- Joined
- Apr 27, 2008
- Messages
- 453
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 4,551
- Medical Student
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Just a quick history of me. I started studying in June 08, I took the Kaplan class (started with a 19 score), I still have the online materials and tests until march. Up until last month I solely used Kaplan. I took another test this last month. I have only improved a point since then (20). I study 3-4 hours on a normal day, about 5 days a week. So, I was really shocked to see that 6 months of studying only progressed me a point. I plan to take the test in may, so I still have four months of practice left.
This last month, I came across the new examkrackers material (the 7th edition set of books and 1001 question books), I have went through almost half the material now, and I took another test this weekend. I only improved another point (21), but I am happy that I was able to finally understand the material in the test, and be more familar with the concepts. I took a Kaplan test, but the materials which examkrackers said would be on the test were, and nothing much beyond that.
I have pretty much lost all my faith in Kaplan, I read all the books, and took 75% of the online material. But, the main problem I am realizing is they give you too much information. By the time I have finishing reading the biogical science book, and I have forgotten a lot of information from the physical science book. They hardly seem to tell you what is and what is not on the test. So, I find myself trying the memorize numerous equations, and try to keep up with the concepts too. They seem to give everything you will ever need and more, which is great, if you can absorb and remember everything in those thick books. But, I find it impossible to remember even 80% of the material in the book, unless I just got done with it.
Examkrackers books seem to be straight to point, they mostly just explain concepts, which is 80 percent the information I have seen on practice tests. When I finish a book (since they are much shorter and tell you what exactly you need to know) I can do so in a much shorter period of time. Since it seems the MCAT wants 90% of the concepts of the subjects still fresh in your head, I feel this has been the only feasible way to do it with an "average mind."
My plans for the next four months:
Go through the exam krackers books at least four to five more times, finish the 1001 question books. Finish the last of my Kaplan tests before my subscription expires. Hit verbal hard in april, and finish all the rest of my kaplan and examkracker tests. At the beginning of may, I want to take the 6 aamc tests (which I am saving), to be in the same mindset. Test on may 22. At this point, I am only setting a par for a '27'.
I was even thinking about buying some more tests for another company (I really do enjoy the practice tests).
This last month, I came across the new examkrackers material (the 7th edition set of books and 1001 question books), I have went through almost half the material now, and I took another test this weekend. I only improved another point (21), but I am happy that I was able to finally understand the material in the test, and be more familar with the concepts. I took a Kaplan test, but the materials which examkrackers said would be on the test were, and nothing much beyond that.
I have pretty much lost all my faith in Kaplan, I read all the books, and took 75% of the online material. But, the main problem I am realizing is they give you too much information. By the time I have finishing reading the biogical science book, and I have forgotten a lot of information from the physical science book. They hardly seem to tell you what is and what is not on the test. So, I find myself trying the memorize numerous equations, and try to keep up with the concepts too. They seem to give everything you will ever need and more, which is great, if you can absorb and remember everything in those thick books. But, I find it impossible to remember even 80% of the material in the book, unless I just got done with it.
Examkrackers books seem to be straight to point, they mostly just explain concepts, which is 80 percent the information I have seen on practice tests. When I finish a book (since they are much shorter and tell you what exactly you need to know) I can do so in a much shorter period of time. Since it seems the MCAT wants 90% of the concepts of the subjects still fresh in your head, I feel this has been the only feasible way to do it with an "average mind."
My plans for the next four months:
Go through the exam krackers books at least four to five more times, finish the 1001 question books. Finish the last of my Kaplan tests before my subscription expires. Hit verbal hard in april, and finish all the rest of my kaplan and examkracker tests. At the beginning of may, I want to take the 6 aamc tests (which I am saving), to be in the same mindset. Test on may 22. At this point, I am only setting a par for a '27'.
I was even thinking about buying some more tests for another company (I really do enjoy the practice tests).
