Hi kids, thought I give you my $.02.
My pre-test range was 28-29 consistantly. I took TPR, studied my butt off during the spring for the April 06, and got a 27Q (8PS (my fav section damnit) 9V (miracle) 10BS). This was a miracle because I cried during lunch on test day, but still not that awesome. I signed up to take the August 06' at literally the last possible minute.
By the time I got down to re-studying I had <=2 weeks left. I used my PR resources some, but for the most part found them to be too extensive. For the love of god, I only had two weeks! I borrowed my boyfriend's Exam Krackers books, and they were a FABULOUS tool. Short explanations, color pictures, great diagrams that made me memorize and understand the material better. I highly recommend taking the summary quizzes at the end of the chapter.
By that time, I found that the BEST way of learning was actually to take timed MCAT practices (I took every AAMC practice test but 1,2,3 and PR's A & B out of that A-D book) and score them after each individual section. I would immediately cover any material that I missed in that section untill I had conquered it (including sampling another passage over that subject in my PR/Exam Kracker books). ACTUALLY, there was one section on my second MCAT that resembled almost EXACTLY something I had practiced a day prior. This way, you are not only improving your knowledge, but your timing and test taking ability.
Second time around, I scored a 31P (9V, 11PS, 11BS)
Oh, and one more word of advice. Because of extenuating circumstances (had to sing at a friend's relative's funeral last minute- day before MCAT, in a completely different city), I had to switch my test day to Sunday last minute. While frazzling, it made me focus on the larger picture, which probably helped.
Anyway, I took that test at some po-dunk center with ONE, yes ONE, other person. We had an enormous table to ourselves (with paper and pencil this was important), and because of the situation our proctor was relaxed and not uptight. This all made for a MUCH better and calmer test taking environment. This was SO much better than the cattle call of a center I took my first one in. Looking around seeing hundreds of other frantic kids just freaked the crap out of me, and the strict and stressed proctor didn't make it any easier. Sunday MCAT offerings will generally be less crowded. Because the MCAT people sympathized for my situation they must not have made me pay that extra $60 bucks or whatever it was, but I would say that it would be HIGHLY worth it.
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