I just registered to take the MCAT on April 17th and I am going to be done with exams this semester on December 17th leaving me exactly 4 months to prep for the MCAT. I am trying to find out the best way to use my time to prepare.

I was thinking about taking either a Kaplan or Princeton Review Classroom style review class. Both are offered at my school next semester but the Princeton Review one goes until May 20th (after my MCAT, so that doesn't make sense to take) and the Kaplan one is also during the semester it seems and I wouldn't be able to take advantage of all the content if it ends after the April 17th test day.
Are there ways to take a course before my April 17th MCAT?? And what is the consensus about Kaplan vs. Princeton Review?

I have seem some posts about Exam Krakers and some other books but there are so many to choose from! I have also heard that MCAT Destroyer is good. I am trying to figure out what is best!?!

My pre-health adviser told me to spend about 1 hr a day and 5 hrs on the weekend studying (I lightened my course load for the Spring 2010 semester to help me MCAT prep). Does this seem like a good amount? With of course a lot more time being put in in the last month or so.
Also, I just got this Audio Osmosis from Exam Krakers and I know that's not a substitute or anything but I will be just listening to that on my ipod whenever I get the chance, which is a good amount, just to keep my brain engaged in this stuff.

Thanks for the advice!

anyone?

bump

A way to take a prep course to fit in with the schedule would've been to enroll in one that started in November, takes a break for the holidays, and continues through (that's what one of my roomies did).

In terms of study hours... IMHO one can do more than 1hr a day. That hour goes by quick, and as long as you have the stamina for it and are efficient you can get a lot more done doing two to three hours, but one hour a day over four months may work. The thing I didn't like with the class room prep courses is that it gives people an excuse to not do enough on their own and count class room time as prep time. Class room time is nothing compared to your own prep, it might help you somewhat, but in my own experience it was a waste of time and doesn't constitute any real prep/practice. The class rooms just rehash the work you should've done on your own before hand. For what its worth, I improved by 8 points on my retake... by ditching a prep course and studying on my own. For some people, prep courses work wonders, it all depends on personal study style and habits. I think 2-3 hours a day, and 5 hours on a weekend day, so long as you take a day off here and there doing absolutely nothing MCAT related, should be doable and beneficial. This is of you're own time, don't count the class room time. The key is going over every problem you've done and figuring out why you got it right or wrong and understanding your testing habits.

Audio osmosis is alright, not a bad way to pass the time while driving or working in lab. Just beware of bad jokes and sound effects.