Does our knowledge really need to be THIS detailed for the MCAT?

[yanks26dmb]

Here's a question from Exam Krackers...

A scientist monitors the nucleotide sequence of the third chromosome as a cell undergoes normal meiosis. What is the earliest point in meiosis at which the scientist can deduce with certainty the nucleotide sequence of the third chromosome of each gamete?

A. prophase I
B. metaphase I
C. prophase II
D. telophase II

We need to recall, in detail, each phase of meiosis. I thought the MCAT was about the big picture, and making inferences based on passages. Answering this would require studying fine details of meiosis and committing them to memory.

Bottom line, should questions as detailed as these be expected on the MCAT?

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[brood910]

This isnt really considered "detailed".
You still have to know basic stuff. When we say you just need to know the big picture, we are saying you dont have to know any specific details like structures of amino acids, enzymes involved in krebs cycle, etc..

Mitosis and meiosis are really basic stuff..

 

[BeancheBlanco]

Here's a question from Exam Krackers...

A scientist monitors the nucleotide sequence of the third chromosome as a cell undergoes normal meiosis. What is the earliest point in meiosis at which the scientist can deduce with certainty the nucleotide sequence of the third chromosome of each gamete?

A. prophase I
B. metaphase I
C. prophase II
D. telophase II

We need to recall, in detail, each phase of meiosis. I thought the MCAT was about the big picture, and making inferences based on passages. Answering this would require studying fine details of meiosis and committing them to memory.

Bottom line, should questions as detailed as these be expected on the MCAT?

You are expected to have a brief understanding of what happens in each phase. That being said, this type of question would rarely appear on the MCAT, but it's possible. This question is basically asking you when crossing over occurs, which I think is a fact you should know for the MCAT.

 

[ChEMD]

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[yanks26dmb]

It's weird...on the in chapter EK questions (like the one posted above) I do pretty badly (60% correct). In the 30 minute in class exams, which (in my limited scope) seem more "mcat-like" I get 80-85% correct.

Can anyone provide any distinction between the two formats, and shed some light on which more closely resembles the MCAT?

 

[yanks26dmb]

This isnt really considered "detailed".
You still have to know basic stuff. When we say you just need to know the big picture, we are saying you dont have to know any specific details like structures of amino acids, enzymes involved in krebs cycle, etc..

Mitosis and meiosis are really basic stuff..

I agree that they're basic, but it's not something I would inherently know/remember unless I sat down and actively studied (perhaps even made flash cards) for each step in their processes. I'm not sure if studying like this is overkill, or if its what is expected to get a >30.

 

[brood910]

I agree that they're basic, but it's not something I would inherently know/remember unless I sat down and actively studied (perhaps even made flash cards) for each step in their processes. I'm not sure if studying like this is overkill, or if its what is expected to get a >30.

If you took bio class already, I think you wont really have to study much for this.
Anyways, to answer your question, it's not really overkill. Which prep book are you using for bio? I recommend EK. It's very concise, and it has everything you need to know.

 

[yanks26dmb]

If you took bio class already, I think you wont really have to study much for this.
Anyways, to answer your question, it's not really overkill. Which prep book are you using for bio? I recommend EK. It's very concise, and it has everything you need to know.

Well the problem is, I'm a non-trad and I took Bio 1 and 2 almost 10 years ago, so recalling this stuff is a bit of a challenge. I'm much stronger in chemistry, physics, physiology, and organic chem, which I've all taken in the past year.

I'm using both TBR and EK.

 

[brood910]

Well the problem is, I'm a non-trad and I took Bio 1 and 2 almost 10 years ago, so recalling this stuff is a bit of a challenge. I'm much stronger in chemistry, physics, physiology, and organic chem, which I've all taken in the past year.

I'm using both TBR and EK.

TBR is overkill for bio. Dont bother with it. Use EK and refer to TBR only if you are not sure of something.
Use TPRH science workbook for bio passages. They are the most representative of AAMC bio.

 

[yanks26dmb]

Thanks for your help!