Kaplan... quantity but not quality?

[sixpence]

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It seems like the only positive people have to say about Kaplan is the amount of practice material they give you. The classroom is hit or miss and the books are not as good other companies. So I was still considering taking Kaplan online course despite these facts but the more I read the more I think that these practice materials won't help me that much. What's the point of having unlimited practice material if it's not even representative of the real thing?

from sn2ed post somewhere

Biology: 1. EK Bio + EK 1001 Bio, non-detail oriented 1. BR/TPR Hyperlearning, detail oriented 3. Kaplan

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

Verbal: 1. EK Verbal + EK 101 Verbal 2. TPR Hyperlearning 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

 

[snipermonkey]

i just finished kaplan course.
well,
in my opinion,
PS: prepare you pretty well, by giving so many hard questions
VR: ignore... they suck at this one.
BS: they are okay, i liked kaplan BS

 

[RogueUnicorn]

kaplan is a very large company. different people have different experiences

 

[SN2ed]

Kaplan's science practice passages are okay and their FLs #1-6 are good practice (except for the verbal).

Also, while one's experience with the classroom may be different, Kaplan's materials are the same across the board.

 

[Baboo Bhaiya]

It seems like the only positive people have to say about Kaplan is the amount of practice material they give you. The classroom is hit or miss and the books are not as good other companies. So I was still considering taking Kaplan online course despite these facts but the more I read the more I think that these practice materials won't help me that much. What's the point of having unlimited practice material if it's not even representative of the real thing?

I agree that the classroom is really a hit or miss. I have not taken the Kaplan MCAT class but I have met 3 of their teachers, and I thought they were all intelligent ladies. They did really well on the their MCAT, so ofcourse they knew their material, but since I have not taken their classes, I am not sure how good of a job they did at teaching. Anyways, one of them actually gave me all the material that Kaplan gave her to "prepare" her to teach, and I realized that Kaplan goes to extent of telling them everything that they have to say in the class - even the jokes and analogies and questions that these teachers ask during class are set by Kaplan. In that way, even a person who really knows the material and has great analogies to teach the material will not be able to share that with the class because they have to follow a protocol.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

I agree that the classroom is really a hit or miss. I have not taken the Kaplan MCAT class but I have met 3 of their teachers, and I thought they were all intelligent ladies. They did really well on the their MCAT, so ofcourse they knew their material, but since I have not taken their classes, I am not sure how good of a job they did at teaching. Anyways, one of them actually gave me all the material that Kaplan gave her to "prepare" her to teach, and I realized that Kaplan goes to extent of telling them everything that they have to say in the class - even the jokes and analogies and questions that these teachers ask during class are set by Kaplan. In that way, even a person who really knows the material and has great analogies to teach the material will not be able to share that with the class because they have to follow a protocol.

that's very untrue. they have some suggestions you can use, sure, but it's ENTIRELY up to the instructor to use them or not. we are told from the get-go that the class is NOT to be scripted under any circumstances.

 

[sixpence]

I was mostly considering the online course since I don't have time to go to class on a set schedule. They are offering $200 off and free verbal or physics or something "edge" with that. They said I could basically have it from now until around May. However, I already have all the EK books and 1001 questions and BR for physics. Should I just forget about Kaplan and study those? I'm really not on a tight budget and I'm all for spending money if it's going to actually help me... as in, if I work hard then I will improve.. But I really don't want to waste time money and effort into a program if it's not worth it...

 

[mishaS]

I think their passage mapping methods are pretty smart, material wise so far I only finished the EK bio book and I'd say it was better than the Kaplan counterpart(though Kaplan was better in a few subjects imo). The online kaplan stuff is great, lots of practice. I also thought the classes were decent, great because you can ask questions and have them answered, but honestly unnecessary and definetely not worth the cost.

 

[Lullapalooza]

I personally think that the Kaplan online material and the books themselves are very helpful. The actual class time on the other hand, is a complete waste. They go through such important and key topics in a matter of minutes and its pointless because you really don't get much from it.

But I attended these Kaplan EDGE classes, which were subject specific. I felt they catered much better to my learning style.

If anyone is interested in Kaplan, my advice is that you find a way to get your hands on all the books and index cards, and pay for the online content only (Kaplan has "lessons on demand" which is essentially the exact same lesson they give in class except in online format. No need to dish out all the extra money for sitting in class).

 

[ChemEngSoonMD]

Its really only their job to present the info. As far as getting it into your head, thats your own responsibility.

 

[sixpence]

I personally think that the Kaplan online material and the books themselves are very helpful. The actual class time on the other hand, is a complete waste. They go through such important and key topics in a matter of minutes and its pointless because you really don't get much from it.

But I attended these Kaplan EDGE classes, which were subject specific. I felt they catered much better to my learning style.

If anyone is interested in Kaplan, my advice is that you find a way to get your hands on all the books and index cards, and pay for the online content only (Kaplan has "lessons on demand" which is essentially the exact same lesson they give in class except in online format. No need to dish out all the extra money for sitting in class).

How representative of the AAMC tests or the real MCAT (if you've taken) would you say the practice materials are?

Also, I thought the EDGE was online stuff? It says it's a $500 value..