How do the MCAT and Step 1/2 compare?

[PanRoasted]

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Title really says it all. MCAT seemed to require a good deal of critical thinking and moderate memorization...what kind of skills do you need to do well on step 1/2? How well do MCAT scores and step scores correlate? Just curious.

 

[Daodejing]

Memorizing an immense amount of information on different medically-related subjects, integrating that information within your brain, and finally applying it correctly and promptly to the question presented (usually as a clinical vignette with some having rather long question stems). It's a Herculean task, but it can be done.

Many say that compared to the mcat there is less critical thinking and a lot more memorization involved. While the latter is certainly true, don't be fooled and think that it is solely rote memorization. It's not.

Your last question can be answered by a simple search. While there is a little correlation, there are routinely students that do relatively less optimally on the mcat but absolutely rock the boards.

 

[darkjedi]

Chronicidal of SDN did a pretty good analysis and write up of GPA and MCAT scores as predictors of Step 1/2

http://anastomosed.wordpress.com/20...chools-mcatgpa-as-predictors-of-usmle-scores/

 

[gimghoul]

Totally and completely different. MCAT is reasoning first and subject knowledge second, while the steps are overwhelmingly dependent on subject knowledge.

 

[survivordo]

I would say MCAT is most similar to Step II and III, combination of knowledge base and application. Step I is it's own beast of straight up rote memorization.

Survivor DO

 

[osumc2014]

I would say they are equally difficult and stressful relative to where you are in your training.