Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) Exam by AAMC
New Version with All Questions and 100% Correct
Answers and Rationale
A researcher is interested in how anxiety disorders affect escape learning. Which procedure is most
appropriate for assessing the dependent variable in this study?
A. Having the participants fill out a validated questionnaire that screens for anxiety disorders
B. Having a trained practitioner assess the participants for anxiety disorders
C. Monitoring how many trials it takes for participants to avoid a response that results in an electric
shock when the electric shock is signaled with a tone
D. Monitoring how many trials it takes for participants to be conditioned to perform a response that
results in the termination of an electric shock
D.
This is a Psychology question that falls under the content category "Attitude and behavior change." The
answer to this question is D. The purpose of the study was to determine how anxiety disorders affect
escape learning, and this option is the only one that refers to an empirical observation of escape
behavior. It is a Reasoning about the Design and Execution of Research question because it requires you
to demonstrate your ability to recognize an operational definition of a type of behavior.
Which observation is LEAST likely to be made in an examination of the brains of the genetically
modified mice?
A. Increased synaptic connections between neurons
B. Malfunction of transporting nutrients along axons
C. Extracellular aggregation of neurofibrillary tangles
D. Increased expression of apoptotic markers
A.
This is a Biology question that falls under the content category "Individual influences on behavior." The
answer to this question is A because the presence of Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles will not
allow for increased connection between neurons in the brains of the genetically modified mice. The
other responses represent declines in cellular function and survival that are more likely to be associated
with AD. It is a Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving question because it requires you to identify the
least likely scientific prediction.
,How would a structural functionalist interpret the efficacy of yoga as part of a smoking cessation
therapy?
A. Yoga provides an alternate understanding of healthful practices that enables the individual to
better understand his or her personal needs and motives.
B. Yoga provides an inexpensive therapy option for those lacking the financial resources necessary for
more expensive medical interventions.
C. The utility of yoga as an effective smoking cessation therapy stems from the transformation of the
individual's self-concept as a nonsmoker.
D. The utility of yoga as an effective smoking cessation therapy is an unintended, though beneficial,
outcome of a yoga practice.
D.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Understanding social structure." The
answer to this question is D because it describes a latent, or unintended, function. Becuase the expected
function of yoga is not specifically smoking cessation, its utility as a cessation therapy is a latent function
of the social activity. The sociological paradigm of functionalism makes a distinction between manifest,
or intended, and latent, or unintended, functions of social activities. From the functionalist perspective,
almost all social actions have both manifest functions and latent functions, both of which are connected
to overall social stability. The other response options with the question are better linked to the conflict
or symbolic interactionist perspectives in sociology. It is a Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving
question because it involves reasoning with major theoretical perspectives in sociology.
Which statement reflects the medicalization of smoking and smoking cessation?
A. Smoking is a personal behavior that can be adjusted through individual behavior modification.
B. Smoking is an unhealthy behavior that is structurally managed via legislation to reduce overall
smoking rates.
C. Smoking is an addictive behavior that can be treated via the use of pharmaceutical intervention.
D. Smoking is a public health issue that is socially desirable to mitigate through smoking cessation
programs.
C.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Understanding social structure." The
answer to this question is C because it suggests the expansion of medical authority to smoking cessation
and identifies a specific medical therapy. Medicalization refers to the taken-for-granted process in which
a problem comes to be defined and treated by the social institution of medicine. A behavior undergoes
medicalization when both the definition of the problem and the therapy intended to improve it are
couched in medical terms. The other options do not suggest the expansion of medical authority or do
not describe both problem and solution in medical terms. It is a Scientific Reasoning and Problem
Solving question because it involves applying a sociological concept to a topic of study from the passage.
A researcher conducts observational research on the study habits of college students. When students
are aware of the researcher's presence, they are more attentive, focused, and structured. When
students are not aware of the researcher's presence, they are inattentive, unfocused, and distracted.
Which concept best describes this phenomenon?
A. Impression management
B. The Hawthorne effect
, C. Self-fulfilling prophecy
D. The Thomas theorem
B.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Social interactions." The answer to
this question is B. The Hawthorne effect describes changes in research participants as a result of their
awareness that they are being observed. The changes to the students' study habits are best explained by
the Hawthorne effect, which was first observed among workers. The incorrect options refer to related
but distinct concepts. A self-fulfilling prophecy is an individual's internalization of a label that leads to a
fulfillment of that label. Impression management refers to individuals actively managing how they are
perceived by others. The Thomas theorem states that if an individual believes something to be real, then
it is real in its consequences. This question involves Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving because it
requires selecting the concept that best explains the research scenario in the question.
Based on the data from Table 1, what effects do acid and chloride have on the enzymatic activity of
laccases?
A. Both acid and chloride decrease the activity.
B. Both acid and chloride increase the activity.
C. Acid decreases the activity, whereas chloride increases the activity.
D. Acid increases the activity, whereas chloride decreases the activity.
D.
This is a Biochemistry question that falls under the content category "Principles of chemical
thermodynamics and kinetics." The answer to this question is D. Activity increased at lower pH, which
corresponds to a higher acidity of the solution, while introduction of chloride lowered activity
dramatically. It is a Data-based and Statistical Reasoning question because you must use data to explain
the relationship between activity and either acidity or chloride ion concentration.
The concentration of enzyme for each experiment was 5.0 μM. What is kcat for the reaction at pH 4.5
with NO chloride added when Compound 3 is the substrate?
A. 2.5 × 10^–2 s–1
B. 1.3 × 10^2 s–1
C. 5.3 × 10^3 s–1
D. 7.0 × 10^5 s–1
A.
This is a Biochemistry question that falls under the content category “Principles of chemical
thermodynamics and kinetics.” The answer to this question is A. The fact that the rate of product
formation did not vary over time for the first 5 minutes implies that the enzyme was saturated with
substrate. Under these conditions, kcat = Vmax/[E] = (125 nM/s)/5.0 μM = 2.5 × 10–2 s–1. It is a
Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving question because you must determine and then use a scientific
formula to solve a problem.
New Version with All Questions and 100% Correct
Answers and Rationale
A researcher is interested in how anxiety disorders affect escape learning. Which procedure is most
appropriate for assessing the dependent variable in this study?
A. Having the participants fill out a validated questionnaire that screens for anxiety disorders
B. Having a trained practitioner assess the participants for anxiety disorders
C. Monitoring how many trials it takes for participants to avoid a response that results in an electric
shock when the electric shock is signaled with a tone
D. Monitoring how many trials it takes for participants to be conditioned to perform a response that
results in the termination of an electric shock
D.
This is a Psychology question that falls under the content category "Attitude and behavior change." The
answer to this question is D. The purpose of the study was to determine how anxiety disorders affect
escape learning, and this option is the only one that refers to an empirical observation of escape
behavior. It is a Reasoning about the Design and Execution of Research question because it requires you
to demonstrate your ability to recognize an operational definition of a type of behavior.
Which observation is LEAST likely to be made in an examination of the brains of the genetically
modified mice?
A. Increased synaptic connections between neurons
B. Malfunction of transporting nutrients along axons
C. Extracellular aggregation of neurofibrillary tangles
D. Increased expression of apoptotic markers
A.
This is a Biology question that falls under the content category "Individual influences on behavior." The
answer to this question is A because the presence of Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles will not
allow for increased connection between neurons in the brains of the genetically modified mice. The
other responses represent declines in cellular function and survival that are more likely to be associated
with AD. It is a Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving question because it requires you to identify the
least likely scientific prediction.
,How would a structural functionalist interpret the efficacy of yoga as part of a smoking cessation
therapy?
A. Yoga provides an alternate understanding of healthful practices that enables the individual to
better understand his or her personal needs and motives.
B. Yoga provides an inexpensive therapy option for those lacking the financial resources necessary for
more expensive medical interventions.
C. The utility of yoga as an effective smoking cessation therapy stems from the transformation of the
individual's self-concept as a nonsmoker.
D. The utility of yoga as an effective smoking cessation therapy is an unintended, though beneficial,
outcome of a yoga practice.
D.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Understanding social structure." The
answer to this question is D because it describes a latent, or unintended, function. Becuase the expected
function of yoga is not specifically smoking cessation, its utility as a cessation therapy is a latent function
of the social activity. The sociological paradigm of functionalism makes a distinction between manifest,
or intended, and latent, or unintended, functions of social activities. From the functionalist perspective,
almost all social actions have both manifest functions and latent functions, both of which are connected
to overall social stability. The other response options with the question are better linked to the conflict
or symbolic interactionist perspectives in sociology. It is a Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving
question because it involves reasoning with major theoretical perspectives in sociology.
Which statement reflects the medicalization of smoking and smoking cessation?
A. Smoking is a personal behavior that can be adjusted through individual behavior modification.
B. Smoking is an unhealthy behavior that is structurally managed via legislation to reduce overall
smoking rates.
C. Smoking is an addictive behavior that can be treated via the use of pharmaceutical intervention.
D. Smoking is a public health issue that is socially desirable to mitigate through smoking cessation
programs.
C.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Understanding social structure." The
answer to this question is C because it suggests the expansion of medical authority to smoking cessation
and identifies a specific medical therapy. Medicalization refers to the taken-for-granted process in which
a problem comes to be defined and treated by the social institution of medicine. A behavior undergoes
medicalization when both the definition of the problem and the therapy intended to improve it are
couched in medical terms. The other options do not suggest the expansion of medical authority or do
not describe both problem and solution in medical terms. It is a Scientific Reasoning and Problem
Solving question because it involves applying a sociological concept to a topic of study from the passage.
A researcher conducts observational research on the study habits of college students. When students
are aware of the researcher's presence, they are more attentive, focused, and structured. When
students are not aware of the researcher's presence, they are inattentive, unfocused, and distracted.
Which concept best describes this phenomenon?
A. Impression management
B. The Hawthorne effect
, C. Self-fulfilling prophecy
D. The Thomas theorem
B.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Social interactions." The answer to
this question is B. The Hawthorne effect describes changes in research participants as a result of their
awareness that they are being observed. The changes to the students' study habits are best explained by
the Hawthorne effect, which was first observed among workers. The incorrect options refer to related
but distinct concepts. A self-fulfilling prophecy is an individual's internalization of a label that leads to a
fulfillment of that label. Impression management refers to individuals actively managing how they are
perceived by others. The Thomas theorem states that if an individual believes something to be real, then
it is real in its consequences. This question involves Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving because it
requires selecting the concept that best explains the research scenario in the question.
Based on the data from Table 1, what effects do acid and chloride have on the enzymatic activity of
laccases?
A. Both acid and chloride decrease the activity.
B. Both acid and chloride increase the activity.
C. Acid decreases the activity, whereas chloride increases the activity.
D. Acid increases the activity, whereas chloride decreases the activity.
D.
This is a Biochemistry question that falls under the content category "Principles of chemical
thermodynamics and kinetics." The answer to this question is D. Activity increased at lower pH, which
corresponds to a higher acidity of the solution, while introduction of chloride lowered activity
dramatically. It is a Data-based and Statistical Reasoning question because you must use data to explain
the relationship between activity and either acidity or chloride ion concentration.
The concentration of enzyme for each experiment was 5.0 μM. What is kcat for the reaction at pH 4.5
with NO chloride added when Compound 3 is the substrate?
A. 2.5 × 10^–2 s–1
B. 1.3 × 10^2 s–1
C. 5.3 × 10^3 s–1
D. 7.0 × 10^5 s–1
A.
This is a Biochemistry question that falls under the content category “Principles of chemical
thermodynamics and kinetics.” The answer to this question is A. The fact that the rate of product
formation did not vary over time for the first 5 minutes implies that the enzyme was saturated with
substrate. Under these conditions, kcat = Vmax/[E] = (125 nM/s)/5.0 μM = 2.5 × 10–2 s–1. It is a
Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving question because you must determine and then use a scientific
formula to solve a problem.
