What classes should I take before taking the new MCAT?

[andrina]

The title says it all. I’m planning to take the MCAT next year. I’ve taken bio I & II, chem I & II, I will be taking Orgo I & II, BIochem I, and Physics I & II. I have AP credit for psychology and also review books for it. Are there any other classes that I should be taking before taking the new MCAT? Genetics? Stats? Is there a website that by any chance indicated what to take? Please let me know. Thanks!

[WayOutWestMom]

I would add statistics or biostatistics to your list of classes to take before the MCAT.

Here’s a list of topics covered by new MCAT, allong with specific skill/topic breakdowns.

https://www.aamc.org/students/services/343550/mcat2015.html

As an example from that website, here’s list of specific statistical analysis skills you should be comfortable using:

Questions that test this skill will ask you to use your knowledge of data-based and statistical reasoning by, for example,

Using, analyzing, and interpreting data in figures, graphs, and tables
Evaluating whether representations make sense for particular scientific observations and data
Using measures of central tendency (mean, median, and mode) and measures of dispersion (range, inter-quartile range, and standard deviation) to describe data
Reasoning about random and systematic error
Reasoning about statistical significance and uncertainty (e.g., interpreting statistical significance levels, interpreting a confidence interval)
Using data to explain relationships between variables or make predictions
Using data to answer research questions and draw conclusions
Identifying conclusions that are supported by research results
Determining the implications of results for real-world situations

Questions from the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section may ask you to demonstrate your use of data-based and statistical reasoning by, for example,

Identifying the correlation between a demographic variable, such as race/ethnicity, gender, or age, with life expectancy or another health outcome
Identifying the relationship between demographic variables and health variables reported in a table or figure
Explaining why income data are usually reported using the median rather than the mean
Reasoning about what inference is supported by a table of correlations between different socioeconomic variables and level of participation in different physical activities
Reasoning about the type of comparisons made in an experimental study of cognitive dissonance and what the findings imply for attitude and behavior change
Drawing conclusions about the type of memory affected by an experimental manipulation when you are shown a graph of findings from a memory experiment
Distinguishing the kinds of claims that can be made when using longitudinal data, cross-sectional data, or experimental data in studies of social interaction
Identifying which conclusion about mathematical understanding in young children is supported by time data reported in a developmental study
Evaluating data collected from different types of research studies, such as comparing results from a qualitative study of mechanisms for coping with stress with results from a quantitative study of social support networks
Using data, such as interviews with cancer patients or a national survey of health behaviors, to determine a practical application based on a study’s results

And you may want to consider adding a intro level sociology class.

See: https://www.aamc.org/students/services/343550/mcat2015.html#psbb

for the list of topics you need to know.

[andrina]

Thank you! I’ll take a stats class for sure then.