MCAT 2015: Kaplan MCAT 7-Book Series - Study Schedule

[bspetree33]

I recently received the new Kaplan MCAT 7-Book Review Series for the 2015 MCAT. This series was released this Tuesday, July 7, 2015, so needless to say I have a slight jump on it.

Here is my discussion question: my timeline for taking the MCAT is roughly 6-12 months--I have plenty of time. What kind of study schedule should I structure to adequately prepare?

Here is a list of the resources I have available to study, thus far:
1.) AAMC MCAT 2015 page --which gives a break down of material]
2.) Kaplan 7-Book Review Series for MCAT 2015 (2nd Edition)
3.)Kaplan Online resources-- which is comes with the 7-Book Series to serve as a supplement with videos, questions, quizzes, and 3 full-length practice exams
4.) Kaplan MCAT Flashcards + App
5.) Khan Academy MCAT Video Series

As of right now, my structure/outline is to study 2-3 hours per day 3-5 days per week working towards studying 1-5 sections of a chapter from a specific subject of the 7-book series. The order of the 7-book series that I would prefer to study in would be as follows: 1.) Behavioral & Social Sciences 2.) General Biology 3.) General Chemistry 4.) CARs 5.) Physics and Math 6.) Organic Chemistry 7.) Biochemistry. Would it be advised to work through one subject at a time before moving to the next or to essentially alternate subjects with different study days, for example, Monday-3 hours- Behavioral & Social Sciences, Tuesday-3 hours-General Biology, etc.

Any advice to structuring a study plan would be much appreciated.

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[El-Rami]

Definitely alternate subjects. For example, I read two chapters a day (one chapter from two different books) and then read two different subjects the next day, and so on. I keep alternating until the books have been read, and I take good notes over things I am less familiar with. I extract the main points from my Kaplan books, and I find them to be detailed yet concise. I would recommend starting passages as soon as possible and use them as learning tools for consolidating knowledge and getting used to the MCAT format. When you finish content review, keep working problems and start your full-lengths (1-2 a week, depending on factors such as time and money).

DO NOT read one book at a time. You will not retain as much information. If you alternate subjects at two chapters a day, you can finish content review easily in one month.

 

[bspetree33]

Definitely alternate subjects. For example, I read two chapters a day (one chapter from two different books) and then read two different subjects the next day, and so on. I keep alternating until the books have been read, and I take good notes over things I am less familiar with. I extract the main points from my Kaplan books, and I find them to be detailed yet concise. I would recommend starting passages as soon as possible and use them as learning tools for consolidating knowledge and getting used to the MCAT format. When you finish content review, keep working problems and start your full-lengths (1-2 a week, depending on factors such as time and money).

DO NOT read one book at a time. You will not retain as much information.

Thanks, El-Rami. That's super helpful. I greatly appreciate it.

Brandon

 

[mcatjelly]

Here is a current list of study schedules for the new MCAT!

 

[ElectricNoogie]

I recently received the new Kaplan MCAT 7-Book Review Series for the 2015 MCAT. This series was released this Tuesday, July 7, 2015, so needless to say I have a slight jump on it.

Here is my discussion question: my timeline for taking the MCAT is roughly 6-12 months--I have plenty of time. What kind of study schedule should I structure to adequately prepare?

Here is a list....

Any advice to structuring a study plan would be much appreciated.

The name of the game for MCAT studying (and later medical school) is efficiency.

Start off with a diagnostic (You can use the AAMC OG exam for this or just take any one of the many free diags available from companies). This will give you a good starting point and will allow you to identify which areas you need more work on.

Alternate subjects, plan to finish your content review ~ 2-4 weeks before your test and incorporate more and more practice questions (MCAT style) in progressively longer sets as you study.

Once you think you know a topic, do some MCAT style practice (a passage or two is fine)

Do CARS every other day from the get go, do not wait.

Your resources look good. Resist watching all the Khan videos (if you know a subject well and/or Kaplan covered it sufficiently, don't waste time watching the videos, go do some passages. I would recommend you pick up a few more full length exams. You have 4 now, I would recommend you have get ~ 7-10 (6 + AAMC full length).

Have 1 day/week where you do not study MCAT. This will prevent burnout and overall make you more efficient. Do app related stuff if you feel guilty, but your brain needs time to relax.

When making your schedule, BE SPECIFIC. It will be easier to stay on track when you know what you need to get done that day.
Good luck!!!

 

[bspetree33]

Here is a current list of study schedules for the new MCAT!

Thank you.

Brandon

 

[medicineforthepeople]

Hey! Hope the studying and everything else is going well for you. I have been searching on these forums for a study schedule that incorporates the Kaplan 7 book review series- because that is what I bought. I have the flashcards and the online access as well. However, all the study plans Ive came across so far use BR, EK, or the SDNe2 books. I have about 4 months that Ive allotted for studying- was wondering if you have found something that works for you? All the advice you want to give me is more than welcomed! Thank you🙂