Would Grade 12 High School Physics suffice as physics knowledge for the MCAT?

[equus]

Do I need to take physics in university to have enough knowledge to do well on the MCAT, or would grade 12 physics suffice? I own a grade 12 physics textbook that I could use to study with. I just don't think I'm going to be able to fit in a physics course before I write the exam.

[ontariostudent]

I wrote the MCAT 5 years after finishing grade 12 Physics, using the EK Physics book. I studied for the MCAT for only a month or so. I didn't ace the Physics, but I did well enough to get into Canadian med schools!

[Laura_333]

I think gr. 12 level is appropriate, and then supplement with an MCAT book with a section on physics ( I used Kaplan and it was good, there are many other good ones too)

[xi88]

Grade 12 physics is enough. However, you should definately look over it again. Get the EK book.

 

In high school and in university classes, you memorize equations and concepts. The MCAT does not test what you can memorize. The MCAT tests how well you can think by asking you what you understand and how you can apply the stuff you've memorized. Just memorizing the equations and the facts is usually not enough for the MCAT; you have to understand what it means, and why it is that way.

[w8kg6]

I don't remember doing any magnetic fields or electric circuits in HS Physics, so I'd definitely brush up on those (as well as everything else I guess, lol).

[terryann]

In comparing EK, PR, and Kaplan which books are the best for someone with no university physics

[future_doc]

I wouldn't bet my future on it, and I'm not

[xi88]

In comparing EK, PR, and Kaplan which books are the best for someone with no university physics

 

EK is best. PR and Kaplan tend to have way too much material than what is needed. EK is straight to the point, and tells you exactly what you need to know. The only negative about EK is that there are not enough practice questions, so you'd have to supplement with some AAMC practice tests.

[Shadowplay]

I found that high school physics and the first year physics courses at University covered pretty much the same material.

 

It should be fine, so long as you remember it well. Watch out for things like optics and shearing, though, cause I definitely didn't learn them in high school.

[deeman101]

Electricity and magnetism is what you should be concerned with. Followed by optics and waves. If you were good with HS physics then the classical stuff won't be a problem.

[ericl]

momentum too ... which was covered in high school but very important!