Now that you are all done with the MCAT....

[SilleAngyl]

First of all CONGRATULATIONS! I was just wondering if you could all vote on which Biology elective course you think helped you the most on the MCAT. I have seen threads like these around but I have never seen it in poll form and I thought it would be easier to look at this way, so here it is!

 

[superdevil]

it has to be human physiology. it covers so much...neuro, endocrine, resp, immuno (a little, anyway), etc. its very versatile.

 

[Cerberus]

I think it really just depends on your test form. I cant really see biochem as being that useful though.

Essential knowledge:
Genetics
Human Phys

btw - i am not a bio major so the only bio class I took aside from the required ones was Genetics (i would suggest taking it).

 

[EvoDevo]

Agree with Cerb. Depends upon your test form.

I saw lots of genetics, cell bio and molecular bio. But honestly, if you had to pick just one: Cell Biology. It'll cover most things you need to know.

 

[CH3CH2OH]

i agree with evo, cell bio helped me most on the BS. for my form (BM) neuro was useful too (too bad i didn't take it )

 

[liverotcod]

Cell Bio at my school covers a lot of molecular bio ground, while genetics was pretty well covered in intro bio. So I voted for Cell Bio. Then again, I haven't taken any of the others!

 

[CoverMe]

Can I vote for the second half of Gen Bio?? Most of it was at least TOUCHED on in that class... and what wasn't, was still pretty much in the campbell book. I just remember reading a Q about adaptive radiation, and thinking... Dr. Stark would be so excited!!!

 

[SilleAngyl]

So right now the majority is saying genetics. How in deapth do MCAT questions go exactly? Do questions ask about details? For the genetics, is this the type of information that I can get from my general bio text or does it only come from the genetics course? So I guess I am asking if taking genetics is more helpful or a necessity?

 

[UseUrHeadFred]

I had questions about deletions, one about double crossovers/interference, and had to do a very simple pedigree. Those are all extremely easy. Get a good review book and hit the fundamental concepts. A full text is overboard, in my opinion. This is the one weakness of my Kaplan Comprehensive Review book, not enough genetics.

But a Schaums outline is way more than sufficient.

 

[Kazema]

I don't think you really need to take a full-blown Genetics class to do the MCAT genetics. I thought TPR did a pretty good job with it, but I've always been pretty comfortable with genetics so maybe others will say differently.

 

[SilleAngyl]

Thanks for the input, everyone! Anyone else have anything to add?