MCAT

Alexander McKinnon & Muzeen Ismath MD Students

Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Manitoba

March 21, 2016

OBJECTIVES

Who are we? What is the MCAT?How do I prepare for

the MCAT?How do I take the

MCAT?

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Born in WinnipegB.Sc at Gonzaga

University on a tennis scholarship

Med I at the University of Manitoba

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MUZEEN ISMATH

MY MCAT JOURNEY

M C AT S U M M E R O F 2 0 1 2 - 1 4

Wrote the MCAT 3 times during that period

Took Princeton Prep Course prior to the last exam

Studied full-time during summers of last 2

Applied only to U of M

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Born in DeloraineB.Sc. (Hons) Mount

Allison UniversityM.Sc. University of

Western OntarioMed I at the

University of Manitoba

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ALEXANDER MCKINNON

MY MCAT JOURNEYM C AT S U M M E R O F 2 0 1 4

Bought MCAT prep books on Kijiji

Studied most evenings during my M. Sc. and wrote a practice exam each weekend for ~4 months

Wrote the MCAT in the fall Applied to U of M, U of S

and NOSM.

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WHAT IS THIS “MCAT” YOU SPEAK OF?

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MCAT“The Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) is a

standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess the examinee's problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine. Scores are reported in

• Biological and biochemical foundations of living systems• Chemical and physical foundations of biological systems• Psychology, social, and biological foundations of behavior• Critical analysis and reasoning skills

-Association of American Medical Colleges

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THE TEST

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Time: 95 minutesPassages: 10Questions: 59 44 passage-based

Questions per passage: 4-6

Minutes per passage: ~8

15 independent Qs

Passage types: InformationExperimentPersuasive ArgumentContent:General chem (30%)1st term biochem (25%) Intro physics (25%)Organic chem (15%) Intro Bio (5%)

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CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL FOUNDATIONS OF BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Time: 90 minutesPassages: 9Questions: 5353 passage-based0 discrete Questions per

passage: 5-7 Minutes per

passage: 10

Passage types:

Humanities (50%)Social Sciences (50%)

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CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REASONING SKILLS

Time: 95 minutesPassages: 10Questions: 59 44 passage-based

Questions per passage: 4-6

Minutes per passage: ~8

15 independent Qs

Passage types: InformationExperimentPersuasive ArgumentContent: Intro bio (65%)1st term biochem (25%) General chem (5%)Organic chem (5%)

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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL FOUNDATIONS OF LIVING SYSTEMS

Time: 95 minutesPassages: 10Questions: 59 44 passage-based

Questions per passage: 4-6

Minutes per passage: ~8

15 independent Qs

Passage types: InformationExperimentPersuasive ArgumentContent: Intro psych (65%) Intro sociology (30%) Intro Bio (5%)

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PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, AND BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF BEHAVIOR

Each section scored: 118-132

Max score: 528Average MCAT score: 500Average applicant: ~506Average accepted: ????

(~510-512)Target score: 528

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SCORING

HOW ON EARTH DO I PREPARE FOR THE MCAT

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Undergrad Textbooks

MCAT BookMCAT CourseWikiPremed

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HERE ARE THE OPTIONS

PROYou already have

them

CONA lot of extra

materialWon’t teach how to

take the test

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UNDERGRAD TEXTBOOKS

PRODesigned for

the MCAT

CON$100-$200ishThere’s so much

to choose from

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MCAT BOOK

MCAT COURSE

PROTeach to the testProvide you with a scheduleAn instructor to answer questions

CONEXPENSIVESessions depend on quality of instructorDoesn’t have good data for new MCAT

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http://www.wikipremed.comhttp;//www.khanacademy.org

PROFREEKhan is advertised on

aamc

CONDoes not have good data

for new MCAT

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WIKIPREMED/KHAN ACADEMY

Learn the content however you want.

DO PRACTICE TEST/QUESTIONS

These are the best way to study

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SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?

PRACTICE TESTSBuy online from AAMC (http://www.e-mcat.com) $35 for 1 (there are currently 2- exams) Included with some books Included with courses Computer-based test DO aamc exam as a diagnostic and then again closer to test date

YOU CAN NEVER DO ENOUGH PRACTICE TESTS/QUESTIONS

FROM AAMC

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FREE MCAT-STYLE QUESTIONS

http://www.bestsamplequestions.com/mcat-sample-questions/mcat-sample-questions.html

Not an exact representation the new MCAT questions but excellent practice

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WHAT UNDERGRAD DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Physical Sciences First year physics First year chemistry

Know your equations!!! First Semester Biochem

Biological Sciences First year biology Organic chemistry

Social Sciences/Humanities First year Psychology First year Sociology

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WHAT VERBAL DO I NEED TO KNOWNo outside knowledge is required

WE read for pleasure or for knowledge MCAT reading is for purpose and structure Purpose = why the author wrote what he did Structure = how the author presents ideas

Know keywords Continuation Contrast Conclusion Opinion

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HOW TO STUDY

Make a calendar/Stay organized Build in obligations Time for friends/family Study in a test-like environment Study at the same time as when you will take your test Practice, practice practice

Do what works for you!

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Focus on weak areas

Read, Read, ReadAddress any fatigue

or focus issuesPractice at the

computerCreate test-friendly

habitsNo coffee during the test

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UNTIL A WEEK BEFORE TEST DAY

Focus on strengthsEat good meals at

regular timesContinue your

sleep/wake schedule

Practice in a test-like environment

Visit the test site!!!

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DURING WEEK OF TEST DAY

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Plan your day!!!!

TEST DAY

Wake up on timeEat normal breakfastWarm up physically and mentally FLASHCARDS/practice

exam/study sheetWear comfortable clothingDress in layersBring high-energy foodsArrive at test site at least 30 minutes prior to your

appointment time Don’t forget current photo ID

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Printout of confirmation email

Personal photo ID (2)

Snack / Sports drink

Extra jacket or sweatshirt

Watch

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CHECKLIST FOR TEST DAY

TAKING THE MCAT

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THE TEST

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TUTORIAL

Can I highlight keywords located in the passage or in the question stem?

Can I strike out wrong answer choices using the mouse?

Can I access a Periodic Table using an icon on the screen?

Will I be able to adjust the screen layout?Is a test timer provided? If so, where will it

be located?Can I mark questions that I would like to go

back and review if time has not expired?35

TOUGH QUESTION?

Do you get points for 2nd best answer?Do you get points off for guessing?Are hard questions worth more than easy question?Are all passages the same difficulty?Are passages in a particular order?

If you don’t know…guess.If it looks tough…come back to it.DO NOT LEAVE A QUESTION BLANK

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• If two answers mean the same, neither can be right

• Avoid absolute language (i.e. all, never, always, etc)

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GUESSING STRATEGY

VOID MY SCORE

You only have ONE opportunity to void your exam

I wish to have my MCAT exam SCORED.I wish to VOID my MCAT exam.

Only voided if requested on test day Cannot void scores at a later date for any reason Scores cannot be reinstated at a later date for any reason

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VOID MY SCORE

Yes, if you… Left a large number of questions blank Got physically ill during test Had extreme test administration problems Shouldn’t have been there in the first place

No, if you… Felt the test was hard Felt like you guessed too much Didn’t finish every passage

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• Can have one MCAT reservation at a time

• Take the exam up to 3 times per calendar year

• A void exam does not count as one of the 3 attempts in a year

• No shows count as an attempt

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MCAT RULES

FINISHING THE MCAT!!

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FINAL TIPS• Practice, practice,

practice• Stay motivated• Find friends•Make it fun•Remember end-goal

•Nerves are expected• Practice

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SEE YOU ON THE WARDS!!!!

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Any Questions?

PASSAGE BASED EXAMPLE Cholesterol is a structural component of plasma membranes and a precursor of steroid hormones. The typical blood cholesterol level of healthy humans is about 1.8 mg/mL.Familial hypercholesterolemia (HC) is a disease associated with high cholesterol levels; HC affects 1 in 500 people. The cholesterol level of moderately affected individuals is about 3.0 mg/mL. Severely affected individuals have cholesterol levels around 7.0 mg/mL.HC is relatively common in some families and absent from others. Research shows no significant difference between the dietary habits of individuals in affected and unaffected families.Biologists believe that HC is caused by a malfunction at the plasma membrane. The cells of healthy individuals have cholesterol-containing vesicles, whereas the cells of individuals with HC do not. A comparison of the homogenized cells reveals that individuals with HC lack a membrane protein that normally binds to a particular cholesterol-containing particle (LDL). This same protein is found in the membrane of cholesterol-containing vesicles.

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Cholesterol is a precursor of which of the following hormones?

a. Insulinb. Gastrinc. Thyroxind. Estrogen

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Cholesterol is a structural component of plasma membranes and a precursor of steroid hormones. The typical blood cholesterol level of healthy humans is about 1.8 mg/mL.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (HC) is a disease associated with high cholesterol levels; HC affects 1 in 500 people. The cholesterol level of moderately affected individuals is about 3.0 mg/mL. Severely affected individuals have cholesterol levels around 7.0 mg/mL.

HC is relatively common in some families and absent from others. Research shows no significant difference between the dietary habits of individuals in affected and unaffected families.

Biologists believe that HC is caused by a malfunction at the plasma membrane. The cells of healthy individuals have cholesterol-containing endocytotic vesicles, whereas the cells of individuals with HC do not. A comparison of the homogenized cells reveals that individuals with HC lack a membrane protein that normally binds to a particular cholesterol-containing particle (LDL). This same protein is found in the membrane of cholesterol-containing vesicles.

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Cholesterol is a precursor of which of the following hormones?

a. Insulinb. Gastrinc. Thyroxind. Estrogen

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Cholesterol is a precursor of which of the following hormones?

a. Insulinb. Gastrinc. Thyroxind. Estrogen

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Is it reasonable to conclude that HC is caused by a genetic disorder?

a. Yes, because HC is common in certain families, regardless of the type of diet they consume.

b. Yes, because HC is common in families that consume low-cholesterol diets.

c. No, because individuals in families that consume high levels of cholesterol are more likely to acquire the disease.

d. No, because HC appears to be caused by a defective protein and not a defective DNA sequence.

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Cholesterol is a structural component of plasma membranes and a precursor of steroid hormones. The typical blood cholesterol level of healthy humans is about 1.8 mg/mL.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (HC) is a disease associated with high cholesterol levels; HC affects 1 in 500 people. The cholesterol level of moderately affected individuals is about 3.0 mg/mL. Severely affected individuals have cholesterol levels around 7.0 mg/mL.

HC is relatively common in some families and absent from others. Research shows no significant difference between the dietary habits of individuals in affected and unaffected families.

Biologists believe that HC is caused by a malfunction at the plasma membrane. The cells of healthy individuals have cholesterol-containing endocytotic vesicles, whereas the cells of individuals with HC do not. A comparison of the homogenized cells reveals that individuals with HC lack a membrane protein that normally binds to a particular cholesterol-containing particle (LDL). This same protein is found in the membrane of cholesterol-containing vesicles.

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Is it reasonable to conclude that HC is caused by a genetic disorder?

a. Yes, because HC is common in certain families, regardless of the type of diet they consume.

b. Yes, because HC is common in families that consume low-cholesterol diets.

c. No, because individuals in families that consume high levels of cholesterol are more likely to acquire the disease.

d. No, because HC appears to be caused by a defective protein and not a defective DNA sequence.

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Is it reasonable to conclude that HC is caused by a genetic disorder?

a. Yes, because HC is common in certain families, regardless of the type of diet they consume.

b. Yes, because HC is common in families that consume low-cholesterol diets.

c. No, because individuals in families that consume high levels of cholesterol are more likely to acquire the disease.

d. No, because HC appears to be caused by a defective protein and not a defective DNA sequence.

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A man and a woman, each with a cholesterol level of about 3.0 mg/mL, have a child with a cholesterol level of 7.0 mg/mL. Assuming that HC is determined by alleles at a single locus, does this observation provide evidence that the HC allele is dominant to the normal allele?

a. No; HC is recessive, because the disease is expressed in the child but is not expressed in the parents.

b. No; HC is codominant, because the heterozygous parents have a less severe form of the disease than does the homozygous child.

c. Yes; HC is completely dominant, because the child inherited the most severe form of the disease.

d. Yes; HC is completely dominant, because both parents carry the allele and have the disease.

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Cholesterol is a structural component of plasma membranes and a precursor of steroid hormones. The typical blood cholesterol level of healthy humans is about 1.8 mg/mL.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (HC) is a disease associated with high cholesterol levels; HC affects 1 in 500 people. The cholesterol level of moderately affected individuals is about 3.0 mg/mL. Severely affected individuals have cholesterol levels around 7.0 mg/mL.

HC is relatively common in some families and absent from others. Research shows no significant difference between the dietary habits of individuals in affected and unaffected families.

Biologists believe that HC is caused by a malfunction at the plasma membrane. The cells of healthy individuals have cholesterol-containing endocytotic vesicles, whereas the cells of individuals with HC do not. A comparison of the homogenized cells reveals that individuals with HC lack a membrane protein that normally binds to a particular cholesterol-containing particle (LDL). This same protein is found in the membrane of cholesterol-containing vesicles.

54

A man and a woman, each with a cholesterol level of about 3.0 mg/mL, have a child with a cholesterol level of 7.0 mg/mL. Assuming that HC is determined by alleles at a single locus, does this observation provide evidence that the HC allele is dominant to the normal allele?

a. No; HC is recessive, because the disease is expressed in the child but is not expressed in the parents.

b. No; HC is codominant, because the heterozygous parents have a less severe form of the disease than does the homozygous child.

c. Yes; HC is completely dominant, because the child inherited the most severe form of the disease.

d. Yes; HC is completely dominant, because both parents carry the allele and have the disease.

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A man and a woman, each with a cholesterol level of about 3.0 mg/mL, have a child with a cholesterol level of 7.0 mg/mL. Assuming that HC is determined by alleles at a single locus, does this observation provide evidence that the HC allele is dominant to the normal allele?

a. No; HC is recessive, because the disease is expressed in the child but is not expressed in the parents.

b. No; HC is codominant, because the heterozygous parents have a less severe form of the disease than does the homozygous child.

c. Yes; HC is completely dominant, because the child inherited the most severe form of the disease.

d. Yes; HC is completely dominant, because both parents carry the allele and have the disease.

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THANKS AGAIN!!!

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