Instructors: Mitchell Heiner: mitchell.heiner@aggiemail.usu.edu
Joseph Clyde: joseph.clyde@aggiemail.usu.edu
Supervising Faculty Member: D. Andy Anderson: andy@biology.usu.edu
Office hours: By appointment
Time/Location: MW 4:00-5:50
BNR 278
BIOL 1030
MCAT REVIEW, SPRING 2013
Course Description. The MCAT is a humbling exam covering an extensive amount of material. We
cannot, and will not, spend class time lecturing on four years of science material. Instead, time will be
spent simulating exam conditions, and analyzing real MCAT questions. A small portion of class time will
be dedicated to a quick review of the most common concepts tested. However, each student is
responsible for reviewing each MCAT concept listed on the syllabus before coming to class. This class is
designed to (1) help you understand how to approach MCAT questions and (2) help you identify your
areas of weakness in order to give you direction in what areas you should be studying on your own. The
time you spend preparing for this class is what you will get out of it.
Course Learning Objectives. All class activities are designed to help students meet course objectives.
Objective 1. Students will develop empirically-based study habits shown to maximize retention and
memory strength (such as: expensive information, active recall, the spacing effect, and semantic
memory).
Objective 2. Students will learn how to approach MCAT style questions and logically apply concepts
already learned in past science courses.
Objective 3. Through the use of a personal MCAT journal, students will recognize their areas of
weakness in order to strengthen them.
Objective 4. Students will familiarize themselves with the MCAT in general. By taking eMCAT
practice tests under simulated conditions they will become comfortable with the testing environment and
be able to stay relaxed and focused when it really matters.
Verbal Reasoning Sheets. The verbal reasoning section of the MCAT is the hardest section for students
to improve their scores. There are no “tricks” for getting a better score on verbal reasoning (the same
goes for the science sections). The only way to improve this area is through practice, practice, practice.
You must literally increase your verbal reasoning. In order to do so students will read at least three
verbal passages each week and complete verbal reasoning sheets for each one. In addition, every lesson
will begin with a verbal passage. An improvement in the ability to read a passage and mentally organize
and evaluate the material will not only increase your score in the verbal reasoning, but both your
physical and biological science scores as well.
Suggestions for passages: Examkrackers 101 passages, Scholarly Journals, The New Yorker, or any
dense book you can find in the library works great.
Grading and Evaluation. Students will submit at least one verbal reasoning sheet each class which will
also serve as evidence of class attendance. Twenty-four of the 29 classes AND 3 of 5 practice exams is a
pass; anything less is a fail. Although you only need to buy 5 of the 8 practice exams, which will be
proctored on Saturdays and used in-class, we strongly encourage you to purchase ALL 8 practice exams.
This is because if you choose to only take the minimum three proctored exams for a “pass”, you should
still take the additional 2 practice exams shortly before your test date. These practice exams are the best
way to prepare for the real thing.
Texts and Materials. There are two required materials:
(1) All 8 eMCAT Practice Tests (3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11). eMCAT practice test 3 is free and each
additional test can be purchased for $35 at http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/practicetests.htm by
clicking on “AAMC student publication” then clicking on MCAT in the left column.
(2) The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam 2nd Edition
You are enrolled in this course because you will be taking AAMC’s (The Association of American Medical
Colleges) MCAT this spring. As such, we will not be studying from another organization’s or company’s
book. For those of you who have already looked through an MCAT prep book will notice as we begin to
examine real MCAT verbal and science passages that each practice book is different and none of them
match what you will see on an official MCAT exam. For this reason, the only course textbook we will use
in class is The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam 2nd Edition as well as The Official MCAT Practice Tests
Two of the eMCAT practice tests (eMCAT 8 and eMCAT 9), as well as the problems from The Official Guide
to the MCAT Exam, will be covered in-class. The eMCAT Practice Test 3 will be taken as a diagnostic test
during the 2nd week of class. This test will take approximately 4-5 hours to complete. The remaining five
tests will be taken during proctored sessions on the five Saturdays at times chosen from the class poll.
Classroom Behavior. No cellphones. If you come to class, be respectful and don’t leave early. The
instructors withhold the right to dock attendance points.
Students with Disabilities: Students with physical, sensory, emotional or medical impairments may be
eligible for reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All accommodations are coordinated through the Disability
Resource Center (DRC) in Room 101 of the University Inn, 797-2444, 797-0740 TTY, or toll free at 1-800259-2966. Please contact the DRC as early in the semester as possible. Alternate format materials
(Braille, large print or digital) are available with advance notice.
Tentative Class Routine
Verbal Reasoning: ~20 min
Discrete (topic review) Questions: ~20 min
Review: ~20 min
3 Science Passages: ~50 min
Note: In order to keep the topic review under 20 minutes, students must come to class having
already studied the week’s topic.
Week
1
Date
07-Jan
09-Jan
14-Jan
2
16-Jan
21-Jan
3
23-Jan
28-Jan
4
06-Feb
11-Feb
6
Math
Physics
(1)Translational Motion,
(2)Force and Motion, Gravitation,
(3)Equilibrium and Momentum
Gen Chem
(1)Electronic Structure and
Periodic Table
(2)Bonding
Martin Luther King Day
No Class
Biology
19-Feb
8
20-Feb
25-Feb
VR: OG passage II
Practice Problems:
Passages: (1) MCAT 8 passage IV, (2) OG passage III
VR: OG Passage II
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 8 passage I
Last day to drop w/o Notation
VR: OG passage V
Practice Problems:
Passages:
Physics
Gen Chem
(1)Phases and Phase Equilibria
(2)Stoichiometry
O-Chem
The Covalent Bond
Molecular Structure and Spectra
Biology
(1)Molecular Biology: Eukaryotes
(2)Microbiology
Physics
Gen Chem
Thermodynamics and
Thermochemistry
O-Chem
Separations and Purifications
7
Event
VR: OG passage I
Practice Problems:
VR: OG passage IV
Practice problems:
Passages: MCAT 8 passage IV
(1)Waves and Periodic Motion
(2)Sound
13-Feb
Class Overview
(1)Molecular Biology: Enzymes and
metabolism
(2)Molecular Biology DNA and
Protein Synthesis
Work and Energy
30-Jan
04-Feb
5
Topic
MCAT Overview, Study Strategies,
Application tips, Personal Plans
Biology
(1)Generalized Eukaryotic Cell
(2)Specialized Eukaryotic Cells and
Tissues
Physics
(1)Fluids and Solids
(2) Atomic and Nuclear Structure
VR: OG Passage VI
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 8 passage III
VR: MCAT 9
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 8 passage II, MCAT 9 passage IV
VR: MCAT 9
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 9 passage II
VR: MCAT 9
Practice Problems:
Passages: (1) OG passage II (2) MCAT 9 Passage IV
MCAT 5 Review
VR: MCAT 9
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 9 passage II
VR: MCAT 9
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 8 passage V
Diagnostic
Test
MCAT 3
Saturday
19-Jan
MCAT 5
Saturday
09-Feb
VR: MCAT 9
Practice Problems:
Passages:
VR: MCAT 9
Practice Problems:
Passages: (1) OG passage I
MCAT 7
Saturday
27-Feb
04-Mar
Gen Chem
Rate Processes in Chemical
Reaction: Kinetics and Equilibrium
O-Chem
Hydrocarbons
9
06-Mar
10
08-Mar
11-Mar
13-Mar
18-Mar
11
20-Mar
Biology
(1)Nervous and Endocrine Systems
(2)Circulatory, Lymphatic, and
Immune Systems
27-Mar
Physics
Electrostatics and
Electromagnetism
Gen Chem
O-Chem
Biology
(1)Digestive and Excretory Systems
(2)Muscle and Skeletal Systems
01-Apr
13
Physics
Electronic Circuit Elements
03-Apr
Gen Chem
Acids and Bases
08-Apr
O-Chem
Amines
14
10-Apr
15-Apr
15
Biology
(1)Respiratory System
(2)Skin System
(3)Reproductive System and
Development
Physics
Light and Geometrical Optics
17-Apr
Gen Chem
Electrochemistry
22-Apr
16
O-Chem
Biological Molecules
24-Apr
VR: MCAT 8 II
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 9 passage I, MCAT 8 passage I
Spring
Break
Oxygen-Containing Compounds
12
02-Mar
Last day to drop with “w”
Solution Chemistry
25-Mar
VR: MCAT 9
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 8 passage VI
VR: VR: MCAT 8 I
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 9 passage IV
MCAT Exam 7 Review
Biology
(1)Genetic
(2)Evolution
VR: MCAT 8 III
Practice Problems:
Passages: (1) OG passage IV, MCAT 8 passage II
VR: MCAT 8 IV
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 8 passage VII
MCAT 10
Saturday
23-Mar
VR: MCAT 8 V
Practice Problems:
Passages:
Review MCAT 10
VR: MCAT 8 passage VI
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 9 passage III, MCAT 8 passage III, MCAT
8 passage VIII
VR: MCAT 8 passage VII
Practice Problems:
Passages: (1) MCAT 9 passage I
VR:
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 9 passage III
VR:
Practice Problems:
Passages:
Review MCAT 4
MCAT 4
Saturday
06-Apr
VR:
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 9 passage 6
VR:
Practice Problems:
Passages: (1) MCAT 9 passage VII
VR:
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 9 passage VI
VR:
Practice Problems:
Passages:
Review MCAT 11
VR:
Practice Problems:
Passages: MCAT 9 passage VII, MCAT 8 passage VI
MCAT 11
Saturday
25-Apr