Physics

[Dr.Acula]

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Hey guys, so i'm planning on taking the april MCAT (assuming they're gonna give it at about the same time w/ the new format). I've finished all my pre-reqs except for physics, which i was going to take in this coming year. So my question is do you think its a bad idea to prep/take the MCAT in april without fully completing the second part of physics? (Oh and by the way this fall will be the beginning of my junior year) Thanks.

 

[rcd]

Hey guys, so i'm planning on taking the april MCAT (assuming they're gonna give it at about the same time w/ the new format). I've finished all my pre-reqs except for physics, which i was going to take in this coming year. So my question is do you think its a bad idea to prep/take the MCAT in april without fully completing the second part of physics? (Oh and by the way this fall will be the beginning of my junior year) Thanks.

No. That's what most people do anyway. Get an MCAT book on physics to make sure you have everything covered (or just check the online MCAT manual). Most of second semester physics at my school (most schools?) is useless for the MCAT anyway.

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

Hey guys, so i'm planning on taking the april MCAT (assuming they're gonna give it at about the same time w/ the new format). I've finished all my pre-reqs except for physics, which i was going to take in this coming year. So my question is do you think its a bad idea to prep/take the MCAT in april without fully completing the second part of physics? (Oh and by the way this fall will be the beginning of my junior year) Thanks.

I think you could potentially finish it before the MCAT since there are more dates to choose from (summer dates)

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

No. That's what most people do anyway. Get an MCAT book on physics to make sure you have everything covered (or just check the online MCAT manual). Most of second semester physics at my school (most schools?) is useless for the MCAT anyway.

second semester physics is typically electricity and magnetism, is it not? And I don't think there is any general physics that is useless for the MCAT, I felt like there was an even balance of all topics on my MCAT, ranging from kinematics to electricity to thermo.....

 

[rcd]

I think you could potentially finish it before the MCAT since there are more dates to choose from (summer dates)

That's a good point. The only thing to keep in mind is the AMCAS submission date (early June). Which means for every day past early May that you don't take the MCAT, you complete your app a day later than optimal (30 days to get scores). Maybe not a big deal.

 

[Merissa87]

What about the second semester of Orgo. I will be in the same boat, taking April MCAT without having taken Phys II and Organic II

 

[kevster2001]

What about the second semester of Orgo. I will be in the same boat, taking April MCAT without having taken Phys II and Organic II

No, the second part of orgo is pretty much nonexistent on the MCAT

 

[rcd]

What about the second semester of Orgo. I will be in the same boat, taking April MCAT without having taken Phys II and Organic II

NO. The MCAT covers a lot of Orgo 2.

 

[Re3iRtH]

The last two replys are perfectly good reasons why you guys
should do your own research on issues such as these.

 

[kevster2001]

NO. The MCAT covers a lot of Orgo 2.

Really? Ifound basically no orgo 2 on mine. Not that there was much of orgo 1 either.

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

NO. The MCAT covers a lot of Orgo 2.

I agree. The ochem on my MCAT was ALL from ochem 2. I think people just have different experiences on what topics they get. The point is, if you want to be as prepared as possible, you should cover ALL of the stuff that they say might appear on the test.

 

[mam4993]

Here's a question: is taking algebra-based physics OK for the MCAT? Or do you need the calc-based?

 

[kevster2001]

Here's a question: is taking algebra-based physics OK for the MCAT? Or do you need the calc-based?

No calculators on the mcat so you can't do really difficult math anyways. But you should be taking calc-based regardless. Some schools see algebra-based as a cop out

 

[LUBDUBB]

No calculators on the mcat so you can't do really difficult math anyways. But you should be taking calc-based regardless. Some schools see algebra-based as a cop out

IMHO, calc-based physics is overkill for the MCAT. MCAT physics is about understanding general concepts not about derivations of F=ma. Unless you're in an engineering program there is no reason to take calc based physics. Most students just take general physics, I don't see how that's a cop out.

 

[kevster2001]

IMHO, calc-based physics is overkill for the MCAT. MCAT physics is about understanding general concepts not about derivations of F=ma. Unless you're in an engineering program there is no reason to take calc based physics. Most students just take general physics, I don't see how that's a cop out.

My pre-med advisor said to take calc-based physics when i was looking to audit at UW. I dunno, it seems like even in calc based they usually simplify it down to algebra anyways. My school had a crap load of different physics tracks, one for bio/prehealth majors, one of engineers, one for physics majors. All of them were calc based as far as I know.

 

[novawildcat]

IMHO, calc-based physics is overkill for the MCAT. MCAT physics is about understanding general concepts not about derivations of F=ma. Unless you're in an engineering program there is no reason to take calc based physics. Most students just take general physics, I don't see how that's a cop out.

Everyone should take calc based physics because it is easier . For example, in algebra based physics you have to memorize everything like the equations for constant acceleration in 1d. If you know how to do simple calc then you can simply derive them, all you have to do is memorize a=dv/dt.

adt=dv integrate and you have at+vo=v

multiply both sides by a time differential and integrate again and you get

1/2at^2+vot=delta x

eliminate the variable t by simple algebra and you get 2a(deltax)=v^2-vo^2.


This is why calc physics is much easier. You have to memorize 90% less.

 

[bbas]

Everyone should take calc based physics because it is easier . For example, in algebra based physics you have to memorize everything like the equations for constant acceleration in 1d. If you know how to do simple calc then you can simply derive them, all you have to do is memorize a=dv/dt.

adt=dv integrate and you have at+vo=v

multiply both sides by a time differential and integrate again and you get

1/2at^2+vot=delta x

eliminate the variable t by simple algebra and you get 2a(deltax)=v^2-vo^2.


This is why calc physics is much easier. You have to memorize 90% less.

True, but if you aren't good at calc and have no idea how to do what you just did above, then it's easier just to memorize. If you are good at calc, then I definitely agree with what you said.

 

[UIC Killa]

physics II very important for mcats.....orgo II not as important...orgo only makes up like 1/4 of bio section...my mcat had only 2 passages of organic chem..the rest biology.

 

[mam4993]

I have another nit-pick question. If the school's website says they require General Physics, and in my course bulletin for undergrad calc-based physics is listed as General Physics while algebra-based is listed as Intro to Physics, does that tell me the answer to whether or not the school requires calc-based physics? Or is it just semantics? Does listing General Physics on their website mean they require just any old physics course?

 

[dbhvt]

Can you take the MCAT without taking the relevant coursework? Yes.
Will you get a better score if you took all the courses first? Yes.

Am I in a pissy mood because I'm using SDN to procrastinate again? Yes.

 

[SeventhSon]

IMHO, calc-based physics is overkill for the MCAT. MCAT physics is about understanding general concepts not about derivations of F=ma. Unless you're in an engineering program there is no reason to take calc based physics. Most students just take general physics, I don't see how that's a cop out.

first off, you can't derive F=ma

While the MCAT does not require you to know calculus-based physics, I would still recommend it. Sometimes the math (which obviously includes calculus) required helps one to understand the concepts of general physics on a more fundamental level. For example, I got a passage in my PS section that had a power vs. time graph. If you are well-versed in calculus you would realize much more readily that the area under the curve from 0 to t is the net work done on the object over that time period, whereas if you never learned calculus in that much detail you may realize this much more slowly (if at all).

 

[TheMightyAngus]

Why would you take the MCAT before you've taken all of the prereqs when so much on your admissions chances relies on your MCAT score? You want to be as prepared as possible. Delay taking it for a year or more until you finish everything if necessary.

 

[rcd]

first off, you can't derive F=ma

While the MCAT does not require you to know calculus-based physics, I would still recommend it. Sometimes the math (which obviously includes calculus) required helps one to understand the concepts of general physics on a more fundamental level. For example, I got a passage in my PS section that had a power vs. time graph. If you are well-versed in calculus you would realize much more readily that the area under the curve from 0 to t is the net work done on the object over that time period, whereas if you never learned calculus in that much detail you may realize this much more slowly (if at all).

Actually algebra-based physics covers graphs.

Calc-based doesn't really offer any advantages. As far as memorizing "90% less" goes, I really doubt it. Sure, you might be able to derive all the motion equations from d = rt, but you won't have the time to derive x = v[0]t + .5*at^2, or averageV = .5v[0] + .5v[f] every time you really need it -- on the course tests and MCAT.

I also challenge this guy to show me 5 non-motion equations that you have to memorize in algebra and not in calc.

In any event, you're given the equations on the MCAT (aren't you?), and you'll likely have them for your course tests.

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I'm surprised so many people here think calc-based physics offers advantages. Do a few searches and you'll find plenty of similar posts, few (none?) concluded that calc phys was better at all.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Actually algebra-based physics covers graphs.

Calc-based doesn't really offer any advantages. As far as memorizing "90% less" goes, I really doubt it. Sure, you might be able to derive all the motion equations from d = rt, but you won't have the time to derive x = v[0]t + .5*at^2, or averageV = .5v[0] + .5v[f] every time you really need it -- on the course tests and MCAT.

I also challenge this guy to show me 5 non-motion equations that you have to memorize in algebra and not in calc.

In any event, you're given the equations on the MCAT (aren't you?), and you'll likely have them for your course tests.

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I'm surprised so many people here think calc-based physics offers advantages. Do a few searches and you'll find plenty of similar posts, few (none?) concluded that calc phys was better at all.

They think it's better because it's a "higher" level of physics. Honestly physics is the only of my prereqs that I am going to take at a junior college.

 

[riceman04]

Hey guys, so i'm planning on taking the april MCAT (assuming they're gonna give it at about the same time w/ the new format). I've finished all my pre-reqs except for physics, which i was going to take in this coming year. So my question is do you think its a bad idea to prep/take the MCAT in april without fully completing the second part of physics? (Oh and by the way this fall will be the beginning of my junior year) Thanks.

You know they will be offering in in January, right?

 

[riceman04]

Hey guys, so i'm planning on taking the april MCAT (assuming they're gonna give it at about the same time w/ the new format). I've finished all my pre-reqs except for physics, which i was going to take in this coming year. So my question is do you think its a bad idea to prep/take the MCAT in april without fully completing the second part of physics? (Oh and by the way this fall will be the beginning of my junior year) Thanks.

You know they will be offering it in January, right?

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I don't see they have to have scheduled test dates. It would be nice if they just made it available everyday so that whenever one of us is ready, we can just test at our convenience.

 

[kevster2001]

I don't see they have to have scheduled test dates. It would be nice if they just made it available everyday so that whenever one of us is ready, we can just test at our convenience.

Take home test using the honor system as well 🙂

 

[DropkickMurphy]

That would be great....they are so big on ethics, why not trust me not to have the physics professor husband of a friend of mine take the test for me.