MCAT Biology

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I have both the kaplan review notes and examkrackers books for biology. I currently plan on studying from both books. However, would it be better for me to study from just one book? If so, which book would be more beneficial to me?

 

[tn4596]

I have both the kaplan review notes and examkrackers books for biology. I currently plan on studying from both books. However, would it be better for me to study from just one book? If so, which book would be more beneficial to me?

both the kaplan comprehensive review and examcracker book is more of a quick review through your materials. it is best if you went through the topics using your big textbook. With that being said,I have both and I just plainly hate the kaplan books and their horrible analogies. I liked the EK much better.

 

[mikexima]

while we are on the topic. how will the MCAT test bio? is it more like the verbal reasoning section where you must read and comprehend the passage then answer questions based on the information given, without much previous background? or you must use the information in the passage and with the help of your own background knowledge put 2+2 together to answer questions. what is the bio section like?

 

[muhali3]

while we are on the topic. how will the MCAT test bio? is it more like the verbal reasoning section where you must read and comprehend the passage then answer questions based on the information given, without much previous background? or you must use the information in the passage and with the help of your own background knowledge put 2+2 together to answer questions. what is the bio section like?

that's kind of how it's like.

but there are also many discrete questions that test you purely on stuff you should have memorized.

 

[geeyouknit]

The amount of background/specific knowledge you need for passage questions varies from one AAMC test to the next, even from one passage to the other. Obviously discrete questions are more memorization based.

I only have the EK book, but after taking some AAMC practice tests (3,4, and 7), it seems like even the EK book offers up way too many specific details. Maybe people who have taken AAMC 8+ can comment.

There are somethings you have to memorize, even for passage based questions (such as which hormones do what, characteristics of symp vs parasymp, etc), but really focus on the relationships between things when learning. I think the EK book does a great job on pointing out important relationships on the sides of pages.

 

[mikexima]

The amount of background/specific knowledge you need for passage questions varies from one AAMC test to the next, even from one passage to the other. Obviously discrete questions are more memorization based.

I only have the EK book, but after taking some AAMC practice tests (3,4, and 7), it seems like even the EK book offers up way too many specific details. Maybe people who have taken AAMC 8+ can comment.

There are somethings you have to memorize, even for passage based questions (such as which hormones do what, characteristics of symp vs parasymp, etc), but really focus on the relationships between things when learning. I think the EK book does a great job on pointing out important relationships on the sides of pages.

I'm just a little worried because i am doing EK's 1001 bio and some questions in it are just like verbal reasoning section. read the passage, understand the details, apply. and sometimes you have to go back re-read or look for the details. we all hate VR and if we're exposed to more of it in the bio section then its frustrating.

 

[paul411]

I used only ExamKrackers for biology and I found it to be excellent! It's a review of everything you need to know with a focus on how you need to know it. Definitely go through the EK Biology book.

But keep in mind that it is a review book, so make sure you have a good foundation of biology before you start it. Kaplan notes, I hear, are better for learning things and EK is better for review.

I'm just a little worried because i am doing EK's 1001 bio and some questions in it are just like verbal reasoning section. read the passage, understand the details, apply. and sometimes you have to go back re-read or look for the details. we all hate VR and if we're exposed to more of it in the bio section then its frustrating.

Be aware that the BS section on the real MCAT is trending towards more of these kinds of questions that require synthesizing background knowledge with passage information to answer questions. The only way to get good at this is by having a strong understanding of the fundamental concepts (background knowledge) and doing tons of practice passages and questions (I hear The Berkeley Review Biology is a good source for BS practice materials).

 

[Swagster]

I prefer EK bio review over Kaplan. It reads better and I appreciate the succinct style. I really like the way they break things down. I'm not enamored with their practice questions. They test specifics for a test that is more based on passages and experiments. I'd recommend TBR for biology passages. Their text is longwinded but their passages and explanations are really helpful.