best mcat study book?

[CardiologyPrincess]

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I have the Kaplan book; which book do you guys prefer?

 

[DoctorInVivo]

Kaplan all the way

 

[pharmolu]

Of course the MCAT changed, but when I took it TBR was probably the most complete review, at least for the sciences. TPR was good also, especially because hyperlearning has such excellent passages.

 

[efle]

General consensus on these forums, and I believe the recommendations for the good ol Sn2ed study system :

Verbal - Best is Princeton Review's Hyperlearning Verbal. Others are also decent (Examkrackers, Kaplan, etc)

Bio - Best is Examkrackers for being very clear and concise. This is the one science area where Berkeley Review is sub-par, going into WAY too much depth on useless topics.

Physics, Chemistry, and OChem - Berkeley Review by far. Examkrackers is not nearly as good in these areas as they are in Bio.

Overall though, you can't really go wrong. Any book set will have what you need, just may take more time and effort to get fully prepped than the optimal mix&match above

 

[DoctorInVivo]

I felt like Kaplan VR was the most similar to the real thing. I wouldn't recommend EK unless you felt very strong about your science knowledge.

 

[Womb Raider]

The MCAT review books are pretty much useless except for the occasional mnemonic that sticks in your head. The books are basically just a condensed review of your classes. If you KNOW the material, the books are useless. Practice tests are where you make the real progress.

Step 1: know all the information like the back of your hand.
Step 2: do practice tests, get strategy/timing/triaging down.

DON'T start taking practice tests without knowing the material, it's counterproductive. I spent at least a month reviewing/memorizing all the material before I even touched a practice test.

 

[YourMD]

Chad's videos!

 

[On Eagle's Wings]

Princeton Review is pretty good for basic review.