MCAT Is Intensive Study Strategy Possible?

[peacerosetx]

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Peace and greetings all. 🙂 I have a problem and I need some help please. I am going to take the MCAT in September 2010 (last possible date); I am basically starting to study for it now. I would like to know which books can offer the best test preparation within this very short time interval--I know ideally you need three months.

This summer I began a pre-med program and took basic biology an english class and will continue with biology and math courses next week.

If you have any advice for an overall strategy (as in which areas to focus on and which books to use) that would be great. At this point I was simply going to use the Princeton Review (TPR Hyperlearning), then take the practice exams directly from the AAMC Official Guide to the MCAT Exam.

God bless and thank you.

peacerosetx

 

[latrala2300]

i'll assume you dont have TBR, and that's unfeasible since your MCAT would be done and over with by the time they get around to shipping the books 🙄

so....
1) buy EK. the entire set. read through the books a few times until youre comfortable with the material.
2) buy their 1001 questions. DO EVERY SINGLE q for chem and physics (contrary to much of the advice you'll find here). Do as much as you can of the orgo, but especially the second half. And do as many passages as necessary of the bio to get the general "MCAT way of thinking" down.

And if you dont have this yet, don't skimp on shipping...
DICLAIMER: i have not taken the MCAT; my test is friday

EDIT: this, ofc, assumes you have basic understanding of concepts from the pre-reqs. if you feel you need something more in-depth, youd want to consider pushing back

 

[peacerosetx]

@ latrala2300 I could still get TBR by tomorrow with FEDEX, if you think that is the best way to go--it seems that people on the forums like the TBR. I will also get the EK as you suggested ( I can go back and forth between both to grasp concepts better). Thank you so very much for your response; you are a blessing!

You'll be in our prayers for your test Friday 🙂

peace

 

[latrala2300]

@ latrala2300 I could still get TBR by tomorrow with FEDEX, if you think that is the best way to go--it seems that people on the forums like the TBR. I will also get the EK as you suggested ( I can go back and forth between both to grasp concepts better). Thank you so very much for your response; you are a blessing!

You'll be in our prayers for your test Friday 🙂

peace

well, the thing is, TBR books are long. if you truly sit down for 12 hrs a day you can crank through EK in a month, but TBR would be much harder. if money is not an issue, TBR may just be nice to have on "stand-by" in case EK isn't clear on some concepts (electricity and electrochem come to mind). if you are short, just use wiki. it's better than profs have us believe.

EDIT: one last thing: after reviewing basic formulas (at the end of every EK chapter), take AAMC 3 to see where you're at. use that to fine-tune your month.

 

[peacerosetx]

@ latrala2300 Thank you so much for all of your informative information. I am so glad you gave me the heads-up about the density of the TBR book. I am ordering the EK now and they should arrive tomorrow. You have no idea how much you helped me; you are a God send 😍

peacerosetx

 

[Entadus]

I'm taking the 9/9 MCAT (3 weeks! yikes!) and have been using the Examkrackers. I find it very useful.

Personally, the 101 Verbal passages book has been wonderful for confidence/skill building!!

I've been reading the biology book, too.

 

[peacerosetx]

@ Entadus Thank you for your input. I should have my books tomorrow--possibly today. Blessings for your exam on 9/9.

peacerosetx

 

[MM88]

I personally used EK audio-osmosis (and their books for practice questions) and bought an obscure review guide by McGraw-Hill because it had lots of charts and pictures, because I'm an auditory and visual learner. What you do largely depends on how you like to study - if you prefer to read lots TPR might be good for you.

Also, you have to consider how familiar you are with the concepts - EK is very to the point and sometimes skims over the amplifying details. If you are looking more for review than to self teach some vaguely familiar/unfamiliar concepts...then EK might not be enough for you.

But seeing as you've already ordered materials...try it out and see how it goes. Good luck!

 

[latrala2300]

I personally used EK audio-osmosis (and their books for practice questions) and bought an obscure review guide by McGraw-Hill because it had lots of charts and pictures, because I'm an auditory and visual learner. What you do largely depends on how you like to study - if you prefer to read lots TPR might be good for you.

Also, you have to consider how familiar you are with the concepts - EK is very to the point and sometimes skims over the amplifying details. If you are looking more for review than to self teach some vaguely familiar/unfamiliar concepts...then EK might not be enough for you.

But seeing as you've already ordered materials...try it out and see how it goes. Good luck!

sure, this may help if youre on the road/bedtime.

http://www.google.com/search?q=mcat...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

[peacerosetx]

@ MM88 you are correct

Also, you have to consider how familiar you are with the concepts - EK is very to the point and sometimes skims over the amplifying details. If you are looking more for review than to self teach some vaguely familiar/unfamiliar concepts...then EK might not be enough for you.

They are very to the point and I have not had these courses in so many years I am looking at the books and spending more time online trying to search for documents that can help me understand the basic concepts. What books would you suggest that could help with reviews.

These ExamKrackers I was told are for people who have a good handle on the basics; I do not. I feel so nervous. I have tried the physics I will try the Chemistry maybe that will go better. I even have the Hyperlearning and that does not help with basic review. These books simply teach to take the test, I need a real review first or at least to supplement this

EDIT::

I can understand the main concepts in the book and can figure out the answers even when I choose an incorrect one and I am glad for the amount that I have learned about Physics in a day. My problem is some examples that involve certain type of basic trigonometry and algebra is making it difficult for me to connect some of the dots and I then make needless mistakes. The books however are able to move me forward but if I could get a few basic concepts down I could do much better! I am pleased I just need a review of more basic idea to help me solve the problems more accurately.

...Thank you

 

[LUCPM]

You can try either TBR Physics or Nova Physics. Either book will be fine for learning the concepts but TBR physics comes with tons of practice passages which are valuable IMO.