Has anyone on SDN taken the MCAT without biochemistry?

[KCraig]

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[TXMED_1695]

I took the new MCAT w/o taking the Biochemistry course.

 

[KCraig]

I took the new MCAT w/o taking the Biochemistry course.

How did you do?

 

[TXMED_1695]

522.

It is funny the way it worked out, because I am taking the Biochemistry course now, due to the fact it is required at some schools. In my mind, all of the MCAT preparation is self-studying.

How did you do?

 

[TXMED_1695]

I worked through Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry myself, and I went through all the modules that Khan academy has on Biochemistry. Also, I used Kaplan for all my preparation for the MCAT.

In a way, it is! I am pretty motivated. I have a good background in biology, but I am definitely weaker in subjects like organic chemistry. How long did it take you to learn the biochemistry material? And are there any study materials you recommend for biochem?

 

[Lucca]

Like all things MCAT, it can be done but in my opinion this is not a place to cut corners. I have had friends who took it before Biochem and still did really well. But you will be spending a lot of time during content prep covering biochem topics u might have not seen in college yet.

Being a grad, taking an extra class when you might not have to is obviously a significant money and time investment. If you trust your ability to self study the subject using the materials out there, then go for it.

 

[TXMED_1695]

Results will vary, but I believe it is based off of the college. For example, my advanced genetics course felt like a review of Biology 2 and it was ridiculously simplistic. Did it help me in preparation for the MCAT? My pre-med adviser would say, “Yes”, and I would say, it was too basic. This can be applied to every college course that you take in preparation of the MCAT. Ultimately, you know if you are ready for the MCAT based off of your practice exam scores. It goes without saying though, it is not a test to gamble on.

 

[stickgirl390]

I took without Biochem and scored 505. I'm not sure how much more biochem content would have helped me though. I didn't focus enough on MCAT test taking strategies in general.

 

[700825]

+3 Also took the MCAT without biochem.

 

[MedicalWaste]

I don't see why you would need a biochem course prior to taking the MCAT (althought it may help). There is numerous questions requiring a basic understanding of biochem on the test, but it is fairly high-level concepts that can be self-taught in a short period of time (i.e., a few pathways and the amino acids).

 

[auferstehen92]

I'm definitely an outlier, but I took the (old) MCAT w/out having taken general bio or the second half of general chemistry and scored relatively well (32). In retrospect, a stronger science background would almost certainly have benefitted me on the exam, but not to the extent that most people might expect.

My point is that preparing for the MCAT is very much self-study and self-motivation. Studying subjects as they are applied on the MCAT is VERY different than studying them for a university course.

 

[Semmelweiser]

I took it without having taken a biochemistry course; ended up scoring in the 99th on the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Sciences section (97th overall). I used the Kaplan content review book, online lectures through Oregon State University, and Khan Academy. I didn't find any of the biochemistry content to be particularly overwhelming, although I am a relatively strong/motivated self-directed learner. I am currently taking a biochemistry course through a university to supplement my academic record, and am finding that my individual preparation through publicly available material wasn't that far off the mark.

That being said, I would recommend that if you have any lingering doubt about your ability to self-teach/process the material OR if you have never attempted to self-teach before, err on the side of caution and find a way to take the class. If you're able to commit the time you would spend in a class AND additional time for review (basically setting up your own simulated-class), you will probably be all right.

 

[momo_in_homaha]

Taking biochemistry before taking the MCAT was the single best thing I did to prepare. I think I would have bombed the bio and chem sections without it - it was probably 25% of each of those sections. Yes, I still did a lot of self-study, and yes, I probably would have done okay without taking it, but some concepts were so hammered into my head by the time I took the MCAT, thanks to that biochem class, that there's no was I could have screwed them up. I actually personally emailed my biochem professor after getting my test scores to thank her for how much that class prepared me. (I got a 519.)

If you're super confident in your self-study abilities, you might be okay. For instance, I didn't have time to take psych before the MCAT - I self studied it all and ended up doing very well on that section. But if you realistically think you're only going to learn those concepts in a class, take it. Biochem is extremely important on the new MCAT. You could maybe fudge a little bit on orgo or physics for the new MCAT, but not biochem.

 

[morejedi]

Taking Biochem will definitely boost your score immensely, that's not really the right question. If you use the resources like Khan Academy + grab yourself a TPR or Kaplan or whatever review courses' Biochem book and actively study the material it will definitely be enough.

There are also resources like these -

https://www.sporcle.com/games/sproutcm/amino-acids-from-structures
https://www.sporcle.com/games/mitchellduffy/single_letter_amino_acids

(Credit to one of those big-time stickied study plans I forget which one) that allow you to solidy basic biochem concepts which will easily boost your score.

As long as you learn the metabolic pathways, amino acids, hormones (and their 1/3 letter codes), titration curves, and substrace/enzyme interactions then you're clear. Again, the resources are out there and easily available but taking the MCAT without learning biochem is a horrible idea.

 

[KCraig]

Thank you all for the feedback! I really appreciate it. I was very stressed about teaching myself biochemistry, but I think with the right mindset and resources, it can definitely be done.