How to Study for the Biology Portion of the MCAT
When it comes to tackling the beast that is the MCAT, it is best to break your studying into sections.
The most logical way to do this is to study for the MCAT with the the same train of thought as the people who write the MCAT.
The MCAT is divided into sections of material--the three that you will probably spend the majority of your time reviewing/studying for are the sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics.)
How do you go about reviewing for a test that covers so much materials (the majority of your undergraduate career!)
Fear not, you can succeed in the MCAT if you know how to study for it.
The best way to do well on the MCAT is to do practice problems. Luckily for you, there are thousands of books out there that have many "MCAT style" problems.
However, there are several other things you must do to make sure you have thoroughly prepared yourself for the test. And of course, this is what this lens is all about!
Check out my lens about the best Bio study books out there!
Please take a second to rate this lens!
The most logical way to do this is to study for the MCAT with the the same train of thought as the people who write the MCAT.
The MCAT is divided into sections of material--the three that you will probably spend the majority of your time reviewing/studying for are the sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics.)
How do you go about reviewing for a test that covers so much materials (the majority of your undergraduate career!)
Fear not, you can succeed in the MCAT if you know how to study for it.
The best way to do well on the MCAT is to do practice problems. Luckily for you, there are thousands of books out there that have many "MCAT style" problems.
However, there are several other things you must do to make sure you have thoroughly prepared yourself for the test. And of course, this is what this lens is all about!
Check out my lens about the best Bio study books out there!
Please take a second to rate this lens!
Other Lenses to Check Out!
Best MCAT Study Books for Biology
Best MCAT Study Books for Chemistry
Study for the MCAT Chemistry
What are Biology Questions Like?
You'll Need to Know
As you start to study for the MCAT, you'll need to first of all know what kind of questions to expect.First of all, you will be thrilled to hear that the MCAT is not testing your memorization skills.
This is especially important when it comes to biology considering that there are so many facts, parts, time periods, and trends to drive a person to insanity.
Biology questions in the MCAT will refer to given passages. These passages will present seemingly "new" knowledge. However, it is up to YOU to see the connection between this new material and fundamental biology material that you covered in your undergraduate biology classes.
As you study for the MCAT, you will need to focus not only on answering questions that refer to a passage, but you will also need to become incredibly adept at interpreting and understanding GRAPHS you have never seen before.
Again, practice here is key!
What Should I Focus On?
The MCAT will not be testing your knowledge about everything in biology. This important to know as you begin to study for the MCAT biology portion.Instead, the test will mostly focuse on what you learned about vertebrates and microbes.
In general, there is an emphasis on the LIFE PROCESSES. (This is not surprising, considering this is the test you are taking to become a doctor.)
Most of you will be glad to hear that there will not be an enormous amount of organic chemistry in the biology portion of the exam.
However, do not get so single minded in the exam that you fail to remember any organic chemistry during the biology part of the MCAT.
While the parts are separate, some concepts overlap!
Favorite Biology Topic
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Your New Premed Adviser
My university doesn't have a great premed adviser so I've spent HOURS trying to find quality information and help online.
This is one of my favorite blogs because it covers many MCAT topics and continually reminds you what you should be doing to succeed in your goal of getting medical school.
He has great study tips for the MCAT and important updates that you'll need to keep in mind.
This is one of my favorite blogs because it covers many MCAT topics and continually reminds you what you should be doing to succeed in your goal of getting medical school.
He has great study tips for the MCAT and important updates that you'll need to keep in mind.
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Guided Studying
While I am not going to push you to take a relatively expensive MCAT Study Class since I decided to study on my own, I do agree that there are a lot of benefits to taking a class like that.
I think it's almost easier to just sign up for the class and have someone professional just "make" you do what you need to do to prepare. You're used to having to get homework done so you just have to show up to class and do the work.
Another big advantage is the fact that you get to do scheduled practice tests which I think is IMPERATIVE to doing well on the MCAT.
In the classes, you'll be put into a situation similar to the actual MCAT and you'll get to practice answering that type of questions in that type of environment.
In my opinion, this is what you're really paying for and it's really quite good!
Here's the Kaplan MCAT Study Website. I think it's beneficial to spend some time there to see if it's something that would help you.
I think it's almost easier to just sign up for the class and have someone professional just "make" you do what you need to do to prepare. You're used to having to get homework done so you just have to show up to class and do the work.
Another big advantage is the fact that you get to do scheduled practice tests which I think is IMPERATIVE to doing well on the MCAT.
In the classes, you'll be put into a situation similar to the actual MCAT and you'll get to practice answering that type of questions in that type of environment.
In my opinion, this is what you're really paying for and it's really quite good!
Here's the Kaplan MCAT Study Website. I think it's beneficial to spend some time there to see if it's something that would help you.
How to Study For Exams
Get some great tips from this video that will help you study for exams.
If nothing else, this video will get you more motivated to study well even if you already know the information that he says.
It's great to hear reminders like the fact that you also need to think about your success PAST the MCAT because if you don't, the fear of the MCAT will destroy your ability to efficiently study for it.
If nothing else, this video will get you more motivated to study well even if you already know the information that he says.
It's great to hear reminders like the fact that you also need to think about your success PAST the MCAT because if you don't, the fear of the MCAT will destroy your ability to efficiently study for it.
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Study for the MCAT: Biology Books
These are only some of the book available for you MCAT studying when it comes to biology.
Check out my other lens about MCAT Study Books for Biology to get the whole story about the best and worst study books and other resources.
Find out what my peers and I thought helped us the most and what to really spend your money on.
Check out my other lens about MCAT Study Books for Biology to get the whole story about the best and worst study books and other resources.
Find out what my peers and I thought helped us the most and what to really spend your money on.
Find Others Going Through This Too!
You can find me on twitter at www.twitter/adubikovsky and get in touch with me if you'd like.
People have found a multitude of ways to efficiently and successfully study for the mcat and it's best to really get their opinions and fig ure out what also works for you.
Here's the game plan:
1) Find people that have succeeded in the MCAT.
2) Ask them what they did and get tips.
3) Figure out what will work for you.
4) Get organized.
5) Get to it!
People have found a multitude of ways to efficiently and successfully study for the mcat and it's best to really get their opinions and fig ure out what also works for you.
Here's the game plan:
1) Find people that have succeeded in the MCAT.
2) Ask them what they did and get tips.
3) Figure out what will work for you.
4) Get organized.
5) Get to it!
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- moobearr
- @_LOVEbuggie preach sister!! and i need to start finding time to study for the mcat!
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- Muslimah786ify
- Finally finished with my MCAT studying for the day. Still have a million and one things to study for tomorrow. #nobigdeal
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- examville
- MCAT Physics Mnemonics :::::: Free study guides, downloads, video tutorials, online classes and test http://t.co/3pLpX7Fl
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- Elizabetclum
- MCAT Test Study Prep and Review 100 Success Secrets: The Missing Medical College Admission Study, Test, Examinat... http://t.co/OpevE3gO
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- ROSeKO
- finding myself wanting to study for the MCAT right now instead of my physiology exam tomorrow, what?
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Chicken Embryo--This stuff really IS interesting!
Study for the MCAT: Biology Nerd Stuff
Embrace the nerd in you...
Admit it, these shirts really are funny!
After learning all about this stuff, you might as well enjoy the jokes that you actually understand now.
After learning all about this stuff, you might as well enjoy the jokes that you actually understand now.
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Manikandan123
Feb 4, 2011 @ 12:02 pm | delete
- Cool lens. Hope it helps a lot of people
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TheMCATer
Aug 26, 2010 @ 8:00 am | delete
- Ah Ah Ah real funny: did you ever even once try to take an MCAT!!!!! Well I have seven times. I'm honor student but nothing for MCAT, I've went through every book you advertise and believe they're jokes. Let me give you a little REAL insight on the MCAT Last time I took it the biology section was asking me for detailed question on post-transcriptional modified base pairs (my best memory:it was: sec, secit, pyr) that no one and mean one talk's about, ever. Do you really think that info is taught some where during Pre-Med AH !!!!! Try asking Doctor about it, see what he saids :) This only confirms my suspicion about those who make the MCAT: they're not trying to make a test of any kind.. Just look at the facts in they what to make a test they would work with the companies that make MCAT prep studies or even if what to do it themselves they would make study books that reflect the REAL MCAT. They certainly wouldn't be putting on an MCAT odd ball post-transcriptional modified base pairs. No there making a test at all, there busy making FILTER for crowned medical schools. It's simply not in the best interest of prep companies to tell you that, it could really their business. Of course they respond to pressure of the public by not putting much physics or even orgo questions but they still turn around to play that same game to CONTROL THE INFLOW medical students to their college and to HELL WITH EVERTHING ELSE!!!! They don't care that if you reduce the supply doctors you will increase the demain for medical care and then medical price will rise; that's simple economics 101 supply and demain. THIS WHAT"S DRIVING UP YOUR MEDICAL BILLS; until goverment has to come in and crackdown on it doctors. They don't care they able students have to go overseas to avoid an MCAT then get inferior medical edication to come home KILL some unfortunate patient no they just don't care. I went to New York hosipal for heat exhaustion and the doctor asked why know so much about medicine and told I will be taking the MCAT soon. Well it must be like any other test. So I asked what he did to study for the MCAT and said to I never took the MCAT. Well America they are your doctor happy!!!! Good Luck with I hope you don't have any real problem because I'm sure with that inferior edication a hell lot of you are going down.
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Riley
Jun 6, 2011 @ 1:25 am | delete
- @ theMCATEr Your grammar is really horrible. U sound like a dumbass
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Amanda
Jun 10, 2011 @ 1:16 am | delete
- @ MCATer. No wonder you cant pass the MCAT. Just look at your grammar. It's atrocious to say the least. Either your cerebral functions are completely impaired or English isn't you're primary language. Either way, you should keep your uneducated comments to yourself.
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KissMyAsthma
Nov 15, 2011 @ 4:43 pm | delete
- His grammar made him sound uneducated, but you don't sound any better not being able to differentiate between "your," and "you're".
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