What do you need to know about the MCAT psychology and sociology section? This blog is the ultimate guide to understanding what is assessed within this section of the MCAT and how to successfully prepare for it by organizing your MCAT study schedule to meet your needs. We also take a look at several psychology and sociology sample questions and provide an expert breakdown of the answers.
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Sample MCAT Psychology and Sociology Questions and Answers
Let’s start with some MCAT psychology practice passages and questions. Below you will find several Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior sample questions to test your skills for this section of the MCAT:
Passage
The illness experience shapes the way that people use health information. For patients with a rare health disorder, which is defined as a medical condition that affects fewer than 200,000 individuals living in the United States, online sources of information tend to be particularly important.
An example of a rare disorder is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.” ALS results from the progressive loss of motor nerves and affects about 1 out of 100,000 people. About 10% of people with ALS have a familial form of the condition, which is caused by an inherited genetic mutation. Aside from the familial form, the cause of ALS is largely unknown, though it is believed that the disorder results from both genetic and environmental factors.
Having a rare medical condition, such as ALS, can make it difficult to meet and interact with others who have the same rare disorder. Despite great distances, online communication provides a form of social interaction for those facing an uncommon health problem. Virtual peer networks provide vital social support for those who are affected by a rare disorder.
Research has found that women with rare disorders are more likely to access online support networks than men with rare disorders. Relationships formed through online support networks often become a meaningful part of a person’s identity. Individuals with rare disorders report that relating to others who have the same condition is often easier than trying to relate to friends or family members who do not share their condition.
Sample Questions:
1. Which statement best represents a threat to social identity? A young woman with a rare disorder:
A) believes that others treat her as less capable, and then she starts to see herself as deficient.
B) becomes discouraged when she hears that others with rare disorders are treated as less capable.
C) hides her disorder from others in order to project more confidence in social situations.
D) reveals her disorder to friends, who mistakenly assume that it is a social limitation.
2. Over the course of ten years, a rare disorder increases in prevalence such that it eventually affects more than 200,000 people in the United States. Based on the passage and this scenario, which prediction is most consistent with the sociological paradigm of symbolic interactionism?
A) As the number of affected individuals increases, government research funding increases.
B) Affected individuals are less likely to conceal their condition as it becomes less stigmatized.
C) As more people with the condition are treated, it receives less attention as a health concern.
D) Insurance coverage for the condition becomes more likely as more people require treatment.
3. Which research project best represents a macrosociological approach to studying the social support networks mentioned in the passage?
A) A researcher follows the conversation of participants who post messages in an online support forum.
B) A researcher interviews patients who participate in a local hospital’s support group for rare disorders.
C) A researcher surveys patients for reasons that they joined an online support group for their disorder.
D) A researcher tracks how the number of websites dedicated to rare disorders has changed over time.
4. The concept of cultural capital predicts that
A) cultural distinctions associated with the young will be more valued within a society.
B) with improved communication, there will eventually be a convergence of cultural practices of all classes.
C) cultural distinctions by class will become less important during a recession because people will have less money to spend.
D) cultural distinctions associated with elite classes will be more valued within a society.
5. Researchers conducted an experiment to test social loafing. They asked participants to prepare an annual report or a tax return. Some participants performed the task individually and others performed it as a group. What are the independent and dependent variables?
A) The independent variable is the overall productivity of the group, and the dependent variable is each participant’s contribution to the task.
B) The independent variable is the type of task, and the dependent variable is whether the participants worked alone or in a group.
C) The independent variable is whether the participant worked alone or in a group, and the dependent variable is each participant’s contribution to the task.
D) The independent variable is whether the participant worked alone or in a group, and the dependent variable is the type of the task.
6. Which correlation supports the bystander effect?
A) The number of bystanders is positively correlated with the time it takes for someone to offer help in the case of an emergency.
B) The number of bystanders is negatively correlated with the time it takes for someone to offer help in the case of an emergency.
C) The number of bystanders is positively correlated with whether people judge a situation to be an emergency.
D) The number of bystanders is negatively correlated with whether people judge a situation to be an emergency.
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Answers to Sample Questions
1. Which statement best represents a threat to social identity? A young woman with a rare disorder:
A) believes that others treat her as less capable, and then she starts to see herself as deficient.
B) becomes discouraged when she hears that others with rare disorders are treated as less capable.
C) hides her disorder from others in order to project more confidence in social situations.
D) reveals her disorder to friends, who mistakenly assume that it is a social limitation.
2. Over the course of ten years, a rare disorder increases in prevalence such that it eventually affects more than 200,000 people in the United States. Based on the passage and this scenario, which prediction is most consistent with the sociological paradigm of symbolic interactionism?
A) As the number of affected individuals increases, government research funding increases.
B) Affected individuals are less likely to conceal their condition as it becomes less stigmatized.
C) As more people with the condition are treated, it receives less attention as a health concern.
D) Insurance coverage for the condition becomes more likely as more people require treatment.
3. Which research project best represents a macrosociological approach to studying the social support networks mentioned in the passage?
A) A researcher follows the conversation of participants who post messages in an online support forum.
B) A researcher interviews patients who participate in a local hospital’s support group for rare disorders.
C) A researcher surveys patients for reasons that they joined an online support group for their disorder.
D) A researcher tracks how the number of websites dedicated to rare disorders has changed over time.
4. The concept of cultural capital predicts that
A) cultural distinctions associated with the young will be more valued within a society.
B) with improved communication, there will eventually be a convergence of cultural practices of all classes.
C) cultural distinctions by class will become less important during a recession because people will have less money to spend.
D) cultural distinctions associated with elite classes will be more valued within a society.
5. Researchers conducted an experiment to test social loafing. They asked participants to prepare an annual report or a tax return. Some participants performed the task individually and others performed it as a group. What are the independent and dependent variables?
A) The independent variable is the overall productivity of the group, and the dependent variable is each participant’s contribution to the task.
B) The independent variable is the type of task, and the dependent variable is whether the participants worked alone or in a group.
C) The independent variable is whether the participant worked alone or in a group, and the dependent variable is each participant’s contribution to the task.
D) The independent variable is whether the participant worked alone or in a group, and the dependent variable is the type of the task.
6. Which correlation supports the bystander effect?
A) The number of bystanders is positively correlated with the time it takes for someone to offer help in the case of an emergency.
B) The number of bystanders is negatively correlated with the time it takes for someone to offer help in the case of an emergency.
C) The number of bystanders is positively correlated with whether people judge a situation to be an emergency.
D) The number of bystanders is negatively correlated with whether people judge a situation to be an emergency.
Want to know more about the MCAT Psychology and Sociology Section? Check out this infographic:
If you are studying for the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT, chances are you will want to practice for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, or CARS, section as well. Check out our MCAT CARS practice passage with sample questions and expert answers.
What is Tested on the MCAT Psychology and Sociology Section?
The Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section of the MCAT, called the psychology and sociology section or Psych/Soc for short, is one of the four key components of the MCAT test. This section contains approximately 65% introductory psychology questions, 30% introductory sociology questions, and 5% introductory biology questions, combined with scientific inquiry and reasoning skills. These questions incorporate concepts taught at many universities in introductory psychology and sociology courses, as well as in introductory biology. Remember that the more extensive biology related testing happens in the MCAT biology section.
The MCAT psychology and sociology section covers the following foundational concepts:
For a detailed list of the subtopics included within each foundational concept of the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section of the MCAT, check out the AAMC’s guide, what is on the MCAT exam? Here is an overview of the main subtopics included in this section of the MCAT:
To excel on the MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section, you will definitely need a solid knowledge base in each of the above content areas. However, this MCAT section is about much more than just memorization. Knowing how to use psychology and sociology information to solve complex problems is the key to a great MCAT score in this section. According to the AAMC, the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT asks you to problem-solve by combining your knowledge of foundational concepts with your scientific inquiry and reasoning skills.
In addition to testing your content knowledge, the MCAT will also test your ability to pull relevant information from each passage you read, demonstrate a deep understanding of the mechanisms behind the facts you have learned, and contextualize an understanding of the psychosocial complexities of your future patients. Your MCAT reading comprehension will be an essential skill to develop. You will have to read graphs, charts, reports, and statistics to extract information and apply the concepts you know to get to the answer. You will be tested on your understanding of the relationships between social stratification and access to care, and how psychological, social, and biological factors influence patient behavior and perceptions. The MCAT psychology and sociology section emphasizes concepts that physicians must know to serve an increasingly diverse patient population.
How to Prepare for the MCAT Psychology and Sociology Section
Don’t know where to begin with your MCAT psychology preparations? Complete the following steps:
Step 1: Take a Diagnostic Test
Take an MCAT diagnostic test. Before you can find out how to study for the MCAT, you will need to understand your baseline. To do this, you need to take a full-length MCAT diagnostic test. Don’t worry about trying to ace your diagnostic exam, the goal is just to understand exactly where you stand as you embark on your MCAT preparations. For your diagnostic, it's recommended to use a full-length exam from the AAMC website. Complete this practice exam in one sitting and, ideally, in an environment that mimics test-day conditions. Using a diagnostic MCAT will help to ensure that the study schedule you create will effectively address your strengths and areas in need of improvement. Use your diagnostic test results to guide your MCAT preparations by determining which areas you will need to focus on the most. In addition, this will help you answer the common question, "when should I take the MCAT?".
Step 2: Create A Study Schedule
Create and follow your MCAT study schedule: To get started, create an outline that breaks down each foundational concept that you will need to study. Rather than just putting “study psychology” on your to-do list, first break each content area down into manageable subjects. Use the AAMC’s list of subtopics as a guide and to ensure that there are no gaps in your preparation. For example, for the foundational concept of how cultural and social differences influence well-being, start by focusing one study session on a specific content category, such as the link between social structures and human interactions or the demographic characteristics that define a society. Investigate how a patient’s social and demographic background influences their perception of health and disease, as well as the efficacy of their health care team and therapeutic interventions. Make sure you gather the best possible resources to help you study, such as textbooks, guides, flashcards etc. While the AAMC has a good number of official materials, depending on your needs, you can buy additional MCAT prep resource bundles, sign up for MCAT classes and/or hire an MCAT tutor to help you with this stage of your prep.
Step 3: Use Active Study Strategies
Use active study strategy to retain information: After covering each topic by reading your textbook or by reviewing course work, do a check-in and ensure that you feel comfortable explaining the information out loud to yourself without relying on any study materials. This will be one of the top active-study strategies at your disposal. Continue this for each of the main foundational concepts.
In addition, another great way to study is to make quizzes for yourself to test your content knowledge. Try to see if you can teach a friend the topic and practice with flashcards that you make yourself. While it is easier to purchase flashcards, making them yourself is a useful study strategy that helps to facilitate active learning.
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Step 4: Take Regular Practice Tests
Check your progress: After focusing the first half of your MCAT preparations on content review, check your progress by taking your next full-length MCAT practice test. Put your MCAT score into perspective and look up MCAT test and release dates that align with where you stand in your MCAT preparations.
Step 5: Keep Practicing
Practice, practice, practice: Next, switch gears to the practice phase of your MCAT preparation: in the final months of your preparation, at least 70% of your study time should be spent completing MCAT practice questions. Remember to take timed practice tests, too, so you can begin improving your MCAT timing.
Step 6: Strengthen Time Management and Test Stamina
Focus on building stamina for test day: One struggle with the MCAT psychology section is that it is the last section you will face on test day. The total seated time for the MCAT is just over seven and a half hours for students that use the optional breaks between sections. By the time you get to the fourth section of the MCAT, you will likely be drained, but your success depends on your ability to stay focused. In preparing for the MCAT, you will need to build up your endurance to remain focused for over seven hours of testing. How can you accomplish this? Deliberately, and gradually build your endurance over the course of your months of MCAT preparation by using your study time to build up stamina. As you study, start to get comfortable sitting and studying for 95 minutes straight. Over time, work up to studying for four 95-minute periods in a row with short breaks in between just like on test day.
While here we have focused on the prep you have to do for the MCAT psychology and sociology section, remember that you’ll be studying for all the four sections. Your preparations for one section will certainly help you in another section. For example, figuring out your MCAT CARS strategy can help you hone your reasoning and critical analysis skills, which are required for all the MCAT sections.
Take a look at our tips for mastering the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT:
Tips for Acing the MCAT Psychology and Sociology Section
Tip #1: Understand the skills being tested
When answering MCAT prep questions, it can be helpful to first identify the question type, or skills being tested. The AAMC has defined four skills that are tested in each of the four MCAT sections:
- Knowledge of scientific concepts and principles, or “Do you remember specific science content?”
- Scientific reasoning and problem-solving, or “Can you apply multiple content areas to new situations?”
- Reasoning about the design and execution of research, or “Can you explain experimental methods, results, and conclusions?”
- Data-based and statistical reasoning, or “Can you read, interpret, extrapolate, and draw conclusions from graphs, tables and figures?”
Different questions may test one or more of the above skills. Knowing which one can help you strategize how to answer the question. For example, if you can identify that a question is testing your knowledge of scientific concepts, you can focus on recalling information about that particular topic to help you answer the question. On the other hand, if you understand that a question is testing your problem-solving, you’ll know not to waste time on knowledge recall. Instead, you can focus on analysis by applying the information you already have to find the answer.
Tip #2: Know your definitions
Many questions within the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT will require an understanding of terminology commonly used in these fields. For example, you may come across a question about cognitive dissonance or hindsight bias. If you do not know the definitions of these words, you will not be able to answer the question correctly.
After you study the relevant content for the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT, begin completing practice passages. As you practice, if you encounter an unknown term, add it to your “mistake log” or write the definition down on a flashcard. If you keep encountering the same term, and straight memorization is not working, try including an example or a diagram on your flashcard as well. Make sure the example makes sense to you, otherwise this strategy will be ineffective.
While you are aiming to get as much exposure to psychology and sociology topics as possible, it is impossible to study every term that you may need on test day. What should you do if you see a term on the MCAT for which you do not know the definition? If you find yourself in this situation, use context clues within the passage or question to try to determine the term’s meaning. This is another test-taking skill that is important to practice during your MCAT prep.
Tip #3: Prepare for psychology and sociology data and experiments
The AAMC typically tests students on psychology and sociology experiments. This means that you cannot just practice vocabulary, you must be able to apply your knowledge to experiment-style questions. You’ll need to learn how to read MCAT graphs effectively and quickly. As you complete practice passages, get into the habit of determining the independent and dependent variable for the experiment, as well as necessary controls.
When completing the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT, you should not spend too much time on a graph or figure, unless a question specifically asks about it. However, as you practice, you will want to sharpen your analytical skills in the event that you need them. What is the best way to ensure you get enough practice with these skills? Once you finish a practice passage, take some time to go back to any graphs or figures and review them to fully understand the information presented.
Conclusion
As an aspiring medical school student, it is important to appreciate that the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section of the MCAT reflects a changing medical field that is adapting to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population. The psychology and sociology section of the MCAT affords you the unique opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the human and social aspects of medicine that will affect the wellbeing of your future patients. The MCAT is first and foremost a test of your critical thinking and reasoning skills. Dedicate adequate time to preparing for this section of the MCAT and you will be able to demonstrate to admissions committees that you are a well-rounded candidate who can successfully apply your critical reasoning skills to any topic that comes your way!
FAQs
1. Why does the MCAT include the psychology and sociology section?
This fourth section of the MCAT was added to the exam in 2015. The MCAT is a comprehensive exam that evaluates diverse knowledge and skills. To be a successful physician, it is not sufficient to be knowledgeable only in the natural and physical sciences. Physicians need to know how to communicate with, and to serve, an increasingly diverse population. According to the AAMC, some of medicine’s most promising frontiers explore the realms of human behavior and social science in improving healthcare. In addition, basic and applied behavioral and social sciences provide foundational knowledge and advanced clinical applications essential for the skillful practice of medicine. The psychology and sociology section helps give admissions committees input about an applicant’s ability to consider their patients holistically and whether they understand how behavior impacts health.
2. What if I encounter a very difficult passage within the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT?
Firstly, should you encounter a difficult passage on the test, try not to panic! Start by reading the passage to obtain a general understanding. Go through the passage one paragraph at a time, pausing after each paragraph to ask yourself what that paragraph was about. At the end of the passage, try to link each paragraph together into an overall understanding of the whole passage. Ask yourself, what is the main point, or central thesis, of the passage? Remember, wrong answers do not count against you; thus, for difficult passages and challenging questions, it is important to put your best foot forward and to answer every question, even if you need to make an educated guess.
3. What is a good score on the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT? How will I know I am ready to take the MCAT?
Asking this question means you are focusing on an ineffective MCAT study strategy. Focusing on a “good” score that will just get you into medical school is not advised. Instead, aim for the best score that you can achieve on each MCAT section to maximize your medical school options. Preparing for the MCAT is no small task and it can take months to adequately prepare. How can you gauge if you are ready to take the MCAT? Take a look at your diagnostic MCAT score and the scores you have been earning more recently on your full-length practice exams. Are you still improving, or have your scores plateaued? Continue to study as long as your MCAT scores continue to improve. If your MCAT score stabilizes, it is a good idea to take the exam, as long as your score range is acceptable to you. When you consistently score within your desired score range at least 3 times in a row, you can feel confident that you are ready to take the MCAT!
4. What was the mean score for the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT last cycle?
Last cycle’s matriculating medical school students earned a mean score of 128.5 on the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section of the MCAT, which translates to a percentile rank in the 83rd percentile. Therefore, on average, matriculating students earned a score on this section that was the same or better than 83% of all students. For a look at mean scores and percentile ranks for the other MCAT sections, take a look at our blog How Hard is the MCAT? After you take the MCAT, determine the median MCAT scores for previous admissions cycles at your medical schools of interest; look at individual section scores as well as the median total score. As you build your school list, included several programs where your MCAT scores give you a reasonable chance of acceptance.
5. How can I minimize my stress on test day?
To minimize stress on the day of your MCAT, you must start well before the morning of your MCAT exam. In the week leading up to your MCAT, you should not take any more full-length practice exams. These exams are long and require a lot of focus, and you need to start saving your energy for the big day. You have dedicated a lot of hard work to studying up to this point, and now it is time to relax. Resist the temptation to spend the day before the exam frantically trying to review all of your notes or cramming last-minute information into your head: this is not an effective strategy to improve your score! Make sure you prepare everything for test day the night before, so you are not scrambling as you run out the door in the morning. On test day, be sure to take the optional breaks to give yourself some time to decompress in between MCAT sections.
6. I am only having trouble with the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT and I am doing well on the rest of the sections. Does that matter?
Medical schools interpret your MCAT scores at their discretion. Some may put an emphasis on one section over the others, for example, CARS. However, generally, a balanced score is better than an imbalanced score. Therefore, it is important to aim to do equally well in every section. Why? Consistency across every section shows your ability to critically think and reason in many different content areas, and with different types of information, which is a valuable consideration for medical schools. You want to demonstrate that you can apply these skills to psychology and sociology content, not just to the natural and physical sciences. It is also important to remember that each section makes up ¼ of your overall MCAT score!
7. How can I strengthen my skills in reading, and interpreting graphs and figures within passages?
Getting involved in a research lab is a great way to strengthen your skills in reading and interpreting graphs for experiment-based passages. If you're going to be applying for research positions, have a look at our research assistant cover letter blog to help you maximize your chances of securing a position. Another option is to start a journal club with your friends that are also studying for the MCAT. Read a scientific article from a peer-reviewed journal each week, then meet to discuss your thoughts. Practice explaining graphs and figures out loud to the journal club, then ask club members if they understood your explanation.
8. Is there specific coursework that I should take to prepare for the psychology and sociology section of the MCAT?
All of the content on the MCAT is covered in introductory courses at most universities including first-semester psychology and sociology. It is important to take these introductory courses to help build your knowledge base and confidence in these areas before taking the MCAT. As a non-traditional medical school applicant, your coursework may not have included these typical medical school prerequisites. If you are in this boat, plan ahead and leave yourself enough time to complete a thorough study plan for the MCAT. You can study psychology and sociology content on your own, but you may also benefit from taking additional university courses or pursuing a postbaccalaureate program designed to get you up to speed with the knowledge base you will need for the MCAT. Also, be sure to take a look at the required prerequisite courses for each of the medical schools to which you're applying. Some schools will require that you have taken psychology and sociology before matriculating.
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