I think it will be wise to spend some time on some of these more obscure topics... what are they, though? What topics do people often describe as "low yield"?
Which PS/BS concepts are overlooked or typically thought of as "low-yield"?
- Thread starter grburst
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The high yield, low yield stuff would be nice if the MCAT tested a broad range of subjects on every exam. Unfortunately, this isn't the case. It seems that individual exams like to test you extensively on a few subjects, while most of the "high yield" stuff is left out. This can work to your favor, or it can screw you. You actually don't have to master every concept. Just be familiar/functional with everything. Very few questions require a deep knowledge of the material. They just require you to recognize simple concepts disguised in complicated passages/question stems.
I think the author's point is to find topics that are typically considered "low yield" or overlooked, so he/she can spend more time preparing for those topics rather than figuring out what topics are low yield and skipping to prepare for them.
I am kind of curious too, I did some AAMC tests, but I can't pull out of my mind the list of topics that I hadn't been tested on. If I knew those, I would spend time on them, so I can keep my knowledge fresh.
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All you have to do is look here: https://www.aamc.org/students/download/85562/data/ps_topics.pdf
And then here: https://www.aamc.org/students/download/85566/data/
Seriously though. Use these to help you find topics to study. Make sure you are familiar with every topics shown on these sheets.
And then here: https://www.aamc.org/students/download/85566/data/
Seriously though. Use these to help you find topics to study. Make sure you are familiar with every topics shown on these sheets.
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Echoing Platonic,
I would not look at the MCAT as having any "low yield" topics. You can get the most random PS topics for an entire passage. Just because you didnt see a particular topic in any of your AAMC practice exams does not mean that you will not see it on one or even two whole passages on your exam. Again, like Platonic said, you dont need to be able to write a thesis on every PS topic. You just need to understand the basic concepts, be familiar with any common equations associated with the topic and how they are used, and most importantly, be able to use the passage information, question stem, and answer choices to your best advantage. This is a thinking test!
I would not look at the MCAT as having any "low yield" topics. You can get the most random PS topics for an entire passage. Just because you didnt see a particular topic in any of your AAMC practice exams does not mean that you will not see it on one or even two whole passages on your exam. Again, like Platonic said, you dont need to be able to write a thesis on every PS topic. You just need to understand the basic concepts, be familiar with any common equations associated with the topic and how they are used, and most importantly, be able to use the passage information, question stem, and answer choices to your best advantage. This is a thinking test!
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Though I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed so far (that sufficient knowledge of and comfort with every testable topic is paramount for the highest possible score), I might throw out a couple topics that, as the OP said, might commonly be seen as "low-yield" for various reasons. In my opinion, topics so perceived might include:
AC current
Fungi
Organic nomenclature
Cartilage
Connective tissue
AC current
Fungi
Organic nomenclature
Cartilage
Connective tissue
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AC current probably not low yield. Youngs double slit is a good example.
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The eye, skin, and bone are probably considered low yield
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Yes, that's what I meant. Thanks for this list!
I included some of the topics that I haven't probably encountered in my AAMC practices (SPOILER)
They're in white below:
Maybe lymph system, thermodynamics (like PV work, heat engine), circular motion, solids, thin film interference, single slit diffraction, diffraction grating, mass deficit, binding energy, nuclear forces.
They're in white below:
Maybe lymph system, thermodynamics (like PV work, heat engine), circular motion, solids, thin film interference, single slit diffraction, diffraction grating, mass deficit, binding energy, nuclear forces.
