EK or TBR orgo if I've been out for 3 years?

[loykastj]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have both the full EK set and TBR set of study books, and am curious which would be the best to use to review orgo for the MCAT?

I've heard good things about either, and have heard some sentiments that TBR goes more in depth than is needed and EK covers only what you must know for the MCAT. I realize more background knowledge is useful on the tough MCAT quesitons, and TBR would probably excel here.

But in the end, what has been your preference between the two? Starting orgo studies in ~4-5 days, thanks!

 

[0Complications]

I haven't used the TBR Ochem books, but I'm really liking the EK Orgo. It's short, to the point and covers everything I've seen thus far on any of my practice exams.

I think if you went with EK you would be set.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

I have both the full EK set and TBR set of study books, and am curious which would be the best to use to review orgo for the MCAT?

I've heard good things about either, and have heard some sentiments that TBR goes more in depth than is needed and EK covers only what you must know for the MCAT. I realize more background knowledge is useful on the tough MCAT quesitons, and TBR would probably excel here.

But in the end, what has been your preference between the two? Starting orgo studies in ~4-5 days, thanks!

Obviously I'm a bit biased, but BR is a better way to go. There are strategies and the material is well integrated with biology. The depth it goes into often has to due with biological examples of reactions and other MCAT-specific examples.

And it is REALLY IMPORTANT to realize that there is no such thing as "only what you need to know for the MCAT." The test writers are notorious for coming up with bizarre passages that present topics you haven't seen before. If you look back at previous MCAT threads, you will often read about a few passages that people totally didn't expect and thus never studied for.

 

[Nasrudin]

I've got both, and am studying content right now for o-chem.


Heah's da ting buddy. If I wanted to skim something in a dentist office for a few minutes and zing my memory w/ some color graphics I'd take the EK. And who knows I may do that in the future after content review is over.

But right now while I'm trying to dial up an understanding of o-chem that is like 4 years old for me, I'm using BR, and my EK book is collecting dust.

Why you might well ask--to which here's my answer--and it's purely a question of pedagogical style you dig and feel is most productive.

Understanding something for me is dialectic process not pertaining to zingy power point displays. BR books--for me--encourage thinking and understanding, wherein the endgame is being responsive to the unexpected with solid critical thinking pertaining to the range of topics in play. BR does an excellent job of integrating things that would likely occur together in a passage so that your knowledge is not segregated into a blinding maze of cookie cutter scenarios and cul-de-sacs.

EK is for the masses and their consumptive habits. Loose 30 lbs in 30 days. How to find a husband. Is your boyfriend into you. Oprah's favorite things. And so on.

My .02$ out.

 

[loykastj]

And it is REALLY IMPORTANT to realize that there is no such thing as "only what you need to know for the MCAT." The test writers are notorious for coming up with bizarre passages that present topics you haven't seen before. If you look back at previous MCAT threads, you will often read about a few passages that people totally didn't expect and thus never studied for.

That is the one reason why I'm leaning towards TBR books to study off of, I want to ensure all the background knowledge one could have in preparation for the whacked out questions I'm gonna see in 2 months.

 

[HoorayForAHock]

I've got both, and am studying content right now for o-chem.


Heah's da ting buddy. If I wanted to skim something in a dentist office for a few minutes and zing my memory w/ some color graphics I'd take the EK. And who knows I may do that in the future after content review is over.

But right now while I'm trying to dial up an understanding of o-chem that is like 4 years old for me, I'm using BR, and my EK book is collecting dust.

Why you might well ask--to which here's my answer--and it's purely a question of pedagogical style you dig and feel is most productive.

Understanding something for me is dialectic process not pertaining to zingy power point displays. BR books--for me--encourage thinking and understanding, wherein the endgame is being responsive to the unexpected with solid critical thinking pertaining to the range of topics in play. BR does an excellent job of integrating things that would likely occur together in a passage so that your knowledge is not segregated into a blinding maze of cookie cutter scenarios and cul-de-sacs.

EK is for the masses and their consumptive habits. Loose 30 lbs in 30 days. How to find a husband. Is your boyfriend into you. Oprah's favorite things. And so on.

My .02$ out.

This.

 

[Nasrudin]

It's worth adding...

Todd Benet's darkly wry sarcasm is funny.

Whereas Jon and Jordan's armpit fart noises add an exponential dimension to the tedium of studying.

I would pay those fools not to tell jokes. They should quit the joke business altogether, so as not to encourage other geeks to follow suit, much to the sadness of future colleagues.

In fact if you find these 2 wingnuts funny. You should take that as a confirmation that you comprise the 60-80 % of current and future physicians that have done nothing with themselves except worry over their place in the grading curve from kindergarten. And now find themselves freshly minted 30-something docs without knowing what a vagina feels like.

 

[loykastj]

This.

Yeah, I did some glossing over and totally agree with you two.

I'm not into power-diets, I need the long, hard road of TBR to get a fundamental knowledge of what I'm doing with those little organic molecules.

Thanks for the input folks.

(Maybe I'll use EK just for more practice Q's, since I don't believe I'll be using it for much else, man TBR rocks)

 

[0Complications]

In fact if you find these 2 wingnuts funny. You should take that as a confirmation that you comprise the 60-80 % of current and future physicians that have done nothing with themselves except worry over their place in the grading curve from kindergarten. And now find themselves freshly minted 30-something docs without knowing what a vagina feels like.

This statement made the whole thread worthwhile.

I don't know if I agree with the idea that an in depth review is necessarily better than a light overview. It's been stated on this forum countless times, EK is for those who know the material and just need a refresher.

I agree that it isn't for everyone, but I think that if one has a decent grasp of Organic and they feel they can integrate it into biological concepts then EK is great.

I'm biased though, I don't struggle with the conceptual organic concepts or with integrating it into biological mechanisms/actions. My issue is remembering the reaction names, so for me EK is perfect.

I should note though that I am using BR for physics and gchem.

 

[Nasrudin]

This statement made the whole thread worthwhile.

I don't know if I agree with the idea that an in depth review is necessarily better than a light overview. It's been stated on this forum countless times, EK is for those who know the material and just need a refresher.

I agree that it isn't for everyone, but I think that if one has a decent grasp of Organic and they feel they can integrate it into biological concepts then EK is great.

I'm biased though, I don't struggle with the conceptual organic concepts or with integrating it into biological mechanisms/actions. My issue is remembering the reaction names, so for me EK is perfect.

I should note though that I am using BR for physics and gchem.

Fair enough. I don't disagree.