How

Should I Prepare for the

New MCAT 2015?


Description

Course

GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
Generally, covers atomic structure, organization of the Periodic Table, periodic and group
trends, chemical interactions and bonding, and gas laws. This content is not always tested
directly on the MCAT, but it underlies our understanding of chemical reactions. Being wellversed in the language and concepts of general chemistry is critical to working through
questions on the MCAT, even if memorizing the full Periodic Table is not necessary (the MCAT
provides it on Test Day!).

GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
Generally, covers nomenclature, axes and planes of symmetry, the three-dimensional structure
of molecules, hybridized orbitals, isomerism, and substitution and elimination reactions. Also,
it generally knocks out a significant number of people who thought they wanted to be pre-med.
But not youyoull do great, and then be ready to read and translate chemicals names quickly
when working through passages and questions on the MCAT.

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
Generally, covers nomenclature, axes and planes of symmetry, the three-dimensional structure
of molecules, hybridized orbitals, isomerism, and substitution and elimination reactions. Also,
it generally knocks out a significant number of people who thought they wanted to be pre-med.
But not youyoull do great, and then be ready to read and translate chemicals names quickly
when working through passages and questions on the MCAT.


ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
Generally covers reactions, including benzene chemistry, reactions of carbonyl-containing
compounds like aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and may also
discuss biomolecules and organic synthesis. Organic Chemistry, in general, is the least-tested
science on Test Day (though the most dreaded), but Organic Chemistry 2 makes up the bulk of
Organic Chemistry questions on the MCAT.

PHYSICS I
Generally covers kinematics, dynamics, work, energy, momentum, springs and wave motion.
This content is extremely high-yield, and is all over the MCAT. The building blocks of a great
Physical Sciences score start right here. P.S. While some undergraduate physics classes require
calculus and are math-heavy, the MCAT does not require calculus.

PHYSICS II
Generally covers electricity, electric circuits, electrostatics, magnetism, fluid statics and fluid
dynamics, and some modern physics like nuclear decay and absorption and emission spectra.
These topics are of mixed yield on the MCAT. Electric circuits and electrostatics permeate the
Physical Sciences section; on the other hand, modern physics makes only rare appearances. A
thorough knowledge of Physics 2 will help you understand both physiology and pathology in
Med School.

BIOLOGY I
Generally covers introductory cell biology, including organelles and basic cell metabolism,
mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian genetics, molecular biology like DNA replication, transcription
and translation, and evolution. A majority of MCAT test takers are bio majorsand its not
hard to see why: Biology is the most heavily-tested science on Test Day, and these subcellular
processesespecially molecular biologyare rapidly increasing in representation on the
MCAT.


BIOLOGY II
Generally covers systems anatomy and physiology, including the nervous, endocrine,
musculoskeletal, digestive, immune, excretory, respiratory, cardiovascular, and reproductive
systems. The MCAT frequently tests not only the normal structure and function of these
systems, but also pathology that can occur within them (that is, things going haywire). While
the MCAT does not expect you to know diseases for Test Day, it certainly expects that you can
predict what may occur in a patient who has a specific organ-based issue.

BIOCHEMISTRY
Introductory Biochemistry generally covers amino acids, peptides and proteins, enzymology,
bioenergetics, molecular biology and basic metabolism. Biochemistry is prevalent throughout
the MCAT, accounting for about one-quarter of the questions in two different sections. Biochem
is only getting more important in medicineour laboratory tests are often based on
biochemistry; personalized medicine will rely on genotyping, which flows from an
understanding of molecular biology. Biochemistry will surely lead us to new cures for disease.

INTRO SOCIOLOGY
Introductory Sociology generally covers sociological theory, institutions, demographics,
socialization, deviance and conformity, and social structure. Sociology is not very high-yield
on the MCAT, accounting for Fewer than one-third of the questions in the Psychological,
Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section. There are a number of ways to get the
Sociology you need without taking Intro Soc at your school talk to your Kaplan rep for some
ideas.

INTRO PSYCHOLOGY
Introductory Psychology generally covers sensation and perception, cognition, psychological
structure, memory, social psychology and mental disorders. Psychology will be heavily tested
on the MCAT in 2015, comprising over half the question in the Psychological, Social, and
Biological Foundations of Behavior section. It will also often be presented in the context of an
experiment. Be aware, though, that there is plenty in Psych 101 that wont be on the MCAT.