Most Common Physics Topics Appearing on the MCAT

[J ROD]

Just wondering for those of you with alot of knowledge of the MCAT what are the most important physics topics to have down cold for the MCAT. I know I need to be familiar with everything listed by the AAMC but what are the topics you have to know all the equations, info, etc completely to do well (10 higher)

I have heard waves, EM, and optics. Thanks,

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[AWhitehair]

Just wondering for those of you with alot of knowledge of the MCAT what are the most important physics topics to have down cold for the MCAT. I know I need to be familiar with everything listed by the AAMC but what are the topics you have to know all the equations, info, etc completely to do well (10 higher)

I have heard waves, EM, and optics. Thanks,

I don't necessarily think those are the MOST common, but perhaps the ones that people are least prepared for.

 

[Funky]

I vote for conservation of energy

 

[AWhitehair]

I vote for conservation of energy

Definitely! I will add thermodynamics. 😉

 

[ArchieMoses]

anything about gases

really try to understand how gases react to pressure, temperature, volume, etc...

 

[scotties123]

throw in electrostatics and u guys have every topic listed lol.

 

[spicedmanna]

Just wondering for those of you with alot of knowledge of the MCAT what are the most important physics topics to have down cold for the MCAT. I know I need to be familiar with everything listed by the AAMC but what are the topics you have to know all the equations, info, etc completely to do well (10 higher)

I have heard waves, EM, and optics. Thanks,

If you want to do truly well, I would say that every physics topic is important to understand thoroughly. You never know what combination of topics you are going to get on test day, and Murphy's law says that whatever you have glossed over, whatever you are weakest at, will appear in spades. This is what fatally wounds some folks. If you have plenty of time to study, then it would behoove you to be able to apply your understanding of all of the topics listed; leave no stone unturned. Thoroughly examine each topic. As to where you should focus: take a diagnostic test and find out where the holes in your knowledge are and address them directly. I should have done this earlier, but towards the end of my study efforts, I went down to the Kaplan study center and did physics problem sets from old AAMC tests. Doing something like this should also help key you in on what needs more work.

One thing that caught me a little by surprise is how much topics can be combined. It's not always so neat and clean and discrete. On any given passage, it is possible to get a variety of questions on, say, conservation of energy, kinematics, EM material, atomic phenomenon, or other topics. You may be invited to connect your knowledge on a number of test topics. Furthermore, I found that the MCAT really asks you to apply your knowledge; knowing the formulas and concepts may not necessarily help you, if you can't apply them broadly to unfamiliar situations.

 

[IUgrad]

One thing that caught me a little by surprise is how much topics can be combined. It's not always so neat and clean and discrete. On any given passage, it is possible to get a variety of questions on, say, conservation of energy, kinematics, EM material, atomic phenomenon, or other topics. You may be invited to connect your knowledge on a number of test topics. Furthermore, I found that the MCAT really asks you to apply your knowledge; knowing the formulas and concepts may not necessarily help you, if you can't apply them broadly to unfamiliar situations.

I second that. I really found that to be true on my real test - i.e., I think one passage combined electricity, magnetism, gravitation and conservation. If you didn't know the topics/formulas inside-out, like spicedmanna said, you would have a really rough time applying them together on the passage.

Also, if you look at the practice test breakdowns, they really do seem to ask at least one question on each topic, whether it be in a passage or discrete. That's why I think it doesn't really make sense to gloss over any of them.

 

[J ROD]

I was hoping for a way to narrow the material down a bit. Oh well, I will just learn it all completely as I can. When I take practice tests, I seem to get the questions right say 60-70% of the time but alot of guessing is going on.

I am good every well else, I am just having a hard time remembering all the formulas. I am using the TPR book for the formulas. When I took my classes, I was allowed a cheat sheet with them on there so I really never learned them. So, now I am basically learning it for the first time.

Also, does everyone think that the PS section is 70-80% Physics and the rest Gen chem? I would love to see a 50/50 split.

 

[spicedmanna]

I was hoping for a way to narrow the material down a bit. Oh well, I will just learn it all completely as I can. When I take practice tests, I seem to get the questions right say 60-70% of the time but alot of guessing is going on.

I am good every well else, I am just having a hard time remembering all the formulas. I am using the TPR book for the formulas. When I took my classes, I was allowed a cheat sheet with them on there so I really never learned them. So, now I am basically learning it for the first time.

That is why. You are supposed to review the material in preparation for the MCAT. Learning the material takes a bit longer and requires a bit more effort, in my experience. To do truly well, you need to know more than the formulas themselves, but you need to understand how they tie in with the concepts and know how to manipulate them and use them in sometimes unfamiliar scenarios. Do plenty of different problems; this will help. Play with the formulas and get accustomed to manipulating them. Understand how they tie in with the corresponding concepts and with each other. In my experience, physics isn't a spectator sport; you need to do a variety of problems to get proficient.

Also, does everyone think that the PS section is 70-80% Physics and the rest Gen chem? I would love to see a 50/50 split.

It doesn't always appear to be split in the way you think it will be. That's why it's good to handle all of your weak areas, as not to have any holes in any area.