Kaplan Test Prep Class

[KCT15]

---

Members don't see this ad.

First...I realize that there is an MCAT forum but you guys probably would have better experiences to share because most of you are done with the MCAT and applying.

I was wondering if anyone has experience taking the Kaplan test prep class (class...not online) prior to retaking the MCAT after studying hard on your own and taking the MCAT. I took the April '06 MCAT and got a 29 which I thought was decent because it had been about 10 yrs since I had taken chemistry and physics, and because I studied on my own. I bought Exam Krackers books. I have to admit I studied hard for the MCAT! I am thinking about taking the Kaplan class and retaking the MCAT if I do not get in this application cycle but am worried I won't improve my score because 1) I put a lot of effort into the first time, 2) being a non-traditional pre-med I don't have anyone around me that has taken the Kaplan class, and 3) because of the switch from paper to computer testing.

Can anyone share their experiences with me? I'm hoping to break 30.

 

[Instatewaiter]

First...I realize that there is an MCAT forum but you guys probably would have better experiences to share because most of you are done with the MCAT and applying.

I was wondering if anyone has experience taking the Kaplan test prep class (class...not online) prior to retaking the MCAT after studying hard on your own and taking the MCAT. I took the April '06 MCAT and got a 29 which I thought was decent because it had been about 10 yrs since I had taken chemistry and physics, and because I studied on my own. I bought Exam Krackers books. I have to admit I studied hard for the MCAT! I am thinking about taking the Kaplan class and retaking the MCAT if I do not get in this application cycle but am worried I won't improve my score because 1) I put a lot of effort into the first time, 2) being a non-traditional pre-med I don't have anyone around me that has taken the Kaplan class, and 3) because of the switch from paper to computer testing.

Can anyone share their experiences with me? I'm hoping to break 30.

A few years ago I took the Kaplan class. The best parts about Kaplan are the resources. They have lots of practice 'topic' test materials, they offer a bunch of 'mock' full length practice tests and they consolidate all of the info you need into their books (which are also available at any bookstore).

Honestly the classes were kind of a waste of time IMO. They were such a cursory overview that you got very little out of them. In the end I stopped going to the classes and studied the Kaplan books on my own. I continued to use their topic tests and did all of the full length tests in addition to an 'optional' one I took on my own. Kaplan was exactly what I needed, but honestly you will probably not get too much more from Kaplan than you did by studying alone. The only additional benefit I can see is the practice full length tests. Some centers will let you pay to sit in on these.

 

[MadHopsMD]

I teach Kaplan. and I took PR. I think PR is better for non-traditional students. because the focus is on heavy info in BIO and Physics. BUt the problem with PR is it doesnt have the resourses kaplan has. But for you I would recommend going to PR...

 

[ssquared]

FWIW, Kaplan has changed all of their old full-lengths to computerized ones that mimic the CBT MCAT. You don't have to pay for the class if you want the resources; you can just buy the online version and not have to shell out extra cash for the classes. I think the resources are the best part of Kaplan; the classes aren't for everybody. I personally would have liked my classes with Kaplan better if the other people in my classes hadn't been so far behind on the material that they dragged everyone else down with them. But I think that's pretty unusual. It can be nice to have study-buddies, but as a non-trad, you're probably better off just paying for the online stuff and working through it on your own. They do give nice feedback for each exam, telling you what areas you need to work on, and then you can go from there in directing your study.

And if you ever have questions on specific topics, there are tons of people here on SDN who can help you out. 🙂

 

[lk2230]

How do you think Kaplan would be for someone in my situation. I'm 25, finishing up my final (orgo/bio year) in a post-bacc.

I feel like I am behind on the some of the material and need some basic help in drilling it in.

As for my learning style, and this is the most important thing: I'm one of those people who learns best in a guided environment, with discipline and consequences. I'm not the greatest at getting to the library on Saturday and going over problems for 8 hours, and getting much out of it. I respond better to spending a lot of time with instruction, and with timed practices that I actually have to hand in, or something like that.

Is Kaplan good for me, or how about Princeton Review, or Exam Krackers?

 

[MadHopsMD]

How do you think Kaplan would be for someone in my situation. I'm 25, finishing up my final (orgo/bio year) in a post-bacc.

I feel like I am behind on the some of the material and need some basic help in drilling it in.

As for my learning style, and this is the most important thing: I'm one of those people who learns best in a guided environment, with discipline and consequences. I'm not the greatest at getting to the library on Saturday and going over problems for 8 hours, and getting much out of it. I respond better to spending a lot of time with instruction, and with timed practices that I actually have to hand in, or something like that.

Is Kaplan good for me, or how about Princeton Review, or Exam Krackers?

I would go with kaplan. but come on, no one will ask you to hand the homework lol.

 

[ssquared]

I feel like I am behind on the some of the material and need some basic help in drilling it in.

As for my learning style, and this is the most important thing: I'm one of those people who learns best in a guided environment, with discipline and consequences. I'm not the greatest at getting to the library on Saturday and going over problems for 8 hours, and getting much out of it. I respond better to spending a lot of time with instruction, and with timed practices that I actually have to hand in, or something like that.

Kaplan will help you, but don't expect them to teach you the material. They give you the resources, but you have to learn it yourself. Your instructor can help you when you get stuck, but they are not there to teach new material by any means. They review what you need to know and teach you how to work the content into test strategies.

You also sound like you would do best if you laid out a study schedule and absolutely stuck to it. The Kaplan full-lengths and homeworks will help with that, but you'll be on your own to master what you need to work on.

 

[gary5]

If you study well on your own, buy the Kaplan books from their MCAT course from someone on EBay. Then use the AMCAS practice exams online also. If you need to, pay for the Kaplan online exams, but take the printed form, since the real exam in on paper.

 

[MadHopsMD]

If you study well on your own, buy the Kaplan books from their MCAT course from someone on EBay. Then use the AMCAS practice exams online also. If you need to, pay for the Kaplan online exams, but take the printed form, since the real exam in on paper.

welcome to the year of 2007. ALL MCAT's are now CBT.

 

[MD2008]

Kaplan = Hated it!!!! I had such a bad experience with kaplan. So expensive and the classes were like reading the title of each section then calling it a night. I thought that their practice tests were so out of touch with the real MCAT, I mean, all of those calculations, listing several equations in their "study" books that are not even required by the MCAT, and it is geared towards those who learn in a particular way and if you don't learn well by their method of "teaching" (which my class/teacher didn't TEACH us anything) then you may find it to be an expensive struggle. Yes, I know it is a review course of the material already learned in college, but come on.
I know a lot of people who loved Kaplan, and more power to them, but it just was so not my favorite way to spend almost $2000.
Just my opinion, but I wouldnt recommend it to anyone. 😱