Which psychology class for MCAT prep?

[sunnypremed7]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone could make suggestions on which of the following two psychology classes may be beneficial to take for the MCAT. I took an introductory psychology class, but it did not go into that much detail and I'm looking to take another psychology class this summer. I've added descriptions of the classes as well. I'm thinking developmental psychology is the best option, but I'm not sure. Thank you in advance!

Developmental Psychology:
Studies the development of the individual from conception to death. Follows a life-span perspective on the developmental tasks of the person's physical, cognitive, and psycho-social growth.

Abnormal Psychology:
Explores historical views and current perspectives of abnormal behavior. Emphasizes major diagnostic categories and criteria, individual and social factors of maladaptive behavior, and types of therapy. Includes methods of clinical assessment and research strategies.

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[Coltuna]

I would recommend developmental.

 

[PNWMedStudent]

I found abnormal psych incredibly helpful with the MCAT - that being said, I did not take developmental. Probably both useful. I would review the learning objectives and see which fits better for P/S

 

[FutureOncologist]

1. Learning and Behavior
2. Biological Psychology (essentially Neuroscience, but emphasizing how that effects behavior)

Anything else will help some, but will cover topics you may not even need. Those two though are critical to what you need for the MCAT.

 

[sunnypremed7]

1. Learning and Behavior
2. Biological Psychology (essentially Neuroscience, but emphasizing how that effects behavior)

Anything else will help some, but will cover topics you may not even need. Those two though are critical to what you need for the MCAT.

I have a minor in neuroscience, so I have taken a clinical neuroscience class and some biology classes with a neuroscience basis. Do you think either of the two listed above would be beneficial? Those are the only two my school offers. I'll be taking cognitive neuroscience next semester and possibly health psychology the following semester.

 

[golgi body]

You honestly don’t even need to take a class. Read a Princeton Review MCAT psych review book and make Anki cards of every term, then read through the Khan academy psych notes online. It got me a 131

 

[maplecookie]

I think both of those classes will be helpful but one isn’t going to be more helpful than the other since both of those areas are hit on the MCAT.

If you’re just taking the class for MCAT though, I don’t see the need. I only had AP psych and sociology from 5ish years back and my MCAT prep review was enough to get me a really high score.

 

[sunnypremed7]

I think both of those classes will be helpful but one isn’t going to be more helpful than the other since both of those areas are hit on the MCAT.

If you’re just taking the class for MCAT though, I don’t see the need. I only had AP psych and sociology from 5ish years back and my MCAT prep review was enough to get me a really high score.

@YJEL Yeah, I understand. I need another psych elective for neuroscience out of these two so I was trying to see which one would be more fitting.

You honestly don’t even need to take a class. Read a Princeton Review MCAT psych review book and make Anki cards of every term, then read through the Khan academy psych notes online. It got me a 131

@golgi body I know many people self-study the psych/soc section, but I have to take another psych elective anyways so I just wanted to see out of these two options which would be the best. 🙂

 

[naway]

As a psych minor (started as a psych major), I would personally recommend the developmental course. My abnormal psych course was without a doubt useful, but imo, the material taught in that class is much easier to self-study. Psychological disorders and treatment modalities aren't difficult to understand, at least on the level the MCAT tests, and most people already have a layperson's understanding of a good chunk of the material just from knowing people with various mental health conditions or dealing with them themselves.

 

[chappikachu]

I would also go with developmental out of the two you list. I took abnormal as a psych major and didn't find it super useful on my MCAT. I did find social psych and personality psych classes to be helpful

 

[altblue]

If it's in the cards for you, I found biopsychology very helpful. Helps a bit with Bio/Biochem even