POLL: What was YOUR Most valuable MCAT study resource?

[MyNameIsRobertPaulson]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi Everybody!

Long-time lurker, first time MCAT-er. I am going to be taking the MCAT and I wanted to know, for those who have taken the exam already and/or those who are taking it soon, what do you feel was the most important resource you had? I do not care which company, big or small, free or $$$$, but I would like to find out which study items did you feel or realize provided you with the best way to improve on the MCAT?

You can vote based on how long you used a resource, how much you liked a resource, or even just how you felt the item made you a better tester. There is soooo much resource out there right now (am I really supposed to take 10 full lengths?) and I want to see what seems to be, on average, working for people. I understand we all learn differently but the exam is the exam, and it expects the same thing from everyone in order to score competitively. SDN limits how many responses I can put in here but if there is something I missed, feel free to write it in. After taking the real exam if there was something you wished you had, what was it and where would someone find it?

As we get more data, this will (hopefully) provide some of us newbs with a better idea of how to start. Thanks everyone.

EDIT: You can choose as many answers as you like for the poll.

 

[j0h0]

Granted I'm a non-science major, but my best two resources were the Biochemistry class I took right before and Philosophy courses. Scored 99% in CARS and 93% Psych/Soc almost entirely through critical thinking skills sharpened in philosophy classes.

Overall score was 511 so not a genius but YMMV.

Edit: Took a TPR live online course that didn't help me much at all besides some test taking strategy and practice passages.

 

[EthylMethylMan]

It'd kinda hard to answer the poll because a lot of these resources do wonders when used together. But if I had to pick one it would probably be the content books, specifically Exam Krackers. I couldn't tell you how many times I've read through those five books.

 

[starlite911]

Yes, you really are supposed to take 10 full lengths, or at least a substantial number. I don't know what kind of material is out there for the new exam, but for my 2014 exam, I took all the available AAMC ones (9) plus Kaplan ones (5), which admittedly, weren't the best use of time, leading up to my exam.

 

[ngc 2170]

Took the MCAT in 2014. I used a big Prinecton review book, Kaplan books for orgo/chem, and a few examkrackers books full of practice problems. Princeton review had practice tests, but they were way harder than the real thing. Not so useful.

AAMC practice tests should probably be a part of your study plan. It's worth paying for at least a few.

ymmv

 

[deleted702880]

It'd kinda hard to answer the poll because a lot of these resources do wonders when used together. But if I had to pick one it would probably be the content books, specifically Exam Krackers. I couldn't tell you how many times I've read through those five books.

Same, I only had a biology EK book but reading through it and quizzing myself for understanding got me a 14 on the old exam in BS. Practice tests are pretty much a given, books are what really gave me the edge.

 

[Doug Underhill]

I wouldn't take 10 full lengths, even if there are 10 official AAMC ones available by now. I took the old MCAT, but as a general rule, I opted to take half of the full-length exams and save the other ones in case I had to retake later. Are there enough new AAMC full-lengths to do this?

The official AAMC material is usually more accurate than Kaplan, EK, or TBR. TBR's material is pretty close and worth the $$$, but you can tell it's written by different people from the actual AAMC question writers. Kaplan's stuff is pretty worthless, while EK is very good for content review. EK and TBR are good for question banks where you just want to do one passage on a given subject you're weak in.

 

[RedPhys]

When I took the test in 2013, I prepared using this great big torrent file that had TPR, EK, and Kaplan materials on it. It's all about diversifying your study materials.

 

[sexophile]

I took the test this past January - I highly recommend Berkeley Review for Physics and Chemistry. For Verbal I used TPR and EK101. Bio I think EK helped a good amount and I used Anki flashcards (make your own deck if you decide to use it) to memorize all of the content. Organic Chem I used BR as well but I was already very familiar with all of it.

At the end of the day though, the full length exams are definitely the best way to practice/study for the MCAT.

 

[Heisenberg 41]

I wouldn't take 10 full lengths, even if there are 10 official AAMC ones available by now. I took the old MCAT, but as a general rule, I opted to take half of the full-length exams and save the other ones in case I had to retake later. Are there enough new AAMC full-lengths to do this?

There's ONE new AAMC full-length exam... Ya'll sure had it easy back in the old days.

 

[Karabo]

I took the old exam, but I really liked Chad's videos for content review, and EK's verbal reasoning passage practice book. And I took 5 full length practice exams (1 Kaplan, 1 EK, and 3 AAMC)

 

[mcatjelly]

If you're looking for a lot of data, check out the Compilation of Commentary on the New Exam in my signature. 🙂

 

[belle88]

For books, I like Berkeley Review best but especially for Organic, Physics, and Chemistry. EK for bio and psych. I took Jack Westin's CARS class and loved it. I needed help with strategy and CARS so he was well worth the money. As for the content, I felt like my time was best spent studying that myself.

To get used to the test and timing, doing and reviewing AAMC materials helped most.

 

[MyNameIsRobertPaulson]

It'd kinda hard to answer the poll because a lot of these resources do wonders when used together. But if I had to pick one it would probably be the content books, specifically Exam Krackers. I couldn't tell you how many times I've read through those five books.

I made the poll so you could pick more than 1 answer.

 

[catmario]

For me, the official MCAT self assessment package (the one w/ 120 q'ns for each section) really helped. I went through each assessment twice
in the weeks leading up to the exam. It drilled in concepts/ test taking techniques, as well as build endurance because
I went through multiple assessments one single sitting, which is far beyond the length of the actual MCAT exam.
I think that was the smartest thing I did in terms of MCAT prep, and helped me get 99% for all three sections.

 

[MyNameIsRobertPaulson]

bamp

 

[Gauss44]

Nova, Examkrackers, my tutor, AAMC full lengths.

 

[rememberthetitans]

The Kaplan books for content review were fantastic - there were literally no surprises on my test. However, their FL practice tests are unfortunately relatively useless, except for giving you practice taking a test that long. Kahn videos and passages were also super helpful, plus they're all free 🙂

 

[Dandine]

Short summary based on what worked for me and what I would do again (I took the 2015 version):

• Ultimate study guide was the AAMC content outline for the exam (can be found via search); stuff like review books and videos good but better if used in relation to outline
• Full-length exams; take as many as possible for endurance and flow purposes; AAMC full-lengths are best in terms of accuracy of test style
• Pay attention in relevant college lectures; will help when you figure out your strengths and weaknesses when you review for MCAT
• Know thyself: honestly evaluate your weak points and what you can do to improve

 

[I'm On My Way Up]

There's ONE new AAMC full-length exam... Ya'll sure had it easy back in the old days.

How many practice exams are released by AAMC every year? Just 1?

 

[ReadyforMed]

I used mostly Kaplan materials.
HOWEVER, audio osmosis by exam krackers saved my butt. I would listen to it while doing everything. I had many long drives to make that summer. It is so worth it.

 

[MyNameIsRobertPaulson]

I used mostly Kaplan materials.
HOWEVER, audio osmosis by exam krackers saved my butt. I would listen to it while doing everything. I had many long drives to make that summer. It is so worth it.

Did you ever listen as you went to bed? I have heard that can help as well, to listen when you are most suggestive. Is that what you've found?

 

[Glandzburg]

Examkrackers, especially if you are a science major and learned everything well the first time around.

 

[ReadyforMed]

Did you ever listen as you went to bed? I have heard that can help as well, to listen when you are most suggestive. Is that what you've found?

I didn't. I can't fall asleep to talking so that's why. I did have a friend who said it helped him a lot though.
I would listen to it in research, at the gym, while driving, while on facebook. Essentially, if I was doing something near mindless, it would be going on in the background.

 

[House D.O.]

AAMC FL, TBR FL (prepared me for the wtf is this factor), TPR hyper learning for verbal

 

[Spinach Dip]

Full lengths > Flash cards > everything else

 

[Glazedonutlove]

BR + AAMC passages and EK content