Exam Krackers vs Barron's

[cmn623]

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Hi All,
I purchased the Barron's 9th edition study guide and was just wondering if anyone had opinions about it... how is it compared to Exam Krackers and which of the two do you think I should rely most heavily on for study material?? The Barron's book says it has four full length MCAT exams.. however it says that they are model exams that closely reflect the MCAT questions..anyone know how close these exams are to the actual MCAT??
Thanks

 

[DrBowtie]

I really don't think Barron's is ever discussed here. Most people stick to EK, Princeton Review or Kaplan.

 

[Dr Durden]

Get rid of Barron's as fast as you can. I also purchased it because it was cheap and had four "real" exams. Unfortunately, you get what you pay for. The organic chemistry and physics prep is marginal, with the biology coverage only slightly more focused.

The real fault though lies with the mock exam passages that are nothing at all like the real MCAT. Barron's science passages are incredibly short and basic, and their questions rely heavily on simple computation. The MCAT passages are lengthier and cover abstract topics you likely won't have seen before, and they ask you to apply reasoning with your basic knowlege to the topic. The scores you get from Barron's are not at all reflective of the real thing.

It sucks to do it, but shell out the real money for ExamKrackers, Kaplan, or Princeton Review books. More importantly, get your hands on real MCAT practice exams. All of this can be found through online auctions if you want to save some cash, though be warned you might be infringing on copyrights.

Good luck with your prep.

 

[Telo78]

Yeah I agree that the Barron's stuff will only do you a disservice by misguiding you. I would definitely say to purchase the EK stuff. I would also say that you should go on ebay and get the TPR stuff as well. It's great. I find the EK stuff to be the best but is even better when you combine it with at least the TPR physical science review.

 

[smuwillobrien]

Barrons should only be used when you run out of toilet paper. It is complete garbage. I remember they had a section that talked about the anatomy of cranial nerves - really useful stuff on the MCAT. =\

Barrons is the Roseanne Barr of MCAT preparatory material.

 

[docolive]

Barrons should only be used when you run out of toilet paper. It is complete garbage. I remember they had a section that talked about the anatomy of cranial nerves - really useful stuff on the MCAT. =\

Barrons is the Roseanne Barr of MCAT preparatory material.

 

[eraser]

I'd never recommend Barrons, Arco, or any of the cheap over the counter stuff you get at the bookstore. The only thing from the bookstore that is good is the big Kaplan book.

I'll have to agree. Stay away from Barrons.

 

[stealthopts17]

I'm ashamed to say that I used Barrons to prepare for the August MCAT. A week before the MCAT, I found SDN and stumbled upon a thread that had people listing various materials they used and what they thought about them. Barrons got the ol' 👎 . In the end, I didn't do so hot. It sucks. Return it.

 

[cmn623]

haha thanks for all the replies guys...ill most definitly start looking into other study material .. barron's is as good as in the garbage! thanks! 🙂

 

[gotmeds?]

You can buy last year's version of the big Kaplan beast cheap. What I liked about that book was the short chapters. They're not bad and it's easy enough to go through one a day and then practice some appropriate related passages from your other materials. I wouldn't recommend it as your main study book, but for the $10 - $20 you'll find it for used, it's a great supplement.

 

[smuwillobrien]

You can buy last year's version of the big Kaplan beast cheap. What I liked about that book was the short chapters. They're not bad and it's easy enough to go through one a day and then practice some appropriate related passages from your other materials. I wouldn't recommend it as your main study book, but for the $10 - $20 you'll find it for used, it's a great supplement.

If you've used all of your toilet paper and all you've got left of Barrons is that horribly designed laminated cover, you might want to move on to your Kaplan book.