Importance of taking upper-level biology for MCAT

<p>A lot of people say that upper levels aren't necessary, as the MCAT is a reasoning test and only "requires" basic biology, chemistry, and physics. But I talked to a friend who took the MCAT last year and she said that upper-level bio courses made the test noticeably easier. I, planning on being a non-science major, don't really know if I could fit upper-level bio courses other than biochem (and possibly one more, but that's a stretch) before the MCAT. How much of a disadvantage would I be in without taking classes like Genetics, Physiology, etc?</p>

<p>Last year I scored 11 on PS and 10 on BS without taking upper level biology, physiology, or genetics. I am retaking because I didn’t like my VR score.</p>

<p>I have talked to many friends about this that have taken the MCAT and have read up on it. It is not required at ALL. Most of the information can be taken from the passages. BUT on the harder passages it might be easier to have some background knowledge. Out of the all of the courses and from my small sample size of friends that have scored from 31-41 a lot of them said physiology was the most helpful. My friend two friends that scored a 38 and 41 said it helped them with a couple questions but not many. The passages in bio where the found to be the most lost were the immunology ones.</p>

<p>I don’t think you’ll be at a disadvantage. It would probably be wise to take a physiology class, hell I wish I could. About everyone I know that has extremely high scores on the MCAT has taken a physiology class. Both of these people had insanely high verbal scores so obviously verbal passes over to the bio passages a bit. You can still easily score a 30+ without that though.</p>

<p>I would say the most important thing for MCAT seems to be your verbal skills because they pass over a lot, definitely more important than a physiology class in my opinion.</p>