What would you recommend to improve my score

[anon y mous]

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[J ROD]

So I bombed my MCAT back in May with a 24. I'm retaking in September. I'm not sure what went wrong the first time. It was lower than any of my practice scores. I wasn't going to take a course because they seem to get mixed reviews and I really can't afford it, but now I'm feeling desperate. Can anyone give me honest opinions of how useful these courses are and recommend what is the most valuable. I really can't afford these $2000 courses though. Thanks.

I am in the same boat. I am trying to be more confident this time and prepared better with Berk review and TPR.

I still think the review courses are only good if you need someone to keep you on task. Kaplan has alot of good online resources too.

Also, work on your testtaking ability and reasoning skills.

 

[wedogogirl]

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[anon y mous]

Hi, Anon.

I made a 24 in Jan '08 and a 30 in May '08. I took a Kaplan course before my first MCAT, and the review class was not all that helpful to me. Also, I think I spent too much time on sample tests and not enough time on content review the first time around. The second time around, I printed the AAMC subject matter outlines for PS and BS and spent 100% of my time on content review. I also remembered topics that gave me trouble the first time around and made sure I had those down cold.

To answer your question, I do not think that a review course will help you unless you understand why you made a 24 the first time around. Was it content? Was it the format of the test? If it is possible, purchase the review books from someone (maybe someone on this site),and do your own, thorough content review. I don't think that spending $1700 for 3 nights a week of someone reading the review book to you will be that beneficial to you.

Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck!!

Thanks!! I actually have so many review books, but maybe I don't know how to study. Any advice? I've now started outlining chapters on index cards.

 

[stixx]

Thanks!! I actually have so many review books, but maybe I don't know how to study. Any advice? I've now started outlining chapters on index cards.

Did you do a lot of AAMC practice tests? I really, really suggest them. Even if you only do a few it's a miniscule cost compared to a course. All of the prep materials attempt to mimic the MCAT but there's nothing like the real thing.