Best bang for buck when it comes to MCAT materials?

[orthomyxo]

So obviously there is tons and TONS of information out there as far as what materials to use, study schedules, etc. and I'm finding it to be super overwhelming. I want to start studying for the MCAT, but I'm hesitant to even buy any books because I'm afraid of sabotaging myself by not getting the "right" ones.

I'm not strapped for cash per se, but I'm really not looking to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on review books. Hypothetically, if I was only planning to buy one full set of materials and perhaps supplement with one or two less expensive books what would be my best bet? Would I be putting myself at a disadvantage?

I'm 4 years out of college so none of the pre-reqs are exactly fresh in my mind. I probably need extensive review and practice in all of the subjects.

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[Ad2b]

Find a used set of Kaplan, TPR OR EK books. Don't buy new. Review those to the depth you think you feel comfortable and then take a diagnostic test which is free from TPR, Kaplan, Next Step, EK , etc. Look at where you're struggling. Also realize, diagnostic tests are meant to make you feel stupid so you buy the course 😉

Next, or even at same time, buy ALL the AAMC materials (q-packs, SBs, FL 1/2, OG, flashcards, etc etc etc - it's a bundled package so buy it al and yes, the one with flashcards in it).

Let the AAMC full lengths be your guide as well as SB's. Leave the FL 2 or FL 1 to take the week before the real exam and do everything else beforehand.

Books are not the key thing here - the AAMC materials are. Especially anything that is considered "for" the 2015 test. Qpacks are regurgitated materials from the old exams. SB's, it is suspected, are thrown away practice questions or experimental passages from the new exam. They are not fun at first but once you get the hang of them, they're not that bad.

TL;DR: practice materials AAMC >>>>>>>>>>>>> anything else

 

[orthomyxo]

Find a used set of Kaplan, TPR OR EK books. Don't buy new. Review those to the depth you think you feel comfortable and then take a diagnostic test which is free from TPR, Kaplan, Next Step, EK , etc. Look at where you're struggling. Also realize, diagnostic tests are meant to make you feel stupid so you buy the course 😉

Next, or even at same time, buy ALL the AAMC materials (q-packs, SBs, FL 1/2, OG, flashcards, etc etc etc - it's a bundled package so buy it al and yes, the one with flashcards in it).

Let the AAMC full lengths be your guide as well as SB's. Leave the FL 2 or FL 1 to take the week before the real exam and do everything else beforehand.

Books are not the key thing here - the AAMC materials are. Especially anything that is considered "for" the 2015 test. Qpacks are regurgitated materials from the old exams. SB's, it is suspected, are thrown away practice questions or experimental passages from the new exam. They are not fun at first but once you get the hang of them, they're not that bad.

TL;DR: practice materials AAMC >>>>>>>>>>>>> anything else

So would it be fair to say you think that pretty much any of the well-known review content is sufficient, so long as I can do well on the AAMC practice questions and full lengths?

I've noticed that almost every study plan I see mentions Berkeley Review books, so I was looking into picking up a used set.

 

[Ad2b]

... think that pretty much any of the well-known review content is sufficient, so long as I can do well on the AAMC practice questions and full lengths?

Yes. I paid over $3,000 for Kaplan's course + books + MCAT cards... NONE of that mattered as much as the AAMC materials. It was good for reference if I didn't understand something I got wrong on a section bank or q-pack (old recycled exams from pre-2015) but really, the best materials are from the AAMC.

I do supplement stuff with Khan Academy. You can download the videos' audio, burn onto a CD (if you have an older vehicle like mine without AUX cable or iPhone USB), and listen while driving. With 2.5 hours a day in car that is time to listen up 🙂

I also am a fan of AKLectures.com - this dude... seriously love the way he explains things! Without orgo lab, separations and purifications were a bit of a blur. Watching his vids, SNOW DROPS = easy.

FYI, I took the test last year and then voided at the end because of "insertyourfavoriteexcusehere" (as someone told me). As an ultra-nontrad my family life has a way of getting in the way at times though sufficiently less this year. As such... gah ... here I am. Actually, I voided last year at the end because of psy/soc. Up to that section, USING THE AAMC materials, I thought the exam was rather... easy. Yah, that's right. Easy. Or at least, at a maximum, not the devil and certainly very doable if the AAMC materials are used.

 

[workaholic181]

So obviously there is tons and TONS of information out there as far as what materials to use, study schedules, etc. and I'm finding it to be super overwhelming. I want to start studying for the MCAT, but I'm hesitant to even buy any books because I'm afraid of sabotaging myself by not getting the "right" ones.

I'm not strapped for cash per se, but I'm really not looking to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on review books. Hypothetically, if I was only planning to buy one full set of materials and perhaps supplement with one or two less expensive books what would be my best bet? Would I be putting myself at a disadvantage?

I'm 4 years out of college so none of the pre-reqs are exactly fresh in my mind. I probably need extensive review and practice in all of the subjects.

Yea there is nothing wrong with an older version of the books.. as long as it address the 2015 MCAT. I used TPR exclusively and highly recommend them. I think I got a lot of them on amazon for like 20$. I'd sell you mine honestly lol.

I was several years removed from my basic bio pre reqs so I know where you're coming from. Honestly, Khan academy videos are great for getting you back into thinking objectively in a scientific way. I watched all of their bio videos before delving into my real studying an I think they helped a lot.

Unfortunately, the best and most critical study materials are the AAMC FLs and section banks which are kinda pricey. Definitely get those!

 

[aldol16]

I don't think you can go wrong with content review. I used Kaplan and they were just fine. Since you've been out of school for awhile, you might try looking at The Berkeley Review. I've heard that they provide quite comprehensive review, which might be a good thing if you're rusty on the material. Go to your local Barnes and Noble and take a look at the various options. That way, you can see before you buy.

Using just Khan Academy is also okay though - their videos are super helpful and I know of people who have scored 516+ using just AAMC materials and Khan Academy. This is a very cost-effective way of doing it.

 

[orthomyxo]

Lots of good advice here.

Have any of you guys ever used the Kaplan MCAT 528 Advanced Prep book? Worth it or waste of time?