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MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

By: MedSchoolCoach
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Join us as we detail MCAT exam topics. Each podcast covers several MCAT sections with lessons based on review material put out by the AAMC, such as practice tests and question banks. Sam also interviews MCAT tutors and experts who share tips on how premed students can raise their score to get into medical school.MedSchoolCoach Science
Episodes
  • Atomic Chemistry

    Atomic Chemistry
    Apr 8 2026

    This lecture covers basic quantum theory, quantum numbers, hybridization, types of bonds, and nuclear decay.

    Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: MCATpodcast@medschoolcoach.com

    To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at Prospective Doctor.

    Thanks for listening!
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    50 mins
  • Kinetics and Solubility

    Kinetics and Solubility
    Jul 10 2025

    This podcast discusses chemical kinetics and solubility. It begins with an exploration of kinetics, including the general concept, collision theory, rate laws, and the Arrhenius equation. Next, it delves into solubility, covering the general concept, solubility product (Ksp), the common ion effect, selective precipitation, and Henry’s law.

    Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.

    Jump into the conversation:

    [00:00] MCAT Tutoring from MedSchoolCoach

    [00:34] Welcome to MCAT Basics

    [01:06] Topics covered in this episode

    [02:37] What is general kinetics

    [08:53] Collision Theory

    [11:08] Rate Laws

    [21:15] Arrhenius Equation

    [28:00] What is Solubility

    [32:08] Solubility Product (Ksp)

    [43:49] The Common Ion Effect

    [45:22] Selective precipitation

    [48:35] Henry’s Law
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    50 mins
  • Biosignaling

    Biosignaling
    Apr 2 2026

    In this episode, we focus on biosignaling and cover how cells communicate through systems like voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels, using real-world examples such as neuronal signaling and muscle contraction.

    We also break down the role of enzyme-linked receptors, specifically receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), and explore how these pathways are involved in cell growth and cancer. Additionally, we take a detailed look at G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their role in activating secondary messenger systems like cyclic AMP (cAMP).

    Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Intro

    (00:32) Overview of Biosignaling

    (01:05) Introduction to Biosignaling and its Importance

    (01:49) Stimulus-Response Concept: Fight or flight, glucose homeostasis, transcription regulation

    (02:34) Voltage-Gated Ion Channels: Activated by changes in membrane potential

    (03:29) Action Potential: Sodium channels and signal propagation

    (05:01) Ligand-Gated Ion Channels: Role in neuron-to-neuron signaling

    (06:01) Muscle Contraction: Acetylcholine's role in skeletal muscle contraction

    (07:29) Misconception on Calcium: Sodium initiates muscle cell depolarization, not calcium

    (08:33) Enzyme-Linked Receptors: Focus on receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs)

    (09:39) RTKs and Cancer: How RTK signaling pathways are linked to cancer

    (12:00) G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR): Structure and function of GPCRs

    (14:43) Adenylate Cyclase and cAMP: Role of GTP in activating adenylate cyclase and producing cAMP

    (18:10) Quiz Question 1: Ion specificity in potassium channels

    (22:54) Quiz Question 2: Hypertension treatment and G-protein pathways

    (25:00) Biosignaling as the foundation for cellular responses
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    26 mins
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I have been listening to the podcast for nearly a year now and I’ve loved it! Sam Smith was a great host with lots of energy and his episodes were scripted to include all the details that felt important plus some interesting asides that helped make the topics memorable.

I know Alex Stark is just starting out and he does seem very knowledgeable but so far he’s chosen topics that don’t lend itself well to being explained over a podcast. The latest topics really require diagrams and detailed images for students to really grasp the concepts and I would ask that he be more strategic about that. I understand they aim to get out the high yield topics but with a podcast I think they should be more mindful to first do the ones that can be more easily explained without visuals. The latest episodes do also seem a bit less organized as Alex sometimes goes back to something that was already discussed because he left out an important detail. Also as a side note, the audio has an echo-ey quality in the latest episodes that I’m wondering if they can fix.

Miss having Sam Smith as the Host!!

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