses this year, don't just accept what is being taught at face value. Ask, "Why? Why are kinetics and thermodynamics not the same thing? Why do atoms get smaller as you move to the right on the periodic table?" Gaining a conceptual understanding in your courses this year will be a huge advantage to you come test day.

 

[chemist13579]

I would personally think those classes will prepare you well enough, especially if you are also using review books to prep. The biggest thing I would say is make sure you take an actual biochem class before the mcat, which I see you are already doing!

 

[Blanky]

Your going to be fine. Maybe read kaplan Biology in your free time. Should only take a couple days to cruise through.

 

[drbatsandwich]

Great. Thanks for everyone's replies!