Science Passage Strategy

🏥 Science Passage Strategy

Part 1 of 7 — Reading Science Passages

MCAT science passages are 4-7 paragraphs with figures, graphs, and experimental data.

Read the passage first, note the main experiment and hypothesis.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Identify variables: independent (manipulated), dependent (measured), controlled (held constant).

MCAT Tip: Dont memorize every detail — focus on the experimental logic and refer back as needed.

Concept Check 🎯

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Data Interpretation

Part 2 of 7 — Data Interpretation

Read axis labels, units, and scales on all graphs before interpreting data.

Identify trends: direct relationship, inverse relationship, no correlation.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Extrapolation vs interpolation: extending beyond data vs estimating between known points.

MCAT Tip: Tables: cross-reference rows and columns to find specific values.

Concept Check 🎯

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Experimental Design

Part 3 of 7 — Experimental Design

Control group: baseline for comparison; Experimental group: receives the treatment.

Positive control: expected to produce a result (validates the assay); Negative control: expected to produce no result.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Randomization and blinding reduce bias in experiments.

MCAT Tip: Statistical significance (p < 0.05): the result is unlikely due to chance alone.

Concept Check 🎯

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Discrete Questions

Part 4 of 7 — Discrete Questions

Discrete questions: standalone, not linked to a passage — test pure content knowledge.

These are often the quickest points — do them if you have solid content mastery.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Use process of elimination: cross out answers that are clearly wrong.

MCAT Tip: Educated guessing: if you can eliminate 2 options, you have a 50% chance.

Concept Check 🎯

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Integrating Content Knowledge

Part 5 of 7 — Integrating Content Knowledge

Connect passage info to your content knowledge — the MCAT tests integration.

Amino acid chemistry appears in biochem, organic, and biology passages.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Physics concepts (pressure, flow, electrical signals) apply to organ system passages.

MCAT Tip: General chemistry (acids, bases, equilibrium) appears throughout all science sections.

Concept Check 🎯

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Common Traps & Pitfalls

Part 6 of 7 — Common Traps & Pitfalls

Extreme answer choices are usually wrong — the MCAT favors nuanced answers.

Just because data is presented in a passage does not mean it supports the answer.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Answer the question being asked, not the question you think they should ask.

MCAT Tip: If two answers are opposites, one of them is likely correct.

Concept Check 🎯

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Review & MCAT Practice

Part 7 of 7 — Review & MCAT Practice

Extreme answer choices are usually wrong — the MCAT favors nuanced answers.

Just because data is presented in a passage does not mean it supports the answer.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Answer the question being asked, not the question you think they should ask.

MCAT Tip: If two answers are opposites, one of them is likely correct.

Concept Check 🎯

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