The MCAT is B-A-N-A-N-A-S
The summer of my MCAT prep has finally arrived
It’s the end of my first full week of MCAT topic review. So here’s a recap of what I did.
I have been reviewing biology/and organic chemistry so far. The beginning of the week started off with overwhelming feelings. I didn’t know where to start organizing all the information. So, I started with Chapter 1. biology using my Kaplan MCAT prep book, Sparks notes, cell & molecular biology and organic chemistry notes. It seemed like the most natural place for me to start. A lot of the information was fresh in my head, so it made sense for me to solidify what I know, and fill in the gaps. I used AAMC website to help focus studying to the content they most frequently tested, and watched the Khan Academy video modules & questions. As I got into amino acids and protein synthesis, I started incorporating organic chemistry, and genetics. I mostly stuck to amino acids and decided to build a table that would help organize the information from there. Summarizing it in a table made it less intimidating because all the information was right in front of my face. I like to use tables like this as a “quick study” reference. (The PDF for this table can be found in the MCAT tab). I reviewed a lot of the amino acids and realized they are associated with neurotransmitters and hormones which leads me to deciding my study topic for next week: Hormones & their unique functions. Plus it will give a fun break studying anatomy a bit.
Although anatomy & physiology is not explicitly tested nor a prerequisite for the MCAT or gaining acceptance into medical school, I did find the class touches on the foundation of many biological processes applicable to the MCAT. I learned much of how neurotransmitters works, the functions of hormones, and the anatomical structure that discharges them. I found some of the background knowledge extremely helpful in my subjective understanding, so reviewing specific sections on my A&P notes will better solidify my understanding. Since A&P was one of my favorite topics to study, I feel like it’s a great transition to next week. Right now , I am not planning on taking any MCAT prep course, but only time will tell.
Here are a few mnemonics that I am memorizing to help remember key concepts in anatomy and physiology for the MCAT:
1. Cranial Nerves Mnemonic:
- "On Old Olympus' Towering Tops, A Finn And German Viewed Some Hops."
- Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Vestibulocochlear, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Spinal Accessory, Hypoglossal.
2. Bones of the Wrist (Carpal Bones) Mnemonic:
- "Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle."
- Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate.
3. Layers of the Epidermis Mnemonic:
- "Come, Let's Get Sun Burned!"
- Stratum Corneum, Stratum Lucidum, Stratum Granulosum, Stratum Spinosum, Stratum Basale.
4. Blood Flow Through the Heart Mnemonic:
- "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally."
- Pulmonary Artery, Aorta, Pulmonary Vein, Left Atrium, Left Ventricle, Systemic Circulation.
5. Functions of the Digestive System Organs Mnemonic:
- "Many People May Cook Overly Hot Potatoes And Stew."
- Mouth, Pharynx, Esophagus, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Pancreas, Appendix, Spleen.
6. Five Types of Leukocytes (White Blood Cells) Mnemonic:
- "Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas."
- Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils.
7. Layers of the Meninges Mnemonic:
- "Some People Pout Like They Might Protest."
- Skin, Periosteum, Pia Mater, Arachnoid Mater, Dura Mater.
8. Types of Muscle Tissue Mnemonic:
- "Some Muscles Are Red."
- Skeletal Muscle, Cardiac Muscle, Smooth Muscle.
9. Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary Gland Mnemonic:
- "FLAT PEG"
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), Prolactin (PRL), Endorphins, Growth hormone (GH).
10. Layers of the Intestinal Wall Mnemonic:
- "Don't Put Cheese On My Sandwich!"
- Mucosa, Submucosa, Muscularis, Serosa.
Make it a goal to create mnemonics that are personally significant and memorable to you. They can be in the form of acronyms, rhymes, or visual associations. Practice using these mnemonics!
After a few days of detailed review, I did practice questions and built testable flashcards in ANKI and physical cards. I mainly reused pre-made flashcards from prior classes I preserved over the years. I realize I need to order my AAMC test prep material by July so I can take a full length exam in August. As of now, I am not sure if this is the most productive and efficient technique for me to review, but I will adapt as I go. I’m hoping to build enough endurance to take a long test.
I’ve been able to sit at my desk for long periods, but I notice that I’m not constantly productive. I am hoping to work and improve on that more. I am keeping a log of my hours studied to track my progress.
I know each student has a unique journey when it comes to MCAT prep, but I plan to post more blogs and update the website more frequently this summer with MCAT study updates & progress. I hope to provide as much helpful information as I can.
