...some say the BR is just overkill. Any suggestions?
It's such a hard call to make, because the MCAT tests so little organic chemistry nowadays. For most MCATs, it's overkill. But for about five MCATs per year, where they have more organic passages than normal and/or a killer organic passage, then it's worth it.
No matter what you use for organic chemistry, over 90% of what you do won't be on your test. I just don't think this question can be answered.
This question has come up quite often without any real answers.. What edition is the newest for Berkeley review?
In terms of the editions for the books, here is a mix of the reply I got from the office along with my input based on feedback from students I tutored last summer:
Biology: There is a 2008 version, but the book is pretty much the same as it was in 2004 with minor editting and upgrading of drawings since that time.
Avoid books from before 2004.
Verbal Reasoning: There are a 2008 and 2009 version that look the same to me. It underwent a major overhaul in 2007, where more technqiues were incorporated into the answer explanations. After running it by students for a year, it went to print as it is now. It also took into account the CBT and issues associated with a computer screen.
Avoid books from before 2008.
General Chemistry: There is a 2009 version. It underwent an overhaul in 2004 (in terms of passages and sequence of topics). Apparently it's being revised and editted at this time to match the physics book that was supposed to be out this past spring. But once the new edition comes out (probably late Fall 2009), it will be the version of choice. For now,
avoid books from before 2004.
Physics: There is a 2009 version. It has had changes to some of the answer explanations with every new session of the class, but the text has been constant since 2002. There were new passages introduced and changes to existing passages in 2004 and 2007. Selected chapters from the upsoming version of the physics books are supposedly going to be used in the classroom this summer. The new book apparently should be out in the Fall.
Avoid books from before 2007.
Organic Chemistry: There is a 2009 version. It underwent a major overhaul in 2004 (when the AAMC people decided to change the content on the MCAT--no more benzene and alkene chemistry, amongst other changes). It also incorporated some biology subjects (mostly biochemistry, in an effort to serve as a sort of Cliff Notes for those topics).
Avoid books from before 2004.
My personal opinion is that the year is not as important as the condition. If it's marked in, then it's natural to overemphaisze what has been written in the book. Worry first that the copy is clean (even if it's been erased, indentations from circled letters give you a bias when you attempt a question). If the books are clean, then used books seem fine for most subjects. I'd probably get the physics and general chemistry brand new if it were me, but those are the subjects I most would not want a previous user's influence.
Just to see what's out there, I looked at Amazon and have to laugh at the following offer: $72.49 for a used Physics Part I
Based on the Amazon prices, I would definitely not buy from them. If they come up on eBay, that would probably be the better way to go.
