What Classes Are Essential To Take Prior To The MCAT

[PartyTheNightAway]

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What classes are essential to take before the MCAT?

So far I have taken:

Biology 1 and 2

Chemistry 1 and 2

Organic Chemistry 1 and 2

Physics 1 and 2

A couple sociology and psychology classes

Im scheduled to take biochemistry in the fall, and I actually have a lot of room on my schedule. So what classes should I take that will help me with the MCAT?

 

[Blanky]

Genetics is on the MCAT for sure.
Anatomy and Physiology is a great class and on the MCAT.
Maybe a statistics class because that will help with BB and PS (reading the experimentation and graphs)

 

[gyngyn]

Genetics is on the MCAT for sure.
Anatomy and Physiology is a great class and on the MCAT.
Maybe a statistics class because that will help with BB and PS (reading the experimentation and graphs)

I haven't seen anatomy listed as MCAT content...

 

[pms_testosterone]

I had at least one anatomy question on my MCAT, and I've seen other people report the same thing.

 

[gyngyn]

I had at least one anatomy question on my MCAT, and I've seen other people report the same thing.

Did it require pre-existing knowledge of anatomy?
I just reviewed the content again and other than understanding the function of blood vessels, gut, kidneys etc. at the level in basic bio, there was no anatomy...

 

[OchemOficionado]

I had at least one anatomy question on my MCAT, and I've seen other people report the same thing.

1/230 questions does not constitute needing to take an anatomy course though, which is why I think gyngyn pointed that out.


OP, you’ll learn what you need to know about genetics from your gen bio courses. You can search for this topic on the MCAT forum, but I think it’s only important to take the 6 huge subjects that the MCAT covers. Any other courses could be taken for fun.

 

[Blanky]

I would agree with physiology if you just have the option.
I always womdered how so many renin angiotensin or nephron-glomerular questions come up and nobody pushes for a basic anatomy class.
EK seperates biology into two books and one is molecules covering biology/biochem and the second book is systems.

 

[Blanky]

Amazon product ASIN 1893858855

 

[Blanky]

FL2 BB gets specific into the anatomy and physiology.
I just checked and found 6 pure A&P questions out of 59 for FL2 BB thats 10%.

 

[Blanky]

I haven't seen anatomy listed as MCAT content...

Did it require pre-existing knowledge of anatomy?
I just reviewed the content again and other than understanding the function of blood vessels, gut, kidneys etc. at the level in basic bio, there was no anatomy...

I can send you the specific numbers of just what i found in FL2but i didnt wanna give away info and ruin the exam for future takers.

 

[gyngyn]

I can send you the specific numbers of just what i found in FL2but i didnt wanna give away info and ruin the exam for future takers.

No information on specific questions is needed. I am hoping to confirm that a preexisting knowledge of anatomy is not required.
Questions which use anatomy as the basis of problem-solving are fine.

 

[Blanky]

Can i send images in sdn? I would prefer not to spoil FL questions for no reason.

 

[Blanky]

Im also from Fort Lauderdale... "looks over shoulder"

 

[Blanky]

Broward—>FAU Senior now just finishing up and hopefully getting some love this cycle.

 

[pms_testosterone]

Did it require pre-existing knowledge of anatomy?
I just reviewed the content again and other than understanding the function of blood vessels, gut, kidneys etc. at the level in basic bio, there was no anatomy...

Yes, the question I'm thinking of was discrete, not passage-based, and required pre-existing knowledge.

 

[gyngyn]

Yes, the question I'm thinking of was discrete, not passage-based, and required pre-existing knowledge.

It appears on further review that these were basic physiology questions that should be included in undergrad Bio.

 

[Blanky]

So in the end if OP has additional space and time for courses, I would recommend Genetics, Anatomy and physiology, and a stats course. If anyone has input I just cant think of any.
Molec and Cell bio is good but low yield. Immuno is good but super super low yield.

 

[theKingLT]

Not really the topic of the thread but worth mentioning- giving yourself as light of a schedule as possible for 3 months before the exam is more valuable than any course. Physiology or any upper level bio courses like cell bio or genetics will help if you've got room for them, but the most important thing is as much dedicated mcat study time as possible. If you're sitting in April that means a light spring semester (think easy gen ed courses). If you're sitting at the end of the summer (my recommendation) that means no summer classes and light EC's for 12 weeks of hardcore studying. Lastly, if you're not a very strong reader (speed and comprehension) start reading in your free time now. Use a variety of topics in science and non-science fields, pushing for speed and/or comprehension as needed

 

[PartyTheNightAway]

Not really the topic of the thread but worth mentioning- giving yourself as light of a schedule as possible for 3 months before the exam is more valuable than any course. Physiology or any upper level bio courses like cell bio or genetics will help if you've got room for them, but the most important thing is as much dedicated mcat study time as possible. If you're sitting in April that means a light spring semester (think easy gen ed courses). If you're sitting at the end of the summer (my recommendation) that means no summer classes and light EC's for 12 weeks of hardcore studying. Lastly, if you're not a very strong reader (speed and comprehension) start reading in your free time now. Use a variety of topics in science and non-science fields, pushing for speed and/or comprehension as needed

Your post was really helpful! I'm still not sure what month to take the MCAT. I was thinking August- but at the end same time I'm worried that August might be a little too late. Thoughts?

 

[theKingLT]

Your post was really helpful! I'm still not sure what month to take the MCAT. I was thinking August- but at the end same time I'm worried that August might be a little too late. Thoughts?

Depends on when you are applying. If you are applying the same summer as the MCAT then yes August is too late because it will put you behind in the cycle. If you're applying the year after you take the MCAT then August is perfect because it will give you a full 12 weeks of summer study after finals (assuming a standard semester schedule that finishes early may). I generally recommend people to take it August after their Junior year and take a gap/5th year, however I know many people are set on a 4 year undergrad/no gap year schedule, in which case you will need to test earlier.

 

[Examkrackers]

Just to be clear, you do not need to have any anatomy knowledge for the MCAT. You've taken all the "essential" coursework (including your upcoming biochemistry). Physiology and then any of the additional biology courses listed above by previous posters (genetics, Molec Cell, immunology) are all helpful but not required (for example, I never took physiology as an undergrad and still earned a 131 on BB). Additional psych/soc classes differ so much by school and department, it's hard to say whether or not they would "help" you for the MCAT besides just give you more familiarity with the topics. There's certainly a possibility though.

 

[Blanky]

Just to be clear, you do not need to have any anatomy knowledge for the MCAT. You've taken all the "essential" coursework (including your upcoming biochemistry). Physiology and then any of the additional biology courses listed above by previous posters (genetics, Molec Cell, immunology) are all helpful but not required (for example, I never took physiology as an undergrad and still earned a 131 on BB). Additional psych/soc classes differ so much by school and department, it's hard to say whether or not they would "help" you for the MCAT besides just give you more familiarity with the topics. There's certainly a possibility though.

This thread is getting repetitive and hence may become confusing.
We all agree on the required classes/ pre reqs.
Op asked for additional classes as he/she has room for some.
Genetics; Anatomy and Physiology, Molec/ Cell, and Immuno are helpful
Yes all of this can be studied on your own. In fact if you do NOT take physiology I woukd strongly suggest Exam Krackers Biology 2-systems text. I linked it above.

 

[OchemOficionado]

Not really the topic of the thread but worth mentioning- giving yourself as light of a schedule as possible for 3 months before the exam is more valuable than any course. Physiology or any upper level bio courses like cell bio or genetics will help if you've got room for them, but the most important thing is as much dedicated mcat study time as possible. If you're sitting in April that means a light spring semester (think easy gen ed courses). If you're sitting at the end of the summer (my recommendation) that means no summer classes and light EC's for 12 weeks of hardcore studying. Lastly, if you're not a very strong reader (speed and comprehension) start reading in your free time now. Use a variety of topics in science and non-science fields, pushing for speed and/or comprehension as needed

Stick with this advice. Hit the nail on the head!!

If you have room for any additional classes take them solely because you’re interested in the material.

 

[law2doc2018]

Biochem, biochem, biochem, biochem. Did I mention biochem?

The A&P and genetics necessary for the MCAT is either taught in bio 1&2, or you'll pick it up during your content review.

Biochem

 

[Blanky]

The OP is already taking the pre-reqs and biochem.
We also know you can self study ANY of this information. The OP asked for additional classes he/she could take.
I don't understand how this thread is going way off into left field.