Do you think test prep is worth the $$?

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Mistress S

Mistress S

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I am asking this question both in general and for anyone who wants to give their opinion on it for my specific situation. I was planning to take the MCAT this April, and after getting 27's on a kaplan half-length diag offered free at my school and AAMC 1 without studying I decided I could probably get away with preparing on my own. I bought the complete set of Examcrackers review books plus some other review materials and made up a day-by-day study schedule for myself starting in Jan, which I promptly disregarded and got way behind on. For unrelated reasons I have decided not to apply this June, and so I'm now planning to take the August MCAT instead, giving me the whole summer to prepare. However, I'm really debating whether or not I should shell out the ungodly amount of money for PR or Kaplan (~$1350 in my area!!).

On the one hand, I am generally good at taking standardized tests, have a strong GPA (3.76), and see no real benefit in paying someone to "teach" me things I already know and could review on my own. On the other hand...I am a HUGE procrastinator. 🙄 I write 12 page papers the night before they're due, I read 5 chapters the day before a test, all to avoid doing anything in advance. I don't know why I am this way, but I more or less made peace with it around my junior year and realized that it's just my style and that's okay since it's not negatively affecting my grades. Unfortunately, it's not a style that works well with MCAT studying, which as others have observed is more of a marathon than a race. I feel like I tried self-study the past few months, with disappointing results. Then again, I didn't really make any time accomodations for MCAT studying-I kept my work and school schedules basically the same, making it hard to find time to study. This summer, I will only be working ~30 hrs/wk, leaving more time to review for the test. It seems that, if nothing else, a class will provide the structure and organization I seem to be lacking; I'm just not sure if that is worth the hefty price tag.

So what do you all think? I want to believe that I can adequately prepare on my own, thus freeing up >$1300 to spend bumming around Mexico this summer (my post-MCAT plan). But I'm just afraid that 1.) I'll procrastinate too much and not get things done and 2.) I won't be sufficiently prepared if I study on my own-maybe an irrational fear but I can't help thinking that those who take the class will have an advantage. If you took Kaplan or PR, was it worth the money? If you studied on your own, how did you stay motivated and keep to a schedule? Do you think it is worth the cost for the class if you're a good test-taker (i.e., don't need to learn the "strategies") but just aren't good at self-structuring? Please give opinions- I keep making up my mind, then changing it again, and the classes start in ~2 weeks so I need to decide soon.
 
This is something that really depends on you as it seems you already know. I took the god awful expensive class and in some ways I kinda regret it...

I did alright taking the mcat after the class and I am a decent test taker, not extraordinary but not bad. I just got so nervous from the constant competition of people in the class and the fear tactics that some of the teachers used to get us to study. So if you thrive in this situation take the class.

over the summer i studied on my own and probably wasn't as disciplined as I should have been and i increased my overall score by i think 4 points which i was happy about. i think that if i have to take it again i would be more disciplined in both the class and independent study because i don't think i did enough work for the class to begin with. the class also takes a TON of time!!! if you have time take the class when you can focus on the class. (i took it when i had a full course load at school which was stupid). well that was only my experience i don't know if it will help you.

it sounds like you do really well on tests so kick ass and you will do well!!! GOOD LUCK!!!
 
I haven't taken an MCAT Prep Course, but I did take the PR's SAT Prep Course and was really glad that I did. I'm also really good at taking tests, but I'm a perfectionist too, and I feel that a test prep class is the best way to go about nearing perfection. It's extremely hard to structure study time on your own if you're A) a procrastinator, and B) you've done fine on many other tests without studying so you're in the habit of not studying well before test time, which I'm sure you know. Having someone else structure my study time was my main reason for taking the Prep class when I signed up.

Once I started the classes and began taking the practice tests, however, motivation became the even better reason. If you're at all competitive those classes are wonderful motivators. As stupid as it sounds, wanting to get the best score in my class made me study harder, and then getting it made me much more confident about the test and how I would perform. So when I finally took the actual test I was extremely confident, relaxed, and knew around what range I would most likely score in (another big plus for me, since I need to know as much info about every situation as possible).

Also, another thing to consider is the "what if"s. Even if you score well on the MCAT through studying on your own, if you're like me you'd still question whether you'd have done better if you'd taken the prep course.
 
Coming from someone who took a commercial prep class and who currently teaches one:

Kaplan diag, in my opinion...it is on the easy scale
AAMC test I--outdated (published in the early 90s?) consider the big change with 2003 MCAT, plus I did TEST I myself, too easy also.

But getting 27 without prior studying is pretty good, so you can do fine on your own. As for taking a class to keep you on track...no one can whip you into studying...the instructors have to teach 20 other people...if you haven't done the preview...they are not going to hold up the class just to "tutor" you. There is ALOT less to teach in SAT classes. MCAT prep course is extremely content-oriented. The instructor can only help those who help themselves.

I suggest just buying used PR or Kaplan books from someone who took the prep class, don't buy those they sell at Barnes&Nobles, those are a joke. Be self-motivating, b/c there will be no one to spot check your homework in medschool.
 
I can only tell you my own experience but here goes...
I am a good test taker (1420 SAT [not a single day of studying or classes for that], 35 MCAT), I had a decent GPA and I got a 25 on the diagnostic with no prep. However just like you I am a procrastinator. I had great lofty ideas about how I was going to study like hell for the MCAT and blow it away...it didn't happen. It never happens. I always find something I would rather do and tell myself that one day won't matter that much or a hundred other excuses. I am VERY GLAD I took a Kaplan course because that was my only study time for the MCAT. I think the point is not that the material is hard or that you CAN'T do it yourself, for me it was that I wouldn't have done it myself. For what I got out of it Kaplan was worth every penny (screwing up and applying twice is way more expensive). That said, if you are the type of person who really will study on your own (be honest with yourself) you can easily learn the material just as well and all you really need is some full length tests to complete your prep. But if, like me, you won't study unless you have a class to go to and since you paid 1300+ you're damn sure not going to miss it, you should take the class.
 
I would definitly say take the class, especially if you are a procrastinator and are going to be working this summer (a very big distraction from studying). What you will find is doing well on the MCAT is not just about knowing your stuff, it is about knowing your stuff so well after reviewing it over and over for months that it comes second nature and then knowing how to apply it to the MCAT style questions, which are completely different from anything I have ever encountered, in university or on other standardized tests.

While you are most likely capable of studying on your own and getting a good score, from the sounds of your pretest, taking the course would help you towards getting an excellent score...something that is definitly worth the 1000+$. We all know that with the randomness of med. school applications, the difference between a good score and an excellent score can be the difference of an acceptance or a rejectance.

I took Kaplan and was very pleased. The material was so well organized and I was so well prepared after doing all the practice material that I wasn't even nervous when I went into the exam. I remained relaxed throughout the entire day because I was so used to taking the MCAT (there are so many days of practice MCAT's at Kaplan). The structure of the course really kept me where I needed to be in my studying, so there was no "cramming" the weeks before the exam, just more practice and reviewing things that were still giving me trouble. The biggest thing is taking a course really helps you locate the areas you aren't getting, something that I don't think you could do on your own.

I have had friends who took the course and friends who did not and everyone who took the course was really glad they did and my friends who didn't consistently say they regret it and felt like that kept them from doing as well as they could have. I wrote my exam with one of my friends who didn't take the course and she was so nervous before the exam that she was outside the examroom still looking over notes and was so stressed during the exam that she ripped open one of the exam books incorrectly and had to miss one of her breaks to fix it.

Sorry this is so long...just something I feel strongly about
 
I took AND taught the Kaplan course. I'm a HUGE procrstinator too. This is just what I figured

- As a procrastinator I went to 1 class. 1 class outta who knows how many. I just couldnt' stand sitting there for 3 hours or whatever listening to someone droaning on. I never went to class in college so why would I do it on a Saturday? Well..that was a big waste of money.

-The books are helpful. You can get them from the gazillion premeds taking Kaplan or PR. I'm sure they'll give/sell them to you at a dirt cheap price.

-The biggest help are by far all the practice tests they have there. Then again..I didn't start lookin at them till 2 weeks before the test (oops.). But is it worth the $1000+? Prolly not. The best advice for the MCATs is to drill drill and drill again on practice sections/tests.

-The teachers are soooo variable. I, of course, was grrrreat 🙂 But I know for a fact that thye had trouble finding an orgo teacher and got a...ummm..less than qualified person to teach it. I hated the teacher who taught me...then again..I didn't really give him a chance by going to 1 class.

The courses are good if you are committed to go to them. I suppose if ppl had plopped down the money, they feel more inclined to go. But, personally, I think the courses are hugely overpriced. Kaplan/PR make a nice tidy profit off of it.
 
I can only speak from my own experience; take from it what you will.

I am a model procrastinator, but I don't think it was as big an issue as the lack of time. I took the MCAT twice:

First time: During my junior year, it SUCKED. Just not enough time to take classes and study for MCAT. I took a prep course, TPR, and just went to class. I didn't do much studying outside of class except during spring break. I freaked out, did OK but kicked myself because I knew I could've done better.

Second time: Summer after graduation. I had something to prove. Took time off from work and numbered the days on my calendar so I knew how many days I had to study: 6 weeks. I cut that in half so I could make myself review the content in 3. My dad kept tabs on me so I could be accountable. So I sat on my a$$ for 6 weeks with TPR books and my college texts, studied 2 subjects a day every day. Got a 36S.

The bottom line, I think, is I don't think prep courses are worth the money. Definitely buy the materials from someone though. I think you'll use the classes as a crutch and actually study LESS than if you were doing it on your own. As for the prep course motivating you to study: do the lectures you go to NOW motivate you to study? It sounds like they don't. The prep course sessions are like lecture; they are instructors, not your mother. No one will see to it that you study except you.

To the OP, you're right in that the MCAT cannot be crammed. But I think the key is you have to be dead serious about the exam. You only want to take this once. If you don't go all out in studying, you might kick yourself as I did because this is really important and you want to show what you're made of.

Not motivated yet? Make a timeline and get a buddy to keep you on track--not some lily-handed friend who will merely sympathize.

Good luck! 🙂
 
haha!

hubris: the downfall of every human being.

But hey...if you REALLY think you can do it on your own. Go ahead! Good luck!:laugh:
 
I didn't take a prep course and I did just fine (32-35).

I, too, am a bit of a procrastinator but I made a decision that I was going to take that darned test only once - and that I'd better make it a good shot the first time. I think that what helped me was that my Chemistry (physical and organic) basis was really good. I spent an entire year tutoring basic inorganic chemistry to nursing students while I was working on my organic chem.

On the other hand, I was still reviewing Physics equations (most of which I promptly forgot) on the morning of the MCAT.

So here's my advice:

Take practice tests even if you're not "ready" yet. (If you know any other Pre-med students, you can probably put your hands on several tests.)

Keep taking practice tests as you study through the summer

Focus on reading comprehension - exam questions in all sections come with lengthy excerpts. The best skill to have for the MCAT(in my opinion) is to be able to apply your knowledge to random situations.

And last but not least: Be sure that you know exactly where your exam is going to be so that you have a stress free morning.
 
I took TPR and I'm very glad I did. I took the MCAT the summer after my soph. year, and I was working full time as well, so I only had nights and weekends to study for the August exam. The class was 5 days a week for 3 hrs (or 2? i don't remember) every night, plus some weekend mock exams. Originally, I had planned on not taking the class and bought many prep books, but it turned out they did not help me much. I studied on my own for a while, got a low 20s score on a diagnostic and freaked out. So I signed up for TPR, went to class everyday, and ended up in upper 30s. My classmates and I bonded throughout the ordeal, and some of us are actually still friends. It was nice to know that others were suffering as well-- misery loves company after all... we were all very supportive of one another, and that was one of the best aspects of the class. So my verdict? I think test prep is worth the money.
 
the courses are a sham. they prey on the fat wallets of pre meds (and their parents)....

my brother didn't take one and he did well enough to teach for Kaplan (he taught the course and still didn't think it was worth it)

and i didn't take it and did well enough to teach for Kaplan (though i refuse to- i'm not selling my soul! 🙂 )
 
I was very happy that I had taken the test prep. But I am in a little different boat than you. I hadn't completed all the pre-reqs at the time of the test. And when I started practicing I was getting 4's and 5's on the practice tests. I ended up doubling my scores in only 4 months of prep classes.
One of the most beneficial things was that 1. Taking the class, and shelling out the cash, ensure that you will show up and actually practice!. 2. The 5 all day practice sessions were great for building endurance and helping with pacing. 3. The test taking tips were very good.
Negatives: The students teaching the classes really did not have much expertise, so if you need to understand a difficult concept, they won't really be able to help. It really is best for review.

Good luck! Better you than me!!
 
I think this topic has been pretty well covered on both sides so far. But here's my 0.02:

If you decide on the class:
find out if your teacher will be decent. Ask other premeds who have taken the course. I took TPR, and I had one absolutely stellar teacher who was invaluable, and one who was terrible. It can vary.

And if you're one of those people who learn from hearing things taught to you, prep courses are ideal. I chose one for two reasons; 1).I'm a huge procrastinator, and 2). I'm an auditory learner. Hearing the info halved my study time

If you don't decide on the class:
Try to find a study buddy. My roommate and I were studying for the MCAT together, and having someone else around to pace my studying against was a great motivator. If you can find someone reliable, then you can probably do it sans prep course.
🙂
 
Originally posted by Mistress S
I am asking this question both in general and for anyone who wants to give their opinion on it for my specific situation.....

I keep making up my mind, then changing it again, and the classes start in ~2 weeks so I need to decide soon.
Click to expand...

Taking a class is just pathetic. If you need someone to hold your hand for the MCAT, how the hell are you going to study in medical school?

How to stay motivated? If you are asking this question, then I must seriously question your motivation for the field of medicine.

Bottom line: if you can't prepare for a joke of a test on your own, you'll have a tough time in medical school.
 
Originally posted by md_student10021
Taking a class is just pathetic. If you need someone to hold your hand for the MCAT, how the hell are you going to study in medical school?

How to stay motivated? If you are asking this question, then I must seriously question your motivation for the field of medicine.

Bottom line: if you can't prepare for a joke of a test on your own, you'll have a tough time in medical school.
Click to expand...

🙄 ......so?
 
Well md_student, good for you that you are so incredibly motivated and so incredibly intelligent. It's not for you to question anyone's motivation and/or dedication to the process of becoming a physician. Just because your intellictual capacity makes it an easy test for you, that doesn't mean that it's intellectually easy for everyone. There are many other skills that go into becoming a physician - SOCIAL SKILLS for one. Oh, and sensitivity. I'd hate to be your patient - what response would I get from you - "oh, I broke my leg and it didn't hurt me so it can't be hurting you that much - you're just not motivated to get well."

If you can't give your opinion constructively and sensitively, maybe you should just keep it to yourself instead of judging others in a forum like this.
 
Originally posted by md_student10021
Taking a class is just pathetic. If you need someone to hold your hand for the MCAT, how the hell are you going to study in medical school?

How to stay motivated? If you are asking this question, then I must seriously question your motivation for the field of medicine.

Bottom line: if you can't prepare for a joke of a test on your own, you'll have a tough time in medical school.
Click to expand...

This could have been phrased more delicately, but this person raises a good point. The volume of information you need for the MCAT is dwarfed by the volume of information you need for a subject test in med school. If you don't have the discipline to study for the MCAT without a structured course, how will you do it in medical school? Will you take a course for each step of the boards, too?

I got a 26 on the diagnostic (no prep whatsoever, 6 years past AP biology) and studied on my own from Jan-Apr. I used the condensed "joke" of a book Kaplan sells in bookstores and got a 35. I, too, am a procrastinator (grad school has ameliorated some of my bad habits, but I still will be turning in my master's paper on the day it's due), but I managed to focus for this.
 
originally posted by VienneseWaltz


This could have been phrased more delicately, but this person raises a good point.

What good point? I do not see how bashing the original poster's method for studying for the MCAT is a good point? Telling the OP that if she cannot stay motivated to study for the MCAT she needs to rethink her career options is a good point? I certainly was not always motivated at different points when I was studying for the MCAT, I am human you know. Enlighten me here, what are you trying to say?

The volume of information you need for the MCAT is dwarfed by the volume of information you need for a subject test in med school.

I think we all know that, and?
If you don't have the discipline to study for the MCAT without a structured course, how will you do it in medical school? Will you take a course for each step of the boards, too?

So you saying that all pre-meds that take a MCAT prep-course have no discipline?

Yes, there are prep courses for the each step of the boards and most medical school's prepare you for boards.

Yet, most university courses are not geared toward prepping you for MCAT.

I got a 26 on the diagnostic (no prep whatsoever, 6 years past AP biology) and studied on my own from Jan-Apr. I used the condensed "joke" of a book Kaplan sells in bookstores and got a 35. I, too, am a procrastinator (grad school has ameliorated some of my bad habits, but I still will be turning in my master's paper on the day it's due), but I managed to focus for this.

SO!!! . We all have things to do. Read the original post.

I have yet to understand how this helped the original poster. Some people like to distort the original message to give themselves an ego massage. You seriously need to rethink your words before you post here. If you are not going to offer any constructive advice or suggestions, DONT POST. We dont need that in SDN. Grow up!
 
You need to calm the hell down, Rudy.

The OP asked to hear from BOTH people who took courses and people who did not. Given that I took the diagnostic in similar circumstances to the OP and received a similar score, I imagine that she would find my experience relevant.

I never said people who take MCAT prep courses have no discpline. I think most people who take those courses underestimate the amount of discipline they have and are frightened into taking the courses by the prep-course diagnostics.

I am aware that prep courses exist for each step of the boards, so it's not a rhetorical question: Do you plan to learn how to study on your own, or keep shelling out thousands of dollars to pass your licensure tests? How will you manage the volume of information for medical school exams if you have not learned how to study without a structured course? You have to learn it some time. I think the test-prep courses are a crutch for most people.

Of course all of us have things to do. I was working full-time and planning a large wedding when I prepared for the MCAT. Time-management is an important skill for doctors, and that's one thing the MCAT tests for.

YOU need to re-think your tone before posting. Flaming helps no one.
 
originally posted by VienneseWaltz


You need to calm the hell down, Rudy.

Don't like it when people attack you huh? I'm sure the OP didn't either.

The OP asked to hear from BOTH people who took courses and people who did not. Given that I took the diagnostic in similar circumstances to the OP and received a similar score, I imagine that he would find my experience relevant.

Was that before you questioned the poster's ability to perform well in medical school, or after?

I never said people who take MCAT prep courses have no discpline.

re-read your post, you must have forgotten.

I think most people who take those courses underestimate the amount of discipline they have and are frightened into taking the courses by the prep-course diagnostics.

I agree.

I am aware that prep courses exist for each step of the boards, so it's not a rhetorical question: Do you plan to learn how to study on your own, or keep shelling out thousands of dollars to pass your licensure tests?

I think that depends on the person. If the person decides to do that, that is fine. Many people decide to do this, it is there career afterall.

How will you manage the volume of information for medical school exams if you have not learned how to study without a structured course?

MCAT is not structured like the detailed medical school exams you will receive. MCAT is standardized.

You have to learn it some time. I think the test-prep courses are a crutch for most people.

I dont. Many people are not good at taking standarized exams like the MCAT. Yet, these same people perform fantastic in there classes. A test-prep course provides an opportunity to those students who otherwise would not even have a shot at performing well on the MCAT --> no medical school.

YOU need to re-think your tone before posting. Flaming helps no one.

Nice turn around to try and make me look like the bad guy. I stand behind my previous post.
 
It's nearly impossible to say whether the price was worth it. Kaplan was $1000 when I took it, I was working 6 months a year full time doing engineering co-ops. So, that money was available to me. If I did not co-op, this price tag may have pushed me away or forced me to ask mom & dad (who would have laughed!).

For an engineering background though, I thought this helped. My physical sciences were strong, but MC questions are different than multi-step type problems. I took organic, but my school had different classes for chemists vs. engineers. So, it was good to see how different the curriculums were and how different the questions were between engineering & MCAT orgo questions (very different!). But perhaps the biggest help was as a stereotypical engineer, I was not real sharp on the verbal section. Kaplan taught me how to diagnose the types of verbal questions, learn wrong answer "pathology". Since then, I read scientific articles (zero reading in engineering) with MUCH more clarity. So, as cheesy as it sounds, Kaplan not only helped me for the MCAT but changed some things in how I study altogether. Probably wouldn't have gotten there on my own, because I didn't know what I was doing wrong.
 
I think MD_student10021 makes another good point in favor of taking the Kaplan course. If you are socially inept you should probably take the class so that you get as much interaction with other people as possible. It's kinda like taking a dog to obedience school, you can teach it to sit and lie down on your own but you want it to get used to being around other dogs so it doesn't bark its head off every time it interacts with a fellow canine.
 
You're the only one attacking people, Rudy.

Let's have a reading-comprehension exercise.

Take the statement you take so much issue with and claim to have ready carefully: "If you don't have the discipline to study for the MCAT without a structured course, how will you do it in medical school?"

Does the above statement imply that all people who take a structured course for the MCAT lack the discipline to make it in medical school? No, it implies that people who can't focus enough to prepare for the MCAT on their own are in for a nasty shock in medical school. It does not comment on the discipline of every single person who takes a prep course, and there are a variety of reasons for taking a prep course.

The statement doesn't even comment on people who DO take a course because they can't discipline themselves--it merely raises a question that ALL people who are considering medical school, no matter their MCAT score, should ask themselves: Do you have the work ethic to succeed in medicine? As I said, the question was not rhetorical. You even said you agreed with me that most people who take a course underestimate their ability to study on their own.

Does the question imply that the OP, who only asked whether she should take a prep course, does not have the discipline to make it in medical school? No, it's not even close to implying that.

Differences in opinion are illustrative and generally beneficial, but flaming people whose posts you have not read carefully is NOT constructive.
 
"If you don't have the discipline to study for the MCAT without a structured course, how will you do it in medical school? "

I don't think I agree with that statement. A lot of medical schools are all about structure. It's just like the Kaplan MCAT class on crack. A lot of ppl need that structure otherwise they'll just not do anything. Yah. It sounds horrible that ppl could be such slackers (Gasp!) From what I gather from the point when this thread started getting testy was the question of if you don't have the motivation for studying the MCATs by yourself how can you have the motivation to go through med school (or even if you belong in med school). Well..to tell you the truth. I didn't really go all out in undergrad or for the MCATs. Heck I'm not even going all out now. Lack of motivation? Prolly. I didn't get into med school because I was the hardest worker or my love of medicine was sooo much greater than everyone else. I got in cuz my profs thought I would be a great doctor cuz I was genuine about who I am and they thought I was a really good person.

So you don't wanna study 8 hours a day for 2 weeks for the MCATs. That doesn't make you less motivated to be a doc. It just means your priorities are in other places. Doesn't make you any less of a future doc.

I couldn't sit still to ever take a practice full length diagnostic MCAT test. I still can't sit still to study for more than 4 hours straight. Mebbe my motivation is misplaced because I don't care about my grades too much.

Oh well. so if you are one of the ppl who need this class for structure. more power to you.
 
I second VW's position. Although a course may be appriopriate for some people, it is not exactly a panacea. I think that paying for an expensive course to cover subject material already been covered in your undergraduate education should, in principle, be unnecessary...Again, not to say that it is wrong for everyone. It is, however, important to evaluate your study habits. If you do not possess the motivation to study independently for standardized examinations, it may be beneficial to begin developing that motivation. There may not be prep courses for every subject in medical school.

Basically, you have to learn to bicycle without training wheels at some point...why not start now?
 
Im just curious. Of those of you who say not to take a test-prep class, how many of you are already into medical school?

And those who are saying test-prep classes are great, how many of you are in the process of applying or taking the MCAT?

Based on the signatures of the posters, it seems that those who say you dont need test prep courses are the ones that are already in med school or accepted, while the ones that advocate it didnt have a sig.

Either way, my view, for whatever little its worth, is that it doesnt matter if you take the courses or not. Some people dont need them, others do. The reasons vary from actually needing the prep, to wanting structure, to just wanting access to practice materials to offset stress. Reasons people dont are price, time, and people who prefer to study alone.

Doing either is equally valid in my book. I dont think people should judge others though if they decide to go it alone or with a test prep course. I know plenty of people who did well either way, and no one really knows how much course prep helps you anyway.

But I definitely dont think test-prep is a crutch. I myself took a test-prep because all my friends did it and I felt if I didnt I would be at a comparative disadvantage. Also I had APed out of every single class covered on the test except for Organic, so I didnt even have the books to go along with it (I went to a public HS, where you are checked out books and give them back).

So I guess to sum up, there are different reasons for people choosing to take test prep or not. But there really is no reason to judge. Premeds are judged enough by their profs, peers, and adcoms already to have to come to SDN for help to be judged for having taken a prep course or having gone it solo.
 
My experience:

I didn't have a lot of time to prepare on my own so I ended up taking Kaplan (I also had a discount for half off). I thought that it made all the difference for the successes I have had in applying to medical school. My GPA. isn't remarkable, but I did do a lot of E.C.'s. However, I don't think that a lot of the schools would have given me a second look unless I had the MCAT score that I had. I definately think that it is the MCAT and GPA that get your foot in the door, and then adcoms start looking at your other stuff. My advice--go for it. You may really improve your score, which would open doors that you might not otherwise have. Plus, you could spend a lot of money if you don't end up getting in the first year and have to reapply. Also, I was grateful that I didn't do poorly the first time I took the MCAT so I didn't have to retake it and relive all the stress and hell that the MCAT entails. As far as what some people say about not being motivated or disciplined enough for medical school, I think that the two have nothing to do with eachother. But, I do agree that whether you REALLY need the course depends on your personality, situation, and quite possibly your future goals. Good luck with it.
 
Put me in the test-prep-is-well-worth-it category. I took Kaplan in 1999 without having taken physics and with a science GPA that hit 2.7 on a good day. I did quite well on the MCAT even without taking full advantage of what the course had to offer. Had I done more work, I can easily see how the Kaplan stuff would have gotten me and extra four or five points beyond what it did give me.

I work for Kaplan now, and so it may seem that my opinion is biased, but I work for them because I'm convinced it's effective. It sure helped me; I'm quite sure that I wouldn't have had a chance at med school without the course.

With that said: The course is worth it if you put the time into it. The class is fantastic (and will soon be even better). The full lengths are wonderful practice. But the training library, in my opinion, makes the course worthwhile by itself.

The course IS a lot of money. But Kaplan spends millions of dollars writing new material constantly...I write for Kaplan and can testify firsthand that the standards for material are incredibly stringent. Moreover, the executives running the program are brilliant people who really are concerned first and foremost with making good doctors, not running a business.

So yeah, I sound like a shill, but only because Kaplan was a major reason why I was accepted into school. For those willing to put in the time to study, I can't recommend it highly enough. The sheer number of questions you have access to makes it a bargain.
Retaking the MCAT costs $200, which is a big chunk of the cost right there!
 
(Disclaimer: I will not attempt to judge anyone based on what they think of the prep courses.)

I think several points in favor of the prep courses are being made: 1) good content, 2) structure, 3) guidance in review, and 4) study buddies. I'll counter each point in favor of no prep course, though I can only base the counterpoint on my own experience with TPR. Keep in mind I've done it twice, first WITH the course and then WITHOUT.

1) You can get the content without the course. Just buy the materials from someone on campus or on SDN or ebay. I found TPR instructors by and large teach from the text, which is well written and very readable on your own. Not like a textbook at all. Which means if you don't take a course you miss little in the way of getting better or more content. Whatever needed clarification I received it from my college texts. (Of course if you don't have those it might be a different story.)

2) In my earlier post in this thread I outlined the way in which I was able to structure my self-study. If you want tips on this you can send me a PM or ask any of the self-study ppl on SDN. But when it comes down to it, you have to review the material on your own anyway. Keep in mind class time takes away from this self-study time. If you learn most of your class material simply by going to lecture, rather than studying at home/doing problem sets/doing the reading, great. The course might be for you. I don't learn that way. I have to take the material apart and repackage it so I know it inside and out.

3) Having someone go through the material with you may help a lot if you have been out of school a long time. Personally, I did the self-study the summer I graduated, so it had been over a year since I touched the chem/bio/physics, but when I hit the TPR texts I picked it right back up. In psych I learned that re-learning anything is, on average, way faster and easier than learning the first time.

4) Form your own study group! I like studying alone so this was a non-issue.

For these reasons I think prep courses are not worth the $$$, though their texts certainly are. Hope that helps!
 
Originally posted by Goya
"If you don't have the discipline to study for the MCAT without a structured course, how will you do it in medical school? "

I don't think I agree with that statement.
Click to expand...

It's not a statement. It's a question. If I had said, "If you don't have the discipline to study for the MCAT without a structured course, you will not be able to do it in medical school," THEN it would be a statement, and one that most people (including myself) would not agree with. The point is that people who think they can't do well on the MCAT without a course should be aware that greater things will be demanded of them in medical school. It doesn't mean they shouldn't even apply or are doomed to fail.

I was and still am a master procrastinator, but, like sunflower, I bought test-prep materials (Kaplan), made a schedule, and stuck to it enough to get what I needed done. I was petrified of that test, and the thought of screwing it up scared me into (mostly) sticking to my schedule. (The OP asked for motivation, that was my most immediate motivation--not having to take it again.)
 
You know, I had an opinion about which whether it was worth it.

But after reading all these posts, and especially the Clampitt-McCoy duel above, it doesn't matter.

Whatever you do, you still have to study, take practice exams, etc.

Whatever helps you sleep better at night.

I didn't take a course, but my wife says I have super-human powers of focus. I wish!

I hear Jimmy Carter is coming in to monitor this thread!
 
I know that if I hadn't taken the Princeton Review, I would not have been accepted to medical school. I had an unimpressive GPA (3.36), and I needed to do as well as possible on the MCAT to save my chances of being accepted. I took the August 2002 MCAT, so my class lasted most of the summer leading up to the test. I didn't study for the MCAT like most people did. In fact, over the whole summer, I studied about 6 hours total on my own (most of which was the night before the test). However, I went to the class regularly and listened to the lectures, did the practice tests, and did the in-class exercises as prescribed by the course. My first diagnostic score was a 24, which improved every time I took a practice test. I think just being exposed to the material for 3 hours a day shifted my mind into the right focus to do well on the MCAT. I also can't discount the efficacy of the diagnostic tests in familiarizing me with the test format. I ended up getting a 33t on the MCAT, and this was a credit solely to the Princeton Review program and the great teachers they employ. Because of my lack of independent study for the MCAT, I am an example of a person for whom the Princeton Review alone improved my score. I would recommend the PR to anyone. -Aaron
 
I am not, however recommending that anyone not study on his/her own. That was actually pretty dumb on my part, but I ended up getting lucky (or blessed, as I prefer to put it.) So, study hard and take a course, and you'll do your best. Good luck to everyone taking the MCAT! -Aaron
 
Originally posted by Mistress S
I am asking this question both in general and for anyone who wants to give their opinion on it for my specific situation. I was planning to take the MCAT this April, and after getting 27's on a kaplan half-length diag offered free at my school and AAMC 1 without studying I decided I could probably get away with preparing on my own. I bought the complete set of Examcrackers review books plus some other review materials and made up a day-by-day study schedule for myself starting in Jan, which I promptly disregarded and got way behind on. For unrelated reasons I have decided not to apply this June, and so I'm now planning to take the August MCAT instead, giving me the whole summer to prepare. However, I'm really debating whether or not I should shell out the ungodly amount of money for PR or Kaplan (~$1350 in my area!!).

On the one hand, I am generally good at taking standardized tests, have a strong GPA (3.76), and see no real benefit in paying someone to "teach" me things I already know and could review on my own. On the other hand...I am a HUGE procrastinator. 🙄 I write 12 page papers the night before they're due, I read 5 chapters the day before a test, all to avoid doing anything in advance. I don't know why I am this way, but I more or less made peace with it around my junior year and realized that it's just my style and that's okay since it's not negatively affecting my grades. Unfortunately, it's not a style that works well with MCAT studying, which as others have observed is more of a marathon than a race. I feel like I tried self-study the past few months, with disappointing results. Then again, I didn't really make any time accomodations for MCAT studying-I kept my work and school schedules basically the same, making it hard to find time to study. This summer, I will only be working ~30 hrs/wk, leaving more time to review for the test. It seems that, if nothing else, a class will provide the structure and organization I seem to be lacking; I'm just not sure if that is worth the hefty price tag.

So what do you all think? I want to believe that I can adequately prepare on my own, thus freeing up >$1300 to spend bumming around Mexico this summer (my post-MCAT plan). But I'm just afraid that 1.) I'll procrastinate too much and not get things done and 2.) I won't be sufficiently prepared if I study on my own-maybe an irrational fear but I can't help thinking that those who take the class will have an advantage. If you took Kaplan or PR, was it worth the money? If you studied on your own, how did you stay motivated and keep to a schedule? Do you think it is worth the cost for the class if you're a good test-taker (i.e., don't need to learn the "strategies") but just aren't good at self-structuring? Please give opinions- I keep making up my mind, then changing it again, and the classes start in ~2 weeks so I need to decide soon.
Click to expand...

I found myself in a similar situation, I was a procrastonator (big time) but didn't want to shell out for a class. I actually took the MCAT once before I had studied much and did reasonably well, but felt that I could do better. I bought the EK material, and drew-up a schedule for myself. I think that the key to making this work is to also schedule a specific hour or two during the day that are set aside for MCAT prep only. I wont say that I never flaked out, but I was generally pretty dillagent. I think the EK materials are excellent, I brought up my science scores by 3pts in each section, so I have no regrets about my decision. As for the procrastination thing, that may have worked in college (sort of) but I figured that if I'm going to go to medical school it's time to learn some new habits. After all, if I couldn't find an hour a day (or just wouldn't do it) to study for the MCAT, how would I ever survive in medical school?
I think this was the best decision for me because it killed two birds with one stone. First, I managed to prepare myself well for the MCAT, and second, I improved my studyskills and made a dent in some old bad habits.
 
took Kaplan
teach TPR now

if you need structure, classes are good and since MCAT is curved you want to see what your competition saw before the test.

many posters have said this, but the teachers can be variable so ask around. I know personally what TPR expects of their teachers so you *should* find them to be well prepared, but do ask.

Also TPR has a stricter homework policy which will force you to be on track. Since Kaplan didn't check homework I blew everything off until about a month before and then tried to catch up....Both programs have good diagnostics and good texts. I like TPRs textbooks better though as I have both sets - & they are current. I think TPRs are better organized and go into more detail with more sophisticated examples (esp in Phys Sciences). Again I have both sets of current books so I can directly compare them. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.
 
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