PS section + Engineers

[Fp02c]

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For any engineers out there I am curious as to how people with an engineering background do in the PS section on average. Also, what section did you find most difficult

 

[ToledoPike]

I think it kind of depends on what type of engineer you are...

I myself am a chemical engineer. Without studying at all I took my diagnostic for Kaplan and got 80% of the gen. chem questions right. Didnt do too hot on physics, but that was because formulas had escaped my mind. After very brief reviewing though it is all back in my head and I had the concepts down in no time once again.

Again, engineering may also mean little to no bio background (as in my case) and it is all about hardcore review of that.

I am going to start taking full lengths this weekend so I am not sure how significant my improvement will be, but I definitely think engineering gives a big plus on the analytical side of things and especially in the PS section.

 

[axp107]

I agree with the post above. It might also not hep at all. I took engineering physics and it was absolute crap. A lot of factors come into play; the organization of the class, teacher etc.. etc.. I know art history premeds who have a better understanding of physics than me because in their "arts and sciences physics" concepts were explained really well.

You see history majors getting really high MCAT scores all the time. (Not just b/c of Verbal)

Engineering might help.. but the test really just tests basic physics/chem.

 

[saintsfan]

I am a biomedical engineering major. I did not feel as if I did well at all on the Physics section for 2 reasons. 1-the majority of the questions were circuit/voltage questions. At my school you do very little of that in Physics-there is a separate class for that (i.e. circuits). 2-I had taken calculus based physics, i.e. no formulas. I had to spend a great deal of time memorizing formulas (which of course I will never have to use again).

 

[xucardsfan08]

If you look at the AAMC stats, physical science majors (engineering, chemistry, physics) on average have the highest overall score and the highest PS section. Biology majors are on the lower end of the spectrum as they have the lowest average score while humanities majors (philosophy, english, etc.) are in the middle of the pack (a result of their top VR score).

 

[BrokenGlass]

For any engineers out there I am curious as to how people with an engineering background do in the PS section on average. Also, what section did you find most difficult

My undergrad and grad degrees are in Computer Science. So I cannot speak for engineers, but my CS background is useless for the MCAT. Premed Physics prepares you better than calculus-based engineering physics, because in calculus-based Physics too much time is spent on useless things (useless as far as MCAT is concerned). Also, I took Physics 12 years ago, so I had to relearn it all.

 

[mongrel]

Biochem eng major here. I think engineering prepared me very well for the phys sciences section of the MCAT... and bio section for that matter. But I do agree with above that calc-based engineering physics is overkill and actually algebra-based would be more helpful in boiling down the "MCAT material".

 

[Cataract]

I`m a biomedical engineer and I found my strength to be in VR surprisingly. I do OK in the PS, but verbal seems the easiest for me. My calculator has been attached to me throughout college so calculations bog me down. Other posters are right about calculus-based physics, but I think we have a definite advantage in areas like vector physics, statics, and things that require some visualization.

 

[ncb]

I took the MCAT last month but haven't received my scores yet. However, I took about 5 practice tests and got between 80 - 85% of Physical correct each time and an 11 on each attempt. For some reason, I just couldn't crack 11, but also didn't do worse. If you master the Physics and Chem concepts you'll get at least 80% correct and hopefully you'll get lucky and be able to answer a few extra questions and increase the score a few points.

 

[nouveau007]

I am an electrical engineering and I tend to get entangled in advance concepts while they are just asking the basics. It all depends on how simple-minded you are sometimes. I find Bio easier; ironic.

 

[DiscoDoc]

I'm an Engineer and I got a 12 on the PS. Bio and VR were a different story.... 🙁

 

[cur]

I am an electrical engineering and I tend to get entangled in advance concepts while they are just asking the basics. It all depends on how simple-minded you are sometimes. I find Bio easier; ironic.

Yeah, me too. I'm a Biomedical Engineer, I've taken classes in fluids, thermo, solids, materials, mechanics, electrical engineering, etc. When I first started taking practice tests I was doing terribly in PS which really surprised me. What I figured out is that you have to learn to only apply the stuff you learned in the first three weeks of any given engineering class.. that's all they want.

 

[whoisthedrizzle]

I am a biomedical engineering major. I did not feel as if I did well at all on the Physics section for 2 reasons. 1-the majority of the questions were circuit/voltage questions. At my school you do very little of that in Physics-there is a separate class for that (i.e. circuits). 2-I had taken calculus based physics, i.e. no formulas. I had to spend a great deal of time memorizing formulas (which of course I will never have to use again).

Damn dude that sucks. Our BME curriculum is circuits heavy. I haven't had to review that stuff at all.

 

[whoisthedrizzle]

I find Bio easier; ironic.

Me too (although I do love the units questions on PS)

 

[saintsfan]

Had I stayed at my old university I would have had 2 quarters of circuits. That was the next class to take-I am looking over my MCAT review books so I can be prepared for next time.

 

[Parabola]

I am a chemical engineer and PS is definitely my strongest section.

 

[CareBear84]

I don't know how much engineering helped (Biomechical engineering btw), except I think it did boost my confidence on physics questions cause atleast i felt i could master that part in the least amount of time. However i think my only problem was trying not to overthink or overwork a problem, because MCAT is only testing basics and how well you can comprehend the questions asked. And since this is no open book or "bring your notes" kinda test, memorization is critical and will help you do the problems a lot faster. Also if you're like me and like to write problems out a lot try to scale it down a bit before the test, it saves time, especially with this CBT format i think it punishes those who rely heavily on extensive note taking...or maybe that's just me. But we'll see, just took it in June and my scores come this month....

 

[BrokenGlass]

I am a chemical engineer and PS is definitely my strongest section.

Engineers rule! Engineers should place out of the PS section (sort of like getting AP credit in college for some courses taken in high school).

 

[odddodo]

Bioengineer here, and yes, physical sciences was the easiest section for me by far, both on the practice tests and the real MCAT. Biology and verbal, on the other hand...