Physics Portion of MCAT (formula memorize?)

[zoner]

Hi Everyone

I am currently finishing up Physics I portion of the prerequisite and I was wondering, are the formulas provided for you for the physics questions in MCAT? I ask this because for all the physics test, the professor always provided the formulas and we just had to understand how to use them and the concepts. So I only memorize (by exercise) like only about 60 - 70 percent of all the formulas and probably only retain 10 percent by the time I actually take MCAT.

Thanks

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Insulinshock]

Hi Everyone

I am currently finishing up Physics I portion of the prerequisite and I was wondering, are the formulas provided for you for the physics questions in MCAT? I ask this because for all the physics test, the professor always provided the formulas and we just had to understand how to use them and the concepts. So I only memorize (by exercise) like only about 60 - 70 percent of all the formulas and probably only retain 10 percent by the time I actually take MCAT.

Thanks

They don't give you formulas, no, at least they haven't in any of the full lengths I've taken. However, by the time you take the test you should have most of the ones memorized by heart anyways (F=ma, F=Gm1m2/r^2, etc.) The others you'll just have to work at. The math isn't overly complex so they won't give you anything you can't do without a calculator, but yea you need to know the basic formulas.

 

[FuSoYa]

Hi Everyone

I am currently finishing up Physics I portion of the prerequisite and I was wondering, are the formulas provided for you for the physics questions in MCAT? I ask this because for all the physics test, the professor always provided the formulas and we just had to understand how to use them and the concepts. So I only memorize (by exercise) like only about 60 - 70 percent of all the formulas and probably only retain 10 percent by the time I actually take MCAT.

Thanks

You need to memorize the formulas. Everyone says its not enough to simply memorize the formulas, you need to know the concept behind it, but you still need to memorize them. On my real test I got a stand-alone question like, "What is the equation for (blank)?" and the four options were different variations of the formula. It's like memorizing hormones, you may not need it on the real test, but you should still know it just in case.

 

[nickmx50]

You need to memorize the formulas. Everyone says its not enough to simply memorize the formulas, you need to know the concept behind it, but you still need to memorize them. On my real test I got a stand-alone question like, "What is the equation for (blank)?" and the four options were different variations of the formula. It's like memorizing hormones, you may not need it on the real test, but you should still know it just in case.

I haven't taken the MCAT, but here's a trick a use to remember formula's. Remember the demensions of the answer. For instance if you remember that work is always Newton X meters, then you can figure out the work is force X distance. That's a simple one obviously, but if you learn how Newtons, Joules, Pascals, etc... break down I've found that really helps me. Good luck

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

You need to memorize the formulas. Everyone says its not enough to simply memorize the formulas, you need to know the concept behind it, but you still need to memorize them. On my real test I got a stand-alone question like, "What is the equation for (blank)?" and the four options were different variations of the formula. It's like memorizing hormones, you may not need it on the real test, but you should still know it just in case.

I concur. On my MCAT I had a stand lone question that asked for the formula in a manipulated state. I remember it to this day, because my teacher had a clever way to remember it. One of those "if you know the blank and the blank, then how would you solve for x?" If you didn't know the formula, then you wouldn't get it right. On the other hand, I don't recall scanning my memory for formulas on any of the passages. I think they are generous with formulas and concepts in passages.

Just like Fusoya says, know them both outright and conceptually.

 

[zoner]

Ok, thank you,,,, just that with so many formulas, sometimes, things can get confusing and mixed up...

 

[mcat prep]

Though it is true that there are alot of "basic" introductory level physics equations that must be memorized for the MCAT, there are also many equations (ie. Bernouilli's) that if the AAMC wants you to use it, they will generally give it to you in the passage. Of course, for any exam, nothing trumps understanding.

Here is a guide: www.goldstandard-mcat.com/physics-equation-lists/

 

[Omni]

Just go through the books you're studying with and make a list of all the formulas.
Best thing about physics is that once you know a few of the formulas, you can get the rest, and I don't mean by derivation.
If you look at a lot of things, they all resemble each other, for example, gravitational energy and electrostatic potential (I might be calling it something else but its the one with k*q*q/r and G*m1*m2/r).

 

[frescoengano]

definitely memorize them...easy plug-n-chug problems sometimes..

 

[Danae00]

.

 

[Seraph 84]

F(net) = ma
F = -GMm/r^2
F(friction) = F(normal)k
V = mgh
Elastic V = 1/2kx^2
T(linear) = 1/2mv^2
T(rotational) = 1/2I[d(phi)/dt]^2 = 1/2I*omega^2
W = Fdcos(phi)
W(net) = deltaT
Torque = rFsin(phi)
Torque(net) = Id^2(phi)/dt^2 = I*alpha
p = mv
L = rpsin(phi)
J(impulse) = F(average)t

Those are a few off the top of my head from classical mechanics. There are probably more. Also know conservation of momentum, angular momentum, and energy.

 

[canjosh]

I think I had about 75 formulas memorized. A couple were just rearranged to use in different situations. Definitely need the kinematics stuff, electromagnetism, mirror equation, hydrostatics, gravity, light, etc. Yeah, so I guess that's a little bit of everything!