What should I study to become an anesthesiologist?

You should study biology, chemistry, psychology, research and statistics, and sociology to become an anesthesiologist. Physicians who specialize in anesthesiology typically begin their academic careers with an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, typically majoring in pre-med or science.

It is not required that you must major in pre-med, however, focusing your courses in biology, chemistry, calculus, and physics all help prepare you for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and medical school.

Your MCAT score plays a large part in your ability to get accepted to medical school. The MCAT consists of two parts: a written test on internal medicine, gynecology, preventive medicine, and surgery; and an assessment of clinical skills, including communication and interpersonal skills and proficiency in English.

Start your studying by taking a diagnostic practice test to familiarize yourself with the whole test and establish your baseline performance. Use your initial test results to determine which content areas you need to work on and to design your study plan.

We recommend building a weekly study schedule that has reserved study blocks. If you are giving yourself 3 months to prepare for the MCAT, then we recommend setting aside at least 3 hours a day of studying, 6 days a week. Assign a specific study topic to each block so that you know what to study.

Set up a rotating schedule that works through these topics:

• Biochemistry:

  • Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins

  • Protein Structures and Function

  • Enzymes

  • Carbohydrate Structure and Function

  • Lipid Structure and Function

  • DNA and Replication

  • RNA Transcription and Translation

  • Biological Membranes

• Biology:

  • Cell Biology; Reproduction, Embryogenesis and Development

  • Reproduction, Embryogenesis and Development

  • The Nervous System

  • The Endocrine System

  • The Respiratory System

  • The Cardiovascular System

  • The Immune System

  • The Digestive System

• General Chemistry:

  • Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

  • Bonding and Chemical Interactions

  • Compounds and Stoichiometry

  • Chemical Kinetics

  • Equilibrium

  • Thermochemistry

  • The Gas Phase

  • Solutions

• Organic Chemistry:

  • Nomenclature

  • Isomers

  • Bonding

  • Alcohols and Ethers

  • Organic Oxidation and Reduction

  • Aldehydes and Ketones 'Carboxylic Acids

  • Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

• Physics:

  • Dimensional Analysis, Basic Math and Statistics

  • Work and Energy

  • Thermodynamics

  • Fluids

  • Electrostatics

  • Magnetism

  • Circuits

• Biological Basis of Behavior

• Learning and Memory

• Cognition and Language

• Emotion and Stress

• Identify and Personality

• Social Processes and Behavior

To enroll in a residency program, prospective anesthesiologists must complete an application that highlights their competitive MCAT, USMLE or COMLEX scores, perform well during anesthesiology rotations, and provide strong letters of recommendation. On an annual Match Day, a computer program aligns candidates with residency programs based on the preferences and performances of both.

Residents take the final exam of Boards at the end of their base year. This Step 3 exam involves both a written portion and case simulations, which test whether physicians can apply their training in ambulatory settings, while treating a wound or diagnosing a patient.