MCAT Resources

[abs5394]

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Hey everyone,

Sorry in advance if this has already been answered a million times, but I don't have time to dig through these forums for hours and the sticky's aren't too helpful in my opinion.

I'm going to start studying in early May and take the MCAT in august. My goal is obviously to get the best score possible, and money is a non-issue. I'm so confused on how to tackle it because there are just so many resources and prep companies. I'd like people's opinion on which are the BEST for the new MCAT.

First, does anyone advocate a prep course? I was thinking of the kaplan self-paced course.

If I want to self-study, which companies prep books are the best for each subject?

I know practice problems and full length exams are the key, so which company makes the best, in your opinion.

Based on my limited reading of the forums, this is what I was thinking:
1) the kaplan self-paced course only

2) self study with kaplan 7 book set, all AAMC materials, all Khan academy videos, all EK 1001 practice Q books, and in terms of FLs: EK1-4 and/or NS1-10

I'd really appreciate your help! Please don't flame for repetitiveness.

 

[7331poas]

This is repetitive

 

[Wolfpack93]

It seems like you've answered your own question. 2 is sufficient if you don't want to spend 2000 dollars on a course. That's basically what I've been doing minus the 1001 EK books.

 

[Bleu]

Hey everyone,

Sorry in advance if this has already been answered a million times, but I don't have time to dig through these forums for hours and the sticky's aren't too helpful in my opinion.

I'm going to start studying in early May and take the MCAT in august. My goal is obviously to get the best score possible, and money is a non-issue. I'm so confused on how to tackle it because there are just so many resources and prep companies. I'd like people's opinion on which are the BEST for the new MCAT.

First, does anyone advocate a prep course? I was thinking of the kaplan self-paced course.

If I want to self-study, which companies prep books are the best for each subject?

I know practice problems and full length exams are the key, so which company makes the best, in your opinion.

Based on my limited reading of the forums, this is what I was thinking:
1) the kaplan self-paced course only

2) self study with kaplan 7 book set, all AAMC materials, all Khan academy videos, all EK 1001 practice Q books, and in terms of FLs: EK1-4 and/or NS1-10

I'd really appreciate your help! Please don't flame for repetitiveness.

Great! We have time to dig through the forum for you?

 

[abs5394]

you had time to post on this thread. What is it with people... All I'm asking is for peoples' opinion on which are the best prep books for content review and practice. I can't find many opinions on material for the new MCAT.

 

[Bleu]

you had time to post on this thread. What is it with people... All I'm asking is for peoples' opinion on which are the best prep books for content review and practice. I can't find many opinions on material for the new MCAT.

In the upper right hand corner of this page is a search box. Type in new MCAT. Most of the threads are very informative and pages long discussing TBR, TPR, Kaplan and EK. There are also links to the best testing sources. The test company reps even weigh in from time to time. Start reading.

 

[Bleu]

you had time to post on this thread. What is it with people... All I'm asking is for peoples' opinion on which are the best prep books for content review and practice. I can't find many opinions on material for the new MCAT.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/search/29087106/?q=New+mcat&o=relevance&c[node]=31

 

[Altius Premier Tutor]

abs5394, welcome to the forum...you've quickly discovered one of the ground rules posters here like to follow; they will expect you to research the topic first if asking a question that gets asked frequently. Don't fret about it, many first time users get the same warm welcome. I'll be happy to help you the best that I can.

Obviously, I work for Altius, so I think they are a stellar company. However, you can figure out what is best on your own fairly quickly by comparing resources side-by-side. I wouldn't necessarily stake my whole future on opinions offered on this forum anyway. I suggest that you obtain FREE copies of the practice materials from each company. Pretty much everyone, Kaplan, Princeton, Examkrackers, Altius, NextStep, etc., offer a FREE diagnostic exam or other sample of their materials. Take each one and compare it directly to the AAMC materials currently available. You'll get a feel for what you like best and what is most representative of the real AAMC questions. You can access a free half-length exam on our website or PM me and I can get you access to one of the ten Altius full-lengths for free.

As for the self-study materials from any of the large status quo prep companies, I would proceed with caution. I usually have the one-on-one students I tutor work for 4-5 months before they take their exam, so your May-August timeline could be a little tight. I would get started ASAP. Whatever you do, don't get bogged down with content and memorization. ALL of the status quo prep books overemphasize content when it is actually critical thinking about scientific research that is most rewarded on this exam.

Let me know if there is any other way I can be of help.