Mcat Sociology Questions

3. Answer choice A is correct. A food desert is a place where it is difficult to find healthy and affordable food options, and this commonly occurs in low-income neighborhoods (choice A is correct). Global inequalities describe different countries with different access to resources, but the question stem is talking only about a single US city (choice B is incorrect). Intersectionality describes the interconnected nature of oppressed groups, which leads to overlapping and compounding disadvantages for individuals (choice C is incorrect). Urban decay describes portions of a city that undergo deterioration over time (choice D is incorrect).

MCAT Sociology Practice Questions

Prepare for MCAT Sociology questions with practice problems

Introduction

MCAT Sociology Practice Passage #1

MCAT Sociology Practice Passage #2

MCAT Sociology Practice Passage #3

MCAT Sociology Practice Questions (Standalone)

Introduction

Sociology makes up a large component of your MCAT psychology/sociology section score. The MCAT is a long exam, and the psych/soc section is the final section of the exam. As a result, many students are burned out and tired when they make it to this section.

In addition, many premeds haven’t yet taken a sociology class before studying for the MCAT. As a result, most students will need to both learn the content and how to apply that content to practice problems for the MCAT. A solid MCAT study schedule will help you achieve both of those goals.

On the psychology/sociology section of the exam (and the other two science sections of the exam as well), the test writers generally take a scientific article, include a few figures, and ask you questions that require you to combine information from the passage with your outside knowledge.

So, how do you improve your performance on the MCAT psych/soc section? Practice! Here, we’ll test your sociology knowledge using MCAT-style passages. Use the following three sociology passages and five standalone questions to test your knowledge. Each explanation for the passage-based questions will have suggestions for what you should review if you miss a question. Good luck!

MCAT Sociology Practice Passage #1

Traditionally, individuals with middle to high socioeconomic status (SES) have lived in suburban areas, which tend to have well-funded schooling systems and reduced crime. In recent years, however, major urban areas have seen an increase in the movement of individuals with middle to high SES move back to newly renovated city center neighborhoods. As a result, individuals with low SES who previously lived in those neighborhoods have been displaced.

In a new study, researchers aimed to track house prices in a city center area of Houston, TX over a period of twenty years. The results from the study are shown in Figure 1.

The increase in housing costs has forced low SES individuals to seek housing in more industrial areas of town. As a result, these individuals face increased exposure to polluted air and water, thereby increasing the incidence and prevalence of certain health conditions, such as asthma or cancer. In addition, many of these low SES individuals experience an exacerbation of their environment-related health conditions due to a lack of healthcare access.

Note: The information in this passage was created for the sole purpose of presenting an MCAT-style passage and should not be construed to be factually true.

1. The process described in paragraph 1 is best known as:

D) Intragenerational mobility

2. The exacerbation of health conditions due to a lack of access to healthcare is known as:

A) Absolute poverty

B) Second sickness

C) Environmental justice

D) Medical mistrust

3. Researchers conduct a new study within a US city and find that it is more difficult to find healthy and affordable food options in low SES neighborhoods versus high SES neighborhoods. Which of the following terms best characterizes this observation?

B) Global inequalities

4. Which of the following is LEAST likely to contribute to social reproduction?

A) Cultural capital

B) Social capital

Answer key for practice passage #1

1. Answer choice B is correct. Gentrification describes the process of renovating city center neighborhoods, causing middle to high SES individuals to move in while displacing low SES individuals (choice B is correct; choices A, C, and D are incorrect).

2. Answer choice B is correct. Second sickness describes the worsening of health conditions due to a socioeconomic gradient in healthcare access (choice B is correct). Absolute poverty occurs when an individual does not have enough resources to sustain basic human needs, such as food, water, and shelter (choice A is incorrect). Environmental justice calls for the equal treatment of all people and the right to live in places without environmental or health hazards (choice C is incorrect). Medical mistrust describes the lack of trust of medical providers by an individual or group (choice D is incorrect).

3. Answer choice A is correct. A food desert is a place where it is difficult to find healthy and affordable food options, and this commonly occurs in low-income neighborhoods (choice A is correct). Global inequalities describe different countries with different access to resources, but the question stem is talking only about a single US city (choice B is incorrect). Intersectionality describes the interconnected nature of oppressed groups, which leads to overlapping and compounding disadvantages for individuals (choice C is incorrect). Urban decay describes portions of a city that undergo deterioration over time (choice D is incorrect).

4. Answer choice D is correct. Cultural capital, social capital, and prestige all contribute to social reproduction, which describes the idea that social inequalities are passed between generations (choices A, B, and C are incorrect). Emigration is the least likely to produce social inequalities between generations (i.e. a low SES parent and a low SES child) as emigrants usually seek more opportunities in a new location (choice D is correct).

MCAT Psychology and Sociology

On the MCAT, you will encounter questions on the foundations of psychology, sociology, and biology. Students must use their knowledge of these principles as well as their critical thinking skills to succeed on this portion of the exam. Learning about the structure of the MCAT Psych/Soc section and applying proper study techniques can prepare you for the test and help you hit your target score.

Size

How Long Is the MCAT Psychology Section?

• Psychology – 65%
• Sociology – 30%
• Biology – 5%

Scoring

How Is the Psych/Soc Section of the MCAT Scored?

Your results on the psychology, sociology, and biology portion account for one-fourth of your total MCAT score. Typically, standardized tests calculate scores based on the number of correct or incorrect answers.

Grades on this portion of the exam, however, fall on a curved scale between 118 and 132 depending on the level of difficulty and test-taker performance on that particular day.

Topics

What Psychology & Sociology Topics Are Included?

Psychology, sociology, and biology are all broad concepts that cover a wide range of subtopics. To ensure you do well on this part of the MCAT, you’ll need to create a study plan that touches on as many of these scientific subcategories as possible.

Topics that you can expect to see on this section include:

• Cognition and Consciousness
• Identity and Personality
• Language Development
• Learning and Memory
• Motivation and Emotion
• Neurobiology
• Psychological Disorders
• Sensation and Perception
• Social Thinking and Attitudes
• Social Structure and Stratification
• Social Interaction
• Social Pressures and Behavior

Questions

MCAT Psych/Soc Example Questions

While the MCAT Psychology questions change every year, studying a few practice prompts can give you an idea of what to expect when you show up to take the exam. Below, you’ll find a few helpful examples of what some of the 15 standalone questions on this portion of the MCAT may cover:

1.) A researcher finds that adults tend to view other cultures through the lens of their own culture. Which of the following best supports that observation?

• Cultural relativism
• Ethnocentrism
• Stereotype threat
• Cultural absolutism

2.) Researchers find that elderly individuals are slower at solving logic puzzles when compared to young adults. Which type of intelligence to elderly individuals likely have less of?

3.) John presents himself as confident and composed while answering questions in class, but at home, he is quiet and reserved. Which theory best explains John’s behavior?

• Out group
• Dramaturgical approach
• Hidden curriculum
• Fundamental attribution error

Practicing with sample prompts like these is an excellent way to prepare for the general knowledge questions on the MCAT Psych test. However, you’ll also need to study some examples of passage-related questions and answers so you know how to approach the majority of the question types on this part of the exam.

Preparation

How to Study for the MCAT Psychology Section

It’s important to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for each topic on this portion of the exam.

When planning your MCAT study schedule, be sure to devote extra time to concepts that you struggle with. Prioritizing the difficult sections first gives you more time to familiarize yourself with the information and can improve your chances of getting those questions right on test day.

Using the right study methods and materials is essential when trying to earn the best possible test results. Grad Prep’s MCAT test prep resources include sample questions, practice tests, detailed answer explanations, and a convenient study progress tracker to help you achieve your target score.