Princeton Review - Too much information?

[GomerPyle]

Hello all,

I have just received my princeton review books (phsyics, bio, ochem, chem, and vr). They are HUGE compared to the Examkracker books. What are your experiences with the princeton review books? Do they contain too much detail? I don't understand why the texts are so big in size (compared to EK). I don't want to waste my time going through too much detail that I wouldn't need to know for the MCAT. I went through the first biology chapter on thermodynamics and enzymes, and its super detailed!! Should I return these books and get the EK study package instead? I have a good foundation for science, and so I don't need to go through all these pages and waste my time. Please give me your suggestions, I would like to begin my MCAT study rape soon. Thx

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[MShopes]

Hello all,

I have just received my princeton review books (phsyics, bio, ochem, chem, and vr). They are HUGE compared to the Examkracker books. What are your experiences with the princeton review books? Do they contain too much detail? I don't understand why the texts are so big in size (compared to EK). I don't want to waste my time going through too much detail that I wouldn't need to know for the MCAT. I went through the first biology chapter on thermodynamics and enzymes, and its super detailed!! Should I return these books and get the EK study package instead? I have a good foundation for science, and so I don't need to go through all these pages and waste my time. Please give me your suggestions, I would like to begin my MCAT study rape soon. Thx

Do you just need a quick review of material? Do you remember some of the stuff from your pre requisites? Do you feel that going over a concise book such as EK will help you? If yes, then take EK...I used EK solely for content review and I have pretty much good understanding of the topics...

 

[GomerPyle]

Do you just need a quick review of material? Do you remember some of the stuff from your pre requisites? Do you feel that going over a concise book such as EK will help you? If yes, then take EK...I used EK solely for content review and I have pretty much good understanding of the topics...

Its just that I don't want to over-cram my brain. I read somewhere that the MCAT doesn't require as much memorization as people say, but its more focused on thinking/strategy questions. I would much rather memorize just enough to be able to get a great score - I have great analytical skills and I don't want to waste time over-memorizing, just enough to get 34+.

 

[Temperature101]

Hello all,

I have just received my princeton review books (phsyics, bio, ochem, chem, and vr). They are HUGE compared to the Examkracker books. What are your experiences with the princeton review books? Do they contain too much detail? I don't understand why the texts are so big in size (compared to EK). I don't want to waste my time going through too much detail that I wouldn't need to know for the MCAT. I went through the first biology chapter on thermodynamics and enzymes, and its super detailed!! Should I return these books and get the EK study package instead? I have a good foundation for science, and so I don't need to go through all these pages and waste my time. Please give me your suggestions, I would like to begin my MCAT study rape soon. Thx

Nothing is too much for the mcat anymore...I think more background info help one understands the big picture...There was a question on histology on the mcat that I took on 8/19.

 

[kehlsh]

i think tpr is just the right amount.

 

[HankMed7]

Yeah, I agree with kehlsh.

I took the TPR course and read all the books. Of course they were detailed, but the books had many problems and examples that EK doesn't. TPR just has more information that can always be helpful when working with new info passages. Also, you can never study too much, keep EK until you finish TPR, you can go through EK and reemphasize weak areas!

Good Luck

 

[ModernAlchemist]

I agree with the other posters, especially about Bio. EK is worthless for Bio, IMO. Maybe it's because I learn differently than other people (need SOME background details to flesh out the concepts), but I thought the TPR Bio book was gold.

 

[ThereSheGoes]

i personally felt that TPR provided just the right amount. most of the information in there was basic concepts that i felt were useful in preparing for the test. i mean, i wouldn't say you need to know 100% of the material, but i'd say 90-95% of the TPR stuff is viable testing material.

i used more than TPR. after doing some aamc tests i realized that it just wasn't all in there so i reviewed a bunch of other sources to cover some odds and ends. however, i think TPR is one of the best sources to start with and you might find that it covers everything you need.

 

[golgiapparatus88]

If you think THAT is a lot of detail, you should read through the Berkeley Review ochem books. Now that is a lot of detail. I would agree that TPR is more detailed in chem/physics than TBR. Both are great though.

Knowledge is power. Enjoy the details.

 

[LingoLaine]

i think tpr is just the right amount.

Agreed. I started out with the Berkeley Review books. Now THAT'S a lot of information. Totally overwhelming. I sold those and got the Kaplan books instead. Took the MCAT and didn't do well enough. Really felt like I was missing content knowledge. Then I got the Princeton Review books. Perfect amount of detail, highly recommended.

 

[ridethecliche]

Agreed. I started out with the Berkeley Review books. Now THAT'S a lot of information. Totally overwhelming. I sold those and got the Kaplan books instead. Took the MCAT and didn't do well enough. Really felt like I was missing content knowledge. Then I got the Princeton Review books. Perfect amount of detail, highly recommended.

How'd you do with the TPR books?

In addition, are the TPR books available for sale independently of the course?

 

[MAP2]

Hello all,

I have just received my princeton review books (phsyics, bio, ochem, chem, and vr). They are HUGE compared to the Examkracker books. What are your experiences with the princeton review books? Do they contain too much detail? I don't understand why the texts are so big in size (compared to EK). I don't want to waste my time going through too much detail that I wouldn't need to know for the MCAT. I went through the first biology chapter on thermodynamics and enzymes, and its super detailed!! Should I return these books and get the EK study package instead? I have a good foundation for science, and so I don't need to go through all these pages and waste my time. Please give me your suggestions, I would like to begin my MCAT study rape soon. Thx

I just took my MCAT recently. To be honest, I was very satisfied with EK. They really do give you the bare minimum, but there was only one question that I might have gotten wrong because it wasn't covered by EK. And I think it was still possible to figure out the answer just from concepts. That's just my experience anyways. If you have lots and lots of time, then do TPR. But if you're pretty good with bio anyways then it shouldn't be necessary.