As you may know, the new 2015 MCAT will feature a new section that covers psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior. Do not panic when preparing for this section of the medical school admissions exam. Instead, remember to breathe!
The three tips below can help you study for this area of the 2015 MCAT to the best of your ability.
1. Know the structure of the exam: First, understand that the section draws its material from three distinct disciplines: 65 percent of the content is from introductory psychology, 30 percent is sociological in nature and the final 5 percent involves introductory biology.
[Here are three strategies for studying for the 2015 MCAT.]
If you have not yet completed courses in these topics, there is no need to worry. As you prepare, use the content outlines available on the Association of American Medical Colleges’ website. These outlines contain detailed lists of every tested topic.
If possible, borrow textbooks for classes in these subjects as well. This will help give you a solid foundation with which to approach an effective prep strategy for these topics.
2. Understand how this content will be assessed: The AAMC defines and lists the skills tested in each section, but in addition to researching the core concepts, it will benefit you to recognize the specific ways in which the 2015 MCAT will ask about these concepts. To prepare for the test, it is crucial to understand how your knowledge in these subjects will be evaluated, rather than only learning the material and looking no further.
The first skill, “knowledge of scientific principles,” is worth 35 percent. The second, which involves forming logical inferences based on that knowledge, is most important to your score and worth 45 percent.
[Check out free online tools and apps to help with MCAT prep.]
The remaining 20 percent concerns the analysis and interpretation of statistics and studies. Be aware that all of this is encouraging news, as these areas of knowledge are already present in other portions of the MCAT. This enables you to streamline elements of your prep and become fully prepared for both existing and new sections of the exam.
You might also consider prioritizing those skills with the highest percentages of scoring value.
3. Synthesize information whenever possible: It is important to make cross-correlations between the concepts in this section and other areas of the test whenever possible. After all, remember exactly why you are completing the MCAT in the first place — this experience ultimately leads to the privilege of training to become a doctor and eventually treating a human being.
Not only will you need to seamlessly integrate biology and chemistry when prescribing medications, but as a modern doctor, you will also need to recognize mental illness, treat an aging population and interact with different cultures while writing those prescriptions.
[Practice sample questions from the new MCAT.]
Research methods, for example, are only 20 percent of the skill set required for this portion of the 2015 MCAT, but fluency in experimental science and data presentation is a skill that will be present throughout your entire career. To enhance your knowledge across sections, consider working with study partners who can supplement your individual learning in areas where you might struggle.
In addition, brainstorming out loud with them will make the content come to life and you will also receive the benefit of your colleagues’ insights, as well as coming to further realize some of your own.
It is never fun to be one of the first groups to take a revised test, but by understanding precisely what material is on the exam, how it is assessed, and how it complements other portions of the new MCAT, you will be as ready to tackle the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior section as you are the more familiar science portions.
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3 Tips to Prepare for the MCAT Social, Behavioral Sciences Sections originally appeared on usnews.com
