Question for SN2ed about MCAT prep books

[datcnguyen]

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Hi,

I was wondering, could you tell me which set of prep books are better, the princeton review hyperlearning series or the berkeley review series and why? Thanks!

 

[SN2ed]

They're on par in terms of content review. The difference between the two, and the reason why I favor BR over TPRH, is due to the plethora of practice passages in BR. Most BR chapters have around 10-15 practice passages EACH. For the biology book alone, there are 150 practice passages. Altogether, I bet BR offers more practice passages than any other company.

However, for verbal, EK 101 and TPRH Verbal Workbook are the way to go. Though BR's verbal passages aren't that bad either.

 

[J ROD]

BR 👍

 

[datcnguyen]

They're on par in terms of content review. The difference between the two, and the reason why I favor BR over TPRH, is due to the plethora of practice passages in BR. Most BR chapters have around 10-15 practice passages EACH. For the biology book alone, there are 150 practice passages. Altogether, I bet BR offers more practice passages than any other company.

However, for verbal, EK 101 and TPRH Verbal Workbook are the way to go. Though BR's verbal passages aren't that bad either.

Thanks for replying. So is it not worth buying the TPRH books? I thought the TPRH books would be good because it has books for the PS, BS, and Verbal section, whereas the BR books have the individual sections and not the overall like it would be on the MCAT.

 

[SN2ed]

If you go with BR, that's all you need for the sciences.

 

[datcnguyen]

If you go with BR, that's all you need for the sciences.

Okay, but would I be at a disadvantage if I bought the TPRH books?

Also, what about the practice tests? I know that I'm going to have to buy the 7 that are available from AAMC, but should I buy the BR practice test?

 

[SN2ed]

Yes, because even with the workbooks, you still don't have that many practice passages across the various topics. Taking tons of timed practice passages, and thoroughly analyzing them, are the keys to MCAT success. If you can afford more practice tests, get them. If not, the AAMCs + BR books + Verbal prep books previously mentioned, should be enough.

Edit:

This was posted by metalgirl14 in the Breaking Down sticky:

"As you mentioned previously, TPR Hyperlearning Science workbooks do not contain very many passages for each chapter (Physics often has ~2 passages per chapter, Chemistry has ~16, Biology has ~6, and Organic has anywhere from ~4-10)."

Also, TPRH Verbal Workbook has 71 passages total.

 

[J ROD]

I would get the BR CBTs....🙂

 

[datcnguyen]

Yes, because even with the workbooks, you still don't have that many practice passages across the various topics. Taking tons of timed practice passages, and thoroughly analyzing them, are the keys to MCAT success. If you can afford more practice tests, get them. If not, the AAMCs + BR books + Verbal prep books previously mentioned, should be enough.

Edit:

This was posted by metalgirl14 in the Breaking Down sticky:

"As you mentioned previously, TPR Hyperlearning Science workbooks do not contain very many passages for each chapter (Physics often has ~2 passages per chapter, Chemistry has ~16, Biology has ~6, and Organic has anywhere from ~4-10)."

Also, TPRH Verbal Workbook has 71 passages total.

Oh okay, I am just worried that with the BR I will not get the feel of what each of the science sections are like on the MCAT. Since the BR books are broken up into each subject Chemistry, O Chem, Physics, and Biology and I will learn from the individual books whereas on the MCAT the physical section is a mixed of chemistry and physics questions and the biological section is a mixed of o chem and biology questions. I would like to practice with questions that are similar to the ones on the MCAT and I am afraid that by splitting up the subjects, format will not be the same as on the MCAT.

I'm sorry for asking you so many questions.

 

[JP2740]

So what if we take the hyperlearning class, and we have all the TPR hyperlearning books. Which books are essential in addition to these?

Do you suggest not taking the prep class then?

 

[J ROD]

Oh okay, I am just worried that with the BR I will not get the feel of what each of the science sections are like on the MCAT. Since the BR books are broken up into each subject Chemistry, O Chem, Physics, and Biology and I will learn from the individual books whereas on the MCAT the physical section is a mixed of chemistry and physics questions and the biological section is a mixed of o chem and biology questions. I would like to practice with questions that are similar to the ones on the MCAT and I am afraid that by splitting up the subjects, format will not be the same as on the MCAT.

I'm sorry for asking you so many questions.

that's what the actual practice tests are for...the practice passages are to help teach you the material and get it down...then move to the style of MCAT with practice tests.

 

[J ROD]

So what if we take the hyperlearning class, and we have all the TPR hyperlearning books. Which books are essential in addition to these?

Do you suggest not taking the prep class then?

I think TPR is fine for the sciences but I like the practice passages in BR best. I would advise picking one and going with it since it would be too much info to get through and burn you out with both sources.

If you are already in TPR, dont worry. I know plenty of folks that did well using it. I would just supplement the verbal with EK verbal 101.

Taking the class can help if you need the structure.......

 

[JP2740]

I haven't signed up for the class, but for some reason I feel like it is right to lol... but if I do take the class, just use TPR stuff + EK verbal stuff right? Just disregard Berkeley's.

 

[J ROD]

I haven't signed up for the class, but for some reason I feel like it is right to lol... but if I do take the class, just use TPR stuff + EK verbal stuff right? Just disregard Berkeley's.

I would still recommend doing berk review's PS practice passages. they are really good. It is alot of info but so good!!!

Classes are there to help those that need to be in a "classroom" setting to keep them disciplined. Most say it is a waste of money and I agree....

 

[JP2740]

But do they help in terms of offering strategy and practice? Can you get the writing section practice anywhere else (does this section even matter?)

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

But do they help in terms of offering strategy and practice? Can you get the writing section practice anywhere else (does this section even matter?)

The writing sample doesn't matter enough to lose sleep over it. If your reason for taking a course is to get help on the writing sample, don't do it. Classes are meant to help with strategy on the multiple choice sections and give you a supportive environment. If you're not sure why you're taking a class, then you probably shouldn't be taking one.

And when it comes to PS, the BR books will give you plenty of great strategies. I sould fathom to guess that BR books will teach you better strategies than your course.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Oh okay, I am just worried that with the BR I will not get the feel of what each of the science sections are like on the MCAT.

Actually, you have it completely backwards here. What makes the BR books so strong (in PS and O chem at least), is that you get the best feel of any materials, because many of the passages at the end of chapters mix different topics. For instance, passages and questions following the acid-and-bases section cover much more than just acids and bases. Plus they give great explanations for the questions and strategies for solving things quickly.

Since the BR books are broken up into each subject Chemistry, O Chem, Physics, and Biology and I will learn from the individual books whereas on the MCAT the physical section is a mixed of chemistry and physics questions and the biological section is a mixed of o chem and biology questions.

So if you are really worried about this, then save half of the passages from each chapter to do randomly. Do three physics passages interwoven with four gen chem passegs. And you really shouldn't worry about this, given that the books mix random questions from other sections into each chapter homework.

I would like to practice with questions that are similar to the ones on the MCAT and I am afraid that by splitting up the subjects, format will not be the same as on the MCAT.

Tests will give you the exact format. As far as books go for the PS section, you'll be hard pressed to find anything that better simulates the thinking experience you'll get on the MCAT than BR.

There's a reason why so many people here swear by EK on verbal and biology and swear by BR on physics, o chem, and general chem. If they didn't work better than the other materials, they wouldn't be propped up.

 

[bigballer27]

does the BR class give you all 8 of the AAMC practice tests just like Princeton review does?

 

[JP2740]

The writing sample doesn't matter enough to lose sleep over it. If your reason for taking a course is to get help on the writing sample, don't do it. Classes are meant to help with strategy on the multiple choice sections and give you a supportive environment. If you're not sure why you're taking a class, then you probably shouldn't be taking one.

And when it comes to PS, the BR books will give you plenty of great strategies. I sould fathom to guess that BR books will teach you better strategies than your course.

So you believe just buying the books and my own full length practice exams would have the same effect as a class (if I am disciplined enough?). I am very disciplined on my own. I just thought the class couldn't hurt.

 

[HCMD]

Hey SN2ed--

Quick Question:
Would you recommend using any Kaplan materials in addition to the BR, etc in your schedule? I made some study outlines to the Kaplan books a while back (Bio, Chem, Phys) and have the flashcards as well. Any recs on using them, or would that just be too hassle much for too little pay-off?

Thanks!

 

[WhatMD88]

Hey guys,

I have a copy of the NOVA's The MCAT Biology book and 1/3 of that book is devoted to verbal. Is that book good for verbal practice?