MCAT Requirements

[Sarovson98]

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I want to clear up a confusion I've had for awhile now. I know the subjects you're supposed to cover as far as chem goes are Gen Chem, Orgo I, Orgo II, Orgo Lab, Inorganic, and Biochem. The sequence at my university is such that about half of the freshman premed kids will start out in either the fall or spring of their freshman year in the first Gen Chem class, depending on whether they can test into it or need a prereq class before it. This sets them up where they will have to take chemistry every semester all the way through the spring semester of their junior year in order to do MCAT in the summer afterwards, the traditional method. The problem is the ones who can't take Gen Chem until the spring of freshman year will have to double up on the Orgo II and Orgo Lab at the same time in order to pack everything in to be get Biochem in during that spring semester junior year. My essential question is do you have to get in all of these chem requirements before you take the MCAT or is it unnecessary? Here's me trying to answer my own question. I think it's probably up to every individual to decide when they should take it. I'm guessing in order to perform optimally on the test, you need to have covered all of the subjects the test covers. DUH. Since this includes all of the chems I listed above (hopefully I didn't leave any out), that means you need to get all of the classes in before you take the MCAT, and if you can't get them all in before the summer after junior year for you take the MCAT at the optimal/traditional time, then too bad, take it when you can. I guess my point, is if my thinking is correct, is that there are tons of kids who I think expect just to take the MCAT (or even DAT since that covers the same requirements I believe chemwise at least) in that summer but their progress isn't set up for them to even be able to get all of the classes they need in time. Ultimately everyone is their own advocate obviously, but I just think it's a good misconception to clear up for ones that think they can just take chem at their leisure and be able to take the MCAT during the summer after junior year because they probably will not have completed Biochem. I'm sure there are a lot of people (especially SDNers more than nons) who this is already obvious to, but based on the number of students I've talked to, it's not very apparent to the premed masses I don't think.

 

[TLAD123]

My essential question is do you have to get in all of these chem requirements before you take the MCAT or is it unnecessary?

I don't believe you have to verify that you have taken x number of classes before taking the MCAT - however you will have wanted to take these classes before taking the MCAT to ensure you've mastered the material.

 

[Sarovson98]

Yes, that is essentially all I need to know. I guess my next question is are there people that take the MCAT without having had completed all of the courses covered by the test? And if so...what is the point in doing that?, lol

 

[PreMedMaverick]

My opinion is that if you study hard enough, you can learn all the concepts you need out of the review books.

For example, my state medical school urges applicants to NOT take anatomy as undergraduates. Unfortunately, there is a good deal of anatomy on the MCAT. Even though I hadn't had a formal anatomy class, I felt comfortable taking the exam based on my knowledge from the review books (n=1).

 

[TLAD123]

Yes, that is essentially all I need to know. I guess my next question is are there people that take the MCAT without having had completed all of the courses covered by the test? And if so...what is the point in doing that?, lol

This is essentially the logic behind not requiring the courses - you will do well if you have taken them, maybe not so well if you haven't. No need to require them. Now in my case, I have taken an introductory physics course for my previous major and need to take the general physics w/ lab series required by most colleges of medicine. So in my case, I have some background knowledge in the physical sciences, but need to still take the course to fulfill the prereqs. (Thus, I might take the MCAT prior to the physics series and will probably still do well with proper review).

 

[xroc]

Yes, that is essentially all I need to know. I guess my next question is are there people that take the MCAT without having had completed all of the courses covered by the test? And if so...what is the point in doing that?, lol

I took the MCAT without having taken physics 2 or gen chem 2 and ended up getting a 14 in physical sciences while technically missing half the course for that section. It's really not impossible to do well without having taken the classes as long as you are able to learn concepts on your own. The only reason I did it is because I wanted to take it after Sophomore year in college and those 2 classes just didn't fit into my schedule up to that point.

 

[andjusticeforal]

I took the MCAT without having taken physics 2 or gen chem 2 and ended up getting a 14 in physical sciences while technically missing half the course for that section. It's really not impossible to do well without having taken the classes as long as you are able to learn concepts on your own. The only reason I did it is because I wanted to take it after Sophomore year in college and those 2 classes just didn't fit into my schedule up to that point.

That is awesome. Definitely gives me hope for my MCAT because I am in a similar situation. How did you pull this off? Any tips?

 

[Zelda840]

As far as I know, doubling up on Organic II and Organic lab is pretty common. I'm a non-trad so my schedule has been a bit wonky from the start, but I did Gen Chem I & II with labs for both accelerated during the summer, then Organic I in the fall, then Organic II and Organic Lab the following spring. I have no intention of taking inorganic.

 

[Bamfu]

MCAT doesn't require classes. Med schools do.

In general, the more classes you can get under your belt BEFORE taking the MCAT, the better off you will be. Making a 14 on physics before taking those classes and just learning it on your own is definitely the exception =P.

I had finished all of the required courses for my school (besides genetics) for taking it, and looking back I wish I had finished genetics and actually taken biochem.. or maybe I just wish I had taken biochem before med school because it sucks right now 🙁

Either way, I definitely recommend taking as many of those classes as you can before the test.

 

[xroc]

That is awesome. Definitely gives me hope for my MCAT because I am in a similar situation. How did you pull this off? Any tips?

Physics wasn't too bad. I just read through The Princeton Review physics book and did a bunch of practice problems. Honestly physics 2 is pretty straightforward and easy on the MCAT. It starts to follow a very discernible pattern after you do a good amount of practice problems.

As far as gen chem 2 goes, it's really just an extension of gen chem 1 on the MCAT. I don't think there's anything too difficult content-wise and as far as new material that is covered on the MCAT that you don't do in gen chem 1, I can't think of many other topics aside from electrochemistry, which is very mathematical/formulaic and easy to learn with enough practice.