Mcat2015 Content

8/10/2019 Mcat2015 Content

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ii 2014 AAMC. May not be reprod!ed "ithot permission.

Introduction

This document draws from the online resource Whats on the MCAT2015 Exam? at

ww w .aa m c.o rg /m c a t2 0 15e x a m. It contains a complete description of the competencies youare responsible for knowing on the !"T2015 exam. It describes the new exam#s content andformat. It also lists and discusses the new exam#s conceptual framework $ which is organi%edaround foundational concepts& content categories& and scientific in'uiry and reasoning skills.

"lso included are sample test 'uestions that demonstrate how the competencies are tested onthe exam.

(hile the content is written for you& the prospecti)e !"T examinee& the information itpro)ides is likely to be useful to pre*health ad)isors& other baccalaureate faculty& medicalschool admission officers& and medical schools.

How is the MCAT Exam Structured?

The !"T exam has four test sections+

: ,iological and ,iochemical -oundations of i)ing ystems

: !hemical and hysical -oundations of ,iological ystems

: sychological& ocial& and ,iological -oundations of ,eha)ior

: !ritical "nalysis and easoning kills

The first three sections are organi%ed around foundational concepts or big ideas3 in thesciences. They reflect current research about the most effecti)e ways for students to learn anduse science& emphasi%ing deep knowledge of the most important scientific concepts o)erknowledge simply of many discrete scientific facts.

eaders in science education say that some of the most important foundational concepts in thesciences ask students to integrate and analy%e information from different disciplines. In that)ein& 'uestions in these sections will ask you to combine your scientific knowledge frommultiple disciplines with your scientific in'uiry and reasoning skills. 4ou will be asked todemonstrate four different scientific in'uiry and reasoning skills on the exam+

: nowledge of scientific concepts and principles

: cientific reasoning and problem sol)ing

:

easoning about the design and execution of research: 6ata*based and statistical reasoning

The fourth section of the !"T exam& !ritical "nalysis and easoning kills& will be similar tomany of the )erbal reasoning tests you ha)e taken in your academic career. It includespassages and 'uestions that test your ability to comprehend and analy%e what you read. The!ritical "nalysis and easoning kills section asks you to read and think about passages from
http://www.aamc.org/mcat2015examhttp://www.aamc.org/mcat2015examhttp://www.aamc.org/mcat2015exam


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a wide range of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities& including those in populationhealth& ethics and philosophy& and studies of di)erse cultures. assages are followed by aseries of 'uestions that lead you through the process of comprehending& analy%ing& andreasoning about the material you ha)e read. This section is uni'ue because it has been

de)eloped specifically to measure the analytical and reasoning skills you will need to besuccessful in medical school.


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Whats on the MCAT2015 Exam? &io'o(i!a' and &io!hemi!a' )ondations o* +i,in( $ystems

2014 AAMC. May not be reprod!ed "ithot permission.

What wi the !ioo"ica and !iochemica #oundations o$ %i&in" S'stems Section Test?

The &io'o(i!a' and &io!hemi!a' )ondations o* +i,in( $ystems se!tion ass yo to so',e prob'ems by!ombinin( yor no"'ed(e o* bio'o(i!a' and bio!hemi!a' !on!epts "ith yor s!ienti*i! in3iry and

reasonin( si''s. This se!tion tests pro!esses that are ni3e to 'i,in( or(anisms s!h as (ro"in( and

reprod!in( maintainin( a !onstant interna' en,ironment a!3irin( materia's and ener(y sensin( and

respondin( to en,ironmenta' !han(es and adaptin(. #t a'so tests ho" !e''s and or(an systems "ithin anor(anism a!t independent'y and in !on!ert to a!!omp'ish these pro!esses and it ass yo to reason

abot these pro!esses at ,arios 'e,e's o* bio'o(i!a' or(ani;ation "ithin a 'i,in( system.

This se!tion is desi(ned to%

: test introd!tory7'e,e' bio'o(y or(ani! !hemistry and inor(ani! !hemistry !on!epts10.2

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10.9 112.4114./11/.121./ 1.?.6O12.9 11.

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/0 /1 81 83 G.D /5 / ! &a aB ;fTo " Re Gs 'r t "u ( Tl

-b &i o : n #K2.9 II@ 1/.9 1HG.5 'iW.91F19 1/2 190.2 1J.K.2 195.1 19.0 200.L20D.D 07.1 209.0 620986%P108 E2>1antitati,e ana'ysis

o Chromato(raphy $i;e7ex!'sion #on7ex!han(e

A**inity a!emi! mixtres separation o* enantiomers 6GC8


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Content Category -D: Structure" function" and reactivity of biologically0relevant molecules

The str!tre o* bio'o(i!a' mo'e!'es *orms the basis o* their !hemi!a' rea!tions in!'din(

o'i(omeri;ation and po'ymeri;ation. ni3e aspe!ts o* ea!h type o* bio'o(i!a' mo'e!'e di!tate theirro'e in 'i,in( systems "hether pro,idin( str!tre or in*ormation stora(e or ser,in( as *e' and

!ata'ysts.

The !ontent in this !ate(ory !o,ers the str!tre *n!tion and rea!ti,ity o* bio'o(i!a''y7re'e,ant

mo'e!'es in!'din( the me!hanisti! !onsiderations that di!tate their modes o* rea!ti,ity. The topi!s andsbtopi!s in this !ate(ory are the *o''o"in(%

uceotides and uceic Acids !C/ !I3

=!'eotides and n!'eosides% !ompositiono $(ar phosphate ba!bone

o -yrimidine prine resides @eoxyribon!'ei! a!id% @=A< dob'e he'ix Chemistry 6&C8

Gther *n!tions 6&C8

Amino Acids/ 4e.tides/ 4roteins C/ !C3

Amino a!ids% des!riptiono Abso'te !on*i(ration at the positiono @ipo'ar ions

o C'assi*i!ation A!idi! or basi!

ydrophi'i! or hydrophobi!

o $ynthesis o* 7amino a!ids 6GC8 $tre!er $ynthesis

Jabrie' $ynthesis -eptides and proteins% rea!tions

o $'*r 'ina(e *or !ysteine and !ystineo -eptide 'ina(e% po'ypeptides and proteins

o ydro'ysis 6&C8 Jenera' -rin!ip'es

o -rimary str!tre o* proteinso $e!ondary str!tre o* proteinso Tertiary str!tre o* proteinso

#soe'e!tri! point

The Three6+imensiona 4rotein Structure !C3

Con*ormationa' stabi'ityo ydrophobi! intera!tions

o $o',ation 'ayer 6entropy8 >aternary str!tre @enatrin( and )o'din(


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on6En7'matic 4rotein #unction !C3

&indin(

#mmne system

Motor

%i.ids !C/ C3

@es!ription Typeso $tora(e

Tria!y' ('y!ero's

)ree *atty a!ids% saponi*i!ationo $tr!tra'

-hospho'ipids and phosphatids $phin(o'ipids 6&C8

Waxeso $i(na's_!o*a!tors

)at7so'b'e ,itamins $teroids

-rosta('andins 6&C8

Car,oh'drates C3

@es!riptiono =omen!'atre and !'assi*i!ation !ommon names

o Abso'te !on*i(ration

o Cy!'i! str!tre and !on*ormations o* hexoses

o Epimers and anomers ydro'ysis o* the ('y!oside 'ina(e eto7eno' tatomerism o* monosa!!harides @isa!!harides 6&C8

-o'ysa!!harides 6&C8

Adeh'des and @etones C3

@es!riptiono =omen!'atre

o -hysi!a' properties

#mportant rea!tionso =!'eophi'i! addition rea!tions at CG bond

A!eta' hemia!eta' #mine enamine ydride rea(ents

Cyanohydrino Gxidation o* a'dehydes

o ea!tions at adVa!ent positions% eno'ate !hemistry eto7eno' tatomerism 67ra!emi;ation8 A'do' !ondensation retro7a'do' ineti! ,erss thermodynami! eno'ate


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Jenera' prin!ip'es

o E**e!t o* sbstitents on rea!ti,ity o* CG< steri! hindran!e

o A!idity o* 7< !arbanions

Acohos C3 @es!ription

o =omen!'atre

o -hysi!a' properties 6a!idity hydro(en bondin(8 #mportant rea!tions

o Gxidationo $bstittion rea!tions% $= 1 or $= 2o -rote!tion o* a'!oho's

o -reparation o* mesy'ates and tosy'ates

Car,ox'ic Acids C3


o -hysi!a' properties #mportant rea!tions

o Carboxy' (rop rea!tions Amides 6and 'a!tam8 esters 6and 'a!tone8 anhydride *ormation ed!tion

@e!arboxy'ationo ea!tions at 27position sbstittion

Acid +eri&ati&es Anh'drides/ Amides/ Esters3 C3


o -hysi!a' properties #mportant rea!tions

o =!'eophi'i! sbstittiono Transesteri*i!ation

o ydro'ysis o* amides Jenera' prin!ip'es

o e'ati,e rea!ti,ity o* a!id deri,ati,eso $teri! e**e!ts

o E'e!troni! e**e!ts

o $train 6e.(. 7'a!tams8

4henos C/ !C3

Gxidation and red!tion 6e.(. hydro3inones bi3inones8% bio'o(i!a' 2eX redox !enters

4o'c'cic and Heteroc'cic Aromatic Com.ounds C/ !C3

&io'o(i!a' aromati! hetero!y!'es


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Content Category -+: rinciples of chemical thermodynamics and $inetics

The pro!esses that o!!r in 'i,in( systems are dynami! and they *o''o" the prin!ip'es o* !hemi!a'

thermodynami!s and ineti!s. The position o* !hemi!a' e3i'ibrim is di!tated by the re'ati,e ener(ieso* prod!ts and rea!tants. The rate at "hi!h !hemi!a' e3i'ibrim is attained is di!tated by a ,ariety o*

*a!tors% !on!entration o* rea!tants temperatre and the amont o* !ata'yst 6i* any8.

&io'o(i!a' systems ha,e e,o',ed to harness ener(y and ti'i;e it in ,ery e**i!ient "ays to spport a''

pro!esses o* 'i*e in!'din( homeostasis and anabo'ism. &io'o(i!a' !ata'ysts no"n as en+%mes ha,ee,o',ed to a''o" a'' o* the re'e,ant !hemi!a' rea!tions re3ired to sstain 'i*e to o!!r both rapid'y and

e**i!ient'y and nder the narro" set o* !onditions re3ired.

The !ontent in this !ate(ory !o,ers a'' prin!ip'es o* !hemi!a' thermodynami!s and ineti!s in!'din(

en;ymati! !ata'ysis. The topi!s and sbtopi!s in this !ate(ory are the *o''o"in(%

En7'mes !C/ !I3

C'assi*i!ation by rea!tion type Me!hanism

o $bstrates and en;yme spe!i*i!ityo A!ti,e site mode'

o #nd!ed7*it mode'

o Co*a!tors !oen;ymes and ,itamins ineti!s

o Jenera' 6!ata'ysis8o Mi!hae'isXMenteno Cooperati,ity

o E**e!ts o* 'o!a' !onditions on en;yme a!ti,ity #nhibition e('atory en;ymes

o A''osteri!

o Co,a'ent'y modi*ied

4rinci.es o$ !ioener"etics !C3

&ioener(eti!s_thermodynami!so )ree ener(y_/e3

o Con!entration

-hosphory'ation_AT-o AT- hydro'ysis cc 0

o AT- (rop trans*ers &io'o(i!a' oxidationXred!tion

o a'*7rea!tions

o $o'b'e e'e!tron !arrierso )'a,oproteins


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Ener"' Chan"es in Chemica )eactions Thermochemistr'/ Thermod'namics 8C/ 4H=3

Thermodynami! system X state *n!tion Yeroth +a" X !on!ept o* temperatre

)irst +a" B !onser,ation o* ener(y in thermodynami! pro!esses

8V dia(ram% "or done area nder or en!'osed by !r,e 6-S8 $e!ond +a" X !on!ept o* entropy

o Entropy as a measre o* Zdisorder[

o e'ati,e entropy *or (as 'i3id and !rysta' states Measrement o* heat !han(es 6!a'orimetry8 heat !apa!ity spe!i*i! heat eat trans*er X !ond!tion !on,e!tion radiation 6-S8

Endothermi!_exothermi! rea!tions 6JC8o Entha'py( and standard heats o* rea!tion and *ormation

o ess +a" o* eat $mmation &ond disso!iation ener(y as re'ated to heats o* *ormation 6JC8 )ree ener(y% 6JC8 $pontaneos rea!tions and 6JC8 Coe**i!ient o* expansion 6-S8 eat o* *sion heat o* ,apori;ation

-hase dia(ram% pressre and temperatre

)ate 4rocesses in Chemica )eactions 6 @inetics and E(uii,rium 8C3

ea!tion rate

@ependen!e o* rea!tion rate on !on!entration o* rea!tantso ate 'a" rate !onstant

o ea!tion order ate7determinin( step

@ependen!e o* rea!tion rate pon temperatreo A!ti,ation ener(y

A!ti,ated !omp'ex or transition state #nterpretation o* ener(y pro*i'es sho"in( ener(ies o* rea!tants prod!ts

a!ti,ation ener(y and ( *or the rea!tiono se o* the Arrhenis E3ation

ineti! !ontro' ,erss thermodynami! !ontro' o* a rea!tion Cata'ysts

E3i'ibrim in re,ersib'e !hemi!a' rea!tionso +a" o* Mass A!tiono E3i'ibrim Constant

o App'i!ation o* +e Chte'iers -rin!ip'e e'ationship o* the e3i'ibrim !onstant and


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Whats on the MCAT2015 Exam? -sy!ho'o(i!a' $o!ia' and &io'o(i!a' )ondations o* &eha,ior

What wi the 4s'choo"ica/ Socia/ and !ioo"ica #oundations o$ !eha&ior sectiontest?

The -sy!ho'o(i!a' $o!ia' and &io'o(i!a' )ondations o* &eha,ior se!tion ass yo to so',e prob'ems

by !ombinin( yor no"'ed(e o* *ondationa' !on!epts "ith yor s!ienti*i! in3iry and reasonin( si''s.This se!tion tests yor nderstandin( o* the "ays psy!ho'o(i!a' so!ia' and bio'o(i!a' *a!tors in*'en!eper!eptions and rea!tions to the "or'd< beha,ior and beha,ior !han(e< "hat peop'e thin abot

themse',es and others< the !'tra' and so!ia' di**eren!es that in*'en!e "e''7bein(< and the re'ationships

bet"een so!ia' strati*i!ation a!!ess to resor!es and "e''7bein(.

The -sy!ho'o(i!a' $o!ia' and &io'o(i!a' )ondations o* &eha,ior se!tion emphasi;es !on!epts that

tomorro"s do!tors need to no" in order to ser,e an in!reasin('y di,erse pop'ation and ha,e a !'ear

nderstandin( o* the impa!t o* beha,ior on hea'th. )rther it !ommni!ates the need *or *trephysi!ians to be prepared to dea' "ith the hman and so!ia' isses o* medi!ine.

This se!tion is desi(ned to

: test psy!ho'o(y so!io'o(y and bio'o(y !on!epts that pro,ide a so'id *ondation *or 'earnin( in

medi!a' s!hoo' abot the beha,iora' and so!io!'tra' determinants o* hea'th

Whi!h series !orre!t'y se3en!es the types o* !e''s in,o',ed in the transmission o* in*ormation *romsond dete!tion to the moment "hen an indi,ida' trns his or her head in response to the sond?

A. $ensory nerons internerons a**erent nerons se'eta' ms!'e !e''s

&. $ensory nerons e**erent nerons internerons se'eta' ms!'e !e''sC. Me!hanore!eptors sensory nerons internerons motor nerons se'eta' ms!'e !e''s

@. Me!hanore!eptors sensory nerons internerons a**erent nerons se'eta' ms!'e !e''s

The !orre!t ans"er is C. This $i'' 1 3estion tests yor no"'ed(e o* the s!ienti*i! !on!epts and

prin!ip'es des!ribed by Content Cate(ory A ?ensin) the envi"onment and is a $i'' 1 3estion be!aseit re3ires yo to re'ate s!ienti*i! !on!epts. This 3estion ass yo to re!o(ni;e and se3en!e the !orre!t

order o* re!eptors and nerons in,o',ed in sensory pro!essin( and to !on!'de that C is the !orre!t

ans"er.

!9)** 1 %&MP*% F'(M T,% $)(*(G)C* N+ $)(C,%M)C* F(-N+T)(N! (F *).)NG !/!T%M!

!%CT)(N>

o" are the basa' 'ayer o* the epidermis and the innermost 'inin( o* the sma'' intestine simi'ar?

A. &oth are nondi,idin( tisses.&. &oth are deri,ed *rom e!toderm.

C. &oth are !omposed o* s3amos !e''s.@. The !e''s o* both are !onne!ted by ti(ht Vn!tions.

The !orre!t ans"er is @. #t is a $i'' 1 3estion and assesses no"'ed(e o* Content Cate(ory 2A

Assem&lies o' molecules, cells, an# )"ou!s o' cells $ithin sin)ula" cellula" an# multicellula" o")anisms.

#t is a $i'' 1 3estion be!ase it re3ires yo to re!a'' the str!tra' and embryo'o(i!a' !hara!teristi!s o*t"o tisses and re'ate them to one another. To ans"er this 3estion !orre!t'y yo mst identi*y a

simi'arity bet"een the basa' 'ayer o* the epidermis and the innermost 'inin( o* the sma'' intestine.

!9)** 1 %&MP*% F'(M T,% C,%M)C* N+ P,/!)C* F(-N+T)(N! (F $)(*(G)C* !/!T%M!

!%CT)(N>

#n Mi!hae'is7Menten en;yme ineti!s "hat is the ,e'o!ity o* the rea!tion "hen the sbstrate!on!entration is e3a' to/M?

A. Vmax&. VmaxC. Vmax@. 2Vmax


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The !orre!t ans"er is &. This is a $i'' 1 3estion and re'ates to Content Cate(ory 5E 8"inci!les o'chemical the"mo#%namics an# inetics. #t is a $i'' 1 3estion be!ase yo mst re!o(ni;e there'ationship bet"een t"o ,ariab'es in the !ontext o* an experiment. To ans"er the 3estion yo mstre!o(ni;e/M re!a'' its si(ni*i!an!e in Mi!hae'is7Menten en;yme ineti!s and re'ate it to another

*ndamenta' ,ariab'e Vmax.

?ill 2 ?cienti'ic :easonin) an# 8"o&lem ?olvin)

>estions that test s!ienti*i! reasonin( and prob'em7so',in( si''s di**er *rom 3estions in the pre,ios!ate(ory by asin( yo to se yor s!ienti*i! no"'ed(e to so',e prob'ems in the natra' beha,iora'

and so!ia' s!ien!es.

As yo "or on 3estions that test this si'' yo may be ased to se s!ienti*i! theories to exp'ainobser,ations or mae predi!tions abot natra' or so!ia' phenomena. >estions may as yo to Vd(e

the !redibi'ity o* s!ienti*i! exp'anations or to e,a'ate ar(ments abot !ase and e**e!t. Gr they may

as yo to se s!ienti*i! mode's and obser,ations to dra" !on!'sions. They may as yo to re!o(ni;es!ienti*i! *indin(s that !a'' a theory or mode' into 3estion. >estions in this !ate(ory may as yo to

'oo at pi!tres or dia(rams and dra" !on!'sions *rom them. Gr they may as yo to determine and

then se s!ienti*i! *orm'as to so',e prob'ems.

So "i'' be ased to sho" that yo !an se s!ienti*i! prin!ip'es to so',e prob'ems by *or examp'e

easonin( abot s!ienti*i! prin!ip'es theories and mode's

Ana'y;in( and e,a'atin( s!ienti*i! exp'anations and predi!tions

E,a'atin( ar(ments abot !ases and !onse3en!es

&rin(in( to(ether theory obser,ations and e,iden!e to dra" !on!'sions

e!o(ni;in( s!ienti*i! *indin(s that !ha''en(e or in,a'idate a s!ienti*i! theory or mode'

@eterminin( and sin( s!ienti*i! *orm'as to so',e prob'ems

&y "ay o* i''stration 3estions *rom the -sy!ho'o(i!a' $o!ia' and &io'o(i!a' )ondations o*

&eha,ior se!tion may as yo demonstrate this si'' by

sin( the main premises o* symbo'i! intera!tionism to reason abot an obser,ationa' stdy o*physi!ian7patient intera!tions

-redi!tin( ho" an indi,ida' "i'' rea!t to !o(niti,e dissonan!e

easonin( abot "hether a !asa' exp'anation is possib'e "hen (i,en an examp'e o* ho"

somebodys (ender or persona'ity predi!ts his or her beha,ior

Con!'din( "hi!h sta(e o* !o(niti,e de,e'opment a !hi'd is in a!!ordin( to -ia(ets theory

"hen presented "ith a des!ription o* ho" a !hi'd responds to a !onser,ation prob'em

@eterminin( "hether an examp'e s!h as "hen an anorexi! teena(er restri!ts eatin( to satis*y

esteem needs is !ompatib'e "ith the premises o* Mas'o"s hierar!hy o* needs


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@ra"in( a !on!'sion abot "hi!h so!io'o(i!a' theory "o'd be most !onsistent "ith a!on!epta' dia(ram that exp'ains ho" so!ia' and en,ironmenta' *a!tors in*'en!e hea'th

#denti*yin( the re'ationship bet"een so!ia' instittions that is s((ested by an i''stration sed in

a pb'i! hea'th !ampai(n

)or more !ontext 'ets !onsider three $i'' 2 3estions 'ined to di**erent *ondationa' !on!epts in the-sy!ho'o(i!a' $o!ia' and &io'o(i!a' )ondations o* &eha,ior se!tion< the &io'o(i!a' and &io!hemi!a')ondations o* +i,in( $ystems se!tion< and the Chemi!a' and -hysi!a' )ondations o* &io'o(i!a'$ystems se!tion.

!9)** 2 %&MP*% F'(M T,% P!/C,(*(G)C*1 !(C)* N+ $)(*(G)C* F(-N+T)(N! (F

$%,.)(' !%CT)(N>

The !on!ept o* !'tra' !apita' predi!ts that%

A. !'tra' distin!tions asso!iated "ith the yon( "i'' be more ,a'ed "ithin a so!iety.

&. "ith impro,ed !ommni!ation there "i'' e,enta''y be a !on,er(en!e o* !'tra' pra!ti!es o* a''!'asses.

C. !'tra' distin!tions by !'ass "i'' be!ome 'ess important drin( a re!ession be!ase peop'e "i''

ha,e 'ess money to spend.

@. !'tra' distin!tions asso!iated "ith e'ite !'asses "i'' be more ,a'ed "ithin a so!iety.

The !orre!t ans"er is @. #t is a $i'' 2 3estion and assesses no"'ed(e o* Content Cate(ory 10A

?ocial ineualit%. #t is a $i'' 2 3estion be!ase it re3ires yo to mae a predi!tion based on a

parti!'ar !on!ept. This 3estion re3ires yo to nderstand the !on!ept o* !'tra' !apita' in order to

e,a'ate "hi!h predi!tion abot so!ia' strati*i!ation "o'd be most !onsistent "ith the !on!ept.


!%CT)(N>

$tartin( "ith the trans'ation initiation !odon the *o''o"in( se3en!e en!odes a po'ypeptide o* ho"

many amino a!ids?

5D7CJCCAAJJCAACJCJJJJJ7D

A. 2

&. C.

@. /


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These 3estions may a'so as yo to demonstrate and se yor nderstandin( o* the "ays s!ientists

adhere to ethi!a' (ide'ines to prote!t the ri(hts o* resear!h parti!ipants the inte(rity o* their "or andthe interests o* resear!h !onsmers.

>estions that test this si'' "i'' as yo to se yor no"'ed(e o* important !omponents o* s!ienti*i!

methodo'o(y by *or examp'e

#denti*yin( the ro'e o* theory past *indin(s and obser,ations in s!ienti*i! 3estionin(

#denti*yin( testab'e resear!h 3estions and hypotheses

@istin(ishin( bet"een samp'es and pop'ations and bet"een res'ts that do and do not spport(enera'i;ations abot pop'ations

#denti*yin( the re'ationships amon( the ,ariab'es in a stdy 6e.(. independent ,erss dependent

,ariab'es< !ontro' and !on*ondin( ,ariab'es8

easonin( abot the appropriateness pre!ision and a!!ra!y o* too's sed to !ond!t resear!hin the natra' s!ien!es

easonin( abot the appropriateness re'iabi'ity and ,a'idity o* too's sed to !ond!t resear!h in

the beha,iora' and so!ia' s!ien!es

easonin( abot the *eatres o* resear!h stdies that s((est asso!iations bet"een ,ariab'es or

!asa' re'ationships bet"een them 6e.(. tempora'ity random assi(nment8

easonin( abot ethi!a' isses in s!ienti*i! resear!h

>estions *rom the -sy!ho'o(i!a' $o!ia' and &io'o(i!a' )ondations o* &eha,ior se!tion may as yoto reason abot the desi(n and exe!tion o* resear!h by *or examp'e

#denti*yin( the basi! !omponents o* sr,ey methods ethno(raphi! methods experimenta'methods or other types o* resear!h desi(ns in psy!ho'o(y and so!io'o(y

$e'e!tin( a hypothesis abot semanti! a!ti,ation

#denti*yin( the extent to "hi!h a *indin( !an be (enera'i;ed to the pop'ation "hen (i,en detai'sabot ho" parti!ipants "ere re!rited *or an experiment in 'an(a(e de,e'opment

#denti*yin( the experimenta' setp in "hi!h resear!hers manip'ate se'*7!on*iden!e

#denti*yin( the most appropriate "ay o* assessin( preVdi!e in a stdy on imp'i!it bias

easonin( abot the imp'i!ations o* re'yin( on se'*7report measres *or a spe!i*i! stdy

#denti*yin( the third ,ariab'e that may be !on*ondin( the *indin(s *rom a !orre'ationa' stdy

Main( Vd(ments abot the re'iabi'ity and ,a'idity o* spe!i*i! measres "hen (i,en in*ormationabot the response patterns o* parti!ipants

#denti*yin( "hether resear!hers ,io'ated any ethi!a' !odes "hen (i,en in*ormation abot a stdy


110/130

The three samp'e 3estions that *o''o" i''strate $i'' 3estions *rom respe!ti,e'y the -sy!ho'o(i!a'

$o!ia' and &io'o(i!a' )ondations o* &eha,ior se!tion< the &io'o(i!a' and &io!hemi!a' )ondations o*+i,in( $ystems se!tion< and the Chemi!a' and -hysi!a' )ondations o* &io'o(i!a' $ystems se!tion o*

the MCAT exam.

!9)** 3 %&MP*% F'(M T,% P!/C,(*(G)C*1 !(C)* N+ $)(*(G)C* F(-N+T)(N! (F

$%,.)(' !%CT)(N>

esear!hers !ond!ted an experiment to test so!ia' 'oa*in(. They ased parti!ipants to prepare ananna' report or a tax retrn. $ome parti!ipants per*ormed the tas indi,ida''y and others per*ormed

it as a (rop. What are the independent and dependent ,ariab'es?

A. The independent ,ariab'e is the o,era'' prod!ti,ity o* the (rop and the dependent ,ariab'e isea!h parti!ipants !ontribtion to the tas.

&. The independent ,ariab'e is the type o* tas and the dependent ,ariab'e is "hether the

parti!ipants "ored a'one or in a (rop.C. The independent ,ariab'e is "hether the parti!ipant "ored a'one or in a (rop and the

dependent ,ariab'e is ea!h parti!ipants !ontribtion to the tas.

@. The independent ,ariab'e is "hether the parti!ipant "ored a'one or in a (rop and the

dependent ,ariab'e is the type o* the tas.

The !orre!t ans"er is C. This $i'' 3estion assesses no"'ed(e o* Content Cate(ory & ?ocial!"ocesses that in'luence human &ehavio". This 3estion is a $i'' 3estion be!ase it re3ires yo toreason abot resear!h desi(n. This 3estion re3ires yo to nderstand so!ia' 'oa*in( and dra"in*eren!es abot the dependent and independent ,ariab'es based on this !on!ept and the des!ription o*the experimenta' desi(n.


!%CT)(N>

$odim dode!y' s'*ate 6$@$8 !ontains a 127!arbon tai' atta!hed to a s'*ate (rop and is sed in

denatrin( (e' e'e!trophoresis o* proteins. =meros $@$ mo'e!'es "i'' bind to the exposedhydrophobi! re(ions o* denatred proteins. The se o* $@$ in this experiment a''o"s *or the

separation o* proteins by%

A. !har(e.

&. mo'e!'ar "ei(ht.

C. shape.@. so'bi'ity.


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The !orre!t ans"er is &. This is a $i'' 3estion and re3ires no"'ed(e *rom Content Cate(ory 1A

?t"uctu"e an# 'unction o' !"oteins an# thei" constituent amino aci#s. #t is a $i'' 3estion be!ase itre3ires yo to nderstand the desi(n o* a denatrin( (e' e'e!trophoresis experiment and the ro'e that

$@$ p'ays in this te!hni3e. &ased on this nderstandin( yo "i'' be ab'e to determine that proteins

"i'' be separated on'y by mo'e!'ar "ei(ht.

!9)** 3 %&MP*% F'(M T,% C,%M)C* N+ P,/!)C* F(-N+T)(N! (F $)(*(G)C* !/!T%M!

!%CT)(N>

A test *or proteins in rine in,o',es pre!ipitation bt is o*ten !omp'i!ated by pre!ipitation o* !a'!im

phosphate. Whi!h pro!edre pre,ents pre!ipitation o* the sa't?

A. Addition o* b**er to maintain hi(h p&. Addition o* b**er to maintain netra' p

C. Addition o* !a'!im hydroxide

@. Addition o* sodim phosphate

The !orre!t ans"er is &. This is a $i'' 3estion and re'ates to Content Cate(ory 5&>atu"e o'molecules an# inte"molecula" inte"actions. #n this $i'' 3estion yo mst identi*y a !han(e in anexperimenta' approa!h that "o'd e'iminate a *re3ent'y en!ontered !omp'i!ation. The !omp'i!ation inthis !ase is re'ated to the test *or protein7in,o',in( pre!ipitation. The test "i'' (i,e a *a'se positi,e i*!a'!im phosphate pre!ipitates. To ans"er this $i'' 3estion yo need to reason abot ho" !han(in(experimenta' parameters "i'' e'iminate the !omp'i!ation.

?ill 4 ata*&ase# an# ?tatistical :easonin)

+ie 3estions abot the third si'' 3estions that test the *orth si'' "i'' as yo to sho" that yo !anZdo[ s!ien!e this time by demonstratin( yor data7based and statisti!a' reasonin( si''s. >estions that

test this si'' "i'' as yo to reason "ith data. They "i'' as yo to read and interpret res'ts sin(tab'es (raphs and !harts. These 3estions "i'' as yo to demonstrate that yo !an identi*y patterns in

data and dra" !on!'sions *rom e,iden!e.

>estions that test this si'' may as yo to demonstrate yor no"'ed(e o* the "ays natra' beha,iora'and so!ia' s!ientists se measres o* !entra' tenden!y and dispersion to des!ribe their data. These

3estions may as yo to demonstrate yor nderstandin( o* the "ays s!ientists thin abot random and

systemati! errors in their experiments and datasets. They may a'so as yo to demonstrate yornderstandin( o* ho" s!ientists thin abot n!ertainty and the imp'i!ations o* n!ertainty *or statisti!a'

testin( and the in*eren!es they !an dra" *rom their data. These 3estions may as yo to sho" ho"s!ientists se data to mae !omparisons bet"een ,ariab'es or exp'ain re'ationships bet"een them or

mae predi!tions. They may as yo to se data to ans"er resear!h 3estions or dra" !on!'sions.


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These 3estions may as yo to demonstrate yor no"'ed(e o* the "ays s!ientists dra" in*eren!es

*rom their res'ts abot asso!iations bet"een ,ariab'es or !asa' re'ationships bet"een them. >estionsthat test this si'' may as yo to examine e,iden!e *rom a s!ienti*i! stdy and point ot statements that

(o beyond the e,iden!e. Gr they may as yo to s((est a'ternati,e exp'anations *or the same data.

>estions that test this si'' "i'' as yo to se yor no"'ed(e o* data7based and statisti!a' reasonin(

by *or examp'e

sin( ana'y;in( and interpretin( data in *i(res (raphs and tab'es

E,a'atin( "hether representations mae sense *or parti!'ar s!ienti*i! obser,ations and data

sin( measres o* !entra' tenden!y 6mean median and mode8 and measres o* dispersion6ran(e inter73arti'e ran(e and standard de,iation8 to des!ribe data

easonin( abot random and systemati! error

easonin( abot statisti!a' si(ni*i!an!e and n!ertainty 6e.(. interpretin( statisti!a' si(ni*i!an!e'e,e's interpretin( a !on*iden!e inter,a'8

sin( data to exp'ain re'ationships bet"een ,ariab'es or mae predi!tions

sin( data to ans"er resear!h 3estions and dra" !on!'sions

#denti*yin( !on!'sions that are spported by resear!h res'ts

@eterminin( the imp'i!ations o* res'ts *or rea'7"or'd sitations

>estions *rom the -sy!ho'o(i!a' $o!ia' and &io'o(i!a' )ondations o* &eha,ior se!tion may as yo

to demonstrate yor se o* data7based and statisti!a' reasonin( by *or examp'e

#denti*yin( the !orre'ation bet"een a demo(raphi! ,ariab'e s!h as ra!e_ethni!ity (ender ora(e "ith 'i*e expe!tan!y or another hea'th ot!ome

#denti*yin( the re'ationship bet"een demo(raphi! ,ariab'es and hea'th ,ariab'es reported in a

tab'e or *i(re

Exp'ainin( "hy in!ome data are sa''y reported sin( the median rather than the mean

easonin( abot "hat in*eren!e is spported by a tab'e o* !orre'ations bet"een di**erent

so!ioe!onomi! ,ariab'es and 'e,e' o* parti!ipation in di**erent physi!a' a!ti,ities

easonin( abot the type o* !omparisons made in an experimenta' stdy o* !o(niti,e dissonan!e

and "hat the *indin(s imp'y *or attitde and beha,ior !han(e @ra"in( !on!'sions abot the type o* memory a**e!ted by an experimenta' manip'ation "hen

yo are sho"n a (raph o* *indin(s *rom a memory experiment

@istin(ishin( the inds o* !'aims that !an be made "hen sin( 'on(itdina' data !ross7se!tiona'

data or experimenta' data in stdies o* so!ia' intera!tion

#denti*yin( "hi!h !on!'sion abot mathemati!a' nderstandin( in yon( !hi'dren is spported

by time data reported in a de,e'opmenta' stdy


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E,a'atin( data !o''e!ted *rom di**erent types o* resear!h stdies s!h as !omparin( res'ts*rom a 3a'itati,e stdy o* me!hanisms *or !opin( "ith stress "ith res'ts *rom a 3antitati,e

stdy o* so!ia' spport net"ors

sin( data s!h as inter,ie"s "ith !an!er patients or a nationa' sr,ey o* hea'th beha,iors todetermine a pra!ti!a' app'i!ation based on a stdys res'ts

The three 3estions that *o''o" i''strate $i'' 4 3estions *rom respe!ti,e'y the -sy!ho'o(i!a' $o!ia'and &io'o(i!a' )ondations o* &eha,ior se!tion< the &io'o(i!a' and &io!hemi!a' )ondations o* +i,in($ystems se!tion< and the Chemi!a' and -hysi!a' )ondations o* &io'o(i!a' $ystems se!tion o* theMCAT exam.

!9)** # %&MP*% F'(M T,% P!/C,(*(G)C*1 !(C)* N+ $)(*(G)C* F(-N+T)(N! (F

$%,.)(' !%CT)(N>

Whi!h !orre'ation spports the bystander e**e!t?

A. The nmber o* bystanders is positi,e'y !orre'ated "ith the time it taes *or someone to o**er he'pin the !ase o* an emer(en!y.

&. The nmber o* bystanders is ne(ati,e'y !orre'ated "ith the time it taes *or someone to o**er

he'p in the !ase o* an emer(en!y.

C. The nmber o* bystanders is positi,e'y !orre'ated "ith "hether peop'e Vd(e a sitation to be anemer(en!y.

@. The nmber o* bystanders is ne(ati,e'y !orre'ated "ith "hether peop'e Vd(e a sitation to be an

emer(en!y.

The !orre!t ans"er is A. This $i'' 4 3estion assesses no"'ed(e o* Content Cate(ory & ?ocial!"ocesses that in'luence human &ehavio". #t is a $i'' 4 3estion be!ase it re3ires yo to en(a(e in

statisti!a' reasonin(. This 3estion re3ires yo to nderstand the distin!tion bet"een ne(ati,e and

positi,e !orre'ations and mae a predi!tion abot data based on yor no"'ed(e o* the bystander e**e!t.

!9)** # %&MP*% F'(M T,% $)(*(G)C* N+ $)(C,%M)C* F(-N+T)(N! (F *).)NG !/!T%M!

!%CT)(N>

#n the *i(re the three !r,es represent hemo('obin oxy(en bindin( at three di**erent p ,a'es p

.2 p .4 and p ..


114/130


115/130

!olution p81 p82 p83

1 2.10 ./ 9./2

2 2.10 4.0 9.4

2.2 9. =ot App'i!ab'e4 2.1/ 9.04 12.4/

Whi!h so'tion !ontains an amino a!id that "o'd be most 'ie'y to stabi'i;e an anioni! sbstrate in anen;yme po!et at physio'o(i!a' p?

A. $o'tion 1

&. $o'tion 2

C. $o'tion @. $o'tion 4

The !orre!t ans"er is @. This $i'' 4 3estion in!'des a tab'e and assesses no"'ed(e o* ContentCate(ory 5@ ?t"uctu"e, 'unction, an# "eactivit% o' &iolo)icall%*"elevant molecules. ere yo see that*or di**erent so'tions o* a sin('e amino a!id "ere titrated and the p/ ,a'es "ere determined. These,a'es are *ond in the tab'e. This is a $i'' 4 3estion be!ase yo mst re!o(ni;e a data pattern in thetab'e mae !omparisons and se those !omparisons to mae a predi!tion. sin( no"'ed(e o* aminoa!ids and peptide bonds and the patterns yo see in the data yo !an determine that the >* and C*termins p/ ,a'es ro(h'y 2 and 9 *or a'' so'tions !an be i(nored sin!e these (rops "i'' be in,o',edin peptide bond *ormation. With *rther ana'yses yo !an determine that on'y $o'tion 4 "i'' be !ationi!at physio'o(i!a' p.


116/130

Whats on the MCAT2015 Exam? Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s


What wi the Critica Ana'sis and )easonin" S*is Section Test?

The Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s se!tion o* the MCAT exam "i'' be simi'ar to many o* the,erba' reasonin( tests yo ha,e taen in yor a!ademi! !areer. #t in!'des passa(es and 3estions that

test yor abi'ity to nderstand "hat yo read. So may *ind this se!tion to be ni3e in se,era' "ays

tho(h be!ase it has been de,e'oped spe!i*i!a''y to measre the ana'ysis and reasonin( si''s yo "i''

need to be s!!ess*' in medi!a' s!hoo'. The Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s se!tion a!hie,es this(oa' by asin( yo to read and thin abot passa(es *rom a "ide ran(e o* dis!ip'ines in the so!ia'

s!ien!es and hmanities *o''o"ed by a series o* 3estions that 'ead yo thro(h the pro!ess o*

!omprehendin( ana'y;in( and reasonin( abot the materia' yo ha,e read.

Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s passa(es are re'ati,e'y short typi!a''y bet"een 500 and 00

"ords bt they are !omp'ex o*ten tho(ht7pro,oin( pie!es o* "ritin( "ith sophisti!ated ,o!ab'aryand at times intri!ate "ritin( sty'es. E,erythin( yo need to no" to ans"er test 3estions is in the

passa(es and the 3estions themse',es. =o additiona' !orse"or or spe!i*i! no"'ed(e is re3ired to

do "e'' on the Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s se!tion bt yo as the test taer may *indyorse'* needin( to read the passa(es and 3estions in "ays that are di**erent *rom the readin( re3ired

in the textboos yo sed in most pre7hea'th !orses or on tests 'ie the $AT Criti!a' eadin( exam.

-assa(es *or the Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s se!tion`e,en those "ritten in a !on,ersationa'

or opinionated sty'e`are o*ten m'ti*a!eted and *o!s on the re'ationships bet"een ideas or theories.The 3estions asso!iated "ith the passa(es "i'' re3ire yo to assess the !ontent bt yo "i'' a'so need

to !onsider the athors intentions and tones and the "ords they sed to express their points o* ,ie".

This se!tion is desi(ned to

, test yor !omprehension ana'ysis and reasonin( si''s by asin( yo to !riti!a''y ana'y;ein*ormation pro,ided in passa(esestions Time

Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin(

$i''s

5

6note the 3estions are a''

passa(e7based8

90 mintes


117/130

Critica Ana'sis and )easonin" S*is +istri,ution o$ -uestions ,' Critica Ana'sis and)easonin" S*i and 4assa"es in the Humanities and Socia Sciences

So may "onder ho" many 3estions yo'' (et testin( a parti!'ar !riti!a' ana'ysis and reasonin( si''

or ho" many hmanities or so!ia' s!ien!e passa(es yo'' see on the test. The 3estions that yo see are'ie'y to be distribted in the "ays des!ribed be'o".

Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''%

, )ondations o* Comprehension 0U

, easonin( Within the Text 0U

, easonin( &eyond the Text 40U

-assa(e Content%

, manities 50U, $o!ia' $!ien!es 50U

These per!enta(es ha,e been approximated to the nearest 5U and "i'' ,ary *rom one test to another *ora ,ariety o* reasons. These reasons in!'de bt are not 'imited to !ontro''in( *or 3estion di**i!'ty

sin( (rops o* 3estions that depend on a sin('e passa(e and sin( ns!ored *ie'd7test 3estions on

ea!h test *orm.


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What is the Content o$ the 4assa"es in the Critica Ana'sis and )easonin" S*isSection?

-assa(es in the Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s se!tion are ex!erpted *rom the inds o* boos

Vorna's and ma(a;ines that !o''e(e stdents are 'ie'y to read. -assa(es *rom the so!ia' s!ien!es andhmanities dis!ip'ines mi(ht present interpretations imp'i!ations or app'i!ations o* histori!a' a!!ontstheories obser,ations or trends o* hman so!iety as a "ho'e spe!i*i! pop'ation (rops or spe!i*i!

!ontries.

G* these t"o types o* passa(es 6so!ia' s!ien!es and hmanities8 so!ia' s!ien!es passa(es tend to be

more *a!ta' and s!ienti*i! in tone. )or examp'e a so!ia' s!ien!es passa(e mi(ht dis!ss ho" basi!

psy!ho'o(i!a' and so!io'o(i!a' assmptions he'p s!ho'ars re!onstr!t patterns o* prehistori! !i,i'i;ations

*rom an!ient arti*a!ts. manities passa(es o*ten *o!s on the re'ationships bet"een ideas and are more'ie'y to be "ritten in a !on,ersationa' or opinionated sty'e. There*ore yo sho'd eep in mind the tone

and "ord !hoi!e o* the athor in addition to the passa(e assertions themse',es. manities passa(es

mi(ht des!ribe the "ays art re*'e!ts histori!a' or so!ia' !han(e or ho" the phi'osophy o* ethi!s hasadapted to pre,ai'in( te!hno'o(i!a' !han(es.

Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s passa(es !ome *rom a ,ariety o* hmanities and so!ia' s!ien!esdis!ip'ines.

Humanities

-assa(es in the hmanities are dra"n *rom a ,ariety o* dis!ip'ines in!'din( 6bt not 'imited to8% Ar!hite!tre Art

@an!e Ethi!s +iteratre Msi! -hi'osophy -op'ar C'tre e'i(ion

Theater

$tdies o* @i,erse C'tres1

1 @ependin( on the *o!s o* the text a $tdies o* @i,erse C'tres passa(e !o'd be !'assi*ied as be'on(in( to either themanities or $o!ia' $!ien!es


119/130

Socia Sciences

$o!ia' s!ien!es passa(es are a'so dra"n *rom a ,ariety o* dis!ip'ines in!'din( 6bt not 'imited to8% Anthropo'o(y

Ar!haeo'o(y E!onomi!s Ed!ation Jeo(raphy istory +in(isti!s -o'iti!a' $!ien!e -op'ation ea'th -sy!ho'o(y

$o!io'o(y

$tdies o* @i,erse C'tres2

What @inds o$ Ana'sis S*is does the Critica Ana'sis and )easonin" S*is Section)e(uire?

2 @ependin( on the *o!s o* the text a $tdies o* @i,erse C'tres passa(e !o'd be !'assi*ied as be'on(in( to either themanities or $o!ia' $!ien!es


120/130

The Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s se!tion assesses three broad !riti!a' ana'ysis and reasonin(

si''s. >estions in this se!tion "i'' as yo to determine the o,era'' meanin( o* the text to smmari;e

e,a'ate and !riti3e the Zbi( pi!tre[ and to synthesi;e adapt and reinterpret !on!epts yo pro!essedand ana'y;ed. The 3estions *o''o"in( Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s passa(es 'ead yo thro(h

this !omp'ex menta' exer!ise o* *indin( meanin( "ithin ea!h text and then reasonin( beyond the text toexpand the initia' meanin(. The ana'ysis and reasonin( si''s on "hi!h yo "i'' be tested mirror thosethat matre test taers se to mae sense o* !omp'ex materia's. The si''s assessed in the Criti!a'

Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s se!tion are represented be'o" and ea!h si'' is exp'ained in the *o''o"in(

se!tions.

Critical nalysis and 'easoning !"ills

Foundations of Comprehension:nderstandin( the basi! !omponents o* the text

:#n*errin( meanin( *rom rhetori!a' de,i!es "ord !hoi!e and text str!tre

'easoning ?ithin the Te


121/130

#oundations o$ Com.rehension

The topi!s o* some passa(es in the Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s se!tion "i'' be *ami'iar< some"i'' not. Exp'anations i''strati,e examp'es and de*initions o* si(ni*i!ant spe!ia'i;ed terms in these

passa(es "i'' he'p yo de,e'op the stron( basi! *ondation needed *or ans"erin( a'' the 3estions yoen!onter in this se!tion o* the MCAT exam.

Additiona''y some 3estions may as yo abot the o,era'' meanin( o* in*ormation in the passa(es or

the athors !entra' themes or ideas< others may as yo to se'e!t the de*initions o* spe!i*i! "ords orphrases as they are sed in !ontext. These inds o* 3estions he'p yo bi'd the *ondation that "i''

a''o" yo to thin in ne" "ays abot !on!epts or *a!ts presented in the passa(es. -ara(raph nmbers

may be in!'ded in 3estions to he'p yo 'o!ate re'e,ant portions o* the text.

T"o sets o* si''s are the basis o* the )ondations o* Comprehension 3estions on the Criti!a' Ana'ysis

and easonin( $i''s se!tion.

nderstandin" the !asic Com.onents o$ the Text

The most *ndamenta' 3estions on the Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s se!tion as abot the

basi! !omponents o* the passa(es. Comprehension 3estions at this 'e,e' may as yo to pro,ide a(enera' o,er,ie" o* the passa(e or to *o!s on spe!i*i! portions o* the text. So may be ased to

identi*y the athors thesis the main point or theme o* the passa(e examp'es or somethin( s'i(ht'y

more !omp'ex s!h as portions o* the passa(e "here the athor di(resses *rom the !entra' theme.

#n respondin( to these 3estions yo need to be ab'e to re!o(ni;e the prpose o* di**erent portions o*

the tar(et passa(e% "hat is the thesis statement "hat examp'es spport the main idea and "hat

statements pose an ar(ment or assmption? An athor distin(ishes se!tions o* text that indi!ate theexisten!e o* a sstained train o* tho(ht as opposed to an iso'ated detai' "ith rhetori!a' 'abe's s!h as

Z*or examp'e[ Zthere*ore[ or Z!onse3ent'y.[

So "i'' a'so need to be ab'e to re!o(ni;e "hen an athor seems to ha,e dra"n pon m'tip'e sor!es to

spport a thesis or "hen he or she presents di**erent points o* ,ie" in the sin('e passa(e. #ts a'so

important to attend to perspe!ti,e% does the athor present his or her o"n perspe!ti,e or does he or shese ,erbatim 3otations or restatements *rom the perspe!ti,e o* other sor!es?

In$errin" Meanin" $rom )hetorica +e&ices/ Word Choice/ and Text Structure

>estions may a'so re3ire yo to in*er meanin(s that !ant be determined *rom a sper*i!ia' readin( o*

the text s!h as meanin(s that the athor has imp'ied bt did not state dire!t'y. So may ha,e to

determine ho" the athor has str!tred the text`*or examp'e thro(h !ase7and7e**e!t re'ationships*or dis!ssions in the beha,iora' s!ien!es !hrono'o(i!a''y *or histori!a' dis!ssions or point7and7

!onterpoint *or po'iti!a' s!ien!e pie!es. #denti*yin( the str!tre sho'd he'p yo nderstand the

passa(e and determine its prpose. To do that yo "i'' need to nderstand ho" the parts o* a text *itto(ether ,ia these di**erent inds o* re'ationships.


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So may a'so need to attend to spe!i*i! sbt'e and nan!ed rhetori!a' de!isions an athor has made to

shape his or her ideas ar(ments or dis!ssions and perhaps to !omp'i!ate a passa(es meanin(. )or

examp'e 3estions may as yo to exp'ain paradoxes a hi(h'i(hted "ord or phrase or an nexpe!tedtransition in ideas. To ans"er these 3estions 'oo *or !'es in the !ontext arond the spe!i*i! se!tions

o* the passa(e. So may be ased to identi*y points o* ,ie" other than the athors presented indire!t'ythro(h athoria' smmaries or paraphrases. An athors !hoi!e abot tone 6e.(. hmorosathoritati,e satiri!a'8 a'so !ontribtes to`or obs!res`meanin( and tone !an o*ten !ommni!ate the

prpose *or "hi!h a passa(e is "ritten 6e.(. to persade instr!t in*orm entertain8. )or examp'e a

satiri!a' pie!e may at *irst seem mere'y entertainin( bt a !'oser examination o*ten re,ea's that itsprpose is a!ta''y to persade.

$ome 3estions at this 'e,e' may as abot in*ormation not spe!i*i!a''y stated in the passa(e and yo

mst mae assmptions based on "hat the athor mere'y hints at thro(h his or her se o* !onnotati,e'an(a(e or *i(res o* spee!h. +oo *or the athors expressed point o* ,ie" and the extent to "hi!h he

or she ses smmaries or paraphrases to introd!e others points o* ,ie".

The endin( o* passa(es is a'so *air (ame *or 3estions at this 'e,e'. @oes the passa(e ha,e a de*initi,e

so'tion a partia' reso'tion or a !a'' *or additiona' resear!h? @oes it end "ith a dramati! rhetori!a'

statement or a Voe that 'ea,es nans"ered 3estions? A(ain !onsiderin( these 3estions re3ires yoto nderstand ho" the di**erent parts o* the passa(e *it to(ether to spport the !entra' thesis o* the

athor.


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)easonin" Within the Text

>estions that test easonin( Within the Text di**er *rom those assessin( )ondations o*Comprehension in that they as yo to inte(rate separate passa(e !omponents into a more (enera'i;ed

and !omp'ex interpretation o* passa(e meanin(. >estions assessin( easonin( Within the Text "i''dire!t yor attention to an ar(ment !'aim or theme presented in the passa(e and then as yo to Vd(ethe passa(e a!!ordin( to spe!i*i! !riteria. The !riteria !o'd be the 'o(i! and p'asibi'ity o* the passa(e

text the sondness o* its ar(ments the reasonab'eness o* its !on!'sions the appropriateness o* its

(enera'i;ations or the !redibi'ity o* the athor and the sor!es he or she !ites. The 3estions re3ire yoto di( beneath the passa(es sr*a!e as yo examine e,iden!e biases *a'ty notions o* !asa'ity and

irre'e,ant in*ormation and to determine the si(ni*i!an!e o* and re'ationships amon( di**erent parts o* a

passa(e. Additiona''y some 3estions may re3ire that yo ana'y;e the athors 'an(a(e stan!e and

prpose. )or examp'e p'asib'e7sondin( transitiona' phrases may in *a!t be tri!y. #* read 3i!'y the"ords appear to mae a 'e(itimate !onne!tion bet"een parts o* a passa(e< ho"e,er "hen sbVe!ted to

s!rtiny the 'ins they appear to ha,e estab'ished may *a'' apart.

This may sond 'ie a 'on( 'ist o* possib'e !riti!a' and ana'ysis si''s to ha,e mastered bt they are

si''s yo probab'y a'ready possess and se e,ery day. $imi'ar to yor rea!tions "hen yo hear someone

tryin( to !on,in!e yo abot somethin( persade yo to thin a parti!'ar "ay or se'' yo somethin(these 3estions o*ten in,ite yo to dobt and then Vd(e the athors intentions and !redibi'ity.

>estionin( an athor is a 'e(itimate and o*ten ne!essary ana'ysis strate(y that !an ser,e test taers "e''

"hen main( sense o* !omp'ex text. Ans"erin( these 3estions re3ires 'ooin( beyond !ontradi!tions

or omission o* *a!ts or detai's to *ind !'es s!h as ,a(e or e,asi,e terms or 'an(a(e that sonds se'*7a((randi;in( o,erb'o"n or other"ise sspe!t "ithin the !ontext o* the passa(e. Credib'e sor!es`

essayists s!ientists 'e!trers e,en pndits`sho'd be both athoritati,e and obVe!ti,e and sho'd

!'ear'y demonstrate expertise. &'atant one7sided ar(ments and ri(id points o* ,ie" are easy to identi*y

bt some athors are more nan!ed in presentin( biased ideas in the (ise o* obVe!ti,ity. The ey toidenti*yin( bias 'ies in identi*yin( the athors t"eatment o* ideas "hi!h yo a!hie,e by ana'y;in( and

e,a'atin( di**erent aspe!ts o* the passa(e. )or examp'e an athor "ho ses demeanin( stereotypes ordero(atory 'abe's is not 'ie'y to be a sor!e o* obVe!ti,e Vdi!ios ana'ysis.

#ts important to remember that easonin( Within the Text 3estions do not as yo to pro,ide yoro"n persona' opinion. So may in *a!t disa(ree "ith the athors o,era'' !on!'sion yet *ind that the

!on!'sion is a reasonab'e in*eren!e *rom the 'imited in*ormation pro,ided in the passa(e. #* yo happen

to no" some obs!re *a!t or ane!dote otside the s!ope o* the passa(e that !o'd in,a'idate the

athors !on!'sion i(nore it. The !ontent o* the passa(e or ne" in*ormation introd!ed by the3estions sho'd be the on'y sor!es on "hi!h yo base yor responses . A!hie,in( a (ood s!ore on the

Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s se!tion depends on thisP


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App'i!ation 3estions sometimes re3ire se'e!tion o* a response option that is most analo)ous to some

re'ationship in the passa(e. ere the parameters are broad. +ieness is measred not by inherent

simi'arity bt by ana'o(y. >estions dea'in( "ith ana'o(ies test the abi'ity to identi*y a *ndamenta'!ommon *eatre that seemin('y di**erent thin(s or pro!esses share. This may sometimes re3ire

trans'atin( a *i(rati,e !omparison into e3i,a'ent sets o* 'itera' terms. o"e,er the tas a'"aysre3ires 'ooin( beneath sr*a!e ima(ery to dis!ern nder'yin( re'ationships or paradi(ms.

Assessin" the Im.act o$ Incor.oratin" ew #actors/ In$ormation/ or Conditions to Ideas $romthe 4assa"e

The essentia' di**eren!e bet"een app'i!ation and in!orporation si''s is that the t"o7part prpose o*

in!orporation 3estions is to introd!e a spe!i*i! pie!e o* in*ormation *or yo to !onsider and as yo to

assess ho" ideas in the passa(e mi(ht be a**e!ted by its introd!tion. The premise o* these 3estions isthat ideas and in*ormation in the passa(es are potentia''y ma''eab'e not a *ixed *rame"or as in

app'i!ation 3estions.

#n some in!orporation 3estions yo mst *ind the best ans"er to a Z"hat i*[ 3estion by reinterpretin(

and reassessin( passa(e !ontent "ith the additiona' *a!t or idea introd!ed by the 3estion. @oes the

ne" in*ormation spport or !ontradi!t the inherent 'o(i! o* the passa(e? Co'd the ne" in*ormation!oexist "ith "hat is a'ready in the passa(e or "o'd it ne(ate an aspe!t o* the athors ar(ment? #* the

'atter is the !ase the 3estion !o'd as "hat modi*i!ations or a'terations mi(ht need to be made to the

passa(e !ontent to a!!ommodate the ne" e'ement introd!ed by the 3estion. emember the passa(e

sho'd be !onsidered ma''eab'e.

Gther *orms o* in!orporation 3estions may as yo to thin abot a possib'e 'o(i!a' re'ationship that

mi(ht exist bet"een the passa(e !ontent and the *a!ts or assertions in!'ded in the ans"er options. The

tas is to se'e!t the one option that i* added to the passa(e !ontent "o'd res't in the least amont o*!han(e. The !orre!t response option "i'' present the sitation or ar(ment that is most simi'ar to "hat is

ot'ined in the passa(e. #n other "ords yo mst determine "hi!h ne" *a!t or assertion "o'd 'easta'ter the !entra' thesis the passa(e has de,e'oped.


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Sam.e S*is 4assa"e and -uestions

o" "i'' the MCAT exam as yo to demonstrate ea!h o* the !riti!a' ana'ysis and reasonin( si''s? Thesamp'e passa(e and 3estions that *o''o" pro,ide some examp'es.

4assa"e

The exhibition The Jarry Wino(rand Jame o* -hoto(raphy "as a reminder o* "hy so many peop'e!onsider Wino(rand to be one o* the (reat Ameri!an photo(raphers o* the t"entieth !entry. A'tho(h

they !ontine to a!3ire *rther 'ayers o* histori!a' spe!i*i!ity his street photo(raphs many o* them shot

in Midto"n Manhattan in the 1950s and 190s ha,e 'ost none o* their ineti! immedia!y< the best o* his

anima' photo(raphs pro,ide s'y in!isi,e ,ie"s o* the hman !ondition< his pi!tres *rom the Ameri!anroad (rab the "hee' *rom Wa'er E,ans and obert )ran to send the (enre on an npredi!tab'e detor=o" 'ets tae a 'oo at a 3estion that tests these!ond si'' in )ondations o* Comprehension "hi!h is main( assmptions based on the athors

in*eren!e thro(h the se o* rhetori!a' de,i!es "ord !hoi!e and the text str!tre.

The athors se o* the term ineti! immedia!y 6para(raph 18 to des!ribe Wino(rands photo(raphsmost 'ie'y re*ers to the photo(raphs%

A. abi'ity to !aptre the hst'e and bst'e o* the !ity.

&. in!orporation o* roadside s!enes.

C. histori!a''y si(ni*i!ant detai's and !ontext.@. ni3e !ompositiona' strate(ies.

The !orre!t ans"er is A. So are ased to determine "hi!h o* the *or options presented most 'ie'y

re*ers to the phrase Zineti! immedia!y[ as sed to des!ribe Wino(rands photo(raphs.&e!ase o* the "ay the term Zineti! immedia!y[ is sed in the !ontext o* the senten!e in "hi!h it

appears the ans"er is A. The term re*ers to Wino(rands Zstreet photo(raphs[ o* =e" Sor City shotde!ades a(o< the athor says that the pi!tres retain their Zineti! immedia!y[ o,er time. $o the athors((ests that the speed and dynamism o* the photos is sti'' present and this is best !aptred in option A.

&e!ase this 3estion ass yo to determine the imp'i!ation o* a term or phrase by !onsiderin( the

!ontext o* its se its an examp'e o* the se!ond si'' in )ondations o* Comprehension.


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'%!(N)NG ?)T,)N T,% T%&T %&MP*%>=o" "e'' mo,e on to a 3estion that addresses the next

si'' easonin( Within the Text. The ana'ysis si'' re'ated to easonin( Within the Text is inte(ratin(

di**erent !omponents o* the text to in!rease !omprehension.

The !rator "ho sed the examp'e o* Max &rod re*sin( to destroy the mans!ripts o* )ran; a*a6*ina' senten!e8 "as most 'ie'y imp'yin( that%

A. the indi,ida' ri(hts o* an artist are sometimes ot"ei(hed by the (reater pb'i! and artisti!

(ood.&. the destr!tion o* an artists "or is ne,er "arranted.

C. on!e a "or o* art is !reated its destr!tion is a'most a !rime a(ainst hmanity.

@. (reat artists "i'' a'"ays attempt to eep their "ors *rom bein( seen and mst be pre,ented *rom

doin( so.The !orre!t ans"er is A. This 3estion ass yo to inte(rate di**erent !omponents o* the text to in!rease

!omprehension spe!i*i!a''y the "ay the athor has *ramed his or her se o* the examp'e o* Max &rod

re*sin( to destroy the mans!ripts o* )ran; a*a. To ans"er the 3estion yo mst determine the*n!tion or prpose o* this examp'e determinin( "hi!h point or ar(ment the e,iden!e o* Max &rod

re*sin( to destroy the mans!ripts is sed to spport.

The athor pro,ides as e,iden!e the !rators point that the artist may not be the 'timate Vd(e o* his or

her "or. Then the athor s((ests that &rod i(nored a*as re3est that &rod destroy a*as "or

Zto the "or'ds bene*it.[ $o both points 'ead to the !on!'sion that the !rator means to s((est that

sometimes aestheti! ,a'e and the Z(ood[ o* the Z"or'd[ may tae pre!eden!e o,er an artists desire orexpressed "ish. The ans"er is A be!ase o* the "ay the passa(e athor has *ramed his or her se o* this

examp'e.

'%!(N)NG $%/(N+ T,% T%&T %&MP*%> The *ina' Criti!a' Ana'ysis and easonin( $i''s si'' iseasonin( &eyond the Text. This si'' in!'des the *o''o"in( t"o si''s% 18 app'yin( or extrapo'atin(

ideas *rom the passa(e to ne" !ontexts and 28 assessin( the impa!t o* introd!in( ne" *a!torsin*ormation or !onditions to ideas *rom the passa(e.

+ets 'oo at a 3estion asin( yo to app'y or extrapo'ate in*ormation or ideas presented in the passa(e

to ne" or no,e' sitations.

$omeone "ho a(reed "ith Misra!hs de*ense o* his !hoi!e to sho" the !o'or s'ides "o'd be most

'ie'y to a'so appro,e o*%

A. exhibitin( "ors that an artist had donated to a msem *or s!ho'ar'y prposes on'y.

&. examinin( the rest o* Wino(rands nprinted photo(raphs and se'e!tin( some *or disp'ay.C. re3irin( that artists !'ear'y state their intentions *or disp'ay and pb'i!ation "hen donatin( "orsto a msem.

@. or(ani;in( an exhibition that in!'ded a'' o* Wino(rands "or "hether pre,ios'y sho"n and

pb'ished or not.


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The !orre!t ans"er is &. This 3estion i''strates the *irst easonin( &eyond the Text si'' be!ase it

ass yo to be(in "ith an ar(ment presented in the passa(e`Misra!hs de*ense o* his !hoi!e to sho"

the !o'or s'ides`and then app'y that nderstandin( to a ne" sitation to see i* the ne" sitation isana'o(os to the idea presented in the passa(e. To ans"er the 3estion yo mst identi*y the option that

mat!hes Misra!hs de*ense o* his !hoi!e to sho" the !o'or s'ides.

#n the *ina' para(raph o* the passa(e Misra!h exp'ains his 'o(i! in de*ense o* his !hoi!e to sho" the

!o'or s'ides in!'din( the s((estion that the ar!hi,e !ontains some Zhidden treasres[ and imp'yin(

that the !rator not ne!essari'y the artist mi(ht se'e!t these. There*ore option & most !'ose'y a'i(ns"ith the prin!ip'e behind Misra!hs de*ense.

'%!(N)NG $%/(N+ T,% T%&T %&MP*%> The se!ond si'' in easonin( &eyond the Text in,o',es

!onsiderin( ne" in*ormation presented inte(ratin( this ne" in*ormation into the passa(e !ontent andthen assessin( ho" ideas in the passa(e mi(ht be a**e!ted by this ne" in*ormation.

ere is a 3estion asin( yo to demonstrate the se!ond si'' in easonin( &eyond the Text.

#* it "ere estab'ished "ith !ertainty that Wino(rand did as the athor s((ests stop shootin( in !o'or

be!ase o* the Zdi**i!'ty and expense o* main( !o'or prints and their instabi'ity[ 6para(raph 28 this

in*ormation "o'd best spport "hi!h o* the *o''o"in( ar(ments?

A. Wino(rand "o'd ha,e 'ied to ha,e his !o'or s'ides printed on!e the te!hno'o(y made this

*easib'e.

&. Wino(rand *e't that "orin( in !o'or "as sty'isti!a''y in*erior to b'a! and "hite.C. The !o'or s'ides sho'd be ,ie"ed as *inished prod!ts and not printed.

@. Wino(rand "o'd ha,e retrned to photo(raphin( in !o'or on!e the te!hno'o(y impro,ed.

The !orre!t ans"er is @. This 3estion ass yo to assess ne" in*ormation`"hat it "o'd mean i* it"as estab'ished "ith ce"taint% that Wino(rand did stop shootin( in !o'or be!ase o* the di**i!'ty and

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