Essential Topics To Memorize

[fun8stuff]

I know the MCAT is largly a reading comprehension test that tests comprehensive knowledge. However, there are some topics(hormones, digestive enzymes) that should probably be memorized.

What other topics do you think are essential to be memorized for the exam?

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[Pinkertinkle]

I had like 4 problems about Anti Diueretic Hormone on the august MCAT, also had a tricky one about heart rate when shocking it.

 

[Cerberus]

sympathetic/parasympathetic

 

[rugbyboy]

Mcat is a reading comprehension Exam?? Damn , I guess I memorized everything for nothing :-(

 

[Mr.Tweed]

Memorizing things goes a long, long way, especially when it comes to physics equations and various rules (like solubility) in chemistry.

 

[fun8stuff]

Well, i will probably get-by by memorizing all kinds of stuff... i have a great short-term memory. I think the people that are supersmart get high scores because they have a high reading comprehension.

 

[Childe]

It takes both. Dont waste time memorizing the wrong things, however. Use either examkrackers or the aamc list which they form their focus from.

 

[HippocratesX]

Could you direct me to a link with the aamc focus list or tell me where Examkrackers shows a list of focus topics to memorize from???? THanksssssssssssssssssssssssss

 

[HippocratesX]

bump...

 

[CEB27]

Link to the aamc mcat outline
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/studentmanual/start.htm

 

[Stinger86]

Just walk in with a jar of inexpensive lube and get the exam over with. The MCAT is one of those exams that can ask you just about ANYTHING, so studying particular concepts because other people had them on their exam is pretty useless. Sorry I'm no help, but that's how the MCAT usually goes.

 

[hamhamfan]

Originally posted by CEB27
Link to the aamc mcat outline
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/studentmanual/start.htm

I'd think that you could study of this... but like Stinger said, memorization probably really won't help you much. I memorized a whole bunch of facts that I really don't think had any relevance on the exam. Just practice I guess.

 

[fun8stuff]

Originally posted by hamhamfan
I'd think that you could study of this... but like Stinger said, memorization probably really won't help you much. I memorized a whole bunch of facts that I really don't think had any relevance on the exam. Just practice I guess.

Well, this is how most of my upper level bio and chem classes have been. There is so much material that is put fourth for us to know. The only way to surely get an A is to memorize just about every last detail, even though maybe only 10% of it will be tested. The most important thing to do in these classes is pick out the most important material.

The MCAT may be random to a point, but when you break it down there has to be key concepts that they are testing. That list is exactly what I was looking for... that and input from other people on topics that needed memorizing. A lot of the topics on that list you just know, but then there are small minute details like the hormones or certain equations that you just need to memorize. It may not be on the exam, but you still have to memorize it all because it is that 10% that will get you the score you need.

Isn't the point of standardized tests to get you to learn a whole lot, but only test a little. Well, from the way I see it you have 3 choices:
1) Memorize/learn it all
2) Try and pick out the most essential topics and memorize them.
3) Just study at random or don't study at all and hope it goes good during the exam.

 

[bigdan]

I think memorization can only help in some areas; and then your perspective on the exam matters, too.

From the AAMC guide, I think you'll need to have the function of major hormones memorized to answer questions about them. I think the location of where some activities take place (transcription occurs where?) is also important to know. So while it is a "reading comprehension" test, the passage questions are valued at the exact same amount as the discretes...so if you choose not to memorize, you may lose points on some of the discretes.

Bio seems like it would have the most inherent memorization, but there are a lot of "things" that general chemistry demands you memorize - periodic table characteristics, solubility, etc.

dc

 

[hamhamfan]

Originally posted by fun8stuff
Well, this is how most of my upper level bio and chem classes have been. There is so much material that is put fourth for us to know. The only way to surely get an A is to memorize just about every last detail, even though maybe only 10% of it will be tested. The most important thing to do in these classes is pick out the most important material.

The MCAT may be random to a point, but when you break it down there has to be key concepts that they are testing. That list is exactly what I was looking for... that and input from other people on topics that needed memorizing. A lot of the topics on that list you just know, but then there are small minute details like the hormones or certain equations that you just need to memorize. It may not be on the exam, but you still have to memorize it all because it is that 10% that will get you the score you need.

Isn't the point of standardized tests to get you to learn a whole lot, but only test a little. Well, from the way I see it you have 3 choices:
1) Memorize/learn it all
2) Try and pick out the most essential topics and memorize them.
3) Just study at random or don't study at all and hope it goes good during the exam.

heh, it's the opposite for me. A lot more conceptual and less memorization for upper div for me. Then again, the weeder classes are gone. *shrug*