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A Guide to the B/B section of the MCAT

Welcome to my blog, where I will guide you through the treacherous waters of the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (B/B) section of the MCAT. Let's face it, the B/B section can be a real "buzzkill" if you don't know how to tackle it. With my tips and strategies, you'll be laughing in the face of biology and biochemistry in no time.


From highlighting the hypothesis to recognizing key terms, I'll be teaching you the strategies that helped me raise my score from 126 to 131 in just 3 months. You will learn how to turn those intimidating passages into a walk in the park. So, get ready to take notes, and let's ace the B/B section together!




Tips for Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (B/B)

  1. Highlight the Hypothesis: When you come across the hypothesis in the passage, highlight it. Analyze the resulting data in the context of the hypothesis. This will help you answer the questions SIGNIFICANTLY!

  2. Identify Key Terms: Get used to recognizing and highlighting buzzwords like "allosteric inhibitor" and information that might be used in a question later.

  3. Amino Acids: Memorize all 20 amino acids and their properties. This includes their names, structure, 3 letter abbreviations, 1 letter abbreviations, and charge. This is a VERY high yield topic.

  4. Mastering the Axes: Take a moment to examine the graphs in the passage before. Start by reading the caption, then the x and y-axis labels. This will give you a solid understanding of the experimental results being made. Pay attention to the relationships (ex: independent and dependent variable being studied).

  5. Enzyme Alert: Keep an eye out for complex words ending in "-ase" as they often indicate the presence of an enzyme. Understanding the properties of enzymes can provide helpful context for interpreting graphs and experimental results."

  6. Mapping Relationships: When encountering complex cascades of molecular interactions, try to map out the relationships using arrows. For example, if X activates Y and Y activates apoptosis, visually representing these connections can help you better understand the data. (Visual representation = X (+) ---> Y (+) ---> Apoptosis)

  7. Simplify complex pathways with mnemonics: Create memorable phrases or acronyms to help you remember the steps in a biological process, such as the Sperm Pathway (SEVE(N) UP) or Blot functions (SNOW DROP). For example, "SEVE(N) UP'' stands for seminiferous tubules, epididymis, vas Deferens, ejaculatory duct, (N = nothing), urethra, and penis.

Bonus Tips!

  1. Trust your instincts: When reviewing flagged questions, don't change your answers unless you are 100% sure it's wrong. Your initial reaction is usually the correct one, so trust yourself.

  2. Stop wasting precious time: When faced with a difficult question, don't waste precious time trying to figure it out. Instead, learn to move on and focus on questions that you have a better chance of answering correctly. This will help you maximize your score and avoid the risk of losing points on questions that you may only guess at.

  3. Resilience is key on the MCAT: The MCAT is not just a test of intelligence, but also a test of mental fortitude. Don't let setbacks, such as a difficult CARS section, affect your performance in the next sections. Instead, maintain a positive mindset and focus on the present. Remember, you may have done better than you think, so don't let past performance dictate your future success.


When faced with a difficult biochemistry question, do you:

  • Pull out a microscope and start analyzing the situation

  • Consult your lucky lab coat or your go-to study snack


Like I said before, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS!



 
 
 

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