========== SYLLABUS ==========

The Yoho MCAT-Verbal Preparation Course

James Yoho, J.D., Ph.D. 6 Redcoat Lane Mountaintop, PA 18707 yohoprep@aol.com
1996-2010 James Yoho. All rights reserved.

Introduction
The MCAT is a test of general reasoning ability. Luckily, the types of reasoning tasks on the MCAT are limited in number and so the test is highly predictable. In essence, the questions with which a test-taker will be greeted on test day simply are modified versions of the same MCAT questions that are available on practice tests. Proper preparation, then, has the following principal components: You must come to understand why the right answers are right and the wrong answers are wrongincluding a knowledge of basic college physics, general and organic chemistry, and biology. You must apply a sensible procedural approach. You must practice until your scores peak.

A good preparation course supplies information about the first two of these. A good testtaker handles the third.

About the Instructors

Dr. Jeffrey Fremont has taught preparation courses for standardized tests of general reasoning ability at several universities, all to excellent reviews. He started his career as a professor of psychology but then taught part-time for several years as he embarked upon a long and successful career as a clinical and forensic psychologist. He holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Penn State.

2 Dr. James Yoho, who also is the courses designer, has been teaching well-regarded test preparation since 1996 at the request of such institutions as Penn State, La Salle, Lehigh, Marist, Binghamton, Rutgers, and Temple. He has coached some 10,000 students on standardized tests of general reasoning ability (like the MCAT). He also has more than 13 years of experience teaching at colleges and universities, including professional school, and has served as a university pre-professional adviser for several years. He holds a law degree from the University of Illinois and a doctorate in government from the University of Virginia. Well-published in law, political science, and test preparation, his principal research interests are in the areas of American constitutional law, interest groups, and the strategic dynamics of standardized tests.

Course Outline
First quarter * A brief introduction to the MCAT * About this course. * The three principal components of effective MCAT preparation. * Other factors in doing well on the MCAT. * MCAT administration dates. * How to register. * A short history of the MCAT. * The basic structure of the MCAT. * The order of the MCAT. * What types of scores are given on the MCAT. * The meaning of the scaled scores. * The relationship between the number correct, the scaled score, and the percentile. * The relationship between the Writing Sample score and the percentile. How to approach test questions in general * General strategies for the MCAT. * The components of an MCAT question. * The four most common procedural reasons for missing a question on the MCAT. * Suggestions for managing the text. * Suggestions for managing the question directions. * Suggestions for managing the answer options. * A summary of how to handle pacing. * How to control anxiety. * How to practice and improve. * Where to get practice tests. How to approach Verbal Reasoning questions in general

3 * * * * * * * * * * The basics of Verbal Reasoning. A reminder of the general strategy for a Multiple-choice section. Another diatribe about pacing. Section triage. The categorization of Verbal Reasoning questions. The most useful Verbal Reasoning typology (in the questions approximate order of significance). The general rules for tackling a Verbal Reasoning passage. The routine approach to a Verbal Reasoning passage. The nature and structure of arguments.

Begin review of Verbal Reasoning passages

Second quarter * The Writing Sample * The keys to a good Writing Sample score. * The explanation task. * The description task. * The determination task. * Concerning writing mechanics. Continue review of Verbal Reasoning passages * Again: The routine approach to a Verbal Reasoning passage * Timed practice. * Review of timed practice. * The medium thorough approach to a Verbal Reasoning passage. * The really quick approach to a Verbal Reasoning passage.

Third quarter * The Writing Sample * The keys to a good Writing Sample score. * The explanation task. * The description task. * The determination task. * Concerning writing mechanics. Continue review of Verbal Reasoning passages * Again: The routine approach to a Verbal Reasoning passage * Timed practice. * Review of timed practice.

Fourth quarter

4 * Continue review of Verbal Reasoning passages * Again: The routine approach to a Verbal Reasoning passage * Timed practice. * Review of timed practice. * The medium thorough approach to a Verbal Reasoning passage. * The really quick approach to a Verbal Reasoning passage. Conclusion: What should happen from now until test day.