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[dmf2682]

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So in perusing these forums I'm seeing people ask some really detailed and specific questions. I've heard anecdotally that the mcat is more about reasoning and critical thinking than memorization, and that most of what I need will actually be in the passage itself. Can anyone comment on this?

 

[centrigeugle]

Most of the problems on the MCAT will be reasoning-based and require a shallow, but broad knowledge of your fundamental sciences.

Some of the problems will be "what is the function of the glomerialincubar apparatus" and if you didn't make a flashcard for it, you're screwed.

Is it memorization? Or is it critical thinking?

Yes.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Not so much.

True, I don't think you would do well without a knack for reasoning/critical thinking. That is, however, because you have to be able to apply what you already know from multiple areas into one application. You will want to have your formulas down as second nature; even if you aren't doing math, you will often be asked about relationships.

Remember, out of 52 questions on each science section, there are 13 discretes. Some of the passage-based questions are also discretes posed relative to the passage.

In order to get your highest score possible, you would be well-advised to know the content inside and out. Then, at least you know you are missing questions for good reason, not just because you didn't bother to memorize.

 

[ThereSheGoes]

someone with zero science background and strong reading comp skills would probably score very poorly in the science sections. you will definitely need to go over the concepts and know them well. reading comprehension will certainly come in handy, but it all starts with understanding the facts 🙂

 

[Pre-Med Village]

True, I don't think you would do well without a knack for reasoning/critical thinking. That is, however, because you have to be able to apply what you already know from multiple areas into one application. You will want to have your formulas down as second nature; even if you aren't doing math, you will often be asked about relationships.

This is exactly right. I just want to add that during undergraduate coursework the pattern is to study a semester of this and a semester of that. There is never a challenge to have the entire knowledge base ready to interpret diverse phenomena. A major goal of MCAT review is to teach the mind to see the structure of general science from beginning to end so that you can place the phenomena of MCAT passages within a frame of reference and make the conceptual content of a passage intelligible and familiar even if the factual content involves something you may not be expected to have seen before.

 

[dmf2682]

Sounds like a hoot! Like a combination of jeopardy! Sudoku and Rubiks cube.

Guess I'll go relearn biology and chemistry for a couple years and then figure out how to put it together.

I'm really tempted to try one out to see where I stand today but I don't wasn't to waste a practice exam

 

[mitchlucker]

Sounds like a hoot! Like a combination of jeopardy! Sudoku and Rubiks cube.

Guess I'll go relearn biology and chemistry for a couple years and then figure out how to put it together.

I'm really tempted to try one out to see where I stand today but I don't wasn't to waste a practice exam

try AAMC3 .. it's free and if you're trying to relearn for "a couple of years" there's no way you'll remember it if you choose to retake it down the road. Plus it's only 1 exam.

There's plenty more practice exams out there. 1 more practice won't make or break your final score. Give it a shot and see what happens.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Guess I'll go relearn biology and chemistry for a couple years and then figure out how to put it together.

I'm really tempted to try one out to see where I stand today but I don't wasn't to waste a practice exam

If you're already well past those courses, you won't need to spend years re-learning. I've been out of school a loooong time and was surprised at how basic the knowledge base was. There is a LOT of it in terms of scope, don't get me wrong, but the level shouldn't be anything mind-boggling if you got the hang of it the first time. Just review at that point.

I would do a practice if I were you. I think AAMC 3 is free. There are plenty of practice exams out there, so you'll be fine if you "waste" one.

Best of luck!

 

[xroc]

Sounds like a hoot! Like a combination of jeopardy! Sudoku and Rubiks cube.

Guess I'll go relearn biology and chemistry for a couple years and then figure out how to put it together.

I'm really tempted to try one out to see where I stand today but I don't wasn't to waste a practice exam

I don't wasn't going to comment either, but has I not haven't?