How specific is the MCAT? (in terms of equations)

[ilovemedi]

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For example, TBR Equilibrium Chapter is making me relearn ICE boxes 😡. Is that necessary for the MCAT? TBR equil seems like it's too detailed, and making me learn unnecessary equations (one example even gave a quadratic equation)!!

Was there any ICE box on the mcat?

 

[GemelloMD]

For example, TBR Equilibrium Chapter is making me relearn ICE boxes 😡. Is that necessary for the MCAT? TBR equil seems like it's too detailed, and making me learn unnecessary equations (one example even gave a quadratic equation)!!

Was there any ICE box on the mcat?

Firstly, the MCAT is very specific on equations and then again, sometimes it's not. You need to be able to pull any equation a company like PR or BR (okay, not all of them) gives you like they were asking for your SSN. What's more is that you need to be able to manipulate that equation in order to get new equations relatively easily. Dimensional analysis is your friend.

Now, as far as the BR equilibrium chapter goes, don't fret it. It's notorious for being a beast. You will never have to use the quadratic equation on the real MCAT. Sure, you could use it and get an exact answer but that's a different test. We need to guesstimate on the MCAT, and for that we drop extraneous terms to get a ballpark answer (ie dropping the x in the denominator of ICE tables). Will you need ICE tables on the MCAt? If it works for you, yeah. Personally I didn't, but I know those that did. However, if you're jotting down the quadratic equation, you're doing it (read:MCAT) wrong.

 

[gettheleadout]

For example, TBR Equilibrium Chapter is making me relearn ICE boxes 😡. Is that necessary for the MCAT? TBR equil seems like it's too detailed, and making me learn unnecessary equations (one example even gave a quadratic equation)!!

Was there any ICE box on the mcat?

Maybe you just saw the quadratic equation, freaked out, and skipped over that part of TBR, because they explicitly tell you they're presenting that as an example of how the question would be solved for an exact answer, not the way you should actually solve it.

ICE diagrams are simple, you should be able to lay one out in your head. The present those as a means of demonstrating where and why you ignore x for equilibrium shifts.

 

[mcat prep]

I would also agree as been suggested to understand ICE and don't memorize it. It's rare that you actually need to make ICE diagrams on the real exam.

And for the quadratic equation, there may be some overkill in content review but this is not an example of it.

To solve some of the problems in the Physical Sciences section, you will need to understand and be able to use the mathematics concepts listed below.

...

quadratic and simultaneous equations

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/preparing/85560/test_sections.html

So most MCAT review companies will cover the quadratic equation. I agree with GemelloMD that you will never use it for the real MCAT. But questions are designed far different from equilibrium problems but with the idea that you have the math background to solve a novel set of equations.

I also agree that "Dimensional analysis is your friend." but equation lists still can still be helpful (though they are better when you construct them yourself): www.goldstandard-mcat.com/physics-equation-lists/