I have been trying to use Audio Osmosis as a primary study tool, but I am not sure if that is the best way to study for the MCATS. I have been taking notes on every lecture then doing the corresponding chapters in the 1001 questions, then working through the 16 mini mcats. I noticed that the Kaplan books go alot more into depth and am wondering if I should be supplementing the AO Cds? Has anyone used the AO cds as their primary study tool? Did it work for you?
Exam Kracker Audio Osmosis Vs. Kaplan Course
- Thread starter smoodle
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AO alone is insufficient. Honestly unless you're very strong I'd go w tbr, kap or tpr. And by strong I mean 30+ before you even start studying. That's from experience. (My score on a one of those free "super hard" diagnostics was a balanced 30 before I started studying and I still felt like ek didn't really offer sufficient prep, although their materials make for great supplement.)
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I would not recommend AO. Actually, I found all of the examkrackers study info pretty weak for physical sciences. Bio, wasn't too bad.
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I listen to it only when I am driving - to make best use of whatever time I have. If you have a lot going on, listening to this may not be a bad idea as you are doing other chores that don't need too much attention - like working out on a treadmill or driving, waiting for a bus, etc. But I never listen to it when I get down to sit and study at my desk.
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I have gone through Examkracker Audio osmosis and it is definitely a supplement not a main source. I think EK mentions that several times. I would stick with Examkracker books and using some college text books/ certain notes ( Physics 1, Physics 2 and Organic chem). EK does a pretty okay job with Gen chem in it's book and a pretty good job with Biology. However, If you have some money to blow away ehhh a course won't hurt. Good luck!
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Yeah the Examkracker Physical Sciences is pretty bad especially the Physics. Man I have never seen such a vague and misleading book in my whole life. I would stick with Berkley for Physical sciences and EK/Audio osmosis for Biology.
AO says out right that it can be used as primary study material. And as I have been comparing Kaplan to AO physics, they are exactly the same. They tell you the same equations, just Kaplan books waste your time going over meaningless anecdotes. And as I have been going over old exams I took, I realize that the things I missed, were not because AO was lacking, but simply because I hadn't memorized the equations yet.
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This. Simply having memorized the equations and concepts is going to guarantee you a 25, just like everybody else. Beating the curve requires that you truly understand the concepts. I would contend that someone who is going to get in the 30s should be able to explain the any of the difficult science concepts on the MCAT to a 5-year-old (and have the 5-y/o generally understand) while also being able to walk into an advanced course in that discipline and satisfactorily complete the course w/o needing all of the prereqs. Your understanding of the basics should be that good. (And both those criteria are possible. A in-depth, comprehensive understanding of the basics is usually sufficient to complete any advanced UG course. If you pull out, for instance, your biochem book and compare it to the concepts of your gen chem and gen bio books. Assuming you've got solid gen chem and bio books, most of the biochem topics will be in there.)
