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MCAT preparation + Prep courses + science background knowledge required


socialistmisanthrope

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Hello!

 

I'm planning on taking the MCAT next August, and I'm already suffering from anxiety....

 

I'm planning on spending the whole summer just studying. Would 3 months of prep prior to writing the exam be sufficient? Enough to feel comfortable with the material? I will have absolutely no background knowledge of biochemistry, physiology, or genetics.....but I have done general chemistry, biology, physics, and will have completed organic chemistry by then. Is this lack of science background going to hurt me on the exam, or is it possible to get comfortable with this material in 3 months? Also, I'm taking several English/Philosophy classes, which will hopefully help with the VR section?

 

A question about prep courses...which one is best for someone weak in the sciences? And how are these courses structured, generally speaking, are the classes very big or on the smaller side, how often do they run a week + how many hours, and how do they cover the material (do they just inform us on what we should be studying, or do they actually teach material)?

 

Any other tips/hints/advice regarding pre-pre-mcat preparation? :D

 

Thanks! :)

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How well can you teach yourself information? Since you have the 'fundamental' science courses many will agree that if you are able to teach yourself much of the information can be memorized. As for the verbal section and writing sample, being that you are an english major you will have a slight advantage.

 

hope this helps

 

NOTE: VERBAL REASONING CAN BE ON ANYTHING FROM PHILOSOPHY, TO GEOLOGY, TO BIOLOGY. :)

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Hello!

 

I'm planning on taking the MCAT next August, and I'm already suffering from anxiety....

 

I'm planning on spending the whole summer just studying. Would 3 months of prep prior to writing the exam be sufficient? Enough to feel comfortable with the material? I will have absolutely no background knowledge of biochemistry, physiology, or genetics.....but I have done general chemistry, biology, physics, and will have completed organic chemistry by then. Is this lack of science background going to hurt me on the exam, or is it possible to get comfortable with this material in 3 months? Also, I'm taking several English/Philosophy classes, which will hopefully help with the VR section?

 

A question about prep courses...which one is best for someone weak in the sciences? And how are these courses structured, generally speaking, are the classes very big or on the smaller side, how often do they run a week + how many hours, and how do they cover the material (do they just inform us on what we should be studying, or do they actually teach material)?

 

Any other tips/hints/advice regarding pre-pre-mcat preparation? :D

 

Thanks! :)

 

 

Based on your post, I don't think you're particularly weak in sciences. The physical sciences is physics and general chemistry which you've done. The biological sciences is 1/3 organic chem which you've done. Granted the other 2/3 is physiology, biochem, and genetics, but I don't think your background is too bad. The first year I wrote the MCAT, I had not taken physiology or genetics and had only taken a cell biology course with a little bit of biochemistry. I got a 13 in the biology section that year. (I re-wrote the MCAT because of WS). I spent some time studying biology (ie. a few hours a week for about 2 months) and it was fine. A lot of the information required is found in the passage - there's very little that they make you memorize. I would go over a Princeton or Kaplan book (or take the course) and work on those sections. Also, take some practice exams and see what happens - ie. what kind of questions you get wrong.

 

Good luck!

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Kiel: Oh, I didn't know that the VR section could be on any subject. Good to know, I suppose! I had just assumed it would be something more literary in nature. I suppose this could be either good or bad...I would still prefer to get a philosophical passage over something geology-related, I think. :eek: Thanks! :)

 

Smurfette: Ah, I'm glad I'm not too behind on the sciences, then. I just feel I'm far behind on the sciences compared to most people writing the MCAT, but I suppose as long as I do cover the appropriate material, there's nothing to worry about. Thanks for that! :)

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Kiel: Oh, I didn't know that the VR section could be on any subject. Good to know, I suppose! I had just assumed it would be something more literary in nature. I suppose this could be either good or bad...I would still prefer to get a philosophical passage over something geology-related, I think. :eek: Thanks! :)

 

Smurfette: Ah, I'm glad I'm not too behind on the sciences, then. I just feel I'm far behind on the sciences compared to most people writing the MCAT, but I suppose as long as I do cover the appropriate material, there's nothing to worry about. Thanks for that! :)

No problem! Good luck with preparing!:)

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