Dear Future Test Takers,

[mcatjelly]

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The Compilation of Commentary on the New Exam has just been updated with all of the responses I've found to date from May test-takers on both /r/MCAT and SDN.

Before asking questions about the quality of various prep materials, please peruse this resource. I read through and gleaned this information from many, many pages of online threads, so for the sake of past test-takers' sanity, please do your research!

 

[ronnicus]

The Compilation of Commentary on the New Exam has just been updated with all of the responses I've found to date from May test-takers on both /r/MCAT and SDN.

Before asking questions about the quality of various prep materials, please peruse this resource. I read through and gleaned this information from many, many pages of online threads, so for the sake of past test-takers' sanity, please do your research!

Well I appreciate you putting this together, but honestly, it's confusing having to go through all the threads and seeing people with all these different opinions. I'd much rather have a definitive answer saying the majority of successful test takers say Kaplan or Examkrackers or whatever.

 

[True Believer]

Well I appreciate you putting this together, but honestly, it's confusing having to go through all the threads and seeing people with all these different opinions. I'd much rather have a definitive answer saying the majority of successful test takers say Kaplan or Examkrackers or whatever.

Different opinions... parsing together disparate information... lack of a definitive answer. Sounds an awful lot like medicine.

 

[mcatjelly]

Well I appreciate you putting this together, but honestly, it's confusing having to go through all the threads and seeing people with all these different opinions. I'd much rather have a definitive answer saying the majority of successful test takers say Kaplan or Examkrackers or whatever.

There is no definitive answer, though, and there wasn't one for the old MCAT either. It's kind of on you to figure out what will work best for your studying habits.

 

[sarah990123]

 

[Dreamstoo]

Kind of laughing at how each resource have opposite spectrum of comments at times.

 

[ronnicus]

Different opinions... parsing together disparate information... lack of a definitive answer. Sounds an awful lot like medicine.

Except in medicine you have your OWN experience and knowledge to draw on. This is more like reading opinions on Israel and Palestine without any background whatsoever.

 

[True Believer]

Except in medicine you have your OWN experience and knowledge to draw on. This is more like reading opinions on Israel and Palestine without any background whatsoever.

Where do you suggest we obtain this definitive answer of what the best test prep company is, then? This is the best source we have--the opinions of those who have taken the test--and mcatjelly has compiled it together. I agree that they don't paint a clear-cut picture, but people are bound to disagree since there are so many confounding factors. If it doesn't help you, don't use it.

 

[carpediem22]

There is no definitive best resource. Everyone learns differently, and different prep companies cater to different types of learners. People on here extol TBR, but to be honest I didn't like their materials as much because I benefit more from content review. That is my own personal opinion based on how I learn, not an opinion that is generalizable to everyone.

The MCAT is not like a pre-med course where a professor will tell you exactly what is on the exam to ensure that if you prepare sufficiently, you will never be surprised. You will be surprised on some passages/questions, I guarantee you. Take responsibility for your own learning, read through the multitude of opinions that have already been given, and make an informed decision. But don't expect someone to be able to tell you exactly what you have to do to pass this thing. Each test prep company has their own method, and it works for some and fails epically for others.

 

[Blueprint MCAT Tutor]

Excellent compilation! It's folks willing to do all that hard work and organizing for their fellow pre-meds that always leads me to being impressed by the SDN community.

I've said this many times before, but in response to complaints about the variety of opinions out there, I'll add this (mind you I say this as someone who is in the business of selling MCAT materials):

Good MCAT prep is not about stuff. People obsess over the best possible combination of stuff as if getting the right stuff will magically get you a 90th percentile score. Your choices about what stuff to use matter much Much MUCH less than the dedication, enthusiasm, and focus you bring to prepping for the MCAT. The only necessary MCAT resource you must have is determination. It is possible to spend tens of thousands of dollars prepping for the test and then bomb it. It's possible to prep for free and score 99th percentile.

Stop worrying about stuff. Focus on the content itself. Keep your head down. Work hard.

You'll get there.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[mcatjelly]

^ this and this and this.

 

[mcatjelly]

To anyone following this, I've added a new section: Tips for Prep from Past Test-Takers.