Powerpoint Presentation for anyone who is interested in learning about the MCAT

1. MCAT
Alexander McKinnon & Muzeen Ismath
MD Students
Faculty of Medicine
University of Manitoba
March 21, 2016

2. OBJECTIVES
Who are we?
What is the MCAT?
How do I prepare for the
MCAT?
How do I take the MCAT?
2

3. Born in Winnipeg
B.Sc at Gonzaga
University on a tennis
scholarship
Med I at the University
of Manitoba
3
MUZEEN ISMATH

4. 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
4

5. Born in Deloraine
B.Sc. (Hons) Mount
Allison University
M.Sc. University of
Western Ontario
Med I at the University
of Manitoba
5
ALEXANDER MCKINNON

6. MY MCAT JOURNEY
M 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.
6

7. WHAT IS THIS “MCAT” YOU SPEAK
OF?
7

8. 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
8

9. THE TEST
9

10. Time: 95 minutes
Passages: 10
Questions: 59
 44 passage-based
 Questions per passage:
4-6
 Minutes per passage:
~8
 15 independent Qs
Passage types:
 Information
 Experiment
 Persuasive Argument
Content:
 General chem (30%)
 1st term biochem
(25%)
 Intro physics (25%)
 Organic chem (15%)
 Intro Bio (5%)
10
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL FOUNDATIONS OF
BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

11. Time: 90 minutes
Passages: 9
Questions: 53
53 passage-based
0 discrete
 Questions per
passage: 5-7
 Minutes per
passage: 10
Passage types:
Humanities (50%)
Social Sciences
(50%)
11
CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REASONING SKILLS

12. Time: 95 minutes
Passages: 10
Questions: 59
 44 passage-based
 Questions per passage:
4-6
 Minutes per passage:
~8
 15 independent Qs
Passage types:
 Information
 Experiment
 Persuasive Argument
Content:
 Intro bio (65%)
 1st term biochem
(25%)
 General chem (5%)
 Organic chem (5%)
12
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL FOUNDATIONS OF
LIVING SYSTEMS

13. Time: 95 minutes
Passages: 10
Questions: 59
 44 passage-based
 Questions per
passage: 4-6
 Minutes per passage:
~8
 15 independent Qs
Passage types:
Information
Experiment
Persuasive
Argument
Content:
Intro psych (65%)
Intro sociology
(30%)
Intro Bio (5%)
13
PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, AND BIOLOGICAL
FOUNDATIONS OF BEHAVIOR

14. Each section scored: 118-132
Max score: 528
Average MCAT score: 500
Average applicant: ~506
Average accepted: ???? (~510-
512)
Target score: 528
14
SCORING

15. HOW ON EARTH DO I PREPARE FOR THE MCAT
15

16. Undergrad
Textbooks
MCAT Book
MCAT Course
WikiPremed
16
HERE ARE THE OPTIONS

17. PRO
You already have them
CON
A lot of extra material
Won’t teach how to take
the test
17
UNDERGRAD TEXTBOOKS

18. PRO
Designed for the
MCAT
CON
$100-$200ish
There’s so much
to choose from
18
MCAT BOOK

19. MCAT COURSE
PRO
Teach to the test
Provide you with a schedule
An instructor to answer questions
CON
EXPENSIVE
Sessions depend on quality of instructor
Doesn’t have good data for new MCAT
19

20. http://www.wikipremed.com
http;//www.khanacademy.org
PRO
FREE
Khan is advertised on
aamc
CON
Does not have good data
for new MCAT
20
WIKIPREMED/
KHAN ACADEMY

21. Learn the content however you
want.
DO PRACTICE TEST/QUESTIONS
These are the best way to study
21
SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?

22. PRACTICE TESTS
Buy 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
22

23. 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
23

24. 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
24

25. WHAT VERBAL DO I NEED TO KNOW
No 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
25

26. 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!
26

27. Focus on weak
areas
Read, Read, Read
Address any
fatigue or focus
issues
Practice at the
computer
Create test-friendly
habits
 No coffee during the
test
27
UNTIL A WEEK BEFORE TEST DAY

28. Focus on
strengths
Eat good meals at
regular times
Continue your
sleep/wake
schedule
Practice in a test-
like environment
Visit the test site!!!
28
DURING WEEK OF TEST DAY

29. 29
Plan your day!!!!

30. TEST DAY
Wake up on time
Eat normal breakfast
Warm up physically and mentally  FLASHCARDS/practice exam/study
sheet
Wear comfortable clothing
Dress in layers
Bring high-energy foods
Arrive at test site at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment time
Don’t forget current photo ID
30

31. Printout of
confirmation
email
Personal photo ID
(2)
Snack / Sports
drink
Extra jacket or
sweatshirt
Watch
31
CHECKLIST FOR TEST DAY

32. TAKING THE MCAT
32

33. 33

34. THE TEST
34

35. 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

36. 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
36

37. • If two answers mean the same,
neither can be right
• Avoid absolute language (i.e.
all, never, always, etc)
37
GUESSING STRATEGY

38. 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
38

39. 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
39

40. • 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
40
MCAT RULES

41. FINISHING THE MCAT!!
41

42. FINAL TIPS
• Practice, practice,
practice
• Stay motivated
• Find friends
• Make it fun
• Remember end-goal
• Nerves are expected
• Practice
42

43. SEE YOU ON THE WARDS!!!!
43
Any Questions?

44. 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.
44

45. Cholesterol is a precursor of which of the following hormones?
a. Insulin
b. Gastrin
c. Thyroxin
d. Estrogen
45

46. 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.
46

47. Cholesterol is a precursor of which of the following hormones?
a. Insulin
b. Gastrin
c. Thyroxin
d. Estrogen
47

48. Cholesterol is a precursor of which of the following hormones?
a. Insulin
b. Gastrin
c. Thyroxin
d. Estrogen
48

49. 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.
49

50. 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.
50

51. 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.
51

52. 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.
52

53. 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.
53

54. 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

55. 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.
55

56. 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.
56

57. 57
Which conclusion is best supported by the findings in Figure 1?
Please choose from one of the following options.
A. Friends of opposite genders only marginally increased the likelihood of obesity for the ego.
B. Obese persons do not seem to selectively form social ties only with other obese persons.
C. There is almost no effect on the ego when someone in the same geographic proximity gained
weight.
D. If a mutual friend living far away gained weight, the ego would not be more likely to gain
weight.

58. THANKS AGAIN!!!
58