Should I take cell/molec bio for the mcat?

[Roxas]

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So I'm taking the mcat on 4/26 and was planning on taking physics 2, cell/molecular bio, and undergrad research to get my 12 credits next semester. However, I don't need cell/molec for anything and was just going to take it for the mcat knowledge, so should I even take it? If I don't, I could take a class to make my senior year a bit lighter load. Any thoughts?

 

[chrisv2k]

from my understanding, you don't need it. Obviously any additional knowledge will help, but you just need a good foundation of biology 1+2 and the two chemistry courses

 

[drspacheman]

If I were you I wouldn't take cell/molec bio just for your mcat preparation. The reason is because that course will be very detail oriented and time consuming. You will end up learning things that are out of the scope of the mcat. If you don't take it then you could use that extra time to study for the actual test.

I took cell/molec bio last year, and yeah sure there are a few things that do help when it comes to general knowledge for the mcat. But I think you could learn those concepts by going over your own review, and not having to take a detailed course for it. Plus it might give you some stress (I know I was really stressed out while taking the course) because you have to memorize a lot of little details and that might get upsetting when you'd rather focus on relevant material for the mcat. Hope this helped 👍

 

[angemon89]

I recently took that class and it has solidified my understanding of biology. My professor focused on research methods and journal articles and I feel like it has given me an upper hand in the BS section. But that's just me and my case.

 

[Roxas]

Thanks guys, and I'm honestly still kind of torn. My wife took the class from the same professor, and said it was a fairly easy A, plus he focuses on research methods and articles which like angemon said, could help give me a good understanding for the BS.

 

[neilpryde21]

I personally found molecular genetics to be one of the most helpful courses I've taken but my professor was amazing and really engaging so I found the class very interesting. I don't know how lucky it was that I had like 2 - 3 passages about molecular genetics so while everyone else on this forum found my MCAT (august 4th) biology section to be death, I found it difficult but definitely manageable and ended up with a 14 on the BS. I also took a Cell Structure course but that wasn't as helpful as that was definitely way more in depth than was required but I really thought molecular genetics to be quite helpful.

 

[AOT11]

I would say yes, take it.

Have you taken anatomy and physiology? I'm currently taking the class and it has made the physiology portion of the MCAT a breeze.

 

[Roxas]

I would say yes, take it.

Have you taken anatomy and physiology? I'm currently taking the class and it has made the physiology portion of the MCAT a breeze.

Yes, I took phys this last summer but it's been a while since anatomy. I'm also currently in genetics, which I've heard helps a lot.

 

[random1234]

I am taking cell this semester and it was an enormous help to really learn the concepts...but then again I do not have a lot of other biology classes taken (only AP bio, bio I/II, anat and phys, and micro) so it may be too basic for you. I guess this depends on what level the cell is at your school. My brother took a 400 level cell the semester he took the mcat and he got an 11 in bio, for what it's worth. He credited that class to his score.

Sorry for the quick hijack, but I have a similar question for genetics. I actually do need it and would love to take it but I am not sure if it will help for the MCAT. I only have so many hours in the day so that 8 hours a week in class/lab plus however many hours to study seems like it would be better spent for MCAT review, esp for areas in the PS section.

I am good w/punnet squares, gene linkages (like figuring out the order), sex linked genes (how they're acquired plus common ones), and I will read up on restriction enzymes. Would genetics still be helpful?

 

[Roxas]

I am taking cell this semester and it was an enormous help to really learn the concepts...but then again I do not have a lot of other biology classes taken (only AP bio, bio I/II, anat and phys, and micro) so it may be too basic for you. I guess this depends on what level the cell is at your school. My brother took a 400 level cell the semester he took the mcat and he got an 11 in bio, for what it's worth. He credited that class to his score.

Sorry for the quick hijack, but I have a similar question for genetics. I actually do need it and would love to take it but I am not sure if it will help for the MCAT. I only have so many hours in the day so that 8 hours a week in class/lab plus however many hours to study seems like it would be better spent for MCAT review, esp for areas in the PS section.

I am good w/punnet squares, gene linkages (like figuring out the order), sex linked genes (how they're acquired plus common ones), and I will read up on restriction enzymes. Would genetics still be helpful?

It's a 300 level at my school. I've seen a lot of posts here on SDN as well as a bunch of friends of mine said genetics was a huge help for the BS section. That being said, other very successful scorers say that you can do just fine by using mcat prep materials to learn things like genetics, biochem, ect. I realize that as I write this I am answering my own original question....haha but I just wanted to hear some more personal anecdotes regarding this topic, seeing that I still am unsure about what I should do.

 

[AOT11]

It's a 300 level at my school. I've seen a lot of posts here on SDN as well as a bunch of friends of mine said genetics was a huge help for the BS section. That being said, other very successful scorers say that you can do just fine by using mcat prep materials to learn things like genetics, biochem, ect. I realize that as I write this I am answering my own original question....haha but I just wanted to hear some more personal anecdotes regarding this topic, seeing that I still am unsure about what I should do.

I'd say take it. If you've taken physiology, then definitely take it. you'll have a great foundation for the BS section

 

[Roxas]

I'd say take it. If you've taken physiology, then definitely take it. you'll have a great foundation for the BS section

Alright, thanks for the input bro 🙂

 

[maybemed2013]

YES. I took it last spring and I think that it was very helpful. But what you learn in your class is different from what I learn. In my class we went over, translation, transcription, proteins, cells, muscle physiology, etc.

 

[Gauss44]

So I'm taking the mcat on 4/26 and was planning on taking physics 2, cell/molecular bio, and undergrad research to get my 12 credits next semester. However, I don't need cell/molec for anything and was just going to take it for the mcat knowledge, so should I even take it? If I don't, I could take a class to make my senior year a bit lighter load. Any thoughts?

Cell/molec bio is not necessary for MCAT. I didn't take it and got an 11 on the bio section. That being said, some people might find it helpful.

 

[ToldYouSo]

So I'm taking the mcat on 4/26 and was planning on taking physics 2, cell/molecular bio, and undergrad research to get my 12 credits next semester. However, I don't need cell/molec for anything and was just going to take it for the mcat knowledge, so should I even take it? If I don't, I could take a class to make my senior year a bit lighter load. Any thoughts?

You'll get a much higher score by using the time you would've spent in molecular bio (lecture + homework + exam study) actually studying for the MCAT.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

So I'm taking the mcat on 4/26 and was planning on taking physics 2, cell/molecular bio, and undergrad research to get my 12 credits next semester. However, I don't need cell/molec for anything and was just going to take it for the mcat knowledge, so should I even take it? If I don't, I could take a class to make my senior year a bit lighter load. Any thoughts?

You don't need these class to prepare for the MCAT. That being said, the more exposure you get to different bio topic and literature, the more likely you will perform better on the BS section.