I'm working my way through the Ek Bio book right now, and I'm a bit confused about the 1001 book. Is that 1001 book intended more for getting down the basics, or for getting a maximum score? If I'm shooting for a score closer to 15 than 10, should I be reading the regular book or the 1001 book?
Which is more appropriate: EK 1001 or Regular?
- Thread starter blee
- Start date
blee said:
I would just like to say, don't think you'll actually get a 15 in bio easily. If you want a 15, the best way to go is studying under time conditions via practice tests.
Also, 30 overall with 10 in each section is good enough to get into some school somewhere in the states.
gujuDoc said:
I'm not actually aiming for a 15, just closer to that than 10. Of all the sections on this test, bio is certainly the hardest for me. And since I'm a bit non-trad, I need every point I can get!
Anyway, any opinions on 1001 vs. the regular EK book? Anyone?
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2005
- Messages
- 2,662
- Reaction score
- 9
If you need to learn the material, the regular book is for you. They're mostly review material with some practice questions (as you probably know). The 1001 books are practice questions only - they're meant to be used once you know the science (or to pound the science into your head). They'll also give you a better idea of areas you need to work on. Your best bet is probably to use both - learn/review material using the regular books and then use the 1001 books to work on practice problems in areas you're having difficulty. But don't forget to take full length practice tests as well, they'll help your score the most.
diosa428 said:
First off I would like to say that I totally agree with this advice.
Second off, thanks for clarifying. That makes more sense. All that is important has already been said. Exam Kracker's review plus questions books together are good. So is TPR and Kaplan material.
Also for the MCAT, understanding the basics is more important that the in depth knowledge of the subject.
Thanks for the info. Based on my performance on the two practice tests I've taken, I'd be okay if I took the test tomorrow but I'd be much happier if I worked hard over the next few weeks to shore up on my weak points. I'm trying to minimize the possibility that a random bio passage will sink my score because I left out a topic or two during prep work.
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2004
- Messages
- 307
- Reaction score
- 1
This is what I've been doing. The books correspond to the 1001 EK. So I do a chapter and answer the Q's in the book, then I do every third Q in the 1001 that correspond to the review material. After that, I take the 30 min lecture for that lecture. If you don't have the lecture down by then, go back and do all of the extra Q's in the 1001. I think this is the best way to review hands down, if you're willing to do the work. Good luck 
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2004
- Messages
- 1,130
- Reaction score
- 1
The EK Physics, Gen Chem and O-Chem 1001's are definately more for people who need extra work in the very basic problem solving set up on those kinds of topics.
Ek Bio is completely different, there are actually passages; it's MCAT-style. I did the whole book and got a 12; I thought the book was quite helpful. I wouldn't recommend the other 1001s for someone who is already scoring 10s in the sections, but I would rec the bio 1001 to anyone
Ek Bio is completely different, there are actually passages; it's MCAT-style. I did the whole book and got a 12; I thought the book was quite helpful. I wouldn't recommend the other 1001s for someone who is already scoring 10s in the sections, but I would rec the bio 1001 to anyone
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2004
- Messages
- 586
- Reaction score
- 1
I found both valuable for different reasons. I used EK 1001 o-chem & found it very helpful. The sequenced questions covered pretty much ever factoid wrinkle. I worked through them VERY quickly, & they revealed some misunderstandings where I assumed I was solid.
Most people need the basic passage practice, but this is time consuming. I got a 12BS & found the 1001 more helpful for me.
Why not invest $29 in one & test drive it.
Most people need the basic passage practice, but this is time consuming. I got a 12BS & found the 1001 more helpful for me.
Why not invest $29 in one & test drive it.
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2004
- Messages
- 307
- Reaction score
- 1
I have to say it's pretty time consuming- I'm just doing this for gen chem because I need a really thorough review. I'd say I do one lecture in one sitting- maybe 1.5 to 2 hrs, then another few hours for Q's, and of course 30 min for the test, and however much time you need to look over explanations. One big factor with time is how much time you spend looking over explanations. I would only recommend this if you need a strong foundation, but it's helped me pull up my diagnostic of a 6 is PS to a really high 9 (one Q from a 10- drat!) just gotta keep movin 😉
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2004
- Messages
- 86
- Reaction score
- 0
Ok this is what I think about these 1001 books, and the way mcat asks questions. For every passage in physicals sciences, whether it be physics or gen chem, there are 2 types of questions. The ones where you can answer, with just outside knowledge, by knowing a formula or, much more likely just knowing a basic concept, like Ideal gas's are found at High temp and low pressure. For these types of questions, I think the 1001 books cover 100%. I don't think they can ask any outside based knowledge questions in a passage, that was not covered by 1001. So, I'd say thats 50% of the PS questions. The other 50% are passage based, which the 1001 Q doesn't really help, nothing could help those. Thats just your innate skills at finding info from the passage. My 2 cents, do you guys agree?
Similar threads
