Which prep materials to use?

[Aspen D]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

So, I've weeded through these threads....but I haven't found a clear answer, so I suppose I'll ask again.

I received this package of Gold Standard prep material from an uncle....is that good for studying for the MCAT or would Kaplan or EK be better?

 

[jochi1543]

but I haven't found a clear answer, so I suppose I'll ask again.

This is because different things work for different people....for example, I liked EK and think that Kaplan is not very good, especially for Orgo and Physics - they focus too much on calculations. Other people, however, think that EK is too superficial. It depends for everyone.

I edited your thread title to make it more obvious...it's best if the thread's title somehow reflects what you are asking.

 

[greg1184]

Granted I will not find out for sure until I take the MCAT and get my scores, but Kaplan is great so far. They offer a plethora of materials to practice and study with, especially if you take the online or live class. Even their book has a CDrom and online syllabus with a lot of stuff.

I agree that EK is too superficial, and they focus so much on how everybody else's methods suck and they are the only great method. They go as far as calling other strategies "cock-a-mamie." They also spend alot of energy telling you what is and is not on the MCAT (Until it appears on a later MCAT!!!) instead of presenting all of the concepts. EK would be good for extra review though.

 

[Aspen D]

thanks jochi...so does anyone know anything about the Gold Standard?

 

[sexyman]

I did some Barron's verbal today for the first time and it was ridiculously easy and unrepresentative, I only did 4 passages but I got all of the questions right.

Anyone else use Barron's?

 

[DiscoDoc]

thanks jochi...so does anyone know anything about the Gold Standard?

The only way to know is to flip through it. Look at a chapter and see if it makes sense to you. You can also go to a bookstore and flip throgh their K@plan and TPR books. I'd stick with GS if you already have it.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Might as well toss my opinion in. Because we are a small company that doesn't market nationally, probably two to three percent of all premeds have heard of us. So we slip under the radar here. But if you read what the few on this site that have used our materials have to say, you'll note that we receive some pretty high praise for our passages, and text. They have excellent answer explanations, which is the most important part of any books.

I'd say we are the best choice for someone studyign on their own, as that is how the materials were written. Our books come with the most passages of any books, and you don't have to buy a separate set of books to get the questions.

 

[Chargers]

Might as well toss my opinion in. Because we are a small company that doesn't market nationally, probably two to three percent of all premeds have heard of us. So we slip under the radar here. But if you read what the few on this site that have used our materials have to say, you'll note that we receive some pretty high praise for our passages, and text. They have excellent answer explanations, which is the most important part of any books.

I'd say we are the best choice for someone studyign on their own, as that is how the materials were written. Our books come with the most passages of any books, and you don't have to buy a separate set of books to get the questions.

Hi there. I have a question for you. Is it too late to enroll in Berkeley Review classroom section in Irvine, CA? Thanks

 

[LUCPM]

After using EK books initially, I was disappointed with most of the books (except the Orgo book) despite of their high rating. They were too condensed for me and I didn't like the way some of the topics were presented in random orders. They just didn't suit my learning style.

I then picked up Berkeley books for Gen chem and Physics and I am very happy with them. The books are loaded with passage-based problems and they give very detailed explanation along with excellent tips for each question, which has been very helpful.

All in all, what worked for other people did not work for me and I spent about two weeks until I found good books.

Good luck.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Hi there. I have a question for you. Is it too late to enroll in Berkeley Review classroom section in Irvine, CA? Thanks

It's right on the cusp. We've had four lectures so far:

• 1. MCAT Strategies and Details
  2. Translational Motion
  3. Stoichiometry and Solutions
  4. Periodic Motion

If you can jump in and don't mind getting tutorials on those topics down the road (probably spaced out once a week during July), then Thursday is realistically the last day you'd want to add before the catch up is too stressful.

If you'd like to sit for the classes on Thursday, then decide afterwards that's probably the best idea. Make sure you like the style of teaching and the personality of the class. If you like the way we do things and you don't mind playing a little catch up, then we'd love to have you join us.

If you send me a PM, I can send you the location and a way to contact the teacher that day. I'm teaching on Sunday, so we can work out a make-up schedule for the lectures that have passed. When are you planning on taking the MCAT?