Need study material for round 4th MCAT

[ben34]

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Hi so I am reprepping to retake my MCAT for the 4th and hopefully final time this January. At my fingertips, I have all of the kaplan books and EK books (not the questions just the review books). I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on how I can approach re-prepping when most of my problems and practice exams (if not all) have been completed.

Previous scores were 10, 6, 10 11,7,11 and 12, 7, 10.

My rational:
Use the kaplan review notes to review the material. Should be easier the 4th time around =(. As for the verbal (my weak point) still lots of out side reading. But when it comes down to prepping my timing, how should I go about doing it or have a gauge of how I am before taking the exam? I was thinking of maybe ordering an Ek 1001 question book for the subjects as review. I have done all of the kaplan and aamc full length exams so that is where I am hitting a slight road block. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks again!

 

[calimdluv]

I'm in a similar situation as you, having to take it for 4th time. Judging from your previous scores, it seems that if you beef up your VB by a few points, you will be set. I suggest EK, or TBR. From what I read, BR and GS have practice tests you can purchase.

Did you take Kaplan class for review? Do you find it useful? I'm debating whether I should take a review class this winter. Good luck!

 

[ben34]

I'm in a similar situation as you, having to take it for 4th time. Judging from your previous scores, it seems that if you beef up your VB by a few points, you will be set. I suggest EK, or TBR. From what I read, BR and GS have practice tests you can purchase.

Did you take Kaplan class for review? Do you find it useful? I'm debating whether I should take a review class this winter. Good luck!

Thanks for the input. I did take a Kaplan class twice. I didn't find the class itself helpful at all. It goes through high yield information that is pretty rudimentary for the sciences and a decent strat. for verbal. The online materials however are amazing. The full length and section tests really helped me solidify my understanding for the first 3. I would take the online course or any way of getting the online material.

Good luck to you too

 

[vin5cent0]

Thanks for the input. I did take a Kaplan class twice. I didn't find the class itself helpful at all. It goes through high yield information that is pretty rudimentary for the sciences and a decent strat. for verbal. The online materials however are amazing. The full length and section tests really helped me solidify my understanding for the first 3. I would take the online course or any way of getting the online material.

Good luck to you too

No offense, but clearly they're not solidifying the concepts for you with those scores. I think you need to pursue other avenues of studying rather than using kaplan because it ain't jiving with ya.

 

[nickmx50]

Read the types of essays that they draw passages from on the MCAT. Nature, History, Arts, Etc... Get the MCAT 101 Verbal Passages. Buy the 10 GS tests. I got mine for $65 on Ebay, and they also give you like 3 hours of video review. It seems you clearly know the content to receive good scores on the sciences. I would just do as many practice passages as humanly possible in verbal. Good Luck

 

[NinjaMed]

Get the TPR Verbal Workbook. The TBR version is okay, a little off, but it's not bad. They have training passages and "gradeable" passages. It's still okay. They have an interesting study method, I recommend you do some of that.

 

[NinjaMed]

I can't verify this. GS is supposed to have terrible, terrible verbal passages. They responded by revising their verbal materials, fixing all the issues, and improving it so that it resembles the AAMC materials. That may be something to look into. So what you could do is take one or two of them and try them out. If they are actually as good as they claim, you could pick up the rest.

Be sure to practise, practise, practise. Practise under free conditions without time restriction just to warm up, then do some timed practice. Fluctuate back and forth, then when you get closer to your test date, you should be working under strict time conditions, stricter than normal. Then really close to test date, use only standard timing.

 

[ben34]

Read the types of essays that they draw passages from on the MCAT. Nature, History, Arts, Etc... Get the MCAT 101 Verbal Passages. Buy the 10 GS tests. I got mine for $65 on Ebay, and they also give you like 3 hours of video review. It seems you clearly know the content to receive good scores on the sciences. I would just do as many practice passages as humanly possible in verbal. Good Luck

Thanks. I finished the examkracker 101 already =(. I was thinking of getting the GS tests and TBR. I am worried that since I've been away from MCAT practice for a year that my physical science and bio might be slipping. Would you recommend the Examkracker's practice books too?

Get the TPR Verbal Workbook. The TBR version is okay, a little off, but it's not bad. They have training passages and "gradeable" passages. It's still okay. They have an interesting study method, I recommend you do some of that.

I can't verify this. GS is supposed to have terrible, terrible verbal passages. They responded by revising their verbal materials, fixing all the issues, and improving it so that it resembles the AAMC materials. That may be something to look into. So what you could do is take one or two of them and try them out. If they are actually as good as they claim, you could pick up the rest.

Be sure to practise, practise, practise. Practise under free conditions without time restriction just to warm up, then do some timed practice. Fluctuate back and forth, then when you get closer to your test date, you should be working under strict time conditions, stricter than normal. Then really close to test date, use only standard timing.

I subscribed to the economist and have been trying to read it an hour a day but I feel like I am not reading as actively as I should. I am going to get TPR for more verbal practice too but do you have any other recs too?

Thanks you guys for your input

 

[ridethecliche]

I would probably apply to DO schools with a 29 if I've already taken the exam three times.

Your score was a 29 twice. If you don't do much better the next time around, it will look terrible for you.

 

[calimdluv]

I would probably apply to DO schools with a 29 if I've already taken the exam three times.

Your score was a 29 twice. If you don't do much better the next time around, it will look terrible for you.

Does taking it 4 times look bad on the application? Assuming there's a big improvement on the 4th retake

 

[calimdluv]

Thanks. I finished the examkracker 101 already =(. I was thinking of getting the GS tests and TBR. I am worried that since I've been away from MCAT practice for a year that my physical science and bio might be slipping. Would you recommend the Examkracker's practice books too?

I subscribed to the economist and have been trying to read it an hour a day but I feel like I am not reading as actively as I should. I am going to get TPR for more verbal practice too but do you have any other recs too?

Thanks you guys for your input

It's probably a good idea to brush up on the science part. Don't get the EK Bio 1001 book, many people discourage it due to its poor quality, but the other EK 1001 books are good for getting the basics down. Since this is the 4th time taking this test, I would go all out and do well on this retake, meaning getting all the materials you think you will and might need. I just bought a set of TBR and enrolled in a TPR class, plus I have EK from before to supplement.

As for VB, SD2ed's 4 month study plan includes TBR VB for some extra practice to do early on, because it's not as good as EK and TPR. Reading New Yorker helps too if you get tired of Economist

 

[kehlsh]

TBH ur biggest problem is vr, just work on a lot of passages.