What order of subjects should you study for MCAT?

Some days you may be able to schedule reviewing more than one topic; on other days, you may be able to fit in only one. Remember to work on CARS every day. Devote study blocks on a rotating basis to Biochemistry, Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Behavioral Sciences.

What subject should I study first for the MCAT?

Focus on Your Premedical Courses

The looming shadow of the MCAT might make you want to rush into MCAT preparation. However, at this stage, your primary focus should be on your premedical courses, such as Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, because they will cover the science sections of the MCAT.

What is the order of subjects on the MCAT?

MCAT Breakdown

Section 1 - Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBLS) Section 2 - Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBS) Section 3 - Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBB) Section 4 - Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

What classes do I need to take before the MCAT?

All of the content on the MCAT exam is covered in introductory courses at most colleges and universities, including introductory biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and first-semester psychology, sociology, and biochemistry.

What are the phases of studying for the MCAT?

You can think of an MCAT study schedule as two distinct phases. The first phase is content heavy with a little bit of practice. This means 70% of your time should be spent studying content while 30% should be practice-based. The second phase of studying is practice-heavy with a little bit of content.

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What are the hardest MCAT subjects?

Many students consider CARS the most difficult MCAT section, with AAMC data showing that the average CARS score is about 1 point lower than the other MCAT section scores. This is likely because CARS requires a different way of thinking through problems and can be more difficult to prepare for.

Is 2 months enough to study for MCAT?

For most students, two months is not enough time to spend studying for the MCAT. As the official MCAT prep of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Kaplan recommends that you spend 300-350 hours studying so you can earn a good MCAT score.

Do I need physics 2 for MCAT?

The MCAT includes both Physics 1 and Physics 2. The focus is more on Physics 1, but since the physics section is weighted heavily on the test, it is in your best interest to take Physics 2.

What level of physics is on the MCAT?

To be clear, physics questions will be found only in the first part of the MCAT—the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems portion. 59 questions are included in this part of the test, and about 25% of them will be related to introductory physics.

At what age should you take the MCAT?

You can take the MCAT as early as you want, but most medical schools want a score from within the last 3 years. Ambitious test takers can take the MCAT after their sophomore year, but it's often better to wait. At what age can you take the MCAT? There is no age requirement for taking the MCAT.

Is calculus on the MCAT?

There is absolutely no calculus on the MCAT. Math-based problems will appear mostly in the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section .

What kind of biology is on the MCAT?

This section covers introductory-level biology and biochemistry, as well as inorganic and organic chemistry. Beyond knowing the basics of genetics, anatomy, metabolism, and chemistry, you'll need an in-depth understanding of how molecules, cells, and organs behave and interact to answer MCAT biology questions.

Is it better to study one subject a day or multiple MCAT?

Don't study one subject for too long at one time, as the MCAT will not test you on one subject at a time. Make sure your study plan involves practice passages. Memorizing scientific facts alone is not enough to reach your target score. Consider doing your practice passages and questions in the morning.

Is one year enough to study for MCAT?

The answers to these two questions will also vary per student, but the AAMC says that on average, pre-meds will spend 240 hours over 12 weeks studying for the MCAT. But of course, you want to be an above-average test-taker.

What year of undergrad should I start studying for MCAT?

Students who are strong academically may choose to take the MCAT this early and begin studying for the test in the spring of their sophomore year if they wish to apply to medical school as soon as possible. However, most students will want to study for and take the MCAT during a break period from their studies.

Is physics 1 enough for MCAT?

All students need to take Physics 1 and 2 – without exception. Physics 1 will generally cover Newtonian Mechanics (kinematics, forces, work and energy, fluids and waves). Physics 2 will typically cover (electrostatics, electricity and magnetism, geometric optics, and quantum mechanics).

Is there more chemistry or physics on the MCAT?

On the MCAT, biology (at 65% of the Bio/Biochem section) will be by far the most important of the four “classic” MCAT subjects, followed in importance by general chemistry (30% of the Chem/Phys section); physics (25% of the Chem/Phys section); and finally organic chemistry (15% of the Chem/Phys section).

Is the MCAT math heavy?

Although the current MCAT has very few heavy calculations, there are many questions that require you to demonstrate your ability to manipulate some math.

Is Biochem necessary for MCAT?

Biochemistry encompasses a vast amount of content.

Hence, understanding it is not only crucial for related MCAT questions but also for enhancing overall reasoning skills. It provides valuable insights into other concepts on the exam, even those not explicitly categorized as biochemistry.

Should I retake physics for MCAT?

Answer: You'd be surprised how often we get this question, or a similar one from someone with AP in Chemistry. No, you do not need to retake Physics to prepare for the MCAT. You have the knowledge of introductory physics, necessary to do well on the test, from your high school AP experience.

Can you do well on the MCAT without studying?

A 511 on the MCAT currently corresponds to the 81st percentile, meaning that fewer than 20% of testers achieve a 511 or higher. Clearly, scoring well on the MCAT is hard if you do not study properly.

Is Khan Academy enough for MCAT content review?

Although this Khan Academy material is sufficient as a stand-alone MCAT preparation, it should still be combined with lots of additional practice. Additionally, do not expect Khan Academy to provide the knowledge required to bring you entirely up to speed if you are bridging any knowledge gaps for the MCAT.

What time of year is it easiest to take the MCAT?

There's no magical time period where the MCAT is easier. It's a challenging exam no matter the month you choose. Some feel prepared to take the MCAT after their sophomore year, while others decide to wait until their senior year of undergrad.

Is a year too long to study for the MCAT?

Most students will be ready to take the MCAT after taking your prerequisites and putting in a solid 2-3 months of studying at a minimum. The “traditional” timing is to take the MCAT near the end of your junior year, then apply to medical school at the end of junior year/beginning of senior year.