MCAT Playbook Excerpts

MCATPlaybook2014BenchP

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The MCAT is likely the single-most

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Current MCATlast test date is Jan. 13, 2015

MCAT 2015first test date in early 2015

MCAT2015The MCAT will look a lot di!erent in 2015. Early in 2012, the Association of American Medical Collegs (AAMC) decided to make radical changes to the MCAT, aiming to make the test more multidisciplinary and with more real-world applicability. The MCAT2015 will likely be even more di"cult, and will have di!erent sections from the MCATs of the past.

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Questions generally confined to specific disciplines

Aims to be more multidisciplinary, with real-world applicability

Between Spring 2014and January 2015

Spring 2015 or later

3 sections 4 sections

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

Physical, Chemical and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

Molecular, Cellular and Organismal Foundations of Living Systems

Psychological, Social, and and Biological Founda-tions of Behavior

When will you beready to test?

Length

General Scope

Structure

No passages on technology or natural science

MORE questions on biochemistry, psychology,

and sociology.

New Verbal SectionWhich Test Will I Take? New topics include

VerbalReasoning

PhysicalSciences

BiologicalSciences

About 5 hours About 7 hours

Time Section

95 min.

Questions

67 questions Molecular, Cellular, & Organismal

95 min. 67 questions Physical, Chemical, & Biochemical

95 min. 67 questions Psychological, Social, & Biological

90 min. 60 questions Critical Analysis and Reasoning

Time Section

70 min.

Questions

52 questions Physical Sciences

70 min. 52 questions Biological Sciences

60 min. 60 questions Verbal Reasoning

1 H41 Nb73 Ta

3 Li4 Be11 Na12 Mg

74 W

22 T

i37

Rb

56 B

a

Depending on whether your med school accepts MCAT scores from 2 or 3 years back, you may be able to start med school with an

old MCAT score as late as the 2019 schoolyear.

http://benchprep.comFor up-to-date information about the MCAT2015, check out https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/

BenchPrep | MCAT Playbook 2014 | 4

Table of Contents

Ch. 1: MCAT 101Overview of the MCAT ! MCAT Length and

Format ! About the Computerized MCAT !

Sections of the MCAT ! What’s on the MCAT?

! Who Designs the MCAT? ! How is the MCAT

Scored? ! What’s the Trial Section? ! Where and

When Should I Take the MCAT? ! How Much

Does It Cost? ! What’s a Good MCAT Score? !

The New MCAT 2015 Format Infographic

Ch. 2: The Physical & Biological Sciences SectionsOverview of the Physical and Biological Scienc-

es Sections ! Format of the Science Sections !

Topics Overview: Math on the MCAT ! Topics

Overview: Phyiscal and Biological Sciences

Sections ! Types of Passage-Based Questions !

Practice Questions ! A Note on the Content of

Science Sections

Ch. 3: The Verbal Reasoning SectionOverview of the MCAT Verbal Section ! Format

of the MCAT Verbal ! Types of Questions ! Pre-

paring for the MCAT Verbal Section ! Test-Taking

Tips for Verbal Reasoning ! Practice Questions

Ch. 4: MCAT Study Strategies & TipsGetting Started on MCAT Preparation ! Making

Study Plans ! 6 Strategies for Answering MCAT

Questions ! Questions, Questions, Questions!

The Importance of Q&A for MCAT Prep ! Which

Extra Courses Should I Consider Taking?

Ch. 5: MCAT Test Prep ResourcesOverview of MCAT Resources ! MCAT Resource

Breakdown ! Group Classes and In-Person

Tutoring ! MCAT Prep Books ! MCAT Book Re-

views: The Top 5! Free Online MCAT Resources

! Online Self-Based Learning Programs

Ch. 6: MCAT Test DayKnow Your Test: Time Structure of the MCAT !

7 Ways to Manage Stress Before the Big Test !

MCAT Test Day Tips ! 7 Reasons Why Staying

Relaxed Will Help You Score Well on the Big

Test ! 5 Things to Bring on MCAT Test Day !

MCAT Test Day Do’s and Don’ts

Ch. 7: Applying to Med School / Med School Survival KitMCAT Scores Q&A ! The Ideal Med School

Application ! After the MCAT: Enjoying the

In-Between Days ! Med School Survival Kit !

Adjusting to the Med School Workload ! Not

Being the Smartest Person in the Classroom

Anymore ! Getting Enough Sleep ! Dealing with

Gross Anatomy

Ch. 8: Solutions & Explanations to Sample QuestionsCorrect Answers ! Detailed Explanations for Ev-

ery Answer Choice ! Most-Common Incorrect

Answers ! Average Time Spent on Each Ques-

tion ! Graphs and Charts

Ch. 9: ConclusionIntroduction to BenchPrep’s MCAT Test Prep

Program ! BenchPrep Games, Flashcards,

Adaptive Nature and Other Features ! How

BenchPrep Can Improve Your MCAT Score !

Special $50 O" BenchPrep Promo Code

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Chapter 1

MCAT 101

Overview of the MCAT

MCAT Length and Format

About the Computerized MCAT

Sections of the MCAT

What’s on the MCAT?

Who Designs the MCAT?

How is the MCAT Scored?

What’s the Trial Section?

Where and When Should I Take the MCAT?

How Much Does It Cost?

What’s a Good MCAT Score?

The New MCAT 2015 Format Infographic

Format of the MCAT Test

Break - 10 min

Break - 10 min

Break - 10 min

Survey - no test content

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

52multiple-choice questions

70 minutes 7 passages with 4-7 questions each, plus 13 stand-alone questions

70 minutesBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES


7 passages with 4-7 questions each, plus 13 stand-alone questions

45 minutes

TRIAL SECTION

32 questions

60 minutesVERBAL REASONING


7 passages with 5-7 questions each

Computer Tutorial (optional)

176 questions

TOTAL

245minutes(4hrs. 5min.)

http://benchprep.com


Chapter 2 – The Physical and Biological Sciences Sections

Sample Physical Science Passage

For detailed solutions and analysis of BenchPrep users’ performance on these ques-tions, refer to Ch. 8

Q.01Read the following and the question.

Information regarding the amounts of substances that actually react to form the products are of extreme help. Analyzing reactions and having the balanced equa-tions help chemists to determine the correct and optimum proportions of reactants to be used. !ere are various other factors besides the amount of reactants, which determine the e"ciency of reactions.

Experiment 12 Al + Fe#O$ 2 Fe + Al#O$

Student 1 used 40.5 g of aluminum and 80 g of Fe#O$ for Reaction I. A second student conducted the same reaction with a di%erent amount for one of the re-actants. !e second student used 40.5 g of aluminum, and 90 grams of Fe#O$. A third student also conducted the same reaction with 54 g of aluminum and the same amount of Fe#O$ used by the &rst student.

Experiment 2Reaction II involved the production of Al#O$ from aluminum hydroxide !is was done by heating aluminum hydroxide.

2 Al(OH)$ (s) Al#O$ (s) + product x

Experiment3Fe#O$(s) + 3CO(g) 2Fe(s) + 3CO#(g)

What is the most likely identity of product x?

A. aluminumB. waterC. hydrogenD. oxygen

heat

When Should I Take The MCAT?When Should I Take The MCAT?

You can expect your results about 4 weeks after you take the MCAT

Sources

The MCAT is about 5 hrs. long,

with 3 ten minute optional breaks

25.225.2 The averageMCAT score

2013

In 2015, the MCAT will undergo a major revamp.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankingshttps://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/

Have you started studying?

Are you feelingready for the test?

Download the BenchPrep app

& start studying

Are you ready now?

YES NO

YES

NOTYET

Fall

Time to take the test. When do you want to apply

to med school?

Spring

3 3Take byMarchTake byMarch

Summer

6 6Take by

JuneTake by

June

8 8Take byAugustTake byAugust

Winter

10 10Take byOctoberTake byOctober

TOP MED SCHOOLSHarvardJohn HopkinsUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanfordUniversity of Chicago

WashUYaleColumbia (NY)DukeUniversity of California San Francisco

BenchPrepPresents

Facts to ConsiderFacts to Consider

Magic Score

TH

EMCAT303030

Coursework required

Biology , Physics ,

Chemistry , Organic Chemistry

The MCAT costs $275


Chapter 4 – MCAT Study Strategies and Tips

Which Extra Courses Should I Consider Taking?

A question that often arises among pre-med students is whether they should take more advanced science courses beyond the core requirements when preparing for the MCAT, and if so, which ones and when? There is no right answer to this question, and it depends on your own course schedule

Since most universities o"er quite a few potential additions to your academic re-cord, it’s important to have an idea of what they are and why you should consider taking them.

1. Biochemistry: Biochemistry is, as it sounds, a combination of biology and

chemistry, concerned with the biochemical reactions / metabolism taking

place constantly within the body. Even though this subject has wide impact

and applicability in medicine, the real reason to take it in college is so that

you’ll have seen and experienced it prior to encountering it in medical school.

Biochemistry can be intimidating at first, so having some proficiency in the

language can be invaluable when first acclimating to your new environment.

2. Anatomy and/or Physiology: These are two of the core courses in medical

school, and arguably the two most important basic science courses in terms

of clinical medicine. While you’ll go nowhere near as in-depth in either area,

just having seen the material before will make your life easier when you en-

counter the real deal. And perhaps even more importantly, you’ll be that

much more well versed in these knowledge bases as you proceed towards

doctorhood.

3. Microbiology: This extra knowledge will help out in med school when you

have to memorize all those small critters. Plus you’ll be amazed to learn

what’s really going on all around us on a smaller scale.

4. Other Science Options: Lots of other elective course could help out out

in med school, and potentially on the MCAT: Genetics, Physical Chemistry

(“P-Chem”), Comparative Physiology, Particle/Quantum Physics, Calculus


Chapter 6 – MCAT Test Day

5 Things to Bring on MCAT Test Day

On test day, you want to be as comfortable as possible. Unfortunately, strict test proctors have a tendency to make test-takers really uncomfortable. Make sure you come to the test center prepared, and knowing what to expect. Here’s what to take with you:

A snack and a drinkYou’ll have three optional 10-minute breaks during the test, to use the re-

stroom, drink something, and eat a snack. Some testing centers will allow you to access your locker (where’s you’ll store your personal belongings) and others will not. Either way, you’ll be able to have access to your snack and drink.

A positive attitude!You have already learned

most of what you need to learn to do well on the

MCAT. You’ve practiced and studied for countless hours. You’ve got the vocab of Shakespeare and the science acumen of Galileo. So all thats left for you to do is go in there know-ing you're going to knock it out of the park, and do it!

Photo IDA driver’s license or passport should do the trick in the US. Made sure your ID matches the name on your registration exactly!

Comfortable clothesYou’re not going to want to be shivering

or sweating when trying to remem-ber physics properties. Make sure you bring some layers of long-sleeved

clothes. Testing centers are often chilly.

Directions to

the testing centerIf you have a smartphone, put the address in the night before. Sometimes MCAT testing cen-ters don’t really look like much on the outside. So it might even be smart just past before-hand just so you know exactly where the testing center is, and where you’ll need to park. You’ll need to be at the testing center 30 minutes prior to your appointment time.

As you nav-

igate your MCAT prep work, know this:

entering medical school and making your way WKURXJK�\RXU�ÀUVW�\HDU�can be a very uncertain

and emotional time.


Chapter 7 – Applying to Med School / Med School Survival Kit

The Ideal Med School Application

Unfortunately, no one can o"er you the perfect recipe for an application to medical school, because it will be reviewed by human beings, all of who have their own sen-sibilities and preferences. But there are definitely some things you’ll want to include or do, and certain things that you’ll want to avoid. Below are a few pointers on how to help your application stand out from the crowd, in a positive and memorable way.

1. Market Yourself: Some of getting into medical school, particularly amidst sti"

competition, involves marketing yourself, as if you were applying and inter-

viewing for a job. Doing so in the most flattering and impressive way possible

is important. Whether it’s in writing your letter or essay, or during the inter-

view, find a creative and gentle way to accomplish this. Perhaps o"er that

you always knew you liked science/medicine because you enjoyed learning

and acing your classes, and your all-star MCAT score just made you that

much more certain that it was for you. You get the idea.

2. Personal Statement: After grades and MCAT scores, the personal statement

—and any supplementary essays— is the next most important consideration

for committee members. It not only distinguishes you in a very personal way,

but it is something concrete that can be reviewed and analyzed, and appreci-

ated. With this in mind, strive to make your essay(s) as sincere and heartfelt as

possible. Make it your own and make it distinct, because they can tell when

someone is just phoning it in. You don’t have to be a fantastic writer in order

to make a great impression.

3. Other Stu!: Another fine line you may have to toe is figuring out how much

extra stu" should be included in your application. Most college students

have several extracurriculars that they should proudly highlight on their ap-

plication, and in general, you should try to pack in as many relevant activities

and organizations as possible. The only problem is when someone crams so

much information (or lots of irrelevant info) into the “space provided” that it

ends up diluting the substance of what’s listed there. Even though in this case

Education

MCAT Playbook Excerpts