MCAT Pre Course @ PR

[good_faith]

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Is anybody took MCAT Pre Course from the Princeton Review?
What do you think about their course?
I am planning to sign for the class which starts next week.

 

[jetjulia]

I didn't take the PR - I opted instead for Kaplan, and I wish I'd done the PR path. The two biggest problems for me with the MCAT were anxiety and confidence. I knew the material fine, and usually after the practice tests, I was shocked at the questions I answered incorrectly.

Kaplan's style is to make the practice tests more difficult than the actual MCAT. Their reasoning is that this makes you more prepared.

I've heard that PR's practice tests are more like the actual MCAT, which would be a plus if you have the same problems I did.

Also, I know it's been said time and time again, but you can really do just as well without the prep courses if you have the discipline. In fact, I know two other people that did really well on the MCAT with no prep course.

 

[HollyJ]

I teach for TPR, and I also took their course. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. 🙂

 

[MedAppGurl]

I took the PR course, and it was perfect for me. The material is very comprehensive, the teachers were great and the practice material was very good. I had friends at the same time taking Kaplan who had less than stellar experiences with it. for the same amount of money i would say PR is the way to go.
go for it!

 

[JohnHolmes]

Originally posted by HollyJ
I teach for TPR, and I also took their course. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. 🙂

I teach for TPR and took the KAPLAN course. PM me for a comparison 😉



Coops

 

[bewitched1081]

i took the berkeley review. it is similar to kaplan in regards to the tests being harder. most people who take berkeley score around 3-5 points higher on the real test. for me personally, i like to be pleasantly surprised. also, it was probably a rivalry thing, but my instructors mentioned more than once that tpr's tests are too easy. as far as being to easy, im not really sure about. but the general consensus is that tpr's tests are easier. berkeley's tests in comparison to aamc tests did not seem to be harder to me. so i dont know. im not really going anywhere with this. but i did score higher on the real mcat if that helps.

 

[HollyJ]

Originally posted by bewitched1081
as far as being to easy, im not really sure about. but the general consensus is that tpr's tests are easier.

Actually, the major complaint with TPR as that the tests are too HARD, and that they therefore give an inflated picture of how much you improved from the first TPR test to the actual AMCAS test.

My personal opinion is that the TPR tests are skewed a little bit on the hard side, but I appreciated it. I was glad for the relief of switching to the AMCAS tests.

As far as tests for TPR go, the first couple that you take are written by TPR, and the last two are actual AMCAS MCATs. I found it to be really helpful.

 

[elias514]

There are so many myths floating around as to comparative quality of the Kaplan or Princeton Review MCAT course. For instance, at UT Austin the vast majority of pre-meds erroneously believe that PR is better, even though Kaplan is the superior program. The fundamental problem is that very few people take BOTH programs in their respective areas. I've only met one person in Austin who has taken both Kaplan and PR; he believes that the Kaplan program is superior to the PR in Austin.

My point is that you shouldn't base your decision solely on hearsay. Go to each place and talk to the director (or, ideally, a senior MCAT instructor) to learn about the program. In particular, you ought to find out the following:
1. Where are the full-length practice tests typically held? (Ideally, they should be in the same place that you'll take the real MCAT)
2. What is the philosophy of Kaplan/PR regarding MCAT preparation? As an instructor at Kaplan, I can tell you that our philosophy is to integrate critical thinking, content review, and crisis prevention throughout the course. In addition, we don't overload students with scientific knowledge; rather, we teach the material that crops up very frequently on the MCAT. Instead of inundating students with facts, we prefer to emphasize test-taking strategies. Make sure that the program's philosophy dovetails with your needs. Kaplan isn't for every pre-med--the same goes for PR.
3. What practice materials are available for MCAT students? How do students access them? Make sure that the program has all of the AAMC practice items (including the full-length exams), as these tests closely approximate the actual MCAT in terms of difficulty. Most importantly, make sure that access to the materials is compatible with your schedule and preferences.
4. Check out the classrooms and training areas. You'll spend an inordinate amount of time at the center, so make sure that you like the facilities.
5. What books and training materials are issued to students? Browse through these materials.

Good luck on the MCAT!

 

[sanoge7]

I took both. Kaplan is way more impersonal and mechanized than TPR. TPR I thought was MILES better than Kaplan. I thought the TPR instructors were more intelligent, more available, and put time and thought into their teaching. Kaplan instructors I feel didn't even really know what they were talking about (I guess because they didn't need to because it was all written down in the books). TPR also gives you more resources and I think they are waaaay better in verbal.

TPR all the way. I thought Kaplan sucked (maybe it was just my learning style).

 

[elias514]

The perceived quality of the program partly depends on your learning style, because there are significant differences between Kaplan and TPR in regards to classroom instruction, among other things. In addition, it depends on the location. In some cities, Kaplan is hands-down the better option. In others, TPR is better. Neither place has a monopoly on kickass instructors.