Posts tagged #mcatprep

MCAT Mnemonics: Physics/Chemistry

We are still on the MCAT mnemonics series. This blog we continue with mnemonics for physics and chemistry
-Formulas
Work = Mass * Acceleration * Distance : Lots of Work makes me MAD


Ideal gas law: PV = nRT: Pure Vodka Needs Red Tabasco

Gibb’s free energy: ∆G =∆H – T∆S: Good Honey Tastes Sweet


Ohm’s law: Volts = Amps * Resistance: Vampires Aren’t Real


-Order of increasing wavelengths: Gamma rays, X-rays, Ultraviolet, Visible light, Infrared, Microwaves, Radio waves = Great Xylophones Use Very Interesting Musical Rhythms


-Visible spectrum: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet = ROY G BiV


-Redox reaction: Leo says Ger = Loss of electrons is oxidation, Gain of electrons is reduction; Oil Rig = Oxidation is loss, Reduction is gain


-Cations & anions: Cats have paws = cations are pawsitive; cation = the letter t in cation resemble a plus sign

-Electrodes
PANIC: Positive is Anode, Negative Is Cathode
Red cat: Reduction at cathode
An ox: Anode for Oxidation


-Sequence of orbitals: Susan Plays Darts, Football and is Good at Hiding In Kitchen = s p d f g h i k


-Noble gases: Harry Needs A Kaleidoscope for X-Mas Right away = Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, Radon


-Electronegativity: Fluorine > Oxygen > Chlorine > Nitrogen > Bromine > Iodine > Sulfur > Carbon > Hydrogen > Phosphorus = FOCIN BrIS CHP (pronounce)


Once again, this is just tips of the iceberg. You still need to apply what you remember to various scenarios in the MCAT exam!
Jane

MCAT Memorization: Tricks or Tips

It’s undeniable that memorization play a big part in your study for MCAT. It’s basically what MCAT is testing you: you knowledge about specific fact or concept. If don’t know the technical terms, formulas, theorems, or even people’s names, you will not be able to answers the questions correctly. Here are some tips to help you with your memorization:

  • Mnemonics
    These are patterns such as series of letter or even your tune of you favorite song that help you memorize. For example, one of the most popular in trigonometry is SOH CAH TOA: Sine = Opp/Hyp, Cosine = Adj/Hyp, Tangent = Opp/Adj; the word PANIC can stand for Positive is Cathode, Negative is Anode. Other mnemonic strategies include rhyming of words; linking method or chaining, in which you develop a story or image that connects the pieces of information you need to memorize.
  • Memory palace (Like Sherlock Holme’s Mind Palace)
    This involves imagining that you are moving through familiar places and at various stops along the way leaving a visual presentation of a topic you want to remember. So when you want to recall the information, you will imagine walking through your “palace”. This might come into handy when you try to memorize the enzymes in a particular pathway e.g. glycolysis and Krebs cycle.
    There is no one right approach to memorize the contents for MCAT. Afterall, it comes down to either you know answer or you don’t. Try different studying with different approaches that suit you best. After memorization, don’t forget that the most challenging part of MCAT is to apply your basic scientific knowledge to unfamiliar situations they present to you. Make sure you understand the content, not just remember the content.
    Jane

Time Management Strategies for MCAT

Since MCAT is a timed test, one of the most common issues that students have with the MCAT is time management. By the time they realize that there’s only five minutes left, panic kicks in and they start to answer the questions without thinking clearly. All of these could be avoided if you have good time management strategies. It would a shame to run out of time towards the end only to find out that some of the questions could be correctly answered in just a few seconds. Here are some pacing tips to keep you calm and walk through MCAT strategically!

  • Time per question
    Most questions are passage-based; science sections have 10 passages and 9 for CARS. In the science sections, you will have ~ 1 minutes 35 seconds per question; for CARS, you will have ~1 minutes 40 seconds per question. Keep in mind that you need to allot the time for reading the passage as well. The following is the suggested amount of time you should spent for each passage including time reading the passage
    Sciences: 4 questions passage: 6.5 minutes
    5 questions passage: 8 minutes
    6 questions passage: 9.5 minutes
    CARS: 5 questions passage: 8.5 minutes
    6 questions passage: 10 minutes
    7 questions passage: 11.5 minutes
  • Keep an eye on the timer
    Before you start the passage, note down how much time you will spend on the passage; you may write on the notepad provided the time you need to finish so you can keep your eyes on the timer as you work through the questions. When you are running out of time, make notes and mark the questions so you can come back to on them later you if you have time left.
  • No guessing penalty
    There is no guessing penalty so do not leave any question blank!!! This might come in handy when you are running out of time, especially for CARS. To finish all 9 passages for CARS, you have ~10 minutes/passage. Some sources say people might have to randomly guess on at least one passage just to complete the entire CARS section. Even with a random guess, you still have a 25% chance of getting the questions right.
  • Above mentioned strategies will only work if you PRACTICE, especially the ones that resemble the real MCAT. Remember the 3 Ps: Plan you study, Put that into action, and Practice!!!
    Jane

MCAT Myths EP.2

Let’s continue our “MCAT Myths” clarification episode.

3 You need knowledge of upper-division sciences to do well on the MCAT

You do not need to be an expert in every science subject! In fact, according to AAMC, only introductory level of knowledge is needed for biology, biochemistry, physics, chemistry, psychology and sociology. Of course, you might encounter some advanced topics especially in the passages, but upper-division knowledge is not required to answer the questions correctly. So having strong basics and background in each subject is very crucial.

4 The MCAT tests you science skills, so you don’t need to worry about CARS

Reading skills is very important in MCAT even in the science section. There is a reason why CARS actually takes up ¼ of your MCAT score. This section will assess your reading skills, comprehension, critical thinking and reasoning skills. This is not something that can develop overnight. Make sure you practice active reading, while doing so, identify the main points, arguments and conclusions. Remember that CARS section is as important as other fundamental sciences.


Now that the MCAT Myths are cleared, you should be able to do well on the MCAT if you start early on your preparation. Your MCAT score is decided by your performance on test day, but your performance is decided by your effort and work that you put in prior to the test day.
Jane