MCAT Biology Help

The new MCAT, released in April 2015, looks unlike any MCAT previously administered. The new Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems section combines aspects of biology, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry. This unique combination of topics assesses how well students reason through and understand biological and biochemical topics that are rooted in cellular physiology. Also new to the 2015 MCAT are content questions focusing on topics covered in introductory biochemistry courses; this indicates an increased emphasis on proteins, amino acids, and various biochemical pathways. A background in basic research methods and a knowledge of introductory statistics can help equip students to tackle these new content topics in this fifty-nine-question, ninety-five-minute section. Whether you need MCAT tutoring in Atlanta, MCAT tutoring in Houston, or MCAT tutoring in San Francisco, working one-on-one with an expert may be just the boost your studies need.

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has said that scientific inquiry and reasoning skills will be tested heavily on this section of the new MCAT. For those students preparing for the upcoming exam, this broad statement can lead to many questions about the type of background knowledge required and the specific types of questions that will be asked. A strong mathematical background, including the ability to discern the types of trends in graphs (i.e. linear, semi-log, log-log), calculate the slopes of data curves, estimate ratios, percentages, and square roots, and demonstrate an understanding of exponents, logarithms, scientific notation, and trigonometry is absolutely required for success on this portion of the exam. The content required can be broken up into three foundational concept areas. Varsity Tutors offers resources like free MCAT Biology Practice Tests to help with your self-paced study, or you may want to consider an MCAT Biology tutor.

The foundational concept areas cover a student’s understanding of various levels of biological organization, from basic biomolecules inside a cell to the overall complex organization of organ systems in the human body. Biomolecules are components of a cell that have distinct structures and functions. These permit them to carry out cellular processes that allow cells to continue living, as well as communicate with other nearby cells. One of the topics that commonly appears on this section of the new MCAT is the structure and functions of amino acids; you will be required to pick amino acid structures in answers to questions. Other common topics tested in this section include transcription and translation, as well as knowledge of how genes are inherited between generations. Additionally, students will be required to describe how mutations can cause diversity leading to evolution, and how cells derive their sources of energy from metabolic and catabolic processes such as glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, citric acid cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway.

Building upon an understanding of the basic components of a cell, the MCAT will test students’ knowledge of how groups of molecules, cells, or organs work together in living and nonliving organisms. Inorganic and organic chemistry come into play here, as reactions between amino acids to produce proteins figure heavily. Additionally, the replication, growth, and genetic makeup of bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotes will be tested. The final foundation area of the biological and biochemical foundations section asks test-takers to understand how all of these organisms and systems work in concert. The overarching nervous and endocrine systems serve as a way to test students on how neuronal integration and hormones drive concerted effects in multiple systems. Additionally, the structure and functions of each of the other organ systems, such as the cardiovascular, pulmonary, GI, and integumentary systems will be tested. In addition to the MCAT Biology help section and MCAT Biology tutoring, you may also want to consider using some of our MCAT Biology flashcards.

Overall, this newly revamped section of the MCAT tests integration of topics that are learned from key biology and chemistry courses in college. Thorough review of each individual topic is necessary before learning how to link ideas together in the integrative style of this MCAT. If you’re reviewing for your MCAT and find yourself struggling with one particular concept or topic, don’t let misunderstanding complicate your understanding of the larger systems in which that topic is involved. Instead, consult Varsity Tutors’ free MCAT Biology Help page for model MCAT problems complete with answers and full explanations. Perusing model problems about a topic that confuses you can show you different ways in which that topic may come into play in MCAT questions as well as guide you through the steps necessary to solve each question. We have organized our MCAT Biology Help page by topic and in varying levels of specificity, allowing you to review as narrowly or as broadly as is best for your needs. Taking the time to learn each core concept tested on the MCAT’s Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems section can make connecting each concept much easier than if you need to keep reconsidering individual concepts you initially misunderstood. Approaching your MCAT Biology review conscientiously and making use of Varsity Tutors’ free MCAT Biology resources can help you study precisely and efficiently!