"Official list" of courses needed to ace MCAT

[1AO KTG]

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Other than the primary prerequisites, A&P, Genetics, and Cell Bio, what other classes are the most important to eventually include in your schedule even if not required for your major? If there is one that stands out the most which is it?

 

[Ismet]

I think biochemistry is more useful than A&P, genetics, or cell bio.

Also, it doesn't matter if you take every class that is remotely covered on the MCAT. In order to "ace" it, you need the test-taking skills, not the knowledge.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Other than the primary prerequisites, A&P, Genetics, and Cell Bio, what other classes are the most important to eventually include in your schedule even if not required for your major? If there is one that stands out the most which is it?

Those are the three that get typically thrown around. I personally think genetics and cell bio are more useful than A&P, but others have felt that A&P was of significant value.

 

[tn4596]

philosophy!

 

[CodeBlu]

Biochemistry, Organic, Physiology, Cell Bio and Genetics.

 

[Praefectus]

Biology, Physics, Gen Chem, O-Chem, and an English class.

Seriously, if you want to ace the MCAT just study the material on your own. You don't need a class like Genetics to do well if you can learn the vital material in a shorter amount of time.

 

[WildEMDoc]

Physiology (Human) I think will by far help the most with BS section. When I was studying that was the most new material memorizing I had to do.

 

[linebacker57]

Biology, Physics, Gen Chem, O-Chem, and an English class.

Seriously, if you want to ace the MCAT just study the material on your own. You don't need a class like Genetics to do well if you can learn the vital material in a shorter amount of time.

I agree, you really dont have to take genetics, or biochem, or cell bio before you take the MCAT. IMO the MCAT is largely about your problem solving ability, and while it may be frightening to encounter a biochem topic or something in your mcat, if you have a strong base in the basic pre-reqs, you will be fine. OP's best bet is to do the pre-reqs and then a prep course IMO

 

[kpcrew]

freshman writing

 

[Verum]

Psych / Socio for the new mcat.

 

[ur2l8]

A good English class for CR skills, genetics (helped me a ton), and the pre reqs. Biochem reinforces things, but not needed-coming from a biochem major. Physiology is nice, but you can learn what you need for the mcat outside of it. Good knowledge for everyday life though, so take it for your own sake.

 

[Charles Darwin]

Underwater basket weaving

 

[Jaqen Hghar]

Biochem will also be more heavily tested and should be considered a prereq for the new 2015 MCAT.

 

[235788]

I think biochemistry is more useful than A&P, genetics, or cell bio.

Also, it doesn't matter if you take every class that is remotely covered on the MCAT. In order to "ace" it, you need the test-taking skills, not the knowledge.

I felt that human physiology was the greatest help for the bio section.


I don't think i had ANY biochem on mine... It seems out of spectrum for both the science sections.

 

[MinitorV]

I didn't take biochem before the test and did ok on my MCAT though after taking it the class would have been very useful

 

[Ismet]

I felt that human physiology was the greatest help for the bio section.


I don't think i had ANY biochem on mine... It seems out of spectrum for both the science sections.

It depends on your test. I had a full passage on Krebs and a few discretes on biochem topics. Yeah it's all covered in general bio, but I personally found biochem useful and a good refresher to take the semester before the MCAT. It's definitely not necessary, but doesn't hurt. I also took human physiology and my test didn't have anything physio that I can recall. Luck of the draw 🙁

 

[MT Headed]

Formal logic (from the philosophy department) and a computer programming class.

A cursory understanding of advanced bio topics is nice, so you have an inkling of what is going on in the passages. But you don't need to waste a semester on genetics or biochem when you can pick up the necessary info in a review book like EK or TBR. The answers really are in the passage.

It was only when I started tutoring for the MCAT, especially ESL students, that I realized how much of the test is really about logical thinking and the ability to draw correct inferences, and how little is freshmen / sophomore undegraduate science trivia. This goes especially for the VR section.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

can't teach intelligence

 

[bigdogrob4284]

I personally think a&p is not important at all, but I found neurobiology to be very helpful on the mcat.

 

[MT Headed]

I personally think a&p is not important at all, but I found neurobiology to be very helpful on the mcat.

I don't even know what neurobiology means! Did you have a passage with a brain or a nerve or something?

 

[NewYorker9]

Biochem, Cell Bio, Physiology, Philosophy, Berkeley Review for Physics (I learned more from this than from my course)

 

[The Imprisoned]

The fact that it is a thinking exam doesn't take away from the point that you NEED to have a very large and strong foundation of knowledge. It was never a question of thinking that would throw me off on the exam, rather, it was lack of remembering a key concept.


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[cwrig14]

Physiology > Anatomy
Biochem and genetics are useful
I would even go as far to say that a developmental bio course may be helpful too (i hate the embryology stuff)
Most importantly, take courses that require you to read difficult material. You can do well on the MCAT with limited prior knowledge if you study, but reading comprehension skills are invaluable.

 

[Tummytroubles]

If you are only doing this for the MCAT, save yourself the money. I have not taken ANY class, let alone a science class in 6 years. My perquisites were 10 years ago and with studying while working crazy hours I consistently got 30+.

MCAT science is very basic and easily picked up on your own. However, if you were going to take the classes anyways and it won't increase your debt load, it definitely couldn't hurt.

 

[Tummytroubles]

Please don't listen to the people who say intelligence can't be taught. There is not a test in the world you can't ace if you study engough and efficiently. Plenty of people on SDN went from 18 to 34 by simply studying.