Kaplan vs Examkrackers for 2015 MCAT

[iBro]

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I'm trying to choose my 2015 MCAT study materials. I realize the point may be moot since no one has taken the new exam yet, but I'm having trouble choosing between Kaplan and Examkrackers.

Kaplan: http://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-Complete-7-Book-Subject-Review/dp/1618656449

Examkrackers: http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-Complete-Package-EXAMKRACKERS-MANUALS/dp/1893858707/ref=sr_1_17?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416329898&sr=1-17&keywords=examkrackers mcat

Kaplan is significantly cheaper, but may lack practice problems. Judging from old examkracker materials, they contain significantly more practice.

Does anyone have any input to help me decide? It could be input from previous or current material from either of these sources.

UPDATE: I have contacted Examkrackers about what practice is available in their 9th ed. complete study guide since the description is vague on their website. Apparently there wont be 30 minute "mini exams" like there are in the 8th ed. The email I received back from them is a little confusing, so I'm quoting it below.

"The questions in the 9th edition does not mirror the practice exams from the 8th edition. After each lecture, depending on your book you may have 7-11 questions after each exam. The amount of questions in total may vary from 96-167 total for each book."

I have since emailed back, asking what format the questions are in to see if they are passage based or not. In general it seems like Examkrackers is offering more practice than Kaplan, although I haven't been able to explore Kaplan's online component. However, the online component can be accessed with just the purchase of a single book, so it's not necessary to purchase the entire study package.

 

[MedGuy2000]

Did you end up choosing one yet? I want to do the Examkrackers 9th Ed. but I am uncertain if I should due to the lack of practice tests. Irrespective to the practice tests, how is the material in the examkrackers review (thorough? concise? poor? strong?)

 

[hopefulfuturedoctor12]

The examkrackers full package is cheaper through barnes and nobles as compared to amazon.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/9th...e-jonathan-orsay/1120795852?ean=9781893858701

Coupon code:
E4B8B7J

its $191 with the coupon shipping included.

I am personally buying the new examkrackers 9th edpackage because I feel it is a lot more concise and gets right to the point of what you need to know and what you don't need to know .

Also I think they maybe meant that the practice exams are not the same as the 8th edition?

i compared the 8th edition to the 9th edition at barnes and nobles and there are "30 min practice exams" at the end..some passages are changed from the 8th edition. but many are the SAME which worries me since isn't the new MCAT 2015 changing the way they ask questions..and testing more reasoning ability?

 

[iBro]

I bought the EK 9th ed set for 180 shipped from amazon.

I do really like the review so far, nice and concise like everyone has said. I took the only official AAMC diagnostic exam before I started reviewing, and I do think the 30 minute quizzes are pretty representative of the real thing.

 

[iBro]

Did you end up choosing one yet? I want to do the Examkrackers 9th Ed. but I am uncertain if I should due to the lack of practice tests. Irrespective to the practice tests, how is the material in the examkrackers review (thorough? concise? poor? strong?)

I bought the EK set. The lack of FL practice tests is kind of a bummer, but I really enjoy the 30 minute quizzes that go along with the chapters in EK. They help keep you focused and applying the new material right away to help it stick.

 

[Jack Westin]

I truly think EK has the best books right now for the MCAT. They seem to understand the importance of reviewing high yield MCAT concepts and sticking the the outline the AAMC provides. Some of their questions are too detailed but a student can definitely learn the basics of a concept after finishing a chapter. However, I would definitely do more problems from other sources when you can.

 

[iBro]

I truly think EK has the best books right now for the MCAT. They seem to understand the importance of reviewing high yield MCAT concepts and sticking the the outline the AAMC provides. Some of their questions are too detailed but a student can definitely learn the basics of a concept after finish a chapter. However, I would definitely do more problems from other sources when you can.

For sure! I'm suggest doing the 30 minute exams after each chapter during your content review and correcting them closely to find weak spots. After content review is over it's open season for other practice passages / FL exams. Mprep Q bank, Khan Academy, official AAMC, and Next Step practice are all on the menu.

 

[Levrone]

iBro I think you should look into TPRH workbooks

I truly think EK has the best books right now for the MCAT. They seem to understand the importance of reviewing high yield MCAT concepts and sticking the the outline the AAMC provides. Some of their questions are too detailed but a student can definitely learn the basics of a concept after finishing a chapter. However, I would definitely do more problems from other sources when you can.

Agree 100%

 

[SLM914]

Would someone who has the whole set be able to post the chapters in each book?

(For example: Biology 1 is 4 chapters:
Biological Molecules & Enzymes (Pages 1 through 26)
Genetics (Pages 29 to 60)
Metabolism (Pages 67 to 86)
Laboratory Techniques (Pages 89 to 107))


I am just trying to plan out a study schedule while waiting for my copy to come (3 weeks according to EK)

 

[silica61]

Would someone who has the whole set be able to post the chapters in each book?

(For example: Biology 1 is 4 chapters:
Biological Molecules & Enzymes (Pages 1 through 26)
Genetics (Pages 29 to 60)
Metabolism (Pages 67 to 86)
Laboratory Techniques (Pages 89 to 107))


I am just trying to plan out a study schedule while waiting for my copy to come (3 weeks according to EK)

just go to their website. they have all the chapters listed there

 

[hopefulfuturedoctor12]

Would someone who has the whole set be able to post the chapters in each book?

(For example: Biology 1 is 4 chapters:
Biological Molecules & Enzymes (Pages 1 through 26)
Genetics (Pages 29 to 60)
Metabolism (Pages 67 to 86)
Laboratory Techniques (Pages 89 to 107))


I am just trying to plan out a study schedule while waiting for my copy to come (3 weeks according to EK)

https://www.examkrackers.com/mcat/Forum/default.aspx

Link on their site with chapter names as the user above mentioned! 🙂

 

[TexasSurgeon]

I'm trying to choose my 2015 MCAT study materials. I realize the point may be moot since no one has taken the new exam yet, but I'm having trouble choosing between Kaplan and Examkrackers.

Kaplan: Amazon product ASIN 1618656449
Examkrackers: http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-Complete-Package-EXAMKRACKERS-MANUALS/dp/1893858707/ref=sr_1_17?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416329898&sr=1-17&keywords=examkrackers mcat

Kaplan is significantly cheaper, but may lack practice problems. Judging from old examkracker materials, they contain significantly more practice.

Does anyone have any input to help me decide? It could be input from previous or current material from either of these sources.

UPDATE: I have contacted Examkrackers about what practice is available in their 9th ed. complete study guide since the description is vague on their website. Apparently there wont be 30 minute "mini exams" like there are in the 8th ed. The email I received back from them is a little confusing, so I'm quoting it below.

"The questions in the 9th edition does not mirror the practice exams from the 8th edition. After each lecture, depending on your book you may have 7-11 questions after each exam. The amount of questions in total may vary from 96-167 total for each book."

I have since emailed back, asking what format the questions are in to see if they are passage based or not. In general it seems like Examkrackers is offering more practice than Kaplan, although I haven't been able to explore Kaplan's online component. However, the online component can be accessed with just the purchase of a single book, so it's not necessary to purchase the entire study package.

Here's been the general consensus over the books from various companies:

EK: Buy the books only if you have a good understanding in your prereq classes. They don't tend to review as in depth.

Kaplan: I don't think most people seemed to lean towards Kaplan's books (see below)

TPR: Excellent set of books, they "teach to a 45". It's the right blend of detail/skim.

Berkeley: Saturation of information. It's helpful, but they review every single detail and that turned me off a lot towards their books because it simply is not necessary. Chapters are also very long. Diagrams/Images are in black and white which sucks a lot

 

[Montisumo]

hopefuldoctor12 ty for the coupon code, just saved me $100 bux, was gonna order the books from the EK site... u da man dawg.