Best MCAT prep book???

[Matrix]

Hello everyone!
I was just wondering, what was the most helpful MCAT prep work book that you've used when studying for the MCAT?? + why??
I hear Peterson's 'The Gold Standard MCAT' really helps out when reviewing for the physical science section
Thank you

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[GeoLeoX]

I have been out of undergraduate for almost 10 years and I used the big ol Kaplan book. When it came time for the MCAT there was almost nothing on the test that I hadn't reviewed with the Kaplan. I also was lucky enough to have a little additional help from someone's old (really old) books from the Kaplan course. But, guess what? The text was almost identical to the Kaplan book that I bought. The only difference was instead of being in one big book with a review exam at the end of each section, the course books were divided up into each section (Verbal, Physical Science, etc.) and there were practice questions after each chapter! So, I did all my reviewing with Kaplan and did pretty well (31Q) on the MCAT for the first time.

Hope this helps,

Geo

 

[bsthomas]

I will agree with GeoLeoX. Kaplan is a good book. The Princeton Review is also very good. Whichever you choose, take as many practice tests as you can get your hands on.

 

[XENA]

Personally, I preferred the Princeton Review's Flowers and Silver MCAT prep book. I thought it was excellent in highlighting key principles rather than randomly presenting an overwhelming web of facts that I had to wade through. Using this book and less than two weeks of preparation while I was working full-time, I got a 37 on my MCAT the first time around. With this book and just a month of intense preparation, I'm sure you could do wonders. Of course, the book that works best for you probably depends on your style of learning and how long ago you took the relevent undergrad classes. The Flowers and Silver MCAT book was good for my needs because I at least recognized most of the material and I preferred relearning everything through understanding rather than through memorizing.

Also, I'm sure that you've read the thread about developing a coherent strategy and reading a lot in preparation for the verbal section. You should really do this. I did not have time for this, and consequently, my verbal score suffered.

Good luck.

xena

 

[Medschooldreamer]

I am currently reviewing the Gold Standard MCAT book which essentially encompasses all of the material you need to know. The only drawback fo me is that some of the material is difficult to comprehend because of my lack of expose to it for a few years. So I compensate by having my text books nearby just in case I don't get it the first time around. By the way, I was surprised to find many mechanical errors in the book. Fortunately, they are easy to pick out no problem.

 

[NEM]

While I have only limited experience with any of the books I found the Columbia Review book to be far superior to any of the others I looked at. I read through all of it and more importantly did all the practice tests in it. There was enough detail that although I had not taken even a full semester of physics, I did as well on that section as I did on the rest of the exam.

I should mention that Barons puts out a particularly detail oriented and difficult book which I found to not accurately represent the MCAT in any way shape or form. (i.e. it was too hard)

Note that this was all in the first part of 1998 so take it for what it's worth...

 

[Matrix]

First of all, Thank you all so much for your wonderful responses. i really appreciate them!!
NEM, i completely agree with your opinion in the Barron's Mcat study guide. I tried to study off the review materials for Bio and man were they long + wordy!!~~~
but since i bought the book, i am planning to just go stright into the practice exams without reviewing any of the review guide