Kaplan class verses Private tutoring

[PinkFloyd98]

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I am about to register for either the Kaplan or Princeton Review class for the MCAT...But I was thinking about signing up for the private tutoring option. I was wondering whether it is worth it/ more beneficial to spend the extra money on the private tutoring option...Any opinions?? Thanks

 

[mudphudwannabe]

I'm sure there are a bazillion + things about this in the MCAT thread, but here are my $0.02. I didn't take a Kaplan course (I just studied from a Kaplan book with CD-ROM), but I know a few people who did. Kaplan seems to spend a lot of time on general review and memorization, which is not what the MCAT is about. You have to have some basic knowledge of ochem, physics, etc, but they are trying to test what you can figure out, not what you can regurgitate. I think that the main thing for any standardized test is to get to know the format of the test really well. Kaplan does this -- from what I understand you take a lot of tests (4?) and get a report on your performance, so you know what you need to improve on. With a private tutor you could get more focused attention on just the areas you need to improve without wasting a lot of time on areas you know pretty well. But if you go that route, I think it's still important to take at least a couple practice tests. It also probably depends on how much time you have to spend studying and how much you need to improve (if you've taken a practice test). Well, I'm sure someone else knows the advantages/disadvantages of Kaplan better than I do...best of luck to you!

 

[CanuckRazorback]

I am about to register for either the Kaplan or Princeton Review class for the MCAT...But I was thinking about signing up for the private tutoring option. I was wondering whether it is worth it/ more beneficial to spend the extra money on the private tutoring option...Any opinions?? Thanks

I have been teaching for Kaplan for over a year now and took the MCAT Kaplan course. Personally, I don't think private tutoring is worth the extra money, unless you are really struggling in a particular topic and can't get help from profs at your school. I've taught the SAT and GMAT course and private tutoring and it was the same program, just one-on-one.

Kaplan can be of tremendous help if you actually do the work they suggest. If you read the assigned chapters before class, the teacher will reinforce the material helping you integrate the information, and then you have a bunch of tests available to see how much you retained (and web-based tutorials/quizzes/etc.) The Kaplan library is definitely a huge help. What was said above is true though: you need to practice the real test, not just memorize.

The Kaplan course helped me because I am non-trad and not a bio/chem/phys major. If you feel really solid in the MCAT sciences, I would invest in practice tests rather than spend money on the course. Check Ebay, you can get a sweet deal on AAMC official tests, etc.

 

[Dr Who]

Kaplan helps, but in the end its all about how much you want it. I didnt do Kaplan because frankly I didnt have the money, but I did get my hands on quite a few old MCATS and used those to familiarize myself with the layout and format. I took the april MCAT so I began studying in January. I went from what i considered the easiest subject to the hardest. In the end I sacrificed quite a few weekends out with the guys or my girlfriend but it was worth it.
If you have the money then by all means do Kaplan. It does help you structure your studies a bit, so that helps.

 

[CanuckRazorback]

Kaplan helps, but in the end its all about how much you want it. I didnt do Kaplan because frankly I didnt have the money, but I did get my hands on quite a few old MCATS and used those to familiarize myself with the layout and format. I took the april MCAT so I began studying in January. I went from what i considered the easiest subject to the hardest. In the end I sacrificed quite a few weekends out with the guys or my girlfriend but it was worth it.
If you have the money then by all means do Kaplan. It does help you structure your studies a bit, so that helps.

I totally agree 🙂

 

[lulubean]

honestly, the only thing i found useful about the Kaplan class was adopting their study schedule. the thing that really prepared me most for the MCATs was having a committed study group of 3 people. the constant sharing of information really made the concepts stick. it also served as a great motivational/support group 🙂