are the berkley review books necessary?

[thatfeelwhen79]

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Hi,

I'm a Canadian "premed". I need 11 on VR and 12 on BS (and 9 PS) to meet the cutoff for UWO med (schulich). I already have the EK and TPR books, but didn't bother buying the berkley books. I looked at the 3 month schedule written by someone on SDN, and they said buy berkley... are they necessary? I don't mind buying them, but if they're not necessary, I'd rather not waste money. I have a really strong background in physics and chemistry/organic chemistry. I didn't take physiology but I took genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and a full year first year biology. Do you guys recommend I just buy the biology berkley books?

Just as a sidenote, after my last final (may 30th), I plan to take a 4-5 day break. After that, I'll start studying while working at a lab (2-4 hours a day, less on august), and I'm writing on August 27th. Oh and I'm not taking a prep course, those are like $1700+ in canada..

Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[goft20]

They provide good content review and practice passages..however , I would rather spend money on aamc sel assessment and ALL practice tests..as that is MUCH more important than content review..


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[thatfeelwhen79]

They provide good content review and practice passages..however , I would rather spend money on aamc sel assessment and ALL practice tests..as that is MUCH more important than content review..


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Thanks. Do you think they are better / more in depth than TPR? I will for sure buy the AAMC stuff when I get closer to writing the test. Right now I'm just trying to get my berkley books shipped in time (if necessary) for may 30th

 

[ARKR]

I would definitely get some tool to study physiology. I know my knowledge of physio helped me with my MCAT score loads. IMO EK/Kaplan bio are pretty poor. Didn't get TPR

EK verbal is pretty good IMO, but needing an 11 on what is probably the hardest section, I would say the more practice you can get the better. I did a few passages a day (with an occasional full section) for 3 months and ended up with a 12 for what its worth.

Good luck with studying!

 

[V5RED]

They provide good content review and practice passages..however , I would rather spend money on aamc sel assessment and ALL practice tests..as that is MUCH more important than content review..


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I do not recommend using all the AAMC practice tests before your first MCAT. They are the best gauge of your readiness for the exam, and if you use all the AAMC practice tests before your first attempt, you won't have any good practice tests left to make sure you are ready if you need a retake. Any number of things can go wrong on test day, so even if you were totally ready that day you could end up needing a retake hence saving some practice exams for future attempts.

Of course this assumes you would be taking the test with the possibility of a retake since the exam changes soon.

edit: nothing is technically necessary, but the BR books for chemistry, physics, and organic are fantastic. Couples with the EK 1001 series as well as the EK 101 review books you should be incredibly ready for the MCAT.

 

[goft20]

I do not recommend using all the AAMC practice tests before your first MCAT. They are the best gauge of your readiness for the exam, and if you use all the AAMC practice tests before your first attempt, you won't have any good practice tests left to make sure you are ready if you need a retake. Any number of things can go wrong on test day, so even if you were totally ready that day you could end up needing a retake hence saving some practice exams for future attempts.

Of course this assumes you would be taking the test with the possibility of a retake since the exam changes soon.

edit: nothing is technically necessary, but the BR books for chemistry, physics, and organic are fantastic. Couples with the EK 1001 series as well as the EK 101 review books you should be incredibly ready for the MCAT.

Actually that makes a a lot of sense I guess that is a good strategy just in case of a retake!


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[chemhead123]

I'm using them for a retake, as I didn't find the EK sufficiently helpful. I am finding TBR books to be significantly more difficult and indepth.

 

[Heplayer92]

Actually that makes a a lot of sense I guess that is a good strategy just in case of a retake!


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I wouldn't go into the MCAT with that mind-set. Get it done in one go, and be prepared as well as you can! Best of luck

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Most of the prep materials for physio is a bit sub par. I supplemented with using a real Physio book from my Advanced Human Physio class.