Expert: AR - 8/12/2005

Question
I hope you don't mind;but I have 2 additional questions for you:
1. I am very good with the sciences.However,I am really bad at essay writing.Is this essay giving information about the science in words just to answer the questions.Or do you have to write "English" compositions with  paragraphs choosing a topic and organizing your essay?What is verbal reasoning?Are there any other English parts to any of those exams?
2. WHy is the MCat so hard?Are there tricky questions or is it straightforward?How hard is the USMLE?
I thank you again for taking out the time to answer my questions.
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Followup To
Question -
Hi,
Is medical school harder or equal in difficulty with college?
How hard is the MCat?What is tested on it?
Is there a test in the end before you become a doctor?Do most people pass it or is it equivalent to the bar with Law school(half the people fail it)?
Thank you for your time.
Answer -
Hi,

the level of difficulty of medical school depends on the individual students academic background.

For example, if someone majored in pre-med and took anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology and a bunch of other such medical type course in undergrad, and did well, then med school should be no problem.

But if someone was like say a music major or an arts major and then went to med school, it would be quite an uphill battle.

The MCAT is a difficult test as it covers quite a lot (Bio, Gen Chem, O Chem, Physics, Verbal Reasoning, Essay Writing).

There is a great book you can use to study for it, it is here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743266153/qid=1123863013/sr=8-1/r

Or just go to amazon.com and type in 'kaplan mcat'

In medical school you have to pass three licensing exams to graduate and start residency. Those exams are called USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exams).

More info on those here: www.usmle.org

Please also visit my website: www.CaribbeanMedicine.com

and download the E-Book, it should help you.

Best wishes


Answer
Hi

in the Writing Sample section of the MCAT they will give you a one line phrase or quote and you have to write an essay doing the following:

1) Explain in your own words what you think the line means

2) Provide a counter example when you think it is not true

3) Come to a conclusion


Verbal Reasoning involves reading a passage and answering multiple choice questions about it.

USMLE Step 1 covers the entire first two years of medical school, so yes it is very challenging. USMLE Step 2 CK covers the third year of med school. USMLE Step 2 CS is a clinical exam where you examine and diagnose patients.

Asad