MCAT June 17th, worth ordering TBR physics and O.chem last minute?

[luctoretemergo]

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So I've just finished up EK bio, and have found that all reading on content is extremely boring. I know MCAT is a passage based test, and I feel like I've made a mistake buying all the EK books. I plan on relying on EK bio and verbal, obviously. And I know Sn2's list of preferred books. But I also know TBR goes more indepth, or so I've heard. So with a little over 4 weeks to spare, what do you guys recommend I do? Considering if I ordered the books I may not get them early enough to go through them? I am a bio/chem graduate, but most of my chem classes were 2 years ago, and physics wasn't awlful for me but I definately had to study a lot to understand it well. I'm bad at memorizing without mneomics (sp?) or spending long amounts of time on it. I'm not too worried about bio b/c a lot is passage based, which of course I need to practice using EK 1001 bio.

Anyway, what do you guys recommend I do with the time I have? I want to spend 5 days at least on pure FL's.

TIA

 

[plsfoldthx]

I got all my EK books a month before my actual test so yeah, I'd say it would. 4 weeks is still a lot of time and you can learn a ton of material so go for it.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

So I've just finished up EK bio, and have found that all reading on content is extremely boring. I know MCAT is a passage based test, and I feel like I've made a mistake buying all the EK books. I plan on relying on EK bio and verbal, obviously. And I know Sn2's list of preferred books. But I also know TBR goes more indepth, or so I've heard. So with a little over 4 weeks to spare, what do you guys recommend I do? Considering if I ordered the books I may not get them early enough to go through them? I am a bio/chem graduate, but most of my chem classes were 2 years ago, and physics wasn't awlful for me but I definately had to study a lot to understand it well. I'm bad at memorizing without mneomics (sp?) or spending long amounts of time on it. I'm not too worried about bio b/c a lot is passage based, which of course I need to practice using EK 1001 bio.

Anyway, what do you guys recommend I do with the time I have? I want to spend 5 days at least on pure FL's.

TIA

I would bookmark SDN classifieds and go there often the next two days. If used BR books pop up, and you can get them quickly, then jump on it. If not, then you could bite the bullet and send your order in Monday for the books you need most. It seems from most threads that the turnaround time from when you mail your order and when your books arrive is about 7 to 14 days. If it's the average (about 10 days), that will give you three weeks to power through about 600 to 700 passages. That seems a bit much. I'd cut my losses and get the three of the five topics, and work through those. Which ones would be up to your needs, which from your post sounds like general chemistry, physics, and biology.

 

[luctoretemergo]

I would bookmark SDN classifieds and go there often the next two days. If used BR books pop up, and you can get them quickly, then jump on it. If not, then you could bite the bullet and send your order in Monday for the books you need most. It seems from most threads that the turnaround time from when you mail your order and when your books arrive is about 7 to 14 days. If it's the average (about 10 days), that will give you three weeks to power through about 600 to 700 passages. That seems a bit much. I'd cut my losses and get the three of the five topics, and work through those. Which ones would be up to your needs, which from your post sounds like general chemistry, physics, and biology.

Well, I don't necessarily need the BR books. I don't mind EK bio and verbal, and consensus seems to be that they're in the top. But the o.chem, gen chem, and physics is what I'm worried about. Does anyone know how much longer the BR books are to get through versus the EK ones? I have a 3.6 graduating GPA, and am doing a pre-professional masters next year, but I really need at least a 32 to get into IU med here (graduated at IU so it's instate and a great school). I'll definately keep my eye out for them on here, but I feel like my chances may be slim. Can anyone personally compare EK to BR physics, ochem, gchem that's studied both or maybe taken mcat with one or the other?

 

[Rayhaan]

You don't have time to do all 3 of those topics. Most people do 1 chapter a day, I've been managing 2 chapters a day. Even so I don't see how you could get through all the passages in less than 3 weeks.

 

[luctoretemergo]

You don't have time to do all 3 of those topics. Most people do 1 chapter a day, I've been managing 2 chapters a day. Even so I don't see how you could get through all the passages in less than 3 weeks.

Yea. I'm thinking maybe just phsyics or just ochem. I've gotten thru EK bio in 6 days So if I repeat this I'm hoping to shoot for 6 days per book/per around 9 lessons. That means I'll have 7 days leftover, of which I want to dedicated to FL's, 1001 q's, and practice passages. I'm just trying to maximize my time, I'm willing to spend 9am to 8pm, break, then 830 to 11 in order to do this. I've been going about 9 to 7 so far with two breaks or so. I'm just curious how much more time consuimng a BR book would be over the EK physics. I'm aiming for a 31, I have a 3.6 GPA and am doing a post-bacc pre-professional masters next year, so a 31 would be prob the safest min score I'd need, I'm not sure if anything above this is even practical with my time frame, but I have no other obligations except 6 hours of work a week.

In short, I want the most out of my time, and I am trying to ask which book for ochem and physics would provide that.

 

[luctoretemergo]

Ok, so if I stick with the EK series, can someone give me advice on topics to supplement in the books? For example, I hear that physics over emphasizes memorizing equations not needed for MCAT and lacks explanation in certain topics. And I've heard that orgo doesn't discuss solubilities well, which is often an MCAT topic, etc.

 

[JSteele]

So I've just finished up EK bio, and have found that all reading on content is extremely boring. I know MCAT is a passage based test, and I feel like I've made a mistake buying all the EK books. I plan on relying on EK bio and verbal, obviously. And I know Sn2's list of preferred books. But I also know TBR goes more indepth, or so I've heard. So with a little over 4 weeks to spare, what do you guys recommend I do? Considering if I ordered the books I may not get them early enough to go through them? I am a bio/chem graduate, but most of my chem classes were 2 years ago, and physics wasn't awlful for me but I definately had to study a lot to understand it well. I'm bad at memorizing without mneomics (sp?) or spending long amounts of time on it. I'm not too worried about bio b/c a lot is passage based, which of course I need to practice using EK 1001 bio.

Anyway, what do you guys recommend I do with the time I have? I want to spend 5 days at least on pure FL's.

TIA

I used the EK audio CDs and the Princeton Review. EK was great for bio and pretty good for physics, but i think PR really has the O-Chem nailed really well. It definitely helped me. For what it's worth, that's my pick. But you still have a ton of time to learn, so just cram on the O-Chem for a bit and you'll probably be glad you did.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

I'm just curious how much more time consuimng a BR book would be over... I'm aiming for a 31...

The BR book is time consumming because you have so many passages and questions to do. It takes time to take the passages and then additional time to review the exams and questions afterwards. But that is EXACTLY where you should be spending your time: on passage-based questions and reviewing them afterwards.

You are prorbaly looking at seven hours per chapter (on average) for physics and six hours per chapter in organic chemistry. The amount of time it takes will depend completely on the person, but when it comes to getting ready for this test, passages and questions are key and you should be less worried about the time and more worried about getting as prepared as you can get.

Getting a great score requires working hard, doing tons of passages, and getting the most realistic practice materials. You are clearly willing to put the time in, so why not use the best materials for each individual section?

 

[BrownSweetness]

I'm taking the MCAT on July 16th, so I like ordered BR Physics I and II last week (Wed) through the TBR pigeon carrier.🙂 No news yet. None of my emails or phone messages have been returned. What's the deal with that?

Waiting by the mailbox....

 

[coach55]

So I've just finished up EK bio, and have found that all reading on content is extremely boring. I know MCAT is a passage based test, and I feel like I've made a mistake buying all the EK books. I plan on relying on EK bio and verbal, obviously. And I know Sn2's list of preferred books. But I also know TBR goes more indepth, or so I've heard. So with a little over 4 weeks to spare, what do you guys recommend I do? Considering if I ordered the books I may not get them early enough to go through them? I am a bio/chem graduate, but most of my chem classes were 2 years ago, and physics wasn't awlful for me but I definately had to study a lot to understand it well. I'm bad at memorizing without mneomics (sp?) or spending long amounts of time on it. I'm not too worried about bio b/c a lot is passage based, which of course I need to practice using EK 1001 bio.

Anyway, what do you guys recommend I do with the time I have? I want to spend 5 days at least on pure FL's.

TIA

5 Days of pure FL is not enough practice. I also made a mistake buying all EK books, including bio. I'm using TBR for the PS section and TPR for bio. TPR is a little more in detail but its amazing.
Be careful about your ordering, because it takes at least 10-15 days to get your TBR books. If you're done with bio content, I guess your best bet is to do EK 1001 bio passages as well as TBR bio passages.

 

[coach55]

I'm taking the MCAT on July 16th, so I like ordered BR Physics I and II last week (Wed) through the TBR pigeon carrier.🙂 No news yet. None of my emails or phone messages have been returned. What's the deal with that?

Waiting by the mailbox....

Did you order with a check? I ordered my first TBR book with a check and it took like 20-25 days to get my book. When I ordered my second TBR book with a money order, it took about 10-15 days to get the book.
Just keep checking your email, you should get an email pretty soon (sometime next week) saying they shipped ur book/s.

 

[cloverpie]

It's mentioned on the Berkeley Review order form that using a check will delay your order by 10 days. Using a money order will require four days of processing and someone please check but I believe it's even shorter with a credit card. You have to pay a convenience fee with the credit card. If you do this combined with 3-day shipping, you're paying a lot but you're still paying less than for an MCAT re-take and you're getting the added confidence to do well on the exam. I'd say this is a no-brainer as to where to spend the money.