Learning MCAT from Scratch!?

[MyOwnPath]

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Hi all,

So my questionis kind of weird...but I was wondering if anyone has ever really learned everything they need for the MCAT using a review book or two...like, from scratch. What I mean by that is, I really don't think much of my pre-req classes stuck - I took them a long time ago, and my way of studying was to simply cram before an exam, then forget it and not study again until the next exam. The good part was it meant I didn't have to do homework daily and still made good grades...but unfortunately it also meant little was committed to long term memory through constant repetition. If I took the MCAT now, I'd probably completely bomb it....so I'm wondering if anyone has studied from scratch using like a Kaplan book and learned everything they needed for the exam??

 

[MedPR]

Hi all,

So my questionis kind of weird...but I was wondering if anyone has ever really learned everything they need for the MCAT using a review book or two...like, from scratch. What I mean by that is, I really don't think much of my pre-req classes stuck - I took them a long time ago, and my way of studying was to simply cram before an exam, then forget it and not study again until the next exam. The good part was it meant I didn't have to do homework daily and still made good grades...but unfortunately it also meant little was committed to long term memory through constant repetition. If I took the MCAT now, I'd probably completely bomb it....so I'm wondering if anyone has studied from scratch using like a Kaplan book and learned everything they needed for the exam??

I think a lot of the non trads have. Good luck with that though.

 

[572776]

Hi all,

So my questionis kind of weird...but I was wondering if anyone has ever really learned everything they need for the MCAT using a review book or two...like, from scratch. What I mean by that is, I really don't think much of my pre-req classes stuck - I took them a long time ago, and my way of studying was to simply cram before an exam, then forget it and not study again until the next exam. The good part was it meant I didn't have to do homework daily and still made good grades...but unfortunately it also meant little was committed to long term memory through constant repetition. If I took the MCAT now, I'd probably completely bomb it....so I'm wondering if anyone has studied from scratch using like a Kaplan book and learned everything they needed for the exam??

That's exactly how I got through gen chem and phys classes and bombed phys sciences section. I would go through Kaplan content books especially the high yield stuff at the back of chem and phys. I would also ignore the "do as many practice problems/tests as possible" suggestions for right now because you need to learn the content. Once you will learn all of that, you will be able to answer questions. ...so this is my opinion based on my own experience.

 

[deleted455728]

Since you didn't learn the material the first time I think you would benefit from an MCAT class like Princeton Reviews or Kaplans because you need instruction. IMO i think it would be too hard to just self-learn the material if you do not have a strong foundation already.

 

[MedPR]

That's exactly how I got through gen chem and phys classes and bombed phys sciences section. I would go through Kaplan content books especially the high yield stuff at the back of chem and phys. I would also ignore the "do as many practice problems/tests as possible" suggestions for right now because you need to learn the content. Once you will learn all of that, you will be able to answer questions. ...so this is my opinion based on my own experience.

For me doing problems was effective in learning the content.

 

[Loudster]

I really liked the examkrackers books. Not a lot of fluff, but just enough to get you through. I'd either recommend those or recommend looking into taking an MCAT prep course.

 

[notbobtrustme]

Lots of people study for the MCAT with just content books.

 

[Wolverines83]

I really liked the examkrackers books. Not a lot of fluff, but just enough to get you through. I'd either recommend those or recommend looking into taking an MCAT prep course.

EK seems to be a polarizing topic but as a non-trad I liked them. Kaplan can get insanely detailed and bog you down with stuff you don't need for the test. Plus the errors in it are startling (incorrect formula, etc). If you go through EK thoroughly you should be good to go with the caveat that you go back to your coursework and review anything that confuses you.

PS: This assumes you retained a significant amount of info; if you really retained "nothing" then no, I wouldn't recommend it. Find a review course.

 

[angldrps]

i wouldn't recommend EK for someone who wants to learn the material from scratch, instead EK is more suitable for someone who needs only a review of the material. I would recommend OP to take a prep course. You get all the books plus instructors who you can always ask if something was confusing. i would recommend TPR hyperlearning course.

 

[MyOwnPath]

I can learn pretty well from just a book - I pick up stuff quickly. I don't live near any of the exam prep classes, and I couldn't afford it if I did. They are usually thousands...

 

[angldrps]

I can learn pretty well from just a book - I pick up stuff quickly. I don't live near any of the exam prep classes, and I couldn't afford it if I did. They are usually thousands...

in that case, i would recommend TBR books. For self study, i think TBR trumps all others because it provides you with all the content + a ton of EXCELLENT practice. i personally didn't like TBR for bio and ochem...it went into too much detail, but if you really don't remember any bio/ochem, then TBR books will be a good match for you.
Check out SN2's 3 month study schedule.

 

[ViciousKicks]

I took the MCAT nearly five years after graduating from college, and about 8 years after taking physics. I enrolled in a Kaplan course - actually physically went to classes, used the books, and used all the online resources. When I took my first assessment MCAT at the beginning of the course I got an 18, but pulled my score up significantly over the next three months, and was accepted to medical school in December (because I'm an idiot and didn't submit my app until the week before the deadline....don't do that).

The advantage to actually taking the class is that you are exposed to a classroom again. I took a lot of heat from my pre-med committee and some of my interviewers because I haven't taken any classes in a long time, but they did appreciate that I did Kaplan.

Someone mentioned a focus on learning the content right now and avoiding practice tests and problems, but I would give the opposite advice. You don't need to re-invent the wheel. You need to learn how to take the MCAT, which is largely an endurance test. The Kaplan review books are a great learning resource, and the content will come, but remember that you are studying for one test. At this point in the game you don't need to know all the material in depth - just enough to get by.

I know the classes are expensive, but the cost of applying to medical school adds up really quickly too. Do you want to pay for it over and over again or do you want in your first year?

 

[MyOwnPath]

Thanks for the advice, this does make sense. I will look into Kaplans classes, but I highly doubt I will be able to go for it unfortunately. I work full time, I can't afford the class, and I'm probably not near any of them...but we'll see!

I took the MCAT nearly five years after graduating from college, and about 8 years after taking physics. I enrolled in a Kaplan course - actually physically went to classes, used the books, and used all the online resources. When I took my first assessment MCAT at the beginning of the course I got an 18, but pulled my score up significantly over the next three months, and was accepted to medical school in December (because I'm an idiot and didn't submit my app until the week before the deadline....don't do that).

The advantage to actually taking the class is that you are exposed to a classroom again. I took a lot of heat from my pre-med committee and some of my interviewers because I haven't taken any classes in a long time, but they did appreciate that I did Kaplan.

Someone mentioned a focus on learning the content right now and avoiding practice tests and problems, but I would give the opposite advice. You don't need to re-invent the wheel. You need to learn how to take the MCAT, which is largely an endurance test. The Kaplan review books are a great learning resource, and the content will come, but remember that you are studying for one test. At this point in the game you don't need to know all the material in depth - just enough to get by.

I know the classes are expensive, but the cost of applying to medical school adds up really quickly too. Do you want to pay for it over and over again or do you want in your first year?

 

[Wolverines83]

Thanks for the advice, this does make sense. I will look into Kaplans classes, but I highly doubt I will be able to go for it unfortunately. I work full time, I can't afford the class, and I'm probably not near any of them...but we'll see!

Hey man, don't get down. If you really can't swing the class, you won't be the first. You can learn the material from books, it just takes a lot more discipline in your part. I think we can agree it'd be easier to take a class but doing well is definitely possible by studying on your own. For what it's worth, I didn't take a class. I just did a bunch of review books front to back. I hadn't seen bio in like like six years or something and got a 12 on the section so by all means, it's doable.

I realize this goes against what I said in an earlier post but my earlier post assumed you'd be able to swing the class. Since you're saying you can't, might as well get crackin' on studying, right?

 

[Mosonik]

Speaking as one who took an in class Kaplan course to help prep for the MCAT... I wouldn't do it again if I had the choice. I think the materials are enough to learn and study from so it's not for everyone.

 

[ATC06]

.

 

[MyOwnPath]

I can't say anything about the Kaplan courses (didn't take one), but I did use the Kaplan Physics review book. Yes, it is very detailed and possibly overkill...however, the mcat can be very random and there were at least 2 or 3 questions I got right thanks to the detail of the review (2-3 questions can raise your section score by 1 point). Personally, I'd rather be over prepared than crossing my fingers for some familiar material. I hadn't taken physics in 7 years and honestly remembered very little, but managed to pull an 11 on PS after only self study. So my n=1 demonstrates it is possible to learn the material independently and do well. I did find EK 1001 problems useful for practice, but not much use until you relearn the concepts. As for the online practice mcat's...they are a great resource to familiarize yourself with the exam format and pace, but I wouldn't recommend taking any until you have studied a decent amount and relearned the material. You'll just be wasting your time taking these practice mcat's when you're not ready. There are only a limited number of tests available so use them strategically.

So I found this: Examkrackers Complete MCAT Study Package (5 books) http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-Complete-MCAT-Study-Pkg/dp/1893858499

And this: Kaplan MCAT Review, Complete 5 book set, http://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-MCAT-Review-Complete-Subject/dp/1607146541/ref=pd_sim_b_4

Which would be best for learning with little retention from the actual classes? Kaplan?

 

[jinobi]

Study from Princeton Review (PR) exam books, except for Verbal (they suck at that) - just use EK Verbal for it, simple and straightforward.

Constant practice with PR/EK questions, followed by AAMC practice tests in the 2nd half of your study session. Constant review over the questions you missed, you can use PR as a reference. Best way to learn is by repetition and problems - it's what we're going through with high-yield First Aid + USMLEWorld problems right now.



Final: 11PS, 10BS, 11VB - 32S

 

[Loudster]

Final: 10PS, 10PS, 11VB - 32S

I think your math might be a bit off...

 

[BenZq]

I also started my MCAT learning with very little prior knowledge. Here are my thoughts:

I 100% second The Berkeley Review recommendation. Their books are AMAZING and very highly reviewed on the MCAT forums. I would recommend you purchase their Physics, Chemistry, and OChem books. These books are great tools for learning these subjects from SCRATCH and the practice materials they provide are invaluable. I don't recommend their verbal or biology books though. For Verbal examkrackers and princeton review hyper learning are the best. For Biology I used examkrackers and consistently scored amazingly well in this section. If you need to supplement your study materials I would suggest using the internet: YouTube and Wikipedia are great resources!

Best of luck!

 

[jinobi]

I think your math might be a bit off...

Gotcha, thanks. Sorry, microbio is consuming my life right now.

 

[angldrps]

So I found this: Examkrackers Complete MCAT Study Package (5 books) http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-Complete-MCAT-Study-Pkg/dp/1893858499

And this: Kaplan MCAT Review, Complete 5 book set, http://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-MCAT-Review-Complete-Subject/dp/1607146541/ref=pd_sim_b_4

Which would be best for learning with little retention from the actual classes? Kaplan?

DO NOT BUY KAPLAN BOOKS! In my mcat library (retaker here), i have kaplan, princeton,EK, Berkeley Review books. Out of all these books, kaplan has the worst content review. TPR has the most straightforward, easy to understand, and overall excellent content review. TBR has the most excellent practice material. TBR''s Gen Chem and Physics books are top-notch while their Bio and Ochem books are overkill. Ek's books are the most concise.
Kaplan does have great practice material. Practicing with Kaplan's exams and AAMC helped me raise my score by a lot.

 

[MyOwnPath]

DO NOT BUY KAPLAN BOOKS! In my mcat library (retaker here), i have kaplan, princeton,EK, Berkeley Review books. Out of all these books, kaplan has the worst content review. TPR has the most straightforward, easy to understand, and overall excellent content review. TBR has the most excellent practice material. TBR''s Gen Chem and Physics books are top-notch while their Bio and Ochem books are overkill. Ek's books are the most concise.
Kaplan does have great practice material. Practicing with Kaplan's exams and AAMC helped me raise my score by a lot.

I can't find a Princeton review comprehensive MCAT package...do I just buy each book separate? Which books?

 

[poopyhead]

I took the MCAT 8+ years after graduating. Review books are review books...whatever you can get your hands on to refresh your memory is fine. Do NOT waste your money on an actual review course, unless you absolutely need it to force yourself to study.

What you NEED to do is take practice tests....lots of them. Then, go over all the answer explanations, INCLUDING the ones you got right, in case you just got lucky with some of your answers.

For me, the Kaplan practice tests were the best. They ended up to be MUCH harder than the actual thing. My actual score came close to my practice scores.

 

[angldrps]

I can't find a Princeton review comprehensive MCAT package...do I just buy each book separate? Which books?

I was referring to Princeton Review hyperlearning books that come as a part of their course (not sold in stores). You should be able to find these books on ebay or the "For Sale" section of SDN. They pop up pretty frequently. If you can't get a hold of them, then i would HIGHLY recommend Berkeley Review books that you can buy on their website. With the Berkeley books, you are kinda getting a 2 in 1 deal due to all the practice passages that come with along the content review. Even though I am a fan of Princeton's content review books, Princeton books only provide you with content. Do a search for Berkeley review books on SDN, you will find that they have many happy customers.

This is what the Princeton Review Hyperlearning books look like (from google imagaes : http://forsale.oodle.com/view/the-p...s-brand-new-combo-set/2976600488-la-jolla-ca/

 

[411309]

I learned everything from scratch. I didn't really know any of it before studying and went from a 20 to averaging 29-32 on practice tests.

 

[MedPR]

Seems like you are pretty set on doing this from scratch. Although I was only a few years removed from physics and general bio, I felt like I was learning a lot of it from scratch. TBR (and SDN) really helped me understand physics and EK was enough of a memory jogger to get the Bio part.

I strongly recommend TBR, but you have to keep in mind that it is difficult. If you are easily discouraged, you'll have a tough time with TBR.