Which CBT test materials did you find most helpful in preparing for the MCAT?

[Chronicle]

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This is a multiple options poll: Please choose one option or several options which were most helpful.

If anybody used any really helpful materials that aren't listed here - please feel free to add them!

Note: This poll implies that you have already taken the MCAT and know what you are talking about. If you haven't taken the MCAT yet, please refrain from voting until you have taken the MCAT and can contribute to this poll!

Also, if the "other" option is chosen.. please post what the MCAT CBT material is!!!

Thanks!

 

[Chronicle]

Anyone else to vote for the poll?

 

[SN2ed]

Anyone else to vote for the poll?

There was another poll on the same thing: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=652670

 

[Chronicle]

There was another poll on the same thing: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=652670

OK, thanks. One quick question though, i.e., does examkrackers have any CBT tests to offer other than the printed books? I was browsing its website and couldn't seem to find any CBT product there.

 

[SN2ed]

OK, thanks. One quick question though, i.e., does examkrackers have any CBT tests to offer other than the printed books? I was browsing its website and couldn't seem to find any CBT product there.

Not that I know of, though I wouldn't bother even if they did. Their practice tests aren't good.

 

[Marjan Islam]

I found AAMC to be the best, obviously. But next to it I thought GOLD STANDARD was awesome. It was VERY close to AAMC tests, just with a tougher curve... but who cares about the curve, it's the actual passages/questions that matter and those were just like AAMC.

KAPLAN tests suck. I did the entire Kaplan course (online and the live class) and the Kaplan tests are just waaay too hard with a really easy curve (the total opposite to Gold Standard) - very difficult and convoluted questions/passages and an easy curve to give you a sense of false-confidence. Also, Kaplan's VR is total garbage. Gold Standard's VR isn't great either, so stick with EK VR for that. PS and BS though, GS is right on the money.

Go with Gold Standard, they are also very reasonably priced.

 

[Malayna]

The AAMC tests are really good for getting a feel for the question types. But I have to put my two cents in for BR exams, because they are a great indicator of the randomness of passages and questions. I found their difficulty to match my real MCAT. I was also pleasantly surprised that my average BR score (not counting my first one) was only 2 points lower than my real exam. All the other exams (including AAMC were off by 4 or more).

I was unimpressed with PR's exams, so I stopped after just a couple. I only took a couple Kaplan tests, and they were okay.

I'm not sure why EK is listed here, because they don't have CBTs. Their paper tests are just plain unrealistic and shouldn't be taken. I really liked their biology book and verbal book, but their tests aren't good and there are many thing better than their 1001 books.

You should do well with just AAMC and BR.

 

[Chronicle]

Thanks for the useful comments and suggestions, guys. So, no one here ever used Barron? That's kind of strange, cuz I saw their books on Barnes & Nobles and guess they must be popular enough to stay on the shelves. 😕

 

[SN2ed]

Thanks for the useful comments and suggestions, guys. So, no one here ever used Barron? That's kind of strange, cuz I saw their books on Barnes & Nobles and guess they must be popular enough to stay on the shelves. 😕

Stay away from Barron. Far, far away. They are bad on all fronts.

 

[jlo9011]

Stay away from Barron. Far, far away. They are bad on all fronts.

One problem with Barron is that the CD-ROM doesn't save your test scores after you exit the program.

 

[CN85]

I just did an online search and looks like there aren't many CBT products out there that are appreciably representative of the MCAT other than the ones listed on this thread.😳

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

I just did an online search and looks like there aren't many CBT products out there that are appreciably representative of the MCAT other than the ones listed on this thread.😳

To add to your comment, you should note that some of the comapnies in the list here, ironically one that's gotten a few votes, doesn't even have CBTs.

 

[CN85]

The AAMC tests are really good for getting a feel for the question types. But I have to put my two cents in for BR exams, because they are a great indicator of the randomness of passages and questions. I found their difficulty to match my real MCAT. I was also pleasantly surprised that my average BR score (not counting my first one) was only 2 points lower than my real exam. All the other exams (including AAMC were off by 4 or more).

I was unimpressed with PR's exams, so I stopped after just a couple. I only took a couple Kaplan tests, and they were okay.

I'm not sure why EK is listed here, because they don't have CBTs. Their paper tests are just plain unrealistic and shouldn't be taken. I really liked their biology book and verbal book, but their tests aren't good and there are many thing better than their 1001 books.

You should do well with just AAMC and BR.

I thought EK offers CBTs through their courses ... No?😕

 

[CN85]

Anybody knows whether or not EK offers CBTs through their courses, or they would simply give you AAMC's online tests? Thanks.

 

[jlo9011]

Anybody knows whether or not EK offers CBTs through their courses, or they would simply give you AAMC's online tests? Thanks.

They probably do. Otherwise, it would not make much sense seeing those EK votes here.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

OK, thanks. One quick question though, i.e., does examkrackers have any CBT tests to offer other than the printed books? I was browsing its website and couldn't seem to find any CBT product there.

Checked here

Your question got me curious, because no one here has ever mentioned CBTs from them. I couldn't find anything on their website or in threads about CBTs from EK, so I assume they don't have them.

They probably do. Otherwise, it would not make much sense seeing those EK votes here.

It doesn't make much sense does it, but maybe people just vote without really reading the CBT part, which in a way devalues the CBT aspect of the poll. If they had CBTs in their class, they'd likely sell it on line, because they do that with all of their products. If you follow the history, it looks like they have been focused on the LSAT the last few years and have put MCAT progress on hold. It makes sense from a business perpsective to do that, because people buy so much of their stuff that they really don't need to update it.

But votes for something that doesn't exist isn't the only strange thing here. It's also strange the way different tests run in streaks in this poll. Early on it was AAMC 20-something, BR 10 or so, and GS 5. The others had a vote or two. Gradually the major companies have got a vote here and there to slowly move up. Then in a very short span of time, MCAT Achiever got about ten votes. Since then it has been a slow growth for everything again.

 

[Longshanks]

opps read the question wrong.. thought just prep materials not CBT exams... disregard my for vote for TPR then since I have no experience with their CBT....

People voting for EK are probably doing the same thing since they don't have CBT. They have good prep material though.

 

[Chronicle]

Hey guys. I just made another thorough search on EK's websites, and noted that they actually offered CBT review, but have to highlight here that their "exams are the best possible simulations of the MCAT because they are actual AAMC exams."

 

[SN2ed]

Hey guys. I just made another thorough search on EK's websites, and noted that they actually offered CBT review, but have to highlight here that their "exams are the best possible simulations of the MCAT because they are actual AAMC exams."

It sounds like they offer the AAMC practice tests similar to Kaplan and TPR.

 

[fishsticks2629]

Anybody knows whether or not EK offers CBTs through their courses, or they would simply give you AAMC's online tests? Thanks.

Yea I took their course and they do not offer their own CBT's.. They do have a couple (paper version) for sale seprately. But they give you a password to take the e-mcat CBT's... They give you access to all e-mcat ones except for 4 and 5...

 

[CN85]

Checked here

Your question got me curious, because no one here has ever mentioned CBTs from them. I couldn't find anything on their website or in threads about CBTs from EK, so I assume they don't have them.



It doesn't make much sense does it, but maybe people just vote without really reading the CBT part, which in a way devalues the CBT aspect of the poll. If they had CBTs in their class, they'd likely sell it on line, because they do that with all of their products. If you follow the history, it looks like they have been focused on the LSAT the last few years and have put MCAT progress on hold. It makes sense from a business perpsective to do that, because people buy so much of their stuff that they really don't need to update it.

But votes for something that doesn't exist isn't the only strange thing here. It's also strange the way different tests run in streaks in this poll. Early on it was AAMC 20-something, BR 10 or so, and GS 5. The others had a vote or two. Gradually the major companies have got a vote here and there to slowly move up. Then in a very short span of time, MCAT Achiever got about ten votes. Since then it has been a slow growth for everything again.

I heard TBR CBT is only good for 45 days. If I needed to use it for an extended period, would I have to pay full price for another 45 days?

 

[halekulani]

TPR is the closest to the AAMCs in my opinion.