EK to BR Bio with SN2ed

[rockstarramona]

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I want to start by saying thank you, SN2ed, for this study schedule. I would have found it difficult to construct one from scratch on my own. You alleviated some of my MCAT pain, you healer, you. You should be a doctor.

This topic has been addressed in other threads, but I want to both resurrect it and ask a specific question.

When I read an EK bio chapter and then try the corresponding passages (modified version of doctoroftha313) from BR, I get slapped. My bio is admittedly weak after doing Bio 1&2 in a concentrated summer format, so I'm wondering if I should read the BR chaps instead. I'm really short on time (July 29 exam date and only just getting started studying), so the brevity of EK bio is like a dream-come-true, but those BR passages are a nightmare. The obvious answer would be, yes, stupid, read the BR passages if you don't know the info. But I'm not sure if it is a matter of the passages not linking with the EK material, so I haven't actually reviewed what they are testing, or if I'm just hopelessly deficient. I'm willing to accept the latter.

What I want to know is if most people using this approach are doing fine on BR after reviewing with EK, or if supplementation from BR is needed?

Thanks.

 

[SN2ed]

It sounds like the non-detailed approach isn't working for you. You might want to pick up TPRH Bio. Just run a search for TPR MCAT Biology Review. It's the book with the red cover of RBCs.http://www.amazon.com/Biology-Revie...7929/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1305650217&sr=8-4

 

[jillzhou]

I have a similar problem. I've started reading the BR chapters and then worked on random passages but I feel that BR runs through the basics, the actual questions in the passages are far more specific. So would reading EK/TPR prior to BR help?

 

[rockstarramona]

I guess I would like to know at what level I need to know this material. At the EK level, as tested on the 30 minute exams, or at the BR level? If I decide to read the much longer BR chaps, are there any topics that are not as important or can be given a cursory review. The difference in treatment of some topics is so vastly different between these two sources. EK covers genetics in one short chapter, plus an even shorter one on population. BR takes hundreds of pages to cover the same material. I'm willing to put in the work, I just want to study efficiently and effectively. I guess that's obvious...

 

[TallScrubs2012]

I have similarly related questions regarding EK and BR; I have all of my materials for the SN2ed 3 Month Study Guide. I actually started studying for the MCAT in January for the April 29th MCAT, but with 3 family deaths and a full load at school, plus a part time job and research, I couldn't stay on track. So now, I'm gearing up for the August 18th MCAT using the SN2ed Guide. However, while I was studying the first time, I realized that BR goes extremely in depth, which I appreciate as I wasn't quite a 4.0 student in my pre-reqs (which I just finished this semester [SP2011]; also, when I say sub 4.0, I mean mostly A/B's). I am wondering if anyone has any pointers with regard to EK and BR for content review. I enjoyed reading the EK Bio and found studying to be less stressful, and semi-enjoyable. I understand the advantage of having a thorough, in-depth, detailed review. Anyone out there who used either the BR books for all 4 subjects or the EK Review for all 4 subjects? Any opinions are appreciated (especially yours, SN2ed...).

 

[CrushMCAT]

I'd love to hear your post-MCAT review of EK vs. BR when the time comes. Good luck!

 

[rockstarramona]

Yes, I too would like to hear a post-game review of EK vs. BR. Any of those MCAT geniuses from 4/16 club want to weigh in? There were some great scores coming from that group.

TallScrubs2012, I have now tried reading a BR bio chapter (painfully long) doing the 1/3 passages, rereading EK (the chap that corresponds the best) instead of BR, then doing the 2/3 of passages. I still did well in the EK 30 minute test, and my BR passages were better (1 or 2 incorrect instead of 2 or three/ passage). Let me know if you find a BR/EK strategy that works for you.