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What can I expect in the Physical Sciences section?
Chemistry and physics concepts included in the Physical Sciences section
are considered basic; at the vast majority of undergraduate institutions
they are taught at the introductory level. While passages may discuss
advanced-level topics, the questions accompanying the passages will not
require knowledge of these topics. Advanced coursework in chemistry and
physics is not needed for the test.
The concepts and principles of general chemistry and non-calculus physics
that you will need to know in order to solve the problems on the Physical
Sciences section are listed in Content Outline for Physical Sciences Section of the MCAT (PDF). Major divisions indicated
for each area (I, II, III, etc.) are further classified into subdivisions
(A, B, C, etc.) that specify the content in more detail. While the outline
defines the scope of the Physical Sciences test, you will not be tested
on every concept or principle included in the outline.
Do I have to know equations?
You should know those equations and constants commonly used in introductory
courses as well as those listed specifically in the content outline. Other
necessary constants and conversion factors are provided with the test
questions. In addition, a periodic table of the elements, including atomic
numbers and atomic weights, is provided in the exam.
Does the content of the exam differ from the content of my classes?
Because the content outline focuses primarily on areas necessary to preparing
for the study of medicine, it may differ in several important ways from
the content of your introductory courses:
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Some topics, which are important to the discipline as a whole and
normally covered in undergraduate courses, have been omitted from
the MCAT because they are not as relevant to the study of medicine
as are the topics included.
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The organization of the topics in the outline may differ from that
of the topics presented in your courses.
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Some of the topics included in the outline may not have been emphasized
in your school's introductory undergraduate courses.
Treatment of the topics included on the test varies among institutions
in terms of approach and depth of coverage. Despite this variability in
undergraduate courses, adequate information on the outlined topics can
be found in introductory college science textbooks.
What types of questions are on the exam?
The passages accompanying each set of questions on the Physical Sciences
section will be presented in one of four formats. The number of problem
sets in each format is approximately equal.
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Information presentation. These passages are presented
in the form of textbook or journal articles. The materials assume
the appropriate background knowledge but also contain new information
or new uses of information. The accompanying questions test your understanding
and evaluation of the given information and your ability to use the
information in various ways.
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Problem solving. These passages describe problems
of general chemistry of physics. The questions require you to determine
the probable causes of the situations, events, or phenomena described
and to select appropriate methods for solving the problems.
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Research study. These passages document all or
part of the rationales, methods, and results of research projects.
The questions test your understanding of the projects.
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Persuasive argument. These passages are designed
to convince the reader that particular perspectives, methodologies,
pieces of evidence, or products are correct. The passages may express
single viewpoints or two opposing points of view. The questions test
your understanding of the arguments presented in the passages and
ask you to evaluate the validity of the arguments.
How much math do I need to know?
To solve some of the problems in the Physical Sciences section, you will
need to understand and be able to use the mathematics concepts listed
below. Such knowledge is typically required of students in introductory
science courses. This includes:
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The ability to perform arithmetic calculations, including proportion,
ratio, percentage, and estimation of square root.
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An understanding of fundamental topics in the following areas (at
the level of second-year high school algebra coursework): exponentials
and logarithms (natural and base ten); scientific notation; quadratic
and simultaneous equations; graphic representations of data and functions
including terminology (abscissa, ordinate), slope or rate of change,
reciprocals, and various scales (arithmetic, semi-log, and log-log).
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The knowledge of the definitions of the basic trigonometric functions
(sine, cosine, tangent); the values of the sines and cosines of 0º,
90º, and 180º; the relationships between the lengths of
sides of right triangles containing angles of 30º, 45º,
and 60º; the inverse trigonometric functions (sin-1, cos-1, tan-1).
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The use of metric units; the ability to balance equations containing
physical units. Conversion factors between metric and British systems
will be provided when needed.
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An understanding of relative magnitude of experimental error and
of the effect of propagation of error; an understanding of reasonable
estimates and the significant digits of a measurement.
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The ability to calculate at an elementary level the mathematical
probability of an event.
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An understanding of vector addition, vector subtraction, and right-hand
rule is required. Dot and cross products are not required.
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The ability to calculate the arithmetic mean (average) and range
of a set of numerical data; an understanding of the standard deviation
as a measure of variability; an understanding of the general concepts
of statistical association and correlation. Calculation of statistics
such as standard deviations and correlation coefficients is not required.
- An understanding of calculus is not required.
How much chemistry do I need to know?
You should be familiar enough with such topics as solution chemistry,
thermodynamics, kinetics, and electrochemistry and with the fundamentals
of stoichiometry, electronic structure, bonding, phase equilibria, and
acids and bases to solve basic chemistry problems and evaluate research
in general chemistry. These concepts constitute the background knowledge
you will need in order to answer questions, even though the questions
may deal with situations or problems you have not yet previously encountered.
How much physics do I need to know?
Topics also include mechanics, wave motion, electricity and magnetism,
light and optics, and modern physics. You should be prepared to apply
your knowledge of these concepts to experimental situations. You will
also need to be familiar with the conventions of problem solving in physics.
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