When should I end my MCAT prep course?

[JP2740]

I am planning on taking the princeton review mcat prep course. I have two choices.

Go to the class 2 days a week and end it 2 weeks before my MCAT test date (May27). class is 1/17-5/12/2010.

or

Go to the class 3 days a week and end it a month before my MCAT test date (May27). class is 1/17-4/14/2010


I want some time on my own to study/take practice exams although they give me a bunch of practice exams in the class. I am basically just asking which you think is the best route for the best score. I understand it depends on a large part on my discipline and all that kind of stuff. I am taking 12 credits during the semester (easy general education classes). Thanks.

[Vertex]

Personally, I feel that having more time to practice yourself is better. If you can handle 3 classes per week, I would suggest doing that. That way you'll have a month to do practice tests etc.

[JP2740]

Originally Posted by Vertex

Personally, I feel that having more time to practice yourself is better. If you can handle 3 classes per week, I would suggest doing that. That way you'll have a month to do practice tests etc.

Yea I was thinking the same, but hoping for more input from others so I make the right move here.

[Global Warming]

I am currently enrolled in TPR, but no longer go to my classes. I am following SN2ed's schedule (relatively), studying 6 hours per day without any days off. The reason that I stopped attending the TPR classes is because I found a couple of the instructors to be discouraging. She advised us that we shouldn't be reading from the book, but rather looking over things only if we don't understand something. Well, this is my Bio lecturer and I am (was) super weak in Bio. I ended up studying very slowly for Bio and feel much more confident. Also, the dianogstic exams only kill your confidence. I know that without studying, I will undoubtly get a score of <20. I DON'T NEED TO ACTUALLY WASTE 5 HOURS TO SEE THIS NUMBER.

Basically, I spent $1,700 for the course and no longer attend.

However, at least i get the books (TPR Hyperlearning = good stuff), good solid advice on Verbal, and access to diag. exams and some AAMC FL exams.

PS: My verbal teacher was a really good teacher! Great sense of humor and great teaching skills. He scored a 13 on ACTUAL MCAT. Good stuff imo.

Also, one of the biggest things that I have learned from this is completely non-book related. It is the attitude that ONLY YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF. I stopped relying on big ego/semi-helpful teachers and now DEPEND on myself to answer things I do not understand. This method saves SO MUCH time and it is very convenient because I do not have to wait until the next lecture. With resources such as wiki, SDN, etc, you can get any confusing concept answered.

[JP2740]

So are you generally advising me not to take the class? Which would you suggest either way in terms of the topic question?

[Global Warming]

Originally Posted by JP2740

So are you generally advising me not to take the class? Which would you suggest either way in terms of the topic question?

Well if you must take the class, I would personally advise you to do the 2 days per week course because it gives you much more time during the week to work on the HW/content review. Make sure you aren't taking any other classes because there is a LOT of HW you have to keep up with.

I am not saying you should or shouldn't take the class because that ultimately is up to you. I personally learn better from just reading from my own books.

[JP2740]

I'm going to be doing Spanish 2, English 2, billiards, and 4 hours a week research this semester so I can stay full time. I have to. It's a must unfortunately. You do not think I can keep up with the class if I have that?