Study for the MCAT: Chemistry

Like I mentioned above, the MCAT chemistry portion will be testing your ability to take what you've learned and apply the information (do the words "story problems" still bring a twinge of fear to your heart?)

Basically, med schools assume that the better you are at analytical thinking, the more valuable you will be in the medical field.

Therefore, the MCAT questions are mostly based off of short passages that are on topics that you are not expected to know.

How on earth do you study for the MCAT then?!

What you need to realize is that all of these passages are based around basic concepts that you learned in your prereqs in undergrad.
You need to be able to see the thread between what you know and what they just told you.

How is this possible?
Practice!!!

You won't be given much in the chemistry portion of the MCAT.
You will obviously be given a copy of the periodic table (they're not that mean!).

When it comes to equations, difficult ones will be provided within the passages.

Unfortunately, there are still many more that you need to study for the MCAT and have committed solidly to memory.
This is where you notes/books for undergrad will come in very handy.

You need to go through your undergraduate stuff and find all of the equations that you have had to commit to memory for your classes.
If your professor gave you equation sheets for exams, they would be a great place to start.

Recognize which ones you used the most and make sure you know exactly what they are and HOW TO USE THEM. (VERY IMPORTANT: As you study for the MCAT, you need to know exactly WHY you are using the equations that you learned.)

Also, don't forget to memorize common constants and relationships that you have used often in your classes.

Here's a list of just some things to study for the MCAT:

1) the density-mass equation
2) common stoichiometric relationships
3) the gas equation (and all of it's permutations)
4) the gas constant (R)
5) the autoionization constant for water
6) AND MANY MORE!

Now, before you go start memorizing every equation and constant in your chemistry book,
you might want to consider shelling out some cash for an MCAT study book.

Some of the are very good in that they focus on exactly the equations and facts that you need to know.

Be aware that there are thousands of books that just rehash old chemistry text books and are not geared to get you ready for the MCAT.

Don't spend the time memorizing useless facts you'll never use! You'll have plenty on your plate as you begin to study for the MCAT so this is an important thing to remember.

Since I've bought basically every study book known to man, you can check out my other Squidoo page where I discuss the best MCAT books for chemistry out there.