Please recommend me MCAT prep material

[premedmind]

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So I have "The Gold Standard" MCAT prep book already, but I want to know if there is anything better (I have heard of exam krackers)...

I went to Borders today and saw that Kaplan had an MCAT prep book and was touted as a "Number one seller". Kaplan also had a $50 package of 700 review index cards of MCAT material, I thought it was a good thing to get (although not cheap).

Any suggestions on what to either buy on-line or at Borders?

Thanks.

 

[greg1184]

I think the Kaplan Comprehensive Book is very good, especially in biology and orgo.

 

[d33ds]

Berkeley Review has great study material (especially in the physical sciences-physics and gen. chem), you can order it online

 

[premedmind]

I notice that most people study each section from a different book.

This is what I was thinking of doing...

EK: BS
TPR: PS
Kaplan: for practice tests as well as doing AAMC practice tests

....what should I use for verbal, orgo/gen chem and writing? Does this plan look good so far?

 

[RoadRunner17]

I notice that most people study each section from a different book.

This is what I was thinking of doing...

EK: BS
TPR: PS
Kaplan: for practice tests as well as doing AAMC practice tests

....what should I use for verbal, orgo/gen chem and writing? Does this plan look good so far?

Would recommend Berkeley Review for Gen Chem, Physics and Orgo. If I had to pick only ONE company for Gen Chem prep, it would be Berkeley Review. I would say the same for Physics as well. For Physics, if you need more practice after doing all of TBR's Physics passages, then go with TPR's Physics and Science Workbook. ExamKrackers isn't bad for Orgo if you've taken the classes recently.

EK and Kaplan for Biology are good choices. Both EK 1001 Questions in Biology and the TPR Science Workbook also has a crapload of practice passages. Can't vouch for Berkeley Review here because I never used their Biology books.

Verbal reasoning, I would go with ExamKrackers 101 Passages in Verbal Reasoning book for practice. If you finish that book and still want more practice, find some LSAT exams and do the reading comprehension sections. I wouldn't really recommend Kaplan or TPR verbal sections for reasons which are too numerous to go into in this post.

 

[premedmind]

Would recommend Berkeley Review for Gen Chem, Physics and Orgo. If I had to pick only ONE company for Gen Chem prep, it would be Berkeley Review. I would say the same for Physics as well. For Physics, if you need more practice after doing all of TBR's Physics passages, then go with TPR's Physics and Science Workbook. ExamKrackers isn't bad for Orgo if you've taken the classes recently.

EK and Kaplan for Biology are good choices. Both EK 1001 Questions in Biology and the TPR Science Workbook also has a crapload of practice passages. Can't vouch for Berkeley Review here because I never used their Biology books.

Verbal reasoning, I would go with ExamKrackers 101 Passages in Verbal Reasoning book for practice. If you finish that book and still want more practice, find some LSAT exams and do the reading comprehension sections. I wouldn't really recommend Kaplan or TPR verbal sections for reasons which are too numerous to go into in this post.

Thanks. What is a good place to buy EK books? Amazon looks cheap but they don't have all the books.

BTW, I have "The Gold Standard, MCAT" sitting here on my bed. Should I even bother with this book?

 

[RoadRunner17]

They're on Amazon. Both the subject review manuals and the 1001 series are for sale there. You may want to buy the complete home study course which consists of all the subject review manuals.

I've never used the GS review book, so I can't really say much about it except that people who have posted feedback here on SDN in the past haven't thought that highly of it. So take my advice (or lack thereof) regarding GS with a grain of salt.

 

[premedmind]

They're on Amazon. Both the subject review manuals and the 1001 series are for sale there. You may want to buy the complete home study course which consists of all the subject review manuals.

I've never used the GS review book, so I can't really say much about it except that people who have posted feedback here on SDN in the past haven't thought that highly of it. So take my advice (or lack thereof) regarding GS with a grain of salt.

Wait, so the Complete EK Study Guid contains ALL of the individual review books in ONE book? Is it just a condensed version of each of the individual books or in their entirety?

I am talking about this book http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-Mcat-Complete-Study-Package/dp/1893858499

 

[RoadRunner17]

It's all 5 books. Verbal Reasoning, Gen Chem, Physics, Biology and Organic Chem. It's basically a package deal.

 

[premedmind]

It's all 5 books. Verbal Reasoning, Gen Chem, Physics, Biology and Organic Chem. It's basically a package deal.

So it is not a shortened version of them correct?

Would I be wise to buy that book, then buy the 1001/101 questions for each subject?

 

[RoadRunner17]

I think they're good books in general, but are a little too concise for me. They're the best if you've taken the pre-requisite classes in the past year or two, still remember a great deal from those classes and just need a review. The books within the study package are the same as the ones you can buy individually. No condensation of material involved, at least not any more than it already has been.

Re: 1001/101 series, I would buy only VR and Biology outright. For the others, I would buy only the ones that you feel you need more work in. For instance, for General Chem, if you are feeling weak in terms of fundamental understanding/knowledge, get the corresponding book. The thing is that outside of VR and Biology, they are not MCAT-style questions and passages. Go to the bookstore and take a look, and you'll know what I mean. They do not represent the actual MCAT and are only meant for you to work on your fundamental understanding.

 

[greg1184]

Wait, so the Complete EK Study Guid contains ALL of the individual review books in ONE book? Is it just a condensed version of each of the individual books or in their entirety?

I am talking about this book http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-Mcat-Complete-Study-Package/dp/1893858499

It is not one book. It is all books in one box.