Has anyone tried MCAT Achiever yet?

[tresbon]

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Members do not see this ad.

A friend of mine told me about this new product yesterday. I just tried the Free Trial and the questions look impressive to me, but was wondering anyone got the paid version and found it helpful?

Here's the link to the site, just in case you're going to need it:

www.mcatachiever.com

Thanks.

 

[Doctor Mayo]

Wow ... This looks like a well built program. I never had a CBT that could run problem free on my macbook as this software. Truly good sample questions with great solutions on the DEMO!

 

[carlson]

Does the trial consist of questions different from the three full-length tests, or it's simply one part of the three CBTs?

 

[Doctor Mayo]

Does the trial consist of questions different from the three full-length tests, or it's simply one part of the three CBTs?

They should be different in my opinion. Isn't this mentioned on the web?

 

[carlson]

Thanks, Doc. I think they are different. I just purchased the subscription, and didn't seem to notice any question repeating from the trial when taking a Physical Sciences test. Mannn ... the PS in Achiever is really hard. I only scored a 7 (that's considered lucky cuz I actually guessed through quite a number of questions during the test) while I would usually get a double digit score on AAMC's.

 

[DamienPro]

I suppose what makes MCAT Achiever a valuable prep tool is that it generally requires you to have a combination of background knowledge and critical thinking to answer the questions – a nasty trend seen and testified by many recent MCAT test takers.

 

[TurkSurg]

.

 

[Empower]

80$ is a lot now... someone whoever buys this should bring their opinions here...

i could buy a TPR 2nd edition book, a tea, and a mcdonalds menu for that money

Well, I personally feel this a good investment. The FLs actually simulate a lot better than many CBTs out there. I tried TPR online, and was always debarred from getting in because of incompatible browsers they keep telling me.

 

[SN2ed]

As a general rule, I'd stick to the known companies. It's typically a bad sign when a site like SDN hasn't really heard of it. Furthermore, there are plenty of websites that exploit pre-meds.

 

[capn jazz]

Haha all the first posts in this thread are by people with like 10-20 posts and kind of read like the guy who made MCAT achiever assuming multiple identities to vouch for/question/answer about his product! 😀

 

[Empower]

As a general rule, I'd stick to the known companies. It's typically a bad sign when a site like SDN hasn't really heard of it. Furthermore, there are plenty of websites that exploit pre-meds.

I know what you mean, just like the MCAT Secret that used to be here ripping students off with their gimmicks. Why don't you sign up for the free trial and see for yourself before placing any abrupt judgment here?

 

[capn jazz]

Wow, way to confirm that you're somehow involved with the company with a comment like that.

 

[Baylor83]

Wow, way to confirm that you're somehow involved with the company with a comment like that.

Come on, capn. These people are here to tell the SDNers of a new CBT option. If you don't buy their ideas, then don't bother looking at it. BTW, I remember MCAT Achiever was once here on SDN during the Test Prep Week. Not sure if that thread still exists.

 

[phEight]

Well, I was looking through some posts from the DAT section, and there was a fairly huge poll with a lot of options about what people found to be a good tool for studying, and the most (57 people) selected the DAT achiever. That gives it a bit of credibility in my opinion, and the trial definitely looks nice too.

Depending how my current practice materials work for me I might try this out. Doubt it for now though

 

[DamienPro]

A few people PM me what I think about this program, and I thought I should just answer them here. The FLs actually focus quite a bit on topics not usually seen on other CBTs. For instance, the BS would touch on genetics and molecular biology and the PS would entail something like diffraction observation through a nylon curtain, with random and tricky questions not easily answered by just skimming through the passage. Although the 3 CBTs will not have enough room to cover all topics listed by AAMC, they really make you think through the problems from a different perspective, which is what the MCAT is heading to as I mentioned earlier.

 

[Solar]

Thank you, Damien ... for the advice given. MCAT Achiever sure rocks and has certainly benefited me a lot. I'm sure many others will find it useful and appreciate a program so well written.

 

[Baylor83]

Well, I was looking through some posts from the DAT section, and there was a fairly huge poll with a lot of options about what people found to be a good tool for studying, and the most (57 people) selected the DAT achiever. That gives it a bit of credibility in my opinion, and the trial definitely looks nice too.

Depending how my current practice materials work for me I might try this out. Doubt it for now though

Here at the Baylor College of Dentistry, all students taking the summer DAT classes have been told to get DAT Achiever, which constitutes part of the core materials. The MCAT is a different standardized test though; and the achiever is yet to prove its usefulness both through the trial and the paid versions.

 

[Chga]

I used to be Pre-Dental and used DAT achiever to prepare for the DAT. It was one of the best practice tests I used compared to the real DAT. At the end I scored in the 90th percentile on the DAT.
I felt that this program was not good for studying, but it was great for practice. Its simulation DAT was extremely difficult compared to the real test.
This was my experience with the DAT, I really dont know what the MCAT test would be like on this program.

 

[carlson]

80$ is a lot now... someone whoever buys this should bring their opinions here...

i could buy a TPR 2nd edition book, a tea, and a mcdonalds menu for that money

Anything that costs money is dear during the economy recession. But guess what, I get to ask the author any questions that I have from these tests. Truly worth every penny that I spent on it.

 

[Solar]

Hey, anyone out there who took the MCAT today has used MCAT Achiever? and, is this software any good in preparing you guys for the test? Thanks

 

[schrizto]

🙂

 

[DamienPro]

Hey, anyone out there who took the MCAT today has used MCAT Achiever? and, is this software any good in preparing you guys for the test? Thanks

It's probably a bit early to get feedback at this point considering this a newly launched program. You should hear something about it from the students in upcoming administrations.

 

[TheHumanTorch]

Whenever I get a half-time or 5 minute prompt, the clock on Achiever's test keeps ticking down before I even have the chance responding to it. Is this what we are supposed to expect on the real MCAT?

 

[skyNice]

As far as I know, the timer on the real thing ticks down continuously once the test has started regardless of what is on the screen.

 

[TheHumanTorch]

As far as I know, the timer on the real thing ticks down continuously once the test has started regardless of what is on the screen.

Oh ... Does this happen to the 10 minute break as well? ... meaning if I am not back to my terminal in time to click OK when the 10 minutes have fully elapsed, will I end up losing a portion of time in the next test session?

 

[legoland]

You would definitely be screwed if you got back late to your seat. Do not take a chance on that.

 

[TheHumanTorch]

You would definitely be screwed if you got back late to your seat. Do not take a chance on that.

Thanks for the informative advice. I'll have this seriously in mind.

 

[tresbon]

Thanks, Doc. I think they are different. I just purchased the subscription, and didn't seem to notice any question repeating from the trial when taking a Physical Sciences test. Mannn ... the PS in Achiever is really hard. I only scored a 7 (that's considered lucky cuz I actually guessed through quite a number of questions during the test) while I would usually get a double digit score on AAMC's.

That's also partly because there're typically 8 passages in Achiever's PS vs the 7 passages found in AAMC. I'm not sure you would ever get a PS with 8 passages on the MCAT, but anything as condensed as you're seeing in Achiever should serve to make you work a lot harder if not preparing you for the worst part of the real thing.

 

[BennieBlanco]

THIS THREAD IS CLEARLY FAKE AND HAS BEEN STARTED BY THE MCAT ACHIEVER COMPANY.

They likely had a good program for DAT and are now trying to break into MCAT world.

Just do it ethically guys. Buy some advertising, don't pose as students.

 

[BennieBlanco]

A friend of mine told me about this new product yesterday. I just tried the Free Trial and the questions look impressive to me, but was wondering anyone got the paid version and found it helpful?

Here's the link to the site, just in case you're going to need it:

www.mcatachiever.com

Thanks.

THIS IS A LIE, THIS GUY'S FIRST POST WAS YEARS AGO ADVISING SOMEONE HOW TO USE AN "ACHIEVER" PROGRAM... HERE IS THE POST FROM 2007:

The best way of making use of Achiever's solution in this section is to ushade the 3D thing. That will help visualize the answer when attempting to rotate the model to the correct entry.
​

He has been advising people about Achiever programs for 2 years.

 

[Empower]

THIS THREAD IS CLEARLY FAKE AND HAS BEEN STARTED BY THE MCAT ACHIEVER COMPANY.

They likely had a good program for DAT and are now trying to break into MCAT world.

Just do it ethically guys. Buy some advertising, don't pose as students.

Well ... everyone is advertising here in one form or another, except for the fact that you are doing so at the expense of your jeopardizing your character. What have you got to lose with some free stuff (though new) here to benefit the SDNers?

 

[BennieBlanco]

Well ... everyone is advertising here in one form or another, except for the fact that you are doing so at the expense of your jeopardizing your character. What have you got to lose with some free stuff (though new) here to benefit the SDNers?

Actually I am not advertising. And if I think about the people who come on here and post the most, they aren't advertising.

You are advertising.

AND... there is an honest way of advertising where you pay money OR don't lie.

Then there is what you are doing, pretending to be a pre-med student to sell your product. This is sleazy and dishonest. I'd rather you be honest and promote yourself.

Liar.

 

[Empower]

Actually I am not advertising. And if I think about the people who come on here and post the most, they aren't advertising.

You are advertising.

AND... there is an honest way of advertising where you pay money OR don't lie.

Then there is what you are doing, pretending to be a pre-med student to sell your product. This is sleazy and dishonest. I'd rather you be honest and promote yourself.

Liar.

There're ways and means for everyone to convey messages, which you deliberately termed as lies.

Can the following post by tresbon be a lie too?

That's also partly because there're typically 8 passages in Achiever's PS vs the 7 passages found in AAMC. I'm not sure you would ever get a PS with 8 passages on the MCAT, but anything as condensed as you're seeing in Achiever should serve to make you work a lot harder if not preparing you for the worst part of the real thing.

Please do your research before sparking anything outrageous on the forum!

 

[Solar]

There are always haters of some sort for something. But trust me, these are the people who would still take advantage of the freebies and then backbite on them.

 

[phEight]

As far as I'm concerned, if any of you guys are from the MCAT Achiever company, which oddly seems likely, it is sleazy to advertise your product pretending to be something you're not. Have some respect for the SDN community and the admins of this website. If you want to advertise, ask for permission. Legitimacy and respect goes a long way. Advertising is also against this website's TOS. Read:

"This is a forum of ideas, so advertisements are not allowed in the main forums. Advertisements may only be posted in the Free Classifieds section of the forums. A member may answer another member's question about their occupation or business, however, blatant advertising or solicitations of or for business is prohibited. This includes, but not limited to, links to products or services with which the poster is affiliated, whether or not a fee is charged for the product or service. Spamming, in which a user posts the same message repeatedly, is also prohibited. Pyramid schemes — chain letters that involve money — are not only prohibited by the Student Doctor Network standards, but they're also illegal. It is permissible for members to mention services or products that are provided by them or the companies with which they are affiliated, as long as the information is germane to the topic, is not a blatant advertisement, and the members mention their affiliation with the company in the content of the message."

Anyway, if I'm wrong I apologize. I realize this post is not on the topic of this thread, and mods can delete this post if they feel it's necessary.

 

[BennieBlanco]

As far as I'm concerned, if any of you guys are from the MCAT Achiever company, which oddly seems likely, it is sleazy to advertise your product pretending to be something you're not. Have some respect for the SDN community and the admins of this website. If you want to advertise, ask for permission. Legitimacy and respect goes a long way. Advertising is also against this website's TOS. Read:

"This is a forum of ideas, so advertisements are not allowed in the main forums. Advertisements may only be posted in the Free Classifieds section of the forums. A member may answer another member’s question about their occupation or business, however, blatant advertising or solicitations of or for business is prohibited. This includes, but not limited to, links to products or services with which the poster is affiliated, whether or not a fee is charged for the product or service. Spamming, in which a user posts the same message repeatedly, is also prohibited. Pyramid schemes — chain letters that involve money — are not only prohibited by the Student Doctor Network standards, but they’re also illegal. It is permissible for members to mention services or products that are provided by them or the companies with which they are affiliated, as long as the information is germane to the topic, is not a blatant advertisement, and the members mention their affiliation with the company in the content of the message."

Anyway, if I'm wrong I apologize. I realize this post is not on the topic of this thread, and mods can delete this post if they feel it's necessary.

The members did NOT mention they worked for the company. This is a sleazy attempt and it is obvious with every supporting post coming from someone with under 50 posts.

PLEASE REALIZE IF YOU ARE READING THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS THREAD THAT THEY ARE FROM THE MCAT ACHIEVER COMPANY DECEIVING PEOPLE INTO THINKING THEY ARE STUDENTS.

THEY SAY THAT THIS ISN'T LYING BUT A SMALL DECEPTION IS A LIE.

 

[Cetsiphon]

lol owned...

 

[Doctor Mayo]

Well, I was looking through some posts from the DAT section, and there was a fairly huge poll with a lot of options about what people found to be a good tool for studying, and the most (57 people) selected the DAT achiever. That gives it a bit of credibility in my opinion, and the trial definitely looks nice too.

Depending how my current practice materials work for me I might try this out. Doubt it for now though

According to the pre-dental club at Duke University, some students have been getting a portion of their DAT questions very similar to what they saw in DAT Achiever. It would be shocking if MCAT Achiever could ever do the same for the MCAT.