TBR PS vs TPRH Science Workbook

[salsasunrise123]

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What do you people feel is more representative of MCAT for PS, TBR or TPRH science workbook. I honestly do better on TBR passages than workbook which kinda is disconcerting b/c i thought it would be reverse. However, i feel like bio in science workbook is pretty good, except for some passages which absolutely destroy me. just was wondering what test takers opinions are??? thx

 

[Sean Lee]

I don't have TBR so I can't comment on its quality. I did around 75% of the passages in the TPRH science workbook, and I've completed AAMC 3-10. So far, the TPRH passages are much harder and longer than the AAMC passages.

 

[salsasunrise123]

bump

 

[salsasunrise123]

bump

 

[chemhead123]

I've worked with TPR Science Workbook and have found those passages to also be longer and more difficult than the AAMC.

 

[BeachBlondie]

I haven't taken the exam yet, however I have drained Berkeley Review for everything that it's worth. PS used to be my weakest section; I would get 7-8 consistently. Since finishing up all TBR PS questions, I now average an 11-12 (on the TBR exams -- last time I took an AAMC, I got a 13). I actually make a pouty face if I get a 10. Their PS sciences coverage is reflected in the progress of myself and many like me. It's grueling work, but worth it.

 

[salsasunrise123]

I haven't taken the exam yet, however I have drained Berkeley Review for everything that it's worth. PS used to be my weakest section; I would get 7-8 consistently. Since finishing up all TBR PS questions, I now average an 11-12 (on the TBR exams -- last time I took an AAMC, I got a 13). I actually make a pouty face if I get a 10. Their PS sciences coverage is reflected in the progress of myself and many like me. It's grueling work, but worth it.

Do you feel the style of the passages and questions are similar to AAMC questions? What do you feel is a key difference between TBR passages/questions and AAMC passages/questions? In other words, what makes AAMC seem easier? The fact that I respond better to TBR questions than science workbook passages for physics and chem makes me a little apprehensive.

 

[BeachBlondie]

Do you feel the style of the passages and questions are similar to AAMC questions? What do you feel is a key difference between TBR passages/questions and AAMC passages/questions? In other words, what makes AAMC seem easier? The fact that I respond better to TBR questions than science workbook passages for physics and chem makes me a little apprehensive.

Oh man.... let me put on my analytics hat for this answer....

For physical sciences (in the TBR full lengths... as well as the passages), I would say that TBR evokes the same content that I've seen on the AAMCs. I've seen optics, I've seen solubility, I've seen pistons and work.... This is not to say that the AAMC ONLY tests on a specific set of content (that would be incredibly misleading). But, I feel that TBR is asking very fair questions. For instance, TBR will ask you what the speed of an incident electron must be in order to trigger the release of a photon; so will the AAMC. TBR will NOT ask you what the hyperflux angle of the dicationic quantum lever arm is (if they do... I would love to see the answer).

The thing that makes TBR challenging is that it prepares you for the worst case scenario on test day. And what would be the worst possible scenario on test day? To read your passages and have no freaking idea what the hell it means. So, TBR's strategy is to hit you hard on most (if not all) passages to FORCE you to focus, and to build out your powers of extracting useful data out of its ridiculous presentation. So, when you've answered 3,000+ questions in this style, you get used to a rugged road.

I remember the first AAMC I took after finishing...oh....2,500+ TBR questions. I got to a passage that, literally, had a diagram of a slope and asked for various velocities and forces due to friction. When you've been in the thick of TBR, you kind of look around and say, "W-wait.... this.... this is all they want? REALLY?... Wow. Ok!" So, while the AAMC isn't necessarily "easier", their passages are usually presented in a more palatable way.

 

[inasensegone]

Oh man.... let me put on my analytics hat for this answer....

For physical sciences (in the TBR full lengths... as well as the passages), I would say that TBR evokes the same content that I've seen on the AAMCs. I've seen optics, I've seen solubility, I've seen pistons and work.... This is not to say that the AAMC ONLY tests on a specific set of content (that would be incredibly misleading). But, I feel that TBR is asking very fair questions. For instance, TBR will ask you what the speed of an incident electron must be in order to trigger the release of a photon; so will the AAMC. TBR will NOT ask you what the hyperflux angle of the dicationic quantum lever arm is (if they do... I would love to see the answer).

The thing that makes TBR challenging is that it prepares you for the worst case scenario on test day. And what would be the worst possible scenario on test day? To read your passages and have no freaking idea what the hell it means. So, TBR's strategy is to hit you hard on most (if not all) passages to FORCE you to focus, and to build out your powers of extracting useful data out of its ridiculous presentation. So, when you've answered 3,000+ questions in this style, you get used to a rugged road.

I remember the first AAMC I took after finishing...oh....2,500+ TBR questions. I got to a passage that, literally, had a diagram of a slope and asked for various velocities and forces due to friction. When you've been in the thick of TBR, you kind of look around and say, "W-wait.... this.... this is all they want? REALLY?... Wow. Ok!" So, while the AAMC isn't necessarily "easier", their passages are usually presented in a more palatable way.

Hahaha.. OMG this. After finishing my content review for PS with TBR, I did my first AAMC FL and had the same reaction.

 

[deleted92121]

Just my thoughts here, take with a grain of salt.

I started with TBR and have nothing but good things to say about them objectively. Solid content and lots of questions. Some of the questions were easy-ish but most were challenging, and for good reason. They prepare you for the toughest thing you will see on the real deal.

But . . .

They were demoralizing and sometimes unfairly convoluted. Don't misunderstand, I know the real thing can be the same way. But I didn't find TBR as satisfying as others here have. To each their own. You have to find your own way to study and master the material as well as you can. For me, PS was/is my weakest section. I started using Chad's Videos along with MCAT-Review followed by doing numerous problems in TPR SWB right after reviewing to cement concepts. So far, the results have been excellent. And there is no real consensus on how TPR SWB measures up to the real thing. Some say the passages are harder, some think the opposite. But TPR SWB smashes the concepts into your head via discrete questions and then tests them in passage form. And that is what I needed.

All the best

 

[Czarcasm]

My focus is to finish TPRH Sciencework Book first -- then work on mastering the material with TBR. TBR is really tough and I think the practice you get with TPRH helps you tackle TBR passages and get more out of learning than you would doing TBR alone. Also, I've seen many people who did TPRH WB alone and did comfortably well on the exam. I think if you have time to do both, you'll kick butt. But I'm sure time is an issue for all of us, so if you had to pick one -- I'd personally choose TPR. This is not saying TBR isn't a good book, but TPRH is more focused on teaching you the material whereas TBR's focus is mainly on technique.

 

[deleted92121]

My focus is to finish TPRH Sciencework Book first -- then work on mastering the material with TBR. TBR is really tough and I think the practice you get with TPRH helps you tackle TBR passages and get more out of learning than you would doing TBR alone. Also, I've seen many people who did TPRH WB alone and did comfortably well on the exam. I think if you have time to do both, you'll kick butt. But I'm sure time is an issue for all of us, so if you had to pick one -- I'd personally choose TPR. This is not saying TBR isn't a good book, but TPRH is more focused on teaching you the material whereas TBR's focus is mainly on technique.

Totally agree but therein lies the issue. The MCAT is all about taking the simple and flipping it on its head or putting it in a new and unfamiliar situation. Some people have a knack for figuring out the esoteric (VR section). Others are very comfortable with the content but are unable to apply it. We all know people, or are people, that can't get it from head to hands. I would assume most of us are somewhere in the middle between the two ends of the spectrum. My weakness was the latter, poor content retention. That is where TPRH has helped me thus far. Once I nail a concept down, I can usually apply it correctly. Probably why I am scoring 12-14 on most of my VR. But ask me to remember some Gen Chem stuff like molecular geometry or whatnot, I get a bit flustered.

 

[BeachBlondie]

I think there is also a distinction between a couple of groups of test-takers:

1) The science majors
2) The geriatrics who are non-science majors and were sportscasting in college, some years ago (personal plug... whatever 😉 )

For me? I needed TBR, desperately. The complexity and convolution opened my eyes to just how intricate this basic science can be. Because the science majors have a head-start on most of this material, I needed the shock treatment, with information en masse. That's exactly what I got with TBR -- no time to take it slow here; immerse me in snake pit and I'll HAVE to learn to climb out to save my skin.

Dxu, you're right: TBR can definitely be demoralizing. Frankly, I had no idea if any of the material was even registering despite over (now) 105 pages of missed-question-corrections. But, when I took an AAMC to gauge my progress, I trumped my original pre-TBR composite max by 4 points.

....Now, whether or not I can sit in the upper end of the 30's during the real deal next weekend will be the REAL testament to the TBR shock therapy!

 

[salsasunrise123]

I think there is also a distinction between a couple of groups of test-takers:

1) The science majors
2) The geriatrics who are non-science majors and were sportscasting in college, some years ago (personal plug... whatever 😉 )

For me? I needed TBR, desperately. The complexity and convolution opened my eyes to just how intricate this basic science can be. Because the science majors have a head-start on most of this material, I needed the shock treatment, with information en masse. That's exactly what I got with TBR -- no time to take it slow here; immerse me in snake pit and I'll HAVE to learn to climb out to save my skin.

Dxu, you're right: TBR can definitely be demoralizing. Frankly, I had no idea if any of the material was even registering despite over (now) 105 pages of missed-question-corrections. But, when I took an AAMC to gauge my progress, I trumped my original pre-TBR composite max by 4 points.

....Now, whether or not I can sit in the upper end of the 30's during the real deal next weekend will be the REAL testament to the TBR shock therapy!

Where bio majors have the advantage is with bio, especially with the experimental passages. That is where nontrads are at disadvantage. But, I agree with you that TBR is amazing. I hate it but I love it. The tricks for acids/bases is incredible. Lots of shortcuts that TPR doesnt teach in its classroom course. However, I felt that equilibrium chapter could have been better at preparing me for passages. I got crushed beyond belief. The passages make le chatliers principle really convoluted. I think/hope the AAMCs are gonna be more basic. i.e. increase moles of reactant, which way does rxn shift. I also think TBR should have taught gases before equilibrium.

 

[inasensegone]

Where bio majors have the advantage is with bio, especially with the experimental passages. That is where nontrads are at disadvantage. But, I agree with you that TBR is amazing. I hate it but I love it. The tricks for acids/bases is incredible. Lots of shortcuts that TPR doesnt teach in its classroom course. However, I felt that equilibrium chapter could have been better at preparing me for passages. I got crushed beyond belief. The passages make le chatliers principle really convoluted. I think/hope the AAMCs are gonna be more basic. i.e. increase moles of reactant, which way does rxn shift. I also think TBR should have taught gases before equilibrium.

I just commented on this a little while ago in another thread... after the TBR equilibrium chapter, I never missed a single AAMC equilibrium question and I felt they were way easier in comparison to TBR.

Also, I somewhat agree with you about non-trads being at a disadvantage when it comes to experimental passages. It's not the comprehension that is a problem, but if they throw a bunch of biological terms at you that you haven't read at least once before, it can feel overwhelming. If you've taken all those bio-major courses though, genetics, microbio, immunology, biochemistry, etc., I'm sure you would feel more comfortable even if all of the information is new, just because you have seen some of the terms before.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Ok so I have both BR and TPR. Should I do TPR SW first and then BR passages? Or vice versa?

 

[inasensegone]

Ok so I have both BR and TPR. Should I do TPR SW first and then BR passages? Or vice versa?

All I can advise in regards to this, is to do the TPRH SW Bio passages. Forget TBR Bio passages unless you have extra time on your hands. Don't get me wrong, some TBR bio passages are good, but it's too much of a gamble and would take too long to figure out which ones are representative of the MCAT and which ones are completely different from the MCAT. I felt the metabolic components and metabolic pathways passages (Chapters 7 & 8) in particular were a waste of time for me. They were so insanely difficult and required so much background knowledge of specifics that they could not possibly be indicative of the current MCAT. They for sure are nothing like the AAMC FL's. Anyway, I bought my TPRH SW book a little late, so I started them late. I wish I had started them in the beginning. Hopefully I will have finished all the bio passages by the time of my test. I haven't done many other passages from the other sciences to provide much of a comparison to TBR.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

All I can advise in regards to this, is to do the TPRH SW Bio passages. Forget TBR Bio passages unless you have extra time on your hands. Don't get me wrong, some TBR bio passages are good, but it's too much of a gamble and would take too long to figure out which ones are representative of the MCAT and which ones are completely different from the MCAT. I felt the metabolic components and metabolic pathways passages (Chapters 7 & 8) in particular were a waste of time for me. They were so insanely difficult and required so much background knowledge of specifics that they could not possibly be indicative of the current MCAT. They for sure are nothing like the AAMC FL's. Anyway, I bought my TPRH SW book a little late, so I started them late. I wish I had started them in the beginning. Hopefully I will have finished all the bio passages by the time of my test. I haven't done many other passages from the other sciences to provide much of a comparison to TBR.

Awesome. I am only doing my bio passages from TPR. Anyone else have advice with the other sciences?

 

[madmuttal]

All I can advise in regards to this, is to do the TPRH SW Bio passages. Forget TBR Bio passages unless you have extra time on your hands. Don't get me wrong, some TBR bio passages are good, but it's too much of a gamble and would take too long to figure out which ones are representative of the MCAT and which ones are completely different from the MCAT. I felt the metabolic components and metabolic pathways passages (Chapters 7 & 8) in particular were a waste of time for me. They were so insanely difficult and required so much background knowledge of specifics that they could not possibly be indicative of the current MCAT. They for sure are nothing like the AAMC FL's. Anyway, I bought my TPRH SW book a little late, so I started them late. I wish I had started them in the beginning. Hopefully I will have finished all the bio passages by the time of my test. I haven't done many other passages from the other sciences to provide much of a comparison to TBR.

I disagree....TBR metabolic passages were really helpful for 3/22 exam................................I mean 3/22 TRIAL section! lol ....ya seriously....

 

[salsasunrise123]

Ok so I have both BR and TPR. Should I do TPR SW first and then BR passages? Or vice versa?

Agree with above re: science workbook for bio. It's the best prep for bio out there though the way BS is changing to a more verbal reasoning type section there is def need for a better resource. Do TBR first for PS and then follow up with workbook discretes. Do workbook passages on ad hoc basis and if time permits. I just think TBR is much better for physics passages. A bunch of physics passages have 8-10 questions per passage which is not realistic. I actually do better on TBR than workbook passages in physics. For example, TBR really drills in the proportion type question that asks about x if y is doubled. You learn how to approach those types of questions and others in an in depth way which really helps. this is just my opinion. I'm studying now for May 31st test so we shall see. Bottom line is both are good sources and consensus is that real thing will likely be more manageable than passages in either book.

 

[inasensegone]

Agree with above re: science workbook for bio. It's the best prep for bio out there though the way BS is changing to a more verbal reasoning type section there is def need for a better resource. Do TBR first for PS and then follow up with workbook discretes. Do workbook passages on ad hoc basis and if time permits. I just think TBR is much better for physics passages. A bunch of physics passages have 8-10 questions per passage which is not realistic. I actually do better on TBR than workbook passages in physics. For example, TBR really drills in the proportion type question that asks about x if y is doubled. You learn how to approach those types of questions and others in an in depth way which really helps. this is just my opinion. I'm studying now for May 31st test so we shall see. Bottom line is both are good sources and consensus is that real thing will likely be more manageable than passages in either book.

This sounds like a pretty solid assessment based on what few physics questions I have done from TPRH.

Also, if you can get your hands on the TPR Bio book, it comes with online access to additional passages and discretes. I did a renal physiology passage today that was brutal, but I can imagine it being similar to the current MCAT just because it felt very verbal like. The only thing is that the passage may have been a little too long... definitely longer than quite a few AAMC FL verbal passages. The passage isn't in my 2010 TPRH SW either, so I am guessing that their online content is different from their Workbook content (unless my 2010 book is vastly different from the most current one which from my understanding, it is not). Anyway the book cost me 35$, which I found to be a huge bargain.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Agree with above re: science workbook for bio. It's the best prep for bio out there though the way BS is changing to a more verbal reasoning type section there is def need for a better resource. Do TBR first for PS and then follow up with workbook discretes. Do workbook passages on ad hoc basis and if time permits. I just think TBR is much better for physics passages. A bunch of physics passages have 8-10 questions per passage which is not realistic. I actually do better on TBR than workbook passages in physics. For example, TBR really drills in the proportion type question that asks about x if y is doubled. You learn how to approach those types of questions and others in an in depth way which really helps. this is just my opinion. I'm studying now for May 31st test so we shall see. Bottom line is both are good sources and consensus is that real thing will likely be more manageable than passages in either book.

Why
Discrete over passages?

 

[salsasunrise123]

I think they have best discretes around. From what I'm told they are more realistic of AAMC and real thing than EK 1001 and they have decent Mix of calculation and concept questions. I just find it hard to gain valuable passage experience when a passage has 2x the number of questions as real MCAT passage. once you get through tbr u should start focusing more on timing. I just think it is more efficient to focus on tbr passages bc u will learn most since explanations are loaded with invaluable content and tricks. The sw solutions are 1 sentence long. If you have extra time def go through those passages but don't give them priority over tbr

 

[deleted92121]

Man, these discussions always make me freak out and wonder if I should switch back to TBR or stick with TPRH or whatever. Then I stop and remind myself the more time I take switching sources, the more time I am wasting. Not that I am an expert but find a source you like, review, and do a ton of problems especially timed ones. Then do practice tests. If TBR gives you a shortcut, that is great. But if you can do the same problem the TPRH way and still get the right answer with time to spare then it is all the same. Good luck to everyone.

 

[brood910]

Man, these discussions always make me freak out and wonder if I should switch back to TBR or stick with TPRH or whatever. Then I stop and remind myself the more time I take switching sources, the more time I am wasting. Not that I am an expert but find a source you like, review, and do a ton of problems especially timed ones. Then do practice tests. If TBR gives you a shortcut, that is great. But if you can do the same problem the TPRH way and still get the right answer with time to spare then it is all the same. Good luck to everyone.

As I always say to ppl, TPRH is more than enough.
You will see what I mean when you do AAMC FLs.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

As I always say to ppl, TPRH is more than enough.
You will see what I mean when you do AAMC FLs.

More than enough?

 

[inasensegone]

More than enough?

I believe what brood means is that the AAMC FL's are remarkably easier than most of the material from either TBR or TPR. The reason is pretty obvious... look at the huge list of AAMC topics that every test taker is supposed to be familiar with. First of all, there is no way all of these topics could ever show up on any single MCAT. Even to test just a few topics requires a range of difficulty among the questions.

 

[brood910]

I believe what brood means is that the AAMC FL's are remarkably easier than most of the material from either TBR or TPR. The reason is pretty obvious... look at the huge list of AAMC topics that every test taker is supposed to be familiar with. First of all, there is no way all of these topics could ever show up on any single MCAT. Even to test just a few topics requires a range of difficulty among the questions.

Word.

+ you will never have to do crazy calculations like you do on TBR on the real deal because you dont have 12432598585 minutes for each section.

 

[inasensegone]

Word.

+ you will never have to do crazy calculations like you do on TBR on the real deal because you dont have 12432598585 minutes for each section.

Hahaha... so true. There was a DNA calculations chapter in TBR bio where after the 2nd question I made the decision to stop doing TBR bio.

 

[dudewheresmymd]

Hahaha... so true. There was a DNA calculations chapter in TBR bio where after the 2nd question I made the decision to stop doing TBR bio.

lol i think i know what you're referring to there's one DNA passage in genetic information or expression of genetic info chapter that has like 6 -7 calculations in one passage i was like peaceee