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Will college teach me all the science for the MCAT?
#college #premed
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Estelle’s Answer
College will set the groundwork for the MCAT science portion, but you absolutely MUST study specifically for the MCAT itself. There are plenty of self study programs like Princeton Review and Kaplan. If you need a more structured learning experience, try the online MCAT study courses. They can be very expensive, so shop around.
Updated
Riley’s Answer
If you choose the premed path, then yes college should require you to take all of the science courses that will be covered in the MCAT. However, it is also important to supplement yourself with good study materials to prepare. One set of books that is highly rated online is the Princeton MCAT Subject Review. This is a set of review books that comes complete with all the different topics that you will need.
Ask you college professors about extra study materials that they would recommend purchasing.
Riley recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Jarron’s Answer
Hello Henry
In order to prepare for the MCAT, these classes should cover almost everything you need to know:
General Chemistry 1 & 2
Organic Chemistry 1 (Organic Chemistry 2 is helpful but not necessary)
Biochemistry
Introductory Biology & Introductory Molecular/Cellular Biology
Physics Mechanics & Electromagnetism (This is usually a two semester sequence at most universities)
Introductory Psychology & Introductory Sociology
Anatomy & Physiology are very helpful as well but not necessary. You can easily study the organ systems alone.
Any of these subjects can be self-taught using khan academy (which is free) and/or Kaplan/Princeton Review Study guides as well. I have typically heard that paying for a MCAT course is expensive and not worth it from many friends' experiences. However, if you are someone who thrives in a more structured environment that a MCAT course provides, I would not let this advice deter you from looking into it.
In order to prepare for the MCAT, these classes should cover almost everything you need to know:
General Chemistry 1 & 2
Organic Chemistry 1 (Organic Chemistry 2 is helpful but not necessary)
Biochemistry
Introductory Biology & Introductory Molecular/Cellular Biology
Physics Mechanics & Electromagnetism (This is usually a two semester sequence at most universities)
Introductory Psychology & Introductory Sociology
Anatomy & Physiology are very helpful as well but not necessary. You can easily study the organ systems alone.
Any of these subjects can be self-taught using khan academy (which is free) and/or Kaplan/Princeton Review Study guides as well. I have typically heard that paying for a MCAT course is expensive and not worth it from many friends' experiences. However, if you are someone who thrives in a more structured environment that a MCAT course provides, I would not let this advice deter you from looking into it.
Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Henry! So college courses that focus on the sciences for the MCAT are a great help in preparing for the actual exam. The MCAT test a variety of courses.
Chemistry- General/Organic
CARS-Critical Analysis/Reasoning
Biology/Biochemistry
Psychology/Sociology
There are certain courses you need to take for medical school preparation, they are known as pre-requiste courses, they prepare you for medical school by introducing you to the foundation of medicine. In addition these courses also help you in preparing for the MCAT. You can find out which courses you need to take by speaking with a pre-med adviser at your school. Usually there is a nice sheet that guides you on which courses to take.
The ones that are required are:
Gen chem 1 and 2
Orgo chem 1 and 2
Biology 1 and 2
Physics 1 and 2
English Composition 1 and 2
Biochem 1 is recommended but I highly advise taking a semester because learning on your own can be confusing for the MCAT and it also helps in preparing for medical school.
Psych/Socio are also recommended
You can also take Genetics, Anatomy and Physiology and Cell/molecular biology as well. They also help when navigating some of the anatomical questions on the MCAT.
If you don't take an intro to Psych or Socio class that's okay, Kaplan and Khan academy help greatly in preparing for these subjects for the MCAT. Definitions, theories and concepts are key in doing well in these sections for the exam.
Hope this helps, best of luck!!
Chemistry- General/Organic
CARS-Critical Analysis/Reasoning
Biology/Biochemistry
Psychology/Sociology
There are certain courses you need to take for medical school preparation, they are known as pre-requiste courses, they prepare you for medical school by introducing you to the foundation of medicine. In addition these courses also help you in preparing for the MCAT. You can find out which courses you need to take by speaking with a pre-med adviser at your school. Usually there is a nice sheet that guides you on which courses to take.
The ones that are required are:
Gen chem 1 and 2
Orgo chem 1 and 2
Biology 1 and 2
Physics 1 and 2
English Composition 1 and 2
Biochem 1 is recommended but I highly advise taking a semester because learning on your own can be confusing for the MCAT and it also helps in preparing for medical school.
Psych/Socio are also recommended
You can also take Genetics, Anatomy and Physiology and Cell/molecular biology as well. They also help when navigating some of the anatomical questions on the MCAT.
If you don't take an intro to Psych or Socio class that's okay, Kaplan and Khan academy help greatly in preparing for these subjects for the MCAT. Definitions, theories and concepts are key in doing well in these sections for the exam.
Hope this helps, best of luck!!