I plan on taking the MCAT in April 2004, and I'm already freaking out. It seems as though all the "kids" in my classes are taking the Kaplan course. I feel like I'm at a major disadvatage, because I really don't think I'll be able to afford a prep class. I have no problem with buckling down and studying on my own--it's just a matter of knowing what to study, I suppose. For those of you who didn't take a class, what materials did you use, and what was you study schedule like? thanks in advance!

I'm in the same boat as you! I just started studying for April and my first practice test results were horribly depressing. I'd love to know how other people managed it without a prep class, since all the ones I've seen are completely out of my price range.

I took a prep class but it not necessary, so do not worry. What you do have to be is very very motivated to ON YOUR OWN set up a schedule that works for you. Buy a MCAT prep book, there are tons out there but I would highly suggest EK, TPR, or Kaplan. Buy all the AAMC practice exams and before you even start studying take a practice exam to see were you are at. Go to aamc.or and look under MCAT and print the file with all the subjects that the MCAT will test, it is on that site somewhere. What I liked about the prep course is that we got the books with all the MCAT material, thousands of practice problems MCAT style, mock exams and the teachers were great at my site in Nashville. The MCAT is very very conceptual so it is not so much regurgitation but how fast can you think and read, and then guess at the best option available.

hello fraggle and kelar,

i agree with efex that you don't need to take a class to do great. you just have to be really disciplined about your studying. i took the mcat twice - the first time i studied on my own and the second time i took a class. studying on my own didn't go that well for me because i let other things take priority in my life and put off studying whenever other things came up. :rolleyes: the class helped, because after shelling out all that money, there was no way studying wasn't going to be my top priority. i mostly learned the material on my own between classes. the classes just helped me stay on schedule.

if you get a good mcat review book, make a schedule for when you are going to complete what chapters, and stick with it, i'm sure you will be great. i think the most important thing is practice. do lots of practice problems and try to do complete tests under timed conditions a few times. it might even be worth asking if you can sit in on a practice test with a prep class at kaplan or similar to get the feel for taking the test with a bunch of stress-heads all around you. cause taking it with a group of people who are seriously stressed out can be pretty jarring after practicing alone in your own comfortable space. good luck!

Hey guys,
I was wondering if any of you have used the examkrackers audio osmosis? I have a sample CD which seems pretty good,however the sampler is very general and I was wondering if someone could give me a little feedback and/or make some suggestions on study helps.
Thanks,
Chan

I personally did not like AO but that is just me. I thought it was way tooo goofy and the different sounds really got on my nerves. I did use the books and they are great! if it works for you they will be worth it though...

I'm using audio osmosis. The humor is really stupid & juvenile but it kind of keeps me awake. The tapes are useful for me as a different way to reinforce & review the information. Also you can listen while you do something else like walking or doing the ironing. I'm so busy between work and childcare and housework that without this option I wouldn't get as much study time in.

I took a class, but honestly the only things I found helpful were the practice tests, which you can download from the AAMC website, and the formula sheet for what you need to memorize to be on the MCAT--that's free off of Kaplan's website. Look at the formula sheet, make sure you know what each formula does, and what each variable means. If you don't recognize one, that's a hint that you need to go back and hit that area. Same deal with the practice tests. Do the questions, and the ones you had NO CLUE on, are starting points for where you need to do some brushing up. The more practice tests the better. I don't think it matters if you do them in 8-hour sittings or not, but definitely do them, and make sure you know why you got the wrong answers, and why the correct ones are correct.

Also, two people I know without a lot of money split the cost of a prep course. Most of the courses will let you come in outside of class time and re-review stuff, so as long as you and your buddy go in at different times, you're golden. One of you goes to class, the other one goes to the center and gets a video later. you can also share materials and switch off taking the official practice tests.

Hi! Well, I took Kaplan and as others, I think the only advantage was that it kept you on schedule... you still have to do a LOT on your own. I think if you have the motivation to study on your own go ahead and do it. I am retaking the MCAT in AUGUST.. just a couple weeks away! and I bought the VERBAL book from EXAM CRACKERS and LOVE IT. their approach is a lot better than Kaplan's, i think. I'm not sure what the other books have.. but I guess it's just best to buy the whole package if you can. The key is learning how to answer all the questions and do passage-based questions. Though you are required to know a lot of background info from your studying, it's surprising how much the passage can give you. Work on your test taking skills and while you're doing that.. it will be a good review for all the material.

The only advantage to a prep course that I found was the plethora of practice material they have. But, you can obtain these from AAMC and perhaps friends of yours that are taking a prep course will allow you access to their online materials for extra practice.

by the way.. i'm flipping out about the august mcat.. i cannot fail as miserably as i did in april so :crossfingers: !!!

I used Audio Osmosis during my self study program for the MCAT this last April. It is goofy and gets annoying at times, but it is also a good way to review/learn the material while driving 30 minutes each way to school. One thing to keep in mind is that it is sometimes hard to follow when they are discussing formulas or diagrams, so it helps to have a book nearby to see what they are talking about.

I used AO as well as the Examkrackers books to study with. I feel that Examkrackers was a good preparation because it only includes the information you need to know, while TPR and Kaplan have a lot of extra background information that can weigh you down. On the other hand, I am not a science major, so I had a hard time in many sections of the Examkrackers book because they assumed you have background information, which I did not.

I had a very busy semester when I was studying for the MCAT so I didn't study half as much as I should have, but I am pleased with my score. I think the most important thing is to take a lot of practice tests from AAMC. This is one thing I didn't do and wished I had. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I think I'm going to try the EK comprehensive book along w/practice exams. I have the Kaplan comprehensive book, but I havent cracked it open yet. Looks like I am going to have an insane spring semester, as i will be studying for the mcat while taking my second semester of bio plus an upper division science course. I wish everyone luck! :crossfingers:

Having taking the MCAT yesterday, I'm going to weigh in on the side of EK- both the books and the audio osmosis. They are rather goofy, but I found that during the stress of the exam yesterday, I actually doubted myself in some of the easiest topics (i.e. what is sympathetic and parasympathetic). The only thing I remembered for sure was a stupid joke they used to differentiate the two, but I did remeber that and therefore got them right! Yeah, I got annoyed with all the sounds and bad jokes while I was studying, but I guess that kind of burned them into my brain...