“Q:A” Will it really help me to take an advanced Genetics course before taking the MCAT?
MoosePilot: I took one and I thought it helped. Genetics is getting more emphasis, but it’s pretty basic genetics. I’ve noticed at least one pedigree question on each practice/actual test I took last year. Know the major types of inheritance (dominant, recessive, sex-linked) and these aren’t too hard. Draw the pic and it becomes easier. Don’t get suckered into wasting all your time.
Law2Doc: The MCAT doesn’t go super in depth on genetics, but it does cover it. So whether you need to take a specific genetics class totally depends on how well genetics was covered in your bio classes. If you spent substantial time (weeks) on it in bio, and you have a solid grasp of the material, you will do fine on that part of the MCAT, and needn’t take another class. (Look over Kaplan/TPR prep materials to be sure that what is in there was covered in your basic bio classes - in mine it all was.)
QofQuimica: I basically agree with Law2Doc. I don’t think a genetics course is the best use of study time for most students, unless somehow your basic biology course did not cover genetics.
jmugele: I agree — most of the genetics on the MCAT is pretty straightforward. A class may help, but most of the information you need, you can get from study guides or even by reading the relevant chapters in a biology text (I never took genetics, just checked out books from the library).
