When do MCAT Prep Books come out with NEW Editions?

[OtisO]

I just finished my freshman year of college and was wanting to get a MCAT set to look over what I went through (Chem1-2 and Bio 1) from my freshman year. I also want to have some books for Organic and Physics next semester. However, I do not know which books to get. My plan is to get a 9th ed. EK book which is over a hundred bucks cheaper than the 10th edition for the content and then get a NEW Kaplan edition for primary study (Closer to MCAT time). However, If I am taking an MCAT the summer after my Junior year, then I should be getting a new book sometime after my first semester, junior year (over winter break). Therefor, the 2018-2019 edition would surely be outdated, right? Will there be a new edition by December 2019? Thanks so much!

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[endocrinenerd]

In my opinion, edition doesn't matter; I used 2012-2013 EK (as it was free for me 😉) for basically all of my content review and got a 518 in 2017. I used ancillary materials for CARS, psych and sociology. The content is going to be the same, and there is only so much they can test from undergraduate biology, biochemistry, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, psychology and sociology. Do yourself a favor and save a little money.

 

[OtisO]

In my opinion, edition doesn't matter; I used 2012-2013 EK (as it was free for me 😉) for basically all of my content review and got a 518 in 2017. I used ancillary materials for CARS, psych and sociology. The content is going to be the same, and there is only so much they can test from undergraduate biology, biochemistry, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, psychology and sociology. Do yourself a favor and save a little money.

Makes sense. I've always been a firm believer that you need to know the material not what kinds of questions. I think an older edition can help me understand the concepts, then taking some practice tests/questions from AAMC

 

[OtisO]

Makes sense. I've always been a firm believer that you need to know the material not what kinds of questions. I think an older edition can help me understand the concepts, then taking some practice tests/questions from AAMC

But I will be getting a newer edition just because I want to be 100% sure.. BUMP

 

[endocrinenerd]

Makes sense. I've always been a firm believer that you need to know the material not what kinds of questions. I think an older edition can help me understand the concepts, then taking some practice tests/questions from AAMC

But I will be getting a newer edition just because I want to be 100% sure.. BUMP

If you can afford it, it won't hurt. I would say the most important part of studying is familiarizing yourself with the questions that will be asked. The content itself is extensive, but not complicated.

 

[KnShep]

Just saw on Amazon they have the Kaplan 2019-2020 edition on pre order which will ship in June.

 

[OtisO]

Just saw on Amazon they have the Kaplan 2019-2020 edition on pre order which will ship in June.

Thanks! Just seen that. Maybe I will get that one come 2019 when the 2020-2021 edition comes out and the price will drop

 

[SpoiledMilk]

PM me

 

[OtisO]

Don't worry about new editions and when they come out. How is Kaplan coming out with a "2018-->2019" set in 2017 makes absolutely no sense to me. Kaplan came out with 4 editions in 3 years ....which have been identical by 99.90%+.

For getting older editions, go TO sdn classfields section to save. you don't need to wait for a new edition to come out.

Finally - you can use Khan academy early on in your prep if you're still a freshman!

Thank you, great advice! It confuses me too.. Very weird, the 2019-2020 is coming out in June and apparently will only last until 2019 (NOT 2020).

 

[Zenabi90]

Bottom line is that none of these subjects are likely to have earth-shattering changes in the areas you are being tested on. (Watch, after I type this, the world of Physics upends itself *rolls eyes*)

I have TPR books from 2012 that cover nearly the exact same material as TBR in 2017. There were just some changes in coverage I believe for BB, and the new Psych/Soc section.

If you're looking for content to review, the year likely wont matter provided it was written for the MCAT2015 and not an older version of the exam. With that in mind, the oldest version I would get these days is anything publish in 2016 and onward.

If the reasoning behind buying the absolute newest is because money is no object and you want the best, at least spend the extra money better on FLs and lots of practice material like UWorld.