EK vs Kaplan for Organic Chem & General Chem content review

[lavinia]

I have the full sets of both Examkrackers & Kaplan MCAT prep books. Which is better for content review of Organic Chem & General Chem?

I've scoured several forums, so I know that Berkeley Review is supposed to be the best. I'm reluctant to spend the extra $300 on more prep books, though. Since I have the EK & Kaplan books already, I'm hoping someone can tell me which is best of the two.

The EK books do not seem to be very comprehensive, so I'm worried that I'll miss out on important details if I use them. But Kaplan seems to get a lot of flak as well... are their books really that bad for content review?

Don't know what to do 🙁. Should have consulted SDN before spending $$ on these books. Would have gone with TBR instead, but seeing as I've already spent the money... any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

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[SN2ed]

EK is okay in terms of content review if you're strong in your pre-reqs and you only need a brief overview to get you up to speed. If you're weak at all in either section, spend the money and get BR. Since it sounds like you aren't signed up for a course, you'll need practice passages anyway which BR covers. A lack of practice passages in any section is a big problem. Taking tons of practice passages is vital.


Biology: 1. EK Bio (for content) + BR Bio (for passages and further topic depth if needed) 2. TPR Hyperlearning, detail oriented 3. Kaplan

Physics: 1. BR 2. Nova 3. TPR Hyperlearning 4. EK/Kaplan

Verbal: 1. EK 101 Verbal 2. TPR Hyperlearning Verbal Workbook 3. BR 4. Kaplan (Avoid if possible)

Organic Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

General Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 1. AAMC Official Guide to the MCAT Exam (most representative material available) 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics

 

[mido1765]

I have the full sets of both Examkrackers & Kaplan MCAT prep books. Which is better for content review of Organic Chem & General Chem?

I've scoured several forums, so I know that Berkeley Review is supposed to be the best. I'm reluctant to spend the extra $300 on more prep books, though. Since I have the EK & Kaplan books already, I'm hoping someone can tell me which is best of the two.

The EK books do not seem to be very comprehensive, so I'm worried that I'll miss out on important details if I use them. But Kaplan seems to get a lot of flak as well... are their books really that bad for content review?

Don't know what to do 🙁. Should have consulted SDN before spending $$ on these books. Would have gone with TBR instead, but seeing as I've already spent the money... any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

I see that money is an issue but 300$ extra are prob the most important 300$ you will pay in a long time. you can try getting them from ebay or craigslist but nevertheless make sure you are prepared from the mcat even if it costs.

 

[ridethecliche]

I think kaplan is better for content review in Gen chem and orgo. In physics, EK and Kaplan are mediocre at best.

I love EK bio, but I supplemented some things with Kaplan that I needed to see more in depth.

You should be fine working off both as long you have other sources that have more passages.

EK's passages are good, but 30 min exams for a section aren't really enough if it's not your strong suit.

 

[Swagster]

I see that money is an issue but 300$ extra are prob the most important 300$ you will pay in a long time. you can try getting them from ebay or craigslist but nevertheless make sure you are prepared from the mcat even if it costs.

I hawked ebay, SDN, and craigslist forever and those books go so fast and still cost $300. It's nuts that used books cost as much as new ones. I finally broke down and am using new BR physics and chem.

If I were the OP, I'd bite the bullet and get BR gen chem and physics for sure. It's $120 plus shipping and you can resell them for around $120 when you're done.