How detail-intensive is the bio/physio?

[halmoni]

I've heard that the biochem stuff can be pretty detail heavy (enzymes, metabolic molecules, yadda yadda) but how much detail are we expected to know for physio? I'm currently studying with a tutor (I'm 99% sure he has never taken the mcat before, but don't blame me I didn't choose him) who thinks going through a 1st year med school physio textbook is a good use of time.

For example, he's convinced that if I don't know that glycosamineglycans + proteins are present as proteoglycans in ground substance, which is contained in the connective tissue between cells, that I'll do horribly on the mcat. Should I just drop his ass and self-study? I'm currently reading through the EK 10th edition book and doing practice questions from Sterling. I've taken classes for most of the bio topics (physio, biochem, genetics, endocrinology, etc. ) at college, so at this point it's all review.

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[Dreamer47]

Eh, you'll get some "heavy detailed" questions but most are bigger picture/interpreting the passage. By no means did I remember any of the specific enzymes in glycolysis/oxidative phosphorylation but I got 85% on biology

 

[pms_testosterone]

who thinks going through a 1st year med school physio textbook is a good use of time

It's not.

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

Hi @halmoni -

The example you give is definitely beyond the scope of the MCAT, and you absolutely don't need a med-school level of physio knowledge. In general, the MCAT is mostly about quickly, precisely, and thoughtfully applying a broad range of undergraduate-level science content in novel contexts.

For anyone wondering about what's on the MCAT, I always recommend going straight to the AAMC official outline. Just Google "AAMC what's on the MCAT" and you'll find an official landing pages w/ outlines by section or a giant 128-page PDF with everything on it. You still have to make some decisions about level of depth, but it's a great start, and lies at the core of all reputable MCAT book review series (although different book series will handle some things in relatively more/less depth or with a specific style). But it's a great resource to familiarize yourself with.

This is why the key components of MCAT prep are reputable MCAT-targeted review materials and tons of realistic practice -- that realistic practice both helps you build the tools you need on Test Day and gives you a sense of how to study the content most appropriately.

Hope this was helpful, and best of luck as you study!

 

[halmoni]

Thank you for all of the tips everyone, but I've already finished my MCAT last year lol. I ended up with a 131 in B/B and I definitely did not need to read a textbook.

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

Oops, what a helpful reminder to always check the date of the threads 🙂. But who knows, maybe someone out there is wondering something similar -- and congratulations on your awesome B/B score!!

 

[Dreamer47]

shoutout to @Next Step Tutor and the program itself, I attribute it as well as EK for getting me my 510 🙂

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

Thank you and congrats! That's awesome to hear 🙂.