What Material is Best For Physical Science

[BradenDO]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Sooo, obviously I got my score back and the section I did worst in was PS. I bought the EK series after the test because I had a feeling I would need to retake it. Do you think EK covers PS well, or should I use something else to study off of?

 

[shnjb]

I personally thought some of their PS stuff had too many gimmicks.

But overall, it's a lot more interesting to read than KAPLAN.

Compared to KAPLAN, I'd say it's much better.

 

[Apparition]

Nova's physics book was very good. It's one of the less popular sources but most people who use it think it's great.

 

[xylem29]

Nova's physics book was very good. It's one of the less popular sources but most people who use it think it's great.

i second this claim - from personal use in fact - it thus far has been very impressive. NOVA mcat physics book.

 

[hopster]

get your hands on a copy of princeton review's science workbook.

best PS review you can get, hands down.

 

[tch001]

get your hands on a copy of princeton review's science workbook.

best PS review you can get, hands down.

Comepletely agree, I SUCK at physics, the only thing that got me through was doing as many passages from that as I could physically fit into my schedule.

 

[UofT_475]

Hey Guys,

My physics is sort of weak, I'm trying to best with TPR to understand the concepts and think logically usinq equations, proportions and relations between different concepts. Just trying to drill physics in at like 8 hours a day. Will spending enough time raise my score?

 

[jackieMD2007]

Hey B,

For me all I did was focus on Chem and Physics! LOL! I probably should have spent more time on VERBAL! (VR 8 PS 10 BS 11, R) But I am still applying with my 29R!

Um. I used 1001 Questions in Physics and 1001 Questions in Chemistry.
I also made a PS problem binder where I ripped out questions from the above sources, and my kaplan info books, only on subjects I had issues with.

Like LIGHT AND OPTICS. Or TORQUE (Rotational Equilibria!).

 

[frederico2]

Sooo, obviously I got my score back and the section I did worst in was PS. I bought the EK series after the test because I had a feeling I would need to retake it. Do you think EK covers PS well, or should I use something else to study off of?

I really thought Exam Krackers did an excellent Job. At least compared to Kaplan or Princeton review
~James

 

[BradenDO]

Hey B,

For me all I did was focus on Chem and Physics! LOL! I probably should have spent more time on VERBAL! (VR 8 PS 10 BS 11, R) But I am still applying with my 29R!

Um. I used 1001 Questions in Physics and 1001 Questions in Chemistry.
I also made a PS problem binder where I ripped out questions from the above sources, and my kaplan info books, only on subjects I had issues with.

Like LIGHT AND OPTICS. Or TORQUE (Rotational Equilibria!).

Thanks Jackie! That sounds like a good plan! I'll buy those books soon and do that and I guess do light review for bio and verbal just to make sure those don't go down next time! 😱

 

[Ebete]

get your hands on a copy of princeton review's science workbook.

best PS review you can get, hands down.

Is this book from the class, or can you get it at B&N? I have 2001 TPR classroom material, but a lot of it seems outdated (since AMCAS took some stuff out), I don't know if I should trust it fully.

How about just open up a textbook; is that too much? See I took Phys and Chem many years ago, and so need to pretty much start all over again. Trust me if I had the time and money I'de take the classes over!

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated...even for Chem 😳

 

[hopster]

the book is called TPR Mcat Science Workbook, copyright 2003. I got it from a friend that took the class. The main reason it is so good is that it has TONS of passages and stand alone questions that hammer the concepts to the point of absurdity. I mainly used the gen chem and physics sections, but i went through the biological science section a little and it seemed ok. However, i think EK's 1001 bio book is much better for hammering the bio concepts. i got a 13 in PS and a 13 in BS if it helps.

 

[Ebete]

the book is called TPR Mcat Science Workbook, copyright 2003. I got it from a friend that took the class. The main reason it is so good is that it has TONS of passages and stand alone questions that hammer the concepts to the point of absurdity. I mainly used the gen chem and physics sections, but i went through the biological science section a little and it seemed ok. However, i think EK's 1001 bio book is much better for hammering the bio concepts. i got a 13 in PS and a 13 in BS if it helps.

Nice scores! If only I could get close to that! I think I might be taking TPR class in Jan. I really screwed up my PS this time (5 😱 my worst ever) I also have all EK material. I like the Bio and verbal, but need a lot more help in PS since I took these classes such a long time ago. This will be by 3rd time taking this thing so I really need to improve my score (10pts I'm aiming at) otherwise I won't have a chance.
What did you use for Bio/orgo? I really need the help!

By the way how "central NJ" are you?

 

[hopster]

im right near princeton. takin classes at rutgers-nb right now. I am non-trad as well, PM me if you have any questions/concerns.

EDIT: sorry, for bio i used EK's 1001 bio questions and I always had a nack for orgo, so didnt prepare much there.

 

[Ebete]

im right near princeton. takin classes at rutgers-nb right now. I am non-trad as well, PM me if you have any questions/concerns.

EDIT: sorry, for bio i used EK's 1001 bio questions and I always had a nack for orgo, so didnt prepare much there.

I'm in Newark, thanks for your response!

 

[mediocriskid]

To get my physics on par, i bought a copy of the Feynman series (books by the Cal Tech prof who could apparently teach physics to even the most inept of students) and read the chapters that correlated to those being tested on the MCAT. Really insightful and hell of a lot more interesting read than any EK, Kaplan, and TPR book.

Can't think of any suggestions for general chemistry

 

[Wannabemed]

I used Cliff Notes quick review guides for GenChem/Physics. Cheap. Efficient. Covers every tested topic. In addition, practice practice practice with every possible practice test source you can get your grubby hands on.

 

[DOC G.]

The Bible lol

 

[MeowMix]

To get my physics on par, i bought a copy of the Feynman series (books by the Cal Tech prof who could apparently teach physics to even the most inept of students) and read the chapters that correlated to those being tested on the MCAT. Really insightful and hell of a lot more interesting read than any EK, Kaplan, and TPR book.

This is the most interesting suggestion I have ever read for reviewing MCAT physics.

And the most time-consuming and left-field for most students. The Feynman lectures are masterpieces of physics knowledge; they are renowned for being over the heads of the undergrads he was teaching at the time (and CalTech undergrads are hardly inept). They are beautiful; some people will understand the physics and appreciate that beauty (like the faculty members who sat in on those lectures and have been trying to emulate Feynman ever since). For the rest of us, there is way too much detail in there, and way too many concepts that you do not need to understand for the MCAT or med school.

If you enjoy reading material like this, great. But this is not a solid strategy for the average student.

 

[harrypotter]

Nova Physics

I third/fourth the Nova Physics Book. It's a really concise review with great problems at the end of each chapter. There are also a couple of passages too.

I felt that EK was way over my head and wanted to get the basics down first so I did the Nova book. You can easily do one chapter a day or over 2 days.

I am a ***** when it comes to physics and chem and managed to pull a 9.

Anyone know if the Nova book for chemistry is good?

 

[Wannabemed]

In terms of learning the required material for physical sciences, you can use Cliff Notes Quick Review Guides. They are thin, concise, small "books" (more like pamphlets) that are packed with well-explained concepts. In fact, if you skim through these books and read only those sections that correspond to your weak areas, you can probably finish the books (Intro Physics and Gen Chem) in several hours. Then you should go back and review the concepts you had trouble digesting. All in all, you can easily cover ALL the required material in the course of two dedicated days and you'll be ready to take on practice questions. The best way to increase your physical sciences score is to practice practice practice the passages/questions and to work on your weaknesses with friends. If you have trouble with acidimetry, ask a friend who happens to do well in those questions HOW he/she approaches and solves those problems. Sometimes a demonstration can yield insights.

The only traditional MCAT study "guide" I used was EK's 1001 Verbal Passages workout and it was awesome......so maybe you might want to pick up the 1001 Chem Passages and 1001 Physics Passages workout books as well? Best of luck.

 

[Wannabemed]

...sorry, it's 101 passages, not 1001