Some high-yield MCAT topics that are particularly vexing

Note: it’s best to start with an understanding of how to attack MCAT passages before worrying about content. If you got an “A” or “B” in your premed courses, you are ready for timed practice. Once you’re finishing on time, then you can worry about the content needed to crack 130 on the science subsections.

I realize the general consensus is that there is no such thing as “low-yield” on the MCAT. It’s true in many ways because you’re just not sure what mix of topics will show up on your exam. Preparing for CARS (analyzing difficult passages in a timely manner) is probably the most efficient path to a higher score because critical thinking is essential to every section of the MCAT. The AAMC is fair because helpful and useful information is available in the passage. Have you noticed how passages are “adapted from” sources, like below:

Take a look at the text between the table and Question 11.

Passages are lifted from cutting-edge research journals, but at the end of the day, AAMC authors will integrate critical information into the text that makes the correct answer inevitable and defensible.

If you’re able to write a pithy explanation for the following topics, I believe you are in pretty good shape for achieving a 515+ on the real deal.

Examples given for the first three concepts of what is a good level of understanding

Marcia’s ego identity: diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, achievement

high commitment after thoroughly vetting (high exploration) → identity achieved!

Saliva’s enzymes, including how another name for alpha amylase is PTYALIN

The mouth is for Fragmentation (masticating = chewing), Lubrication (moisten up the food bolus for passage down the alimentary canal), and some DIGESTION

• Ptyalin = salivary amylase = catalyzes starch → disaccharides
• Lingual lipase = some basic fat digestion
• lysozyme = example of nonspecific immune defense for bacterial wall breakdown

NERNST EQUATION

We know that many biological reactions involve electron transfer (redox reactions) that result from a simultaneous reduction and oxidation half-reaction. We can relate the reaction’s spontaneity with the electromotive force at STANDARD CONDITIONS via:

∆G˚= -nFE˚

but for NONSTANDARD conditions, we need

E = E˚ — (0.06/n)logQ

1. Mixed methods in research (qualitative v. quantitative)
2. how do positive and negative emotions lateralize in the brain?
3. 3 emotion components: cognitive, behavioral, physiological
4. How does glomerular filtration rate (GFR) change with vasoconstriction and vasodilation?
5. PBr3 v. PCl3
6. methylating histones / DNA, acetylating histones
7. carbinolamine
8. gas chromatography
9. saturation and vapor pressure; colligative properties
10. Neural plasticity v. neural pruning
11. Diamagnetic (all duos) v. Paramagnetic (unPaired)
12. Order of electron removal from orbitals
13. HMG-CoA?
14. ∆G v. Keq v. ∆G˚ v. k = Aexp{-Ea/RT}
15. diabetic ketoacidosis
16. hydrophobic interaction column
17. linoleic (omega 6) v. Linolenic acid (omega 3)
18. Token economy (Skinner) v. 2˚ reinforcement (not food, sex, or water)
19. Degrees of unsaturation formula and heuristic
20. Language theories (nativist v. interactionist)
21. Genetic linkage / recombination
22. Penetrance / expressivity (know incomplete and variable prefixes)
23. George H. Mead (me v. I; play v. pretend, etc.)
24. Kinetic v. thermodynamic product
25. Intermolecular ring closure reactions (look out for electrophile)
26. ppm = y/100 = x/1,000,000
27. Exonuclease v. endonuclease DNA repair mechanisms
28. Glial cells (astrocyte, ependymal, oligodendrocytes)
29. Robertsonian translocation
30. Saturation, solubility, Ksp
31. Diffraction grating
32. Circularly polarized photons
33. Optical power and corrective lenses
34. Hyperopia v. myopia
35. AMU v. g/mol
36. Lipid transport, carnitine shuttle
37. Sphingosine
38. emf v. terminal voltage
39. charging a battery and what that does to the anode and cathode
40. homologues (sequences in DNA, structures in species)
41. fatty acid synthesis (cytosol) and metabolism (mitochondria) and what malonoyl is
42. cholesterol synthesis
43. DIFFRACTION GRATING (you never know if you’re gonna get it)
44. Buoyancy / Archimedes
45. Amphipathic v. Amphoteric
46. Rods, cones: which ones are hyperpolarized?
47. Where do steroid hormones bind in the cell?
48. What is social learning
49. Acculturation?
50. monocular cues
51. Racialization v. intersectionality
52. Self-fulfilling prophecy
53. Imine v. enamine (definitely know the synthesis routes)
54. social v. ego v. racial identity
55. Marcia’s ego identity: diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, achievement
56. Correlational coefficient: predictor v. response variable
57. Kuznets curve
58. Single or double crossover event
59. Glucocorticoid v. mineralocorticoid
60. Between-subjects v. within-subjects
61. most common psychological disorders? (schizo = 1% but not number 1)
62. Sick role v. illness experience
63. social cognitive theory v. cognitive-behavioral

I will be adding hyperlinks that branch to the topics periodically.