MCAT Achiever -- formula derivation

[bentley00]

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One of the physics passages discusses something on dynamic and momentum and have questions on deriving some formulas. Are we supposed to know this and be tested in this manner?

 

[Silverfalcon]

One of the physics passages discusses something on dynamic and momentum and have questions on deriving some formulas. Are we supposed to know this and be tested in this manner?

MCAT Achiever according to SDN here is that it's a rubbish. Just throw it away and get a different prep material.

 

[bentley00]

MCAT Achiever according to SDN here is that it's a rubbish. Just throw it away and get a different prep material.

Well, I've already bought it and found that the program is pretty helpful except with some concerns on the oddball questions I've been getting in their tests. Anyone else has an opinion/comment to my question? Thanks.

 

[NickNaylor]

No, you don't need to know how to derive equations. You simply need to understand them and be able to use them.

 

[Mbeas]

you will definitely have to know how to at least manipulate formulas to find what answer you are looking for.

for example: what is the acceleration of a particle due to an electric field?

you know that F=ma and F=qE so....a= (qE)/m.

simple manipulations and plugging in different formulas is relatively common. not sure if this answers your question or not, but hopefully so

 

[Silverfalcon]

Well, I've already bought it and found that the program is pretty helpful except with some concerns on the oddball questions I've been getting in their tests. Anyone else has an opinion/comment to my question? Thanks.

The only reason that I gave a such response was that in past, MCAT Achievers made multiple accounts, randomly post on some threads, and advertise their products excessively.

For instance, look at LostInStudy's reaction when a user asks about MCAT Achiever in this thread. This wasn't an advertising, but look at how LIS tells the user to stay off from MCAT Achiever.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=679912&page=2

Anyway, as other two users mentioned, I highly recommend you to invest in other materials that represent MCAT more realistically.

 

[bentley00]

Thanks, everyone. I'm in no way promoting the product with my zest following world cup 2010 games now.

They don't actually ask you to derive the formulas from scratch. For instance, after presenting you a passage on how a toy rocket is made using a plastic bottle filled with compressed air and liquid, they would throw you the first question on the rate of liquid mass loss and expect you knowing how to relate this to the density formula to work it out.

It isn't like what Mbeas put it as plugging in the numbers on kinematic formulas and manipulate from there.

I mean can something so indirectly implied like this be on the MCAT physical sciences?

 

[Silverfalcon]

Thanks, everyone. I'm in no way promoting the product with my zest following world cup 2010 games now.

I figured you weren't after seeing your reaction. And ditto - it's becoming harder and harder to study MCAT without constantly checking Google for live update on World Cup. 😀

They don't actually ask you to derive the formulas from scratch. For instance, after presenting you a passage on how a toy rocket is made using a plastic bottle filled with compressed air and liquid, they would throw you the first question on the rate of liquid mass loss and expect you knowing how to relate this to the density formula to work it out.

It isn't like what Mbeas put it as plugging in the numbers on kinematic formulas and manipulate from there.

I mean can something so indirectly implied like this be on the MCAT physical sciences?

I think to this matter, it really depends on the actual MCAT. I've heard how some tests were conceptual and less math-related (e.g. not much calculations) while there were other tests that required a lot of manipulations in algebra and calculations. No one really knows.

I would say that if the answer is something that is relatively quick (~ can be solved in 1-1.5 min), then it's reasonable. But if it's something much more complex, probably not.

 

[bentley00]

I figured you weren't after seeing your reaction. And ditto - it's becoming harder and harder to study MCAT without constantly checking Google for live update on World Cup. 😀



I think to this matter, it really depends on the actual MCAT. I've heard how some tests were conceptual and less math-related (e.g. not much calculations) while there were other tests that required a lot of manipulations in algebra and calculations. No one really knows.

I would say that if the answer is something that is relatively quick (~ can be solved in 1-1.5 min), then it's reasonable. But if it's something much more complex, probably not.

Definitely solvable in a minute when you look at the solution with only a few short lines of equations and variables. Guess I've not been very grounded in this area, huh?

Sigh, why Fifa WC has to happen at this time? was wondering what can keep me from watching USA vs England tomorrow ... haha.