From a conversation with a sophmore currently taking gen. chem. 2, physics 2, and reminiscing on bio 2. This occurred at a pre med dinner and we were told to mingle for about 20 minutes between the tables.
[Sophomore]: I'm so glad that I can forget all of this stuff as soon as the semester ends
[Me]: Watch out though, the MCAT is going to cover all of that stuff
[Sophomore]: No, the MCAT only covers Sociology, Psychology, and writing. Didn't you hear?
[Me]: *voice inside my head in the tone of a supportive Queen Latifah* Oh honey...
[Sophomore]: Ya they changed it for 2015
[Me]: No, they added those sections along with adding biochemistry to the list of testable materials
[Sophomore]: What are you talking about? All of the med students I've spoken to say that you never use any of the stuff you learned throughout college in medical school
[Me]: You still have to remember that stuff for the MCAT.
*I'm not lying about this next part. This seriously came out of her mouth.*
[Sophomore]: Like what stuff? (she proceeds to whip out her notebook) I doubt they would test about random stuff like Ka's, electrical fields, magnetics, or reaction rates. That stuff is ridiculous. Doctor's aren't going to be using any of that stuff.
[Me]: All of that stuff is bread and butter MCAT material. You're also going to have to know stuff like enzyme kinematics for your MCAT. When are you taking the MCAT?
[Sophomore]: I'm taking it in February. My advisor said that I'd only need about a month to study for it so I think that if I start studying about 1.5 months beforehand, that I can definitely score high. Like, 39-42 high, since to get into most medical schools you need like a 36-38.
[Me]: You should definitely delay your MCAT until next summer. There is a lot of stuff you need to get straight before you take it. It is definitely worth waiting a little longer to get a better score.
[Sophomore]:Why? Are you trying to psych me out or something? I'd rather trust my advisor instead of my competition. Just because you didn't get a great score on your MCAT doesn't mean I won't either. I can definitely do well with ~1.5 months of studying.
[Me]: I studied for 3 months, and I got a 33. It's not as easy as you think.
[Sophomore]: Good luck with that. You're probably going to have to retake like my friend.
At this point, she rolled her eyes, gave me attitude, and walked away.
That is literally the last time I ever attended a pre med dinner function hosted by anyone but my local medical school. I was just as appalled by her attitude as I am that her advisor would supposedly tell her that 1 month of studying for the MCAT was sufficient. There was just such a large amount of misinformation coming from her (and other pre meds that night) that I was almost sad.
Now kids, what's the takeaway from this story?
That there's a lot of "stuff" on the MCAT.