Keep textbooks for PCAT?

[hilbuby]

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Hi everyone, I couldn't find anything specifically on this topic (only for the MCAT).

I'm nearing the end of my school term and have been debating on whether or not I should keep my textbooks to use to study for the PCAT. I'm planning to sell back all my genchem, ochem, and biochem books. I'm 80% sure I want to sell them since everyone says prep books are sufficient and that the internet is a good resource if I will need any clarification on topics. However, most of the people who have said these things have only experience with the MCAT, not the PCAT. Anyway, I guess my question is did any of you find that textbooks were necessary for preparing for the PCAT? And if yes, which for which subjects were they useful?

Thank you in advance!! 🙂

 

[deleted382095]

Hi everyone, I couldn't find anything specifically on this topic (only for the MCAT).

I'm nearing the end of my school term and have been debating on whether or not I should keep my textbooks to use to study for the PCAT. I'm planning to sell back all my genchem, ochem, and biochem books. I'm 80% sure I want to sell them since everyone says prep books are sufficient and that the internet is a good resource if I will need any clarification on topics. However, most of the people who have said these things have only experience with the MCAT, not the PCAT. Anyway, I guess my question is did any of you find that textbooks were necessary for preparing for the PCAT? And if yes, which for which subjects were they useful?

Thank you in advance!! 🙂

I saved ALL my science textbooks because I want to have my own personal library full of science books one day...🙂

I think they do help a little but yes, PCAT prep books are good enough unless its your first time learning the material

 

[gsw650]

First off, welcome to the board.

Like ECU Pirate, I chose to save my science textbooks as well, but they aren't necessary for the PCAT primarily because the PCAT won't ask about really hard topics or topics that need in depth coverage. The PCAT attempts to cover a wide range of topics so you only get a 2-3 questions on any one particular subject when it comes to biology. You don't need to go through your microbiology book or lecture notes because there will only be a few questions on bacteria/parasitology.

Hence, prep books will suffice. Kaplan and Dr. Collins are probably the most well known ones out there. Kaplan is good for G Chem and Biology, it's very dense for those 2 sections (probably more than you actually need). It's practically non-existent for O-Chem and Verbal and decent for Math. Dr. Collins is concise but provides many practice exams. It's much better for the verbal section than Kaplan. Using them together can be good or you can purchase practice tests and just use those to get a feel on what you need to study on.

 

[realrusty]

For the purposes of the PCAT you can always go and borrow an organic chem, microbiology, etc book from your local library. You will almost certainly never regret selling them.