How Helpful are the content outlines from AAMC?

[YoungProdigy]

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I'm looking at the outline here: https://www.aamc.org/students/download/85566/data/bstopics.pdf.
If I was to know all of the material that's listed there, would I score high on the MCAT Bio?

 

[Laureatebarrel]

It is good to find knowledge gap but you have to do actual practice to get used to the way they ask.

 

[mcloaf]

Content knowledge alone is necessary but not sufficient, though it depends on the sort of score for which you're aiming.

 

[ruedjgtc]

I found the content to be pretty spot on, though it really takes some time to really draw out all of the super topics. I sat down and tabulated the subtopics for the PS and BS on excel, there's about 1000. With that being said, your goal isn't to memorize every little detail. Focus on building a solid foundation on each topic, and major sub topics (high yield areas). When you don't understand a main topic it's probably because you don't understand a foundation sub topic. But, always remember that the test is evaluating your critical thinking skills not your raw hard drive for remembering random facts.

Feel free to ignore my links here, but they sort of address that question and then some:
Here's how I felt about the AAMC content for BS/PS on my blog: http://doctororbust.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/how-i-studied-for-the-mcat/ ‎
A very long post on how the feel of the questions of the MCAT are on the PS: http://doctororbust.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/physical-scien…sage-feel-like/

 

[scrub2scrubs]

I found the content to be pretty spot on, though it really takes some time to really draw out all of the super topics. I sat down and tabulated the subtopics for the PS and BS on excel, there's about 1000. With that being said, your goal isn't to memorize every little detail. Focus on building a solid foundation on each topic, and major sub topics (high yield areas). When you don't understand a main topic it's probably because you don't understand a foundation sub topic. But, always remember that the test is evaluating your critical thinking skills not your raw hard drive for remembering random facts.

Feel free to ignore my links here, but they sort of address that question and then some:
Here's how I felt about the AAMC content for BS/PS on my blog: http://doctororbust.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/how-i-studied-for-the-mcat/ ‎
A very long post on how the feel of the questions of the MCAT are on the PS: http://doctororbust.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/physical-scien…sage-feel-like/

I really enjoyed that post! Probably the most helpful I've read regarding the PS section. I liked the passage too..its just all about getting through the details to see the simple concept tested.

 

[ruedjgtc]

I really enjoyed that post! Probably the most helpful I've read regarding the PS section. I liked the passage too..its just all about getting through the details to see the simple concept tested.

Glad you liked it.

And for the OP, you've inspired me to make an BS blog entry. I didn't mind the list on the BS that much because I was tutoring the subjects at the time. But, it was accurate, it's still just critical thinking though IMHO (like most others?) much easier than PS.

 

[moop]

I'm looking at the outline here: https://www.aamc.org/students/download/85566/data/bstopics.pdf.
If I was to know all of the material that's listed there, would I score high on the MCAT Bio?

Critical thinking still needed.

 

[NickNaylor]

If you can easily explain the concepts listed on those concept outlines, you will probably be well-prepared for the exam. They're a good guideline, but most people prefer the more absolute structure of review books. The review books effectively base their content on these outlines, so you will be receiving more or less the same information. The differences arise in how much background material and explanation is provided.

And as moop said, you need to be able to apply the knowledge. I find that if you can teach someone and answer questions about something, then you likely know whatever it is you're teaching well enough to apply it. I think it's a pretty good benchmark to aim for, but most people don't have the time or desire to learn every little detail to that degree.