Should I study for the MCAT section while taking the class?

[IDD]

Hey guys. I need to take two years of the core courses (bio, physics, gen chem, orgo chem, and biochem) and I am wondering if it's best to buy the Kaplan MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review before I take the classes. Would it be beneficial to start studying for the test with study books while taking the actual classes? For example, when I take gen chem, I would also use the review book to study for exams in class while also studying for the MCAT (but not fully studying for the MCAT at the beginning of my premed career - just that one specific section). I hope this all makes sense because I really shouldn't be typing on forums right now and should be sleeping..... If you did use the Kaplan MCAT books, how did you like them?

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[Nedsson]

Eh, its an interesting idea...but I'm going to say no. Here's the thing, the MCAT is mostly a conceptual test. So, in all probability the material will be taught and tested on a level in your actual class that you'll never see on the MCAT. For example, in general chemistry lets say you are doing a titration of a weak acid with a strong base. In class, your teacher might give you a concentration and volume of base added to reach color change (equivalence) and then say compute the PH to 3 significant figures. That would almost never be a question on the MCAT. That's because the point isnt to see if you can utilize formulas and perform arduous calculations, but rather if you can use your scientific fundamentals to reason things out. So, in the given scenario an MCAT passage might discuss a titration and then have a series of questions. Let's say the first would be to ask you what the pKa (or the Ka, slightly harder) of the acid would be. This would be testing whether you remembered the Henderson-Hasselbach equation. Then they might ask you to choose which titration graph was correct (can you reason out which one is a weak acid titrated with a strong base). There would be a few curve balls as well. Anyway, my advice is to focus on understanding the concepts in each class thoroughly. Its not bad to have a list of the concepts from each course that are particularly important on the MCAT, because you will cover a lot of material in each course that only rarely appears (I mean, if you take a year of organic chem, only about 1/4 of the topics are particularly relevant, same in general chemistry...you wouldn't find questions testing your knowledge on crystal structure for example if the details were not included in the passage.)

 

[DelayedGratification]

I took all of my prereqs in 1.5 years and felt prepared for the MCAT, just had to fill in some blanks.

It all depends on how you approach your classes, memorizing verbatim or understanding concepts and being comfortable with applying them anywhere.

I bought the kaplan books but to be honest felt they were mostly a waste. The chapters have more information than you need, the questions at the end of chapters were not even a close representation to the MCAT.

Focus on aceing your prereqs, and 6 months prior start reviewing material and taking practice tests. I have also heard EK books are way better/condensed

 

[treatem-and-streetem]

Eh, its an interesting idea...but I'm going to say no. Here's the thing, the MCAT is mostly a conceptual test. So, in all probability the material will be taught and tested on a level in your actual class that you'll never see on the MCAT. For example, in general chemistry lets say you are doing a titration of a weak acid with a strong base. In class, your teacher might give you a concentration and volume of base added to reach color change (equivalence) and then say compute the PH to 3 significant figures. That would almost never be a question on the MCAT. That's because the point isnt to see if you can utilize formulas and perform arduous calculations, but rather if you can use your scientific fundamentals to reason things out. So, in the given scenario an MCAT passage might discuss a titration and then have a series of questions. Let's say the first would be to ask you what the pKa (or the Ka, slightly harder) of the acid would be. This would be testing whether you remembered the Henderson-Hasselbach equation. Then they might ask you to choose which titration graph was correct (can you reason out which one is a weak acid titrated with a strong base). There would be a few curve balls as well. Anyway, my advice is to focus on understanding the concepts in each class thoroughly. Its not bad to have a list of the concepts from each course that are particularly important on the MCAT, because you will cover a lot of material in each course that only rarely appears (I mean, if you take a year of organic chem, only about 1/4 of the topics are particularly relevant, same in general chemistry...you wouldn't find questions testing your knowledge on crystal structure for example if the details were not included in the passage.)

He is right the MCAT is mostly conceptual. Its pretty much all passage based questions so you need to be able to read and pull info well.

 

[MoDiddy]

Nah, learn the material as well as possible. It'll come back easily when you restudy content later trust me. Do as well as possible in pre reqs

 

[Altius Premier Tutor]

I'm surprised that the consensus response was that this was a bad idea. While I think your choice of materials could skew you too much toward memorization (as most prep books are guilty of this), I think it sounds like a **SUPERB** idea to at least look at a few accurate MCAT style questions as you go through the science prerequisites. Kudos to you for being ahead of the curve. If you learn to think critically in the way the MCAT requires now, you will have a tremendous advantage over your peers on the MCAT, as a doctor, and....pretty much forever.

Learning a bit about the MCAT while you learn undergrad science will pair well. For example, if you were to look at just one or two real AAMC passages today, you'll notice that the passages are almost entirely based on excerpts taken from peer-reviewed science journals. That is a BIG deal for most premeds, who are NOT comfortable reading academic research articles. Suppose all you did was read a journal article once/week between now and the MCAT, I think that would pay huge dividends. When you begin working/volunteering in research labs you'll be five steps ahead of your cohorts.

Also, consider the fact that most students never fully grasp the unique AAMC style of critical thinking required on the MCAT. What if you tried to figure out that style now and then practiced studying and thinking that way during your prereqs? That would be a huge advantage, both in the classes themselves (UNDERSTANDING always trumps MEMORIZATION in terms of test performance--whether a standardized exam or an undergrad course exam) and also in the future for the MCAT. Many, maybe most, of my students have said that taking the Altius program has changed the way they think, and that they wish they had developed that way of thinking earlier in undergrad. I'm a big fan of the MCAT and the AAMC precisely because they require a form of thought I wish universities would require. The univ. system currently rewards memorization and regurgitation, which is a crutch--if not a curse--to future MCAT examiness...and future physicians!

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

I completely agree with Altius tutor here. I don't necessarily disagree with anything else that has been posted, as it is well reasoned. But I think Altius tutor and I are looking at this from a perspective that is different than others. As a teacher, many times I have heard a student say, "I wish I would have known this when taking that class." Reviewing the conceptual perspective, even in a college class that emphasizes math, can only help. If you have a good conceptual understanding, then you are better able to estimate where an answer should land, which helps when recognizing mistakes on your midterms and final.

I also agree with Altius tutor that there are MCAT books on the market that emphasize memorization and this could actually be a disservice in the long run. The right books used the right way will ultimately put you in a better place when you take your midterms and finals, as well as give you a head start when you start your MCAT review in earnest. I know two chemistry professors at UC schools who actually recommended this to their premedical students.

I also agree with Nedsson's comments that many school questions, such as the titration pH one he presented, are not at all like the MCAT. You need to realize this, and be able to discern what is MCAT-relevent in your class. At the same time, there is a cool trick form an MCAT book that would make that school question significantly easier.

What I would suggest at the very least, is that as you study for your classes, keep a journal of any mnemonics and helpful tips you get from your classes. In a second journal, write yourself conceptually-based multiple choice questions with answer explanations in the classes that correlate with the MCAT. Even if you only write ten questions per class, what you learn in writing questions with answers will serve you well when it comes time to start taking multiple choice questions, in practice and on the real MCAT.

 

[Nedsson]

I completely agree with Altius tutor here. I don't necessarily disagree with anything else that has been posted, as it is well reasoned. But I think Altius tutor and I are looking at this from a perspective that is different than others. As a teacher, many times I have heard a student say, "I wish I would have known this when taking that class." Reviewing the conceptual perspective, even in a college class that emphasizes math, can only help. If you have a good conceptual understanding, then you are better able to estimate where an answer should land, which helps when recognizing mistakes on your midterms and final.

I also agree with Altius tutor that there are MCAT books on the market that emphasize memorization and this could actually be a disservice in the long run. The right books used the right way will ultimately put you in a better place when you take your midterms and finals, as well as give you a head start when you start your MCAT review in earnest. I know two chemistry professors at UC schools who actually recommended this to their premedical students.

I also agree with Nedsson's comments that many school questions, such as the titration pH one he presented, are not at all like the MCAT. You need to realize this, and be able to discern what is MCAT-relevent in your class. At the same time, there is a cool trick form an MCAT book that would make that school question significantly easier.

What I would suggest at the very least, is that as you study for your classes, keep a journal of any mnemonics and helpful tips you get from your classes. In a second journal, write yourself conceptually-based multiple choice questions with answer explanations in the classes that correlate with the MCAT. Even if you only write ten questions per class, what you learn in writing questions with answers will serve you well when it comes time to start taking multiple choice questions, in practice and on the real MCAT.

I don't think that we are disagreeing at all. Everyone on this thread is saying that the thing to take away from each class is a strong understanding of the concepts...why X idea is important, especially in the context of human physiology. I don't disagree that a review of MCAT materials while in class might help with that. Simultaneously, many texts and especially teachers (or tutors) can help you understand material as well! All I was pointing out is that at the end of the day, you also have to do well in the class, be it physics or organic chemistry. While understanding the concepts is certainly integral to both (A grade and MCAT) in your class you'll probably have to spend a lot of time perfecting small details (that's where the devil is after all). Much depends on your personal style of learning!