Kaplan wtf?

[Sjs1234]

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So right now I am scheduled to take the MCAT April 17th. This gives me 4 months to study and get prepped. I wasn't sure how to approach this as there are so many suggestions by people on SDN and I also know that everyone has their own study methods which work best for him/her. For example I've seen and read over SN2ed's guide among many others.

I really wanted to sign up for a TPR in class course but I checked and all of sessions are during school next semester which wont work because of scheduling conflicts. So I decided to sign up for the in class Kaplan course which is actually taught at my university, which is pretty cool. However, I just recieved the package of books (the class doesn't start till Jan 12th), and I am pretty disappointed. It is a series of books which each cover the sections on the MCAT. However, I have seen these books before and I looked through them and they do not seem very in depth at all. Now I have heard that Kaplan is more about doing work on your own so maybe that explains it. But I am not even sure if I should do the Kaplan class (I can refund it before Jan 12th).
But the reason I picked a class is because it seems like something structured will help me versus just doing it on my own schedule.

Well, what do you guys suggest is the best way. I was thinking about just screwin the Kaplan class and buying some books to work over this christmas break and then take practice tests later. Right now I just have http://www.amazon.com/Cracking-MCAT...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261118932&sr=8-1 which I guess I will look at now.
But what do you guys recommend since there are so many choices, whats the best way to figure out what works. I don't really care about spending money on the books but I don't want to buy a ton just find out some are useless.

thanks for the advice

 

[greg1184]

The Kaplan review notes give more than enough information for the MCAT. I took the course and found no problem with the depth of the material. In fact, I have heard people in this forum complain exactly the opposite: that it is too in depth compared to Examkrackers. I personally believe that Kaplan provides the ideal amount of information pertinent to the MCAT along with background information.

Where Kaplan shines is in its practice material, which is far more important than giving a textbook worth of information. The whole point of these review courses is to review the material in the context of the MCAT, not give you another textbook to read.

Either way, after I took the Kaplan course along with practicing verbal with Examkrackers, my MCAT score improved 6 points.

 

[G1SG2]

So right now I am scheduled to take the MCAT April 17th. This gives me 4 months to study and get prepped. I wasn't sure how to approach this as there are so many suggestions by people on SDN and I also know that everyone has their own study methods which work best for him/her. For example I've seen and read over SN2ed's guide among many others.

I really wanted to sign up for a TPR in class course but I checked and all of sessions are during school next semester which wont work because of scheduling conflicts. So I decided to sign up for the in class Kaplan course which is actually taught at my university, which is pretty cool. However, I just recieved the package of books (the class doesn't start till Jan 12th), and I am pretty disappointed. It is a series of books which each cover the sections on the MCAT. However, I have seen these books before and I looked through them and they do not seem very in depth at all. Now I have heard that Kaplan is more about doing work on your own so maybe that explains it. But I am not even sure if I should do the Kaplan class (I can refund it before Jan 12th).
But the reason I picked a class is because it seems like something structured will help me versus just doing it on my own schedule.

Well, what do you guys suggest is the best way. I was thinking about just screwin the Kaplan class and buying some books to work over this christmas break and then take practice tests later. Right now I just have http://www.amazon.com/Cracking-MCAT...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261118932&sr=8-1 which I guess I will look at now.
But what do you guys recommend since there are so many choices, whats the best way to figure out what works. I don't really care about spending money on the books but I don't want to buy a ton just find out some are useless.

thanks for the advice

Kaplan books suck compared to other books out there. I suggest you get your money back and pick up The Berkeley Review books. You can only get them from their website (pretty archaic ordering method) www.theberkeleyreview.com. Their books are very detailed and have AMAZING practice passages/problems. Get those for the sciences, and EK (examkrackers) 101 for verbal. Once you nail the content review, you can do the passages and then do AAMC full lengths later. Don't waste your money on Kaplan.

 

[J ROD]

Berk review!! 👍

 

[SN2ed]

Kaplan books suck compared to other books out there. I suggest you get your money back and pick up The Berkeley Review books. You can only get them from their website (pretty archaic ordering method) www.theberkeleyreview.com. Their books are very detailed and have AMAZING practice passages/problems. Get those for the sciences, and EK (examkrackers) 101 for verbal. Once you nail the content review, you can do the passages and then do AAMC full lengths later. Don't waste your money on Kaplan.

Berkeley Review might not have been around when he took the MCAT. At the very least, it probably wasn't well known, even on here. Lastly, I doubt he'll need MCAT prep anymore since he's in medical school.



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

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearning Verbal Workbook + TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics

 

[Sjs1234]

Thanks for the advice. But just within this thread there's disagreement over Kaplan and which books to get. This is why I'm confused about what to do and what to buy.

Also, SN2ed a few things. How did you come up with your consensus for books and your ranking for which are best. And when you say Kaplan at the end of those lists, do you mean the course?

 

[faith2]

First off congrats...studying for the MCAT puts you one step closer to your goal of being a physician

I hope you was not hoping for everyone to agree because it depends on you, your learning style, time schedule, and studying skills...

I took KAPLAN and for me it was not good because the only standardized test i have ever taken in my life was the GED so I did not understand the way Kaplan gave answers or lessons. I bought EK books which the practice questions for Biology was the only thing that helped me, I bought NOVA physics and Biology which to me were good. The princeton review course was excellent to me because the books explained things very well I love the book of just science passages were excellent I would just take that book with me everywhere and pick a topic and time myself and do a passage.


This is not to say anything bad about KAPLAN because I know quite a few people that excelled with there program but again it depends on you.

 

[FuSoYa]

Take SN2ed's advice. There isn't one set of books that will best teach you every subject. Each company has their strengths and weaknesses, so studying on your own lets you cherry pick the best of each topic.

A paid course gives you structure, a set schedule, and an instructor/classmates to bounce ideas off of. Beyond that, it isn't too different from studying on your own. If you know that you slack and need the help, then go for it. But if you are motivated enough and can push yourself, then you don't need to pay others to do that. There is enough practice material and online help to get you fully prepared, IF you can take advantage of them and not slack.

Lastly, there isn't a miraculous, holy grail of MCAT prep material. One person may use TBR physics, another uses Nova physics, some chap uses their old physics textbook, and they can all get the same score. Just because someone chooses "the wrong" book, doesn't mean it's gonna cost them a medical school acceptance. So, look at SN2ed's list, pick some books to study, take some full-length practice exams when you feel "ready," and then supplement your studying in the areas you feel weak. It's like med school, your personal effort is always more important than the name that's on the degree.

Good luck!

 

[DrSmooth]

It sounds like the thing you are looking for is structure and accountability. The Kaplan course will give you that. The quality of the materials, however, is lacking (at least in the minds of many of us who have taken the course). If you can figure out how to stay disciplined on your own, which would help for med school anyways, then design your own program or use sn2ed's or another like it (and save the $1000 for your interview outfit). Also, if you do take Kaplan (or not), I would push back your MCAT until at least May (or be ready to void your April test and retake in May if you don't feel good about it) so you have a solid month to re-review with additional materials like EK, BR, etc. Assuming you apply on 6/1, you won't be verified until late June anyway and by that time your May score will be submitted. The more time you have to prepare and practice (within reason), the stronger your score will be. Good luck!

 

[SN2ed]

Thanks for the advice. But just within this thread there's disagreement over Kaplan and which books to get. This is why I'm confused about what to do and what to buy.

Also, SN2ed a few things. How did you come up with your consensus for books and your ranking for which are best. And when you say Kaplan at the end of those lists, do you mean the course?

The book list first started over a year ago. At the time, there were far more long time posters. Every day there were 3-5 people that asked about which books were best and every time the same books would be recommended in roughly the order it is now. Eventually, boondocks compiled a list which everyone agreed on. Then I, along with some others, would post boondocks' response whenever someone asked. Finally, I adjusted the list a little while ago to make it easier to read and split the Bio between detailed and non-detailed.

The Kaplan books listed refer to their classroom course books which are better than their big book. Unfortunately, they don't stack up to the others listed.

 

[1337]

Is the EK Verbal a "must-have" foundation to start off with?

Or just EK Verbal 101 is good to go?

Thanks.

 

[Sjs1234]

Berkeley Review might not have been around when he took the MCAT. At the very least, it probably wasn't well known, even on here. Lastly, I doubt he'll need MCAT prep anymore since he's in medical school.



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

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearning Verbal Workbook + TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics

Along with 1337, I have another question. Can you describe a bit more what you mean by non-detailed oriented vs. detailed oriented? Does that mean you need to have both sets (3 books) or you can just use the detailed oriented one. How well does the non detailed stand on its own (the set of 2 EK bio books). thanks

 

[G1SG2]

Berkeley Review might not have been around when he took the MCAT. At the very least, it probably wasn't well known, even on here. Lastly, I doubt he'll need MCAT prep anymore since he's in medical school.



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

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearning Verbal Workbook + TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics

? My post was for the OP...

 

[SN2ed]

Is the EK Verbal a "must-have" foundation to start off with?

Or just EK Verbal 101 is good to go?

Thanks.

You'd be fine with just EK Verbal 101 as long as you read some of the verbal help threads found in the MCAT Guide sticky.

Along with 1337, I have another question. Can you describe a bit more what you mean by non-detailed oriented vs. detailed oriented? Does that mean you need to have both sets (3 books) or you can just use the detailed oriented one. How well does the non detailed stand on its own (the set of 2 EK bio books). thanks

Non-detailed versus detailed is a matter of preference. You'd be fine with either. Some people want to learn what's on the MCAT and only that. Others need extra information that's not tested so they know how every piece works in-depth to understand the material. Think of it similar to how a standard general bio course would teach DNA transcription versus how a molecular genetics would teach it.

? My post was for the OP...

Whoops. My mistake. Sorry about that.

 

[samuraiR]

are the BR CBTs any good?

 

[nabeel76]

The OP has the new updated Kaplan books which from what I hear are a lot better then their older outdated books. So although everyone here, including me, seems to think that Kaplans review books are lacking, we are referring to their old books. As for the new books, I have heard they are completely different and very good. I can't personally say so myself, so your going to have to ask people that have used the new version for their opinion.

None-the-less, review books are review books, its Kaplan's online practice which includes all of the AAMC full lengths, Kaplan full lengths, Topical Exams, Sectional Exams, and quizes that are really what you pay for with the course. This is the most important area and in this I don't think any other company beats Kaplan.


At the end of the day, don't kill yourself looking over multiple companies and multiple review books, mix and matching - choose one, trust it and just stick with it. They all prepare you for the same exam and all of them have been very successful in doing so. Don't do what I did - searching for the perfect book, they all have their ups and downs. You'll end up spending more money, more time, and it most likely will not make a difference at all.