Newbie [Help please]

[i5hina]

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Hello Everyone,

I just registered on SDN today, and was eager on what i needed to get and/or do to prepare for the summer MCAT's. I was looking through the forums, but there's so many posts that my eyes are burning. But something i saw reoccurring was that everyone thought that the Berkeley review was very effective. Is it that good? I guess my question is what do i specifically need to get a thorough and in-depth review of everything that is on the MCAT? I plan to self-teach from December 26th-July 1st. Thanks in advance

 

[WildEMDoc]

Hello Everyone,

I just registered on SDN today, and was eager on what i needed to get and/or do to prepare for the summer MCAT's.

Stopped reading after that.

 

[Venc]

Hello Everyone,

I just registered on SDN today, and was eager on what i needed to get and/or do to prepare for the summer MCAT's. I was looking through the forums, but there's so many posts that my eyes are burning. But something i saw reoccurring was that everyone thought that the Berkeley review was very effective. Is it that good? I guess my question is what do i specifically need to get a thorough and in-depth review of everything that is on the MCAT? I plan to self-teach from December 26th-July 1st. Thanks in advance

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=623898

Some people like following that. And they say to not start too early, but start 3-4 months before

 

[rafflecopter]

I would suggest picking up the Examkracker's series as they are a good set of books to have after you've done your initial review of the material. Honestly take Berkeley Review, Kaplan, or Princeton Review it doesn't really matter. Each one has a slightly different style and focus but all are adequate preps for the test.

The most essential thing to your study prep is practice tests, so I would make sure whatever material you buy comes with at least 5 or 6 full length computer based tests. Additionally, one prep material no one lives without is the AAMC practice tests. They are actually released by the company that makes the real MCAT and are good practice for the real thing. These also will help you see where you are in terms of practice scores. Typically people score around there averages on the AAMC practice tests +/-2 points, so its a good predictor of score.

Last bit of advice: don't take the MCAT until you are scoring on practice tests what you want to get on the real thing. I've seen WAY too many people get 28s on practice tests, think they'll do better on the real thing and end up with a 24 and no hope of getting into a US med school. Don't let this be you!!! Good luck!

 

[gettheleadout]

Hello Everyone,

I just registered on SDN today, and was eager on what i needed to get and/or do to prepare for the summer MCAT's. I was looking through the forums, but there's so many posts that my eyes are burning. But something i saw reoccurring was that everyone thought that the Berkeley review was very effective. Is it that good? I guess my question is what do i specifically need to get a thorough and in-depth review of everything that is on the MCAT? I plan to self-teach from December 26th-July 1st. Thanks in advance

Surely you know that one of these has to be wrong...

And just head over to the MCAT Discussions Forum, and try Venc's link too.

 

[IDreamtIChased]

I would suggest picking up the Examkracker's series as they are a good set of books to have after you've done your initial review of the material. Honestly take Berkeley Review, Kaplan, or Princeton Review it doesn't really matter. Each one has a slightly different style and focus but all are adequate preps for the test.

The most essential thing to your study prep is practice tests, so I would make sure whatever material you buy comes with at least 5 or 6 full length computer based tests. Additionally, one prep material no one lives without is the AAMC practice tests. They are actually released by the company that makes the real MCAT and are good practice for the real thing. These also will help you see where you are in terms of practice scores. Typically people score around there averages on the AAMC practice tests +/-2 points, so its a good predictor of score.

Last bit of advice: don't take the MCAT until you are scoring on practice tests what you want to get on the real thing. I've seen WAY too many people get 28s on practice tests, think they'll do better on the real thing and end up with a 24 and no hope of getting into a US med school. Don't let this be you!!! Good luck!

Very good advice! I highly recommend EK too.

 

[Supernerd]

I would say check out the MCAT forum, like some above said, but also I don't think you should start getting hardcore into studying too early... you'll just burn yourself out! I really think you only remember from three months on. But you want to really kill it during that time. Any longer probably won't be more or less effective.

At any rate, I didn't really like the class thing too much but I think the books/exam krackers guides help. I had kaplan books and they helped to focus. But agree with above poster: take alot of practice tests! make sure you're where you want to be

you're ahead of the game, keep up the good work! 😀

 

[transfec]

Very good advice! I highly recommend EK too.

I think EK goes a little too in depth.

If you go that route, don't get hung up on the little details.