Do I Need To Be Good at Math to be a Doctor?

Question

Hi I'm just on the verge of starting out my first year at the University of Toronto at Mississauga. I just took a calculus assessment test for to see if I'm ready for university math. I got an 80 on part I and failed part II. Math has never really been my forte so I'm really worried that it will be THE THING that keeps me. Exactly how intense is the math for prospective doctors? Is it mostly simple calculations like milligrams to grams etc.. ? Please be detailed =)

Answer 1

Well, to be honest, the "medical math" isn't difficult at all.  However, medical school is very picky about who they choose and they want to know that you can handle the tough stuff.  With that said, you wont be doing calculus as a doctor.  Make sure your physics and bio is up to snuff though for the mcats...

Answer 2

Obviously you must be good at maths otherwise any person could become one

Answer 3

There's a reason why there is no math section on the MCAT, because it is not terribly important! They expect you to have algebraic skills, and many schools want to see that you've taken at least one calc course or a pre-calc course. Working with variables and equations like d=vt + v^2/a and understand what changes when you change a variable or constant is all they want. As far as in the practice, little to know math other than understanding what a milligram etc is. You have to understand the numbers when charts come back, and understand what the norms are, but as far as having to do math problems that won't occur.