Advantages to taking MCAT prep course

[qwe7791]

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I'm planning to do self-studying for the MCAT, but I'm afraid that I might miss little hints that the instructors give out. I am previewing TBR and I'm not seeing hints anywhere. Consequently, I don't know if I have to remember the specifics of like ion concentrations for the Nerst equation for action potentials, for example.
Thanks.

 

[487806]

I'm planning to do self-studying for the MCAT, but I'm afraid that I might miss little hints that the instructors give out. I'm review TBR and I'm not seeing hints anywhere. Consequently, I don't know if I have to remember the specifics of like ion concentrations for the Nerst equation for action potentials, for example.
Thanks.

Search function is your friend. TBR gives you all the hints you need to do well.

 

[kmp0410]

TBR and then read the MCAT forums, I took an MCAT class and these little hints you talk about are nothing compared to the insight I received from the MCAT forum.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Makes your wallet easier to carry around.

 

[gmcguitar4]

Know all the material, tons of practice problems, and practice timing yourself doing passages.

 

[TheEndLight]

The tips that you will get from an MCAT course can easily be found anywhere online and are generally intuitive. For example, you will commonly be told to do easier passages first or cross off answers that you know are absolutely wrong (for the I,II, III and magnetic, down; magnetic, up sort of questions).

You will be much better off studying on your own IMO.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

The tips will vary by instructor - maybe you get one who really enjoys what they do and have tons of tips. Or you get another who is just doing it for the job and doesn't go that extra mile.

Classes are only generally worth it in terms of structure, but you still put in the same work as you would studying on your own.

 

[ZezKaiEll]

I'll just give you my opinion from my experience: I took a (rather expensive) course and in the end I don't feel like it helped me all that much. If the structure of a classroom is the best way for you to learn, then great. But if you are mostly a self studier like me then the course doesn't offer all that much besides having someone to ask questions (the instructor). This shouldn't be a problem though as you can always post questions on this forum. Also as for the little tips/hints.. in my personal experience they were not so valuable so as to justify the price tag of the course, and I agree you can find them elsewhere. This is just my experience of course. I've spoken to classmates who's scores did a 360 with the help of the review course.

 

[Gauss44]

I'm planning to do self-studying for the MCAT, but I'm afraid that I might miss little hints that the instructors give out. I am previewing TBR and I'm not seeing hints anywhere. Consequently, I don't know if I have to remember the specifics of like ion concentrations for the Nerst equation for action potentials, for example.
Thanks.

A tutor could probably give you the same "hints."

The main advantages to a prep course in my opinion are: 1. Studying with others helps with test anxiety (for me), 2. They make the schedule (but then you can still follow their schedule without enrolling), 3. Material that's included like practice tests.

 

[sunflower18]

I personally learn a lot better in a classroom setting than by self studying, so getting a class has been worth it for me. Also, it gives me a group of ~30 other students in the same class to talk to and have a community with. That group motivation is really nice as well. Additionally, I have TONS AND TONS AND TONS of practice material through books and online access. I don't know if you can buy online practice things without taking a class.

But if you're a self studier, I would probably recommend you forego the class. But if you feel like you have the means and think it'd be beneficial, go for it -- I really like my TPR online course.