MCAT Study tools in a nutshell... suggestions.

[delabeaux]

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I recognize there is another similar post.... in 2008.

I'm looking for a brief list of 'must have texts' for studying for the MCAT.

Actual textbooks, study aids post them here.

I have quite a while to study (2 years) before I will even consider taking the MCAT, but I would like to start now.

I'm assuming:
1.) Kaplan
2.) Examkrackers series texts and audio-osmosis.
3.) ?

Thanks for your suggestions, and thank you for helping me learn on this journey.

~bb

 

[ElChamaco]

I recognize there is another similar post.... in 2008.

I'm looking for a brief list of 'must have texts' for studying for the MCAT.

Actual textbooks, study aids post them here.

I have quite a while to study (2 years) before I will even consider taking the MCAT, but I would like to start now.

I'm assuming:
1.) Kaplan
2.) Examkrackers series texts and audio-osmosis.
3.) ?

Thanks for your suggestions, and thank you for helping me learn on this journey.

~bb

Starting now is a bad idea. Everyone will tell you this. The MCAT does not test material at a level of depth that requires this sort of prolonged study. You will gain nothing from doing this. I've given myself 5 months to study (taking Jan 29th) and even that is quite a bit of time.

Best advice is to do well in your pre-reqs. Approach them with the desire to understand the material in addition to making good grades. This will make the content review phase of prepping for the MCAT much easier. Also, come back and read the stickies in this forum next year. They will answer all your questions. You say there is a similar post in 2008, but in fact there are millions of similar posts throughout every month of every year here.

Good luck.

 

[SN2ed]

Studying for the MCAT now is a waste of time. Anywhere, here's the book list:

Biology: 1. EK Bio (for content) + BR Bio (for passages and further topic depth if needed) 2. TPR Hyperlearning, detail oriented 3. Kaplan

Physics: 1. BR 2. Nova 3. TPR Hyperlearning 4. EK/Kaplan

Verbal: 1. EK 101 Verbal 2. TPR Hyperlearning Verbal Workbook 3. BR 4. Kaplan (Avoid if possible)

Organic Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

General Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 1. AAMC Official Guide to the MCAT Exam (most representative material available) 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics

 

[tabishis]

I found this site sometime ago. It doesn't have everything but something to start with.

www.mcatr.com

 

[delabeaux]

Studying for the MCAT now is a waste of time. Anywhere, here's the book list:

Biology: 1. EK Bio (for content) + BR Bio (for passages and further topic depth if needed) 2. TPR Hyperlearning, detail oriented 3. Kaplan

Physics: 1. BR 2. Nova 3. TPR Hyperlearning 4. EK/Kaplan

Verbal: 1. EK 101 Verbal 2. TPR Hyperlearning Verbal Workbook 3. BR 4. Kaplan (Avoid if possible)

Organic Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

General Chemistry: 1. BR, by far 2. TPR Hyperlearning 3. EK/Kaplan

Extra Practice Material: 1. TPR Hyperlearing Science Workbook, good source of practice passages 1. AAMC Official Guide to the MCAT Exam (most representative material available) 2. EK 1001 series, helps nail down basics

I know TPR is The Princeton Review. What is BR? Thanks! (forgive the ignorance, and thanks for the knowledge!).

 

[tabishis]

I know TPR is The Princeton Review. What is BR? Thanks! (forgive the ignorance, and thanks for the knowledge!).

The Berkeley Review

 

[goldenniche]

I recognize there is another similar post.... in 2008.

I'm looking for a brief list of 'must have texts' for studying for the MCAT.

Actual textbooks, study aids post them here.

I have quite a while to study (2 years) before I will even consider taking the MCAT, but I would like to start now.

I'm assuming:
1.) Kaplan
2.) Examkrackers series texts and audio-osmosis.
3.) ?

Thanks for your suggestions, and thank you for helping me learn on this journey.

~bb

Study aids will not help you at this point in time.
The best thing you can do now, is work very hard in your prerequisite courses. Study your biology, chemistry, organic, physics in your undergrad and study hard. This will all be on the MCAT, and will make your review and practice for it much easier.

You should also practice reading and understanding high-level articles, for the verbal component, because this is a skill that can only be developed over time. Same thing for the writing sample - I suppose you can start by practicing critical thinking and TAS structure, and essay-writing to get yourself comfortable with it.

Only closer to the MCAT though should you worry about specific MCAT-related review. Even 6 months prior may be too much. By then, the prep you do depends on your personality. You could:
1. Take a prep classroom course; LiveOnline course, with Princeton or Kaplan (I did Hyperlearning with Princeton).
2. Study along with either the Princeton books, that give you a lot of detail which is good for review, or the ExamKrackers books that get right to the point for the individual who knows everything already.
3. Do lots of practice questions. I recommend Princeton for Sciences - and I would focus on the online passages before trying the book, because they will give you better practice with the computer-based test. But I personally found some of the physics passages complete BS. Also ExamKrackers for Verbal.
4. Do lots of practice tests. Both Princeton and AAMC. Apparently Kaplan has a completely different testing style that I hadn't experienced. It's pretty common (but not always the case) that your real MCAT score is somewhere between your Princeton scores and your AAMC scores. You should save the harder of the AAMC tests (the more recent ones..8,9,10) to do every other day for the two weeks before your MCAT.
5. After you're done doing the book and classroom reviewing, you might enjoy listening to Audio Osmosis for the week before your MCAT, that will keep yourself refreshed of the most important, key concepts.
6. The day before, I have been told you should do nothing. Just relax. I personally studied right up until I got to my test location because that's what I feel comfortable doing. So I'm not sure what is really better.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

I recognize there is another similar post.... in 2008.

I'm looking for a brief list of 'must have texts' for studying for the MCAT.

Actual textbooks, study aids post them here.

I have quite a while to study (2 years) before I will even consider taking the MCAT, but I would like to start now.

I'm assuming:
1.) Kaplan
2.) Examkrackers series texts and audio-osmosis.
3.) ?

Thanks for your suggestions, and thank you for helping me learn on this journey.

~bb

El Chamaco's advice is so perfect that there's little to add. Right now you simply need to focus on getting good grades and learning the material in your classes as best you can (the textbook really doesn't matter that much in terms of MCAT readiness down the road). Be good at reasoning out questions conceptually, and make sure you develop good visualization skills.

When it comes time to study for the MCAT, you can get materials then. SDN's list is pretty much the concensus list of people who have used several materials. If you do an extensive search at SDN, you'll find several veterans giving pretty much that identical list of materials.

The only thing you might consider doing is getting any materials now that might be hard to find in two years (such as AAMC exams 1 and 2 in paper form--long since out of print--and AAMC exam 6, which is soon to be out of print.)

It was also mentioned in a previous post that you should consider taking a prep course a few months before your MCAT. This can be a great idea, if you find a course that matches your needs. Ask people in your immediate area about classes, because the quality of instruction varies greatly center to center and only people in your area can give you the opinions you need. If you are lucky enough to be in an area where there are more choices than the two corporate programs, then shop well. The presence of a third competitor forces the bigger companies to give more to their students in those markets than other ones. I'm biased here, but I strongly believe (and hear constantly from others) that a small and personal course that specializes in the MCAT (does no other exam) will offer the best preparation for your money. But I also believe many people don't need courses and can do well on their own. Figure out who you are before you consider shopping for a course.

The one thing you should definitely do over the next two years is check in here at SDN from time to time to get quality advice.

 

[Ev1hmr]

I got a 41 on the MCAT studying only the Princeton Review texts from 2007. All the information is there, it's easy to understand and is much simpler than any other material I've reviewed.

I did briefly use the EK Audio Osmosis while I would work out, etc, but it helped more to refresh topics I'd already studied than anything else. Also, it's fun to drive your family insane on a road trip by insisting you need to study and playing physics lectures for everyone.

 

[delabeaux]

Thanks everyone for all the replies!

Very much appreciated!

`bb

 

[Rabolisk]

It looks like TPR is the way to go. Can't go against the guy who got a 41.

 

[delabeaux]

It looks like TPR is the way to go. Can't go against the guy who got a 41.

I'll probably get most of them. I see several people posted "Don't start now, you'll waste your time"...

I'm wondering if any of the MCAT materials are good for refreshers? By the time I finish my current degree, it will be 3-4 years since I've taken Biology 1/2 etc...

Should I just consult my original texts to brush up, or can the MCAT prep texts fulfill this need?

Thanks!

~bb

 

[Ev1hmr]

Should I just consult my original texts to brush up, or can the MCAT prep texts fulfill this need?

Thanks!

~bb

MCAT prep texts at the very least will help you identify what you need to brush up on if you're having trouble with some subjects. There's really no need to go read your old biology book before prepping for the MCAT, as much of its information will be irrelevant.

When you're ready, just open up your texts and see how much you can follow. I know that the TPR materials start quite general and most of the information you need to know is spelled out in the text. For the most part they treat you like you only have a basic familiarity with the subject, so they refresh you quite well.

 

[WorldChanger36]

I would advice following SNDed's study plan. I have seen wonderful improvements in all categories but don't start so soon. Secure all the books and study materials you will need and build a calendar/schedule that start 4 months from your exam date following SNDed's plan or some other plan if you wish. Until then concentrate on school, ECs and read a few good books and mags.
Also make sure you give yourself lots of time and room to study when you start. Full time school/work and studying for MCAT are bad bed partners.

 

[Alejandro]

Wow! You're already planning to take it in two years...nice!

Yeah, I wouldn't really start "studying for the mcat" per se...but I think you might've seen my other post (rags to riches)...I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO TUTOR OTHERS. This will reallly free up some of your time when you actually need to study for the exam, because you will have internalized the material pretty well for the subject matter you tutor. Besides, if you do it pro bono, you have one more thing to add to your resume, and if you do it for money, you're probably going to get paid more than your average lab tech job.

So in the end, it's a win win. So definitely think about it. But I wouldn't advise studying for it now, at least with the books and whatnot. I agree with a previous post that doing well in your prereqs is a sound plan, and if you feel like you have some time, I think it would not hurt for you to diversify some of your experiences.

I used TPR for the sciences-it was a good solid review. Kaplan felt "not quite there...sometimes too much info, sometimes too little." EK is good, but brief. Remember to make flashcards.

Good Luck!

 

[WorldChanger36]

Wow! You're already planning to take it in two years...nice!

Yeah, I wouldn't really start "studying for the mcat" per se...but I think you might've seen my other post (rags to riches)...I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO TUTOR OTHERS. This will reallly free up some of your time when you actually need to study for the exam, because you will have internalized the material pretty well for the subject matter you tutor. Besides, if you do it pro bono, you have one more thing to add to your resume, and if you do it for money, you're probably going to get paid more than your average lab tech job.

So in the end, it's a win win. So definitely think about it. But I wouldn't advise studying for it now, at least with the books and whatnot. I agree with a previous post that doing well in your prereqs is a sound plan, and if you feel like you have some time, I think it would not hurt for you to diversify some of your experiences.

I used TPR for the sciences-it was a good solid review. Kaplan felt "not quite there...sometimes too much info, sometimes too little." EK is good, but brief. Remember to make flashcards.

Good Luck!

This is great advice. It is also a good EC for later.

 

[Swagster]

I'm in the same boat. I plan to take the MCAT this summer and want to get my materials in advance so I can use them concurrently with my classes.

I don't want to study, but I do want to do some sample questions on the material I'm learning in class. That I think can be helpful for both school and the MCAT.

My problem is I'm not a genius who can study for five weeks and get a 41. I think for someone like that it really doesn't matter what materials they use. I know I'm going to have to work harder than most people and I'm figuring I should be a 30 to 32.

After reading posts for the past year and a half, I have a good idea of what materials I'll be using for each subject (SN2's list seems really good and it proves that one company is not the best for every subject). I've focused on posters who used more than one source for their materials and on posters who worked really hard and scored in the low 30s. I don't think I'll take a review course, so I might as well get my study materials early and have them to glance at even before I start my intense studying.

I want to get them soon, but have to wait until the new BR physics is out. I'm going to get BR physics, genchem, and organic. For verbal I'm going to use EK 101 and PR workbook. For biology I'll read EK and do questions from EK and passages from BR. I also want to get the PR science workbook for review after I'm done studying. This is what I read over and over from people in my shoes, so I hope it works for me too. 😎