Best MCAT preparation book.

[clumsy_gurl]

I was looking at one of the practice tests and i was CLUELESS !! I have yet to take my second general organic and inorganic chemistry class. But I got pretty stressed out looking at that practice test.
Which is the best book to prepare for MCAT? After that I will think about doing practice tests (minimum how many shoud i do?) Right now I am looking for preparation material.
I heard extracts are good. what do you ppl think?
Also, I heard princeton books are way too hard.

[olek]

What class are you referring to? Are you taking chem classes at college or an MCAT prep program??

[monsmojo]

either kaplan or princeton review. doesn't matter.

[monsmojo]

i should tell you that the materials are almost exactly the same from yr to yr with little change. so if you want to go cheap, just buy used books off of someone.

[monsmojo]

also-kaplan showed us a graph of how people did on the exam based on how they studied (there was even research done on students making them study poems and take an exam on them). apparentely, the ppl who did the best did the most practice problems and exams, not the most studying time going over content. just a tip...

[FOID]

do as many practice questions as you can. taking a prep class is a good idea. take the class after you've taken bio, chem, ochem, and physics.

[clumsy_gurl]

Thanks all.
Yes I am taking classes at the community college and honestly, I dont think it is gonna make much of a difference if I take MCAT after taking my last 2 classes.
Thats why I want review books and study everything all over again myself.
Prep courses are wayy too expensive !!
So kaplan or princeton review books? Do you think 2004-2005 review books would be fine? (not too old)? Is there any specific name of the book or something?
How abt AAMC review books? and practice tests?

[swimchick]

I took a Kaplan prep course (really don't recommend it...go with Princeton Review if you have $$ for a prep course) and it helped me as far as understanding the material. I also purchased Exam Krackers 1001 Questions in MCAT Bio, Chem, Orgo and Verbal (4 books each with 1001 questions)....definitely worth the money!

Like others have said....you obviously need to be comfortable with the material tested on the MCAT....but you must also practice, practice practice! Taking practice MCATs helps you build endurance for the actual exam, familiarizes you with how concepts are tested on the exam and helps ease the anxiety of finishing the exam within the allotted period.

I believe you can purchase MCAT exams from AAMC....I don't think we're supposed to post links so PM me if you're interested.

[clumsy_gurl]

yeah... courses are too expensive for me !!
I want a book to study the MATERIAL first !! like i mentioned before, when i looked at one of the free practice tests or i think it was a test paper, i was CLUELESS !!
So, I am looking for a book which covers the material thorougly, and then i ll go with practice tests and previous MCAT papers.
Any more suggestions ??

[olek]

Princeton Review books are good, however they tend to go into more detail than you need for the MCAT. But I totally agree on prep courses. Well worth it. Do as many AAMC practice tests (I think there's 10 of them or a bit less) they are very close to the real thing.

You must be very comfortable with the material. Which kind of chemistry have you taken already? If you've only had high school chemistry and you think you know all you will need for MCAT... you are wrong. Organic chem can be pretty involved on MCAT so you might need those college courses.

Good luck.

[argazul]

Do the examcracker set. you won't need kaplan or princeton. combine them with AAMC practice exams.

[clumsy_gurl]

yes.. I am taking college oragnic chemistry... I have to take one more organic after this !
Which examcracker set should I use? Are they good enough to study the material??
I am not talking abt reviewing at all.. I need to study the material first !..
thanks a lot for ur help all :)

[swimchick]

The Kaplan Premier MCAT (about $60 through Barnes and Noble) gives a good overview of the material....but it is just that: an overview. I believe Exam Krackers also makes a book like this one.

Most MCAT prep materials are designed for those who have completed the coursework...they give enough detail of the material, but not all of it.

While studying for my 2nd MCAT...I took the Kaplan MCAT course...but also supplemented that with the Exam Krackers 1001 question books (highly, highly recommend these), AAMC tests and my textbooks from Bio, Chem, Orgo, Physics and Biochem.

[pre-kiddo-doc:)]

Definitely buy the ExamKrackers set. I used them and scored a 33.

My study-buddy purchased the Kaplan book, but after browsing through my ExamKrackers books, he ended up using them rather than his own Kaplan book. The Kaplan and Princeton Review books are soooooo dull. The ExamKrackers keeps you interested. They are funny and to-the-point.

Seriously, had I used another study guide, I would not have done as well.

Good luck!

[jameslynton]

My son used the ExamKrackers we are waiting for the results - he got to 36 in the practice tests.

[tegraphile]

Volume is key. The most questions you can complete means the less chance you'll see something on the test that is new to you. I would suggest the TPR Hyperlearning books. You can take the course or at least find the books on eBay. The sheer amount of material will keep you busy for awhile during your preparation, which is a good thing.