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deleted421268
What specific equations are key for memorizing and knowing for MCAT?
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Just my opinion, but if you wanted to be really anal about formulas, you can probably come up with a decently long list of those to memorize. Things may have changed since my MCAT a few years back, but while I memorized some formulas, I found that unit location helped to get to an answer in numerous situations. What I mean is... if the answers are in, say, kg * m / s... you can look at the numbers they give you and figure out which to multiply, divide, etc., based on each variables individual unit. While I'm sure this lead me astray for a few questions, C/P was my highest section so I like to think this helped, at least somewhat.
Sorry for not directly answering your question lol... Good luck though!
Sorry for not directly answering your question lol... Good luck though!
I second the unit analysis technique. This can help you immensely. If you just compile the equations you tend to see on your practice problems and FLs, that would be a great start.
Assuming you took physics, there are definitely equations that you shouldn't have any problem remembering, like PE = mgh, KE = 1/2 mv^2, PV=nRT, F = ma, etc. Whatever you have difficulty remembering on your practice problems and FLs are the ones you should work on memorizing.
Assuming you took physics, there are definitely equations that you shouldn't have any problem remembering, like PE = mgh, KE = 1/2 mv^2, PV=nRT, F = ma, etc. Whatever you have difficulty remembering on your practice problems and FLs are the ones you should work on memorizing.
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Hi @Fuarky -
One way to answer this question is to use the AAMC content outline (available from the AAMC page on what's on the MCAT) and do a Ctrl+F for "=" and "equation"/"law" to set a lower bound of equations that you absolutely must know (although some of the "laws" may just require conceptual reasoning, not using an equation). This yields: F = ma, W = Fdcos(theta), KE = 1/2mv^2, PE (grav) = mgh, PE (spring) = 1/2kx^2, P = ρgh, A * v = constant (continuity equation), PV=nRT, the other ideal gas laws, V = IR, ρ (resistivity) = R•A/L, E = hf, n1 sin (theta)1 = n2 sin (theta)2, 1/p + 1/q = 1/f (for optics), area under the curve of PV diagrams = work, the Nernst equation, Bernoulli's equation, Van der Waal's equation for non-ideal gases, using the Arrhenius equation (for kinetics), Newton's laws (in addition to F=ma), Pascal's law for pressure, Dalton's law, Coulomb's law, Faraday's law, the laws of thermodynamics, Hess's law of heat summation, and Weber's law.
Every MCAT prep book will have more equations than that. That is because some other equations are essential for understanding key pieces of MCAT content and have a track record of being tested. An example is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation for buffers -- it's not specifically listed in the content outline, but it's an absolutely key concept related to buffers and I would 100% endorse the idea that MCAT takers should all know and understand this equation. In general, whenever you see an equation in an MCAT book, it's probably there because the book writers have a specific reason for thinking it's worth knowing...but, as
@Zenabi90 points out, practice materials and FLs also play a huge role in giving you a sense of what to prioritize and work on.
Hope this helps demystify this issue 🙂.
One way to answer this question is to use the AAMC content outline (available from the AAMC page on what's on the MCAT) and do a Ctrl+F for "=" and "equation"/"law" to set a lower bound of equations that you absolutely must know (although some of the "laws" may just require conceptual reasoning, not using an equation). This yields: F = ma, W = Fdcos(theta), KE = 1/2mv^2, PE (grav) = mgh, PE (spring) = 1/2kx^2, P = ρgh, A * v = constant (continuity equation), PV=nRT, the other ideal gas laws, V = IR, ρ (resistivity) = R•A/L, E = hf, n1 sin (theta)1 = n2 sin (theta)2, 1/p + 1/q = 1/f (for optics), area under the curve of PV diagrams = work, the Nernst equation, Bernoulli's equation, Van der Waal's equation for non-ideal gases, using the Arrhenius equation (for kinetics), Newton's laws (in addition to F=ma), Pascal's law for pressure, Dalton's law, Coulomb's law, Faraday's law, the laws of thermodynamics, Hess's law of heat summation, and Weber's law.
Every MCAT prep book will have more equations than that. That is because some other equations are essential for understanding key pieces of MCAT content and have a track record of being tested. An example is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation for buffers -- it's not specifically listed in the content outline, but it's an absolutely key concept related to buffers and I would 100% endorse the idea that MCAT takers should all know and understand this equation. In general, whenever you see an equation in an MCAT book, it's probably there because the book writers have a specific reason for thinking it's worth knowing...but, as
@Zenabi90 points out, practice materials and FLs also play a huge role in giving you a sense of what to prioritize and work on.
Hope this helps demystify this issue 🙂.
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Yes, there is a timer. I would highly recommend taking the FL tests offered by AAMC. Well worth the money.
