<p>S is taking MCAT after yr 2 in college ( will have done all sciences + Biochemistry), and plan to spend summer attending Kaplan online prep. Will take test early Sept as advised by Med School seniors b4 him cuz studying in middle of class is virtually impossible at his institution due to heavy load. Just saw other threads and Kaplan seems tough & discouraging. What is Examcraker? What other means are available apart from self-study and AAMC samples?? Any advice?</p>
<p>From personal experience I highly recommend self-studying with Examkrackers for anyone with sound basics in the required science material. I think your S should heed the advice his friends gave to study at a time when the workload is lighter. Although I took my MCAT this past January, I was not enrolled in any courses and devoted 6 days a week to going through the complete set of Examkrackers prep as well as a large number of supplemental problems (from their 1001 Qs/101 Verbal passages) for approximately 5 weeks. Then the last week before my test date, I completed three full-length AAMC sample exams to acclimate myself to the computer system, pacing/endurance, etc. I feel that both Examkrackers and AAMC samples prepared me VERY well for the real MCAT, and I was ecstatic when I received my score just a few days ago. </p>
<p>Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about my study schedule/routine or anything else.</p>
<p>Gee, that’s good advice. What is Examkrackers and how to apply? How about cost? The AAMC samples are freely availablw online , right? S will do an 8-wk ECON class in summer ( Jun-Aug) to prime for double major and devote the rest of summer to MCAT prep, hoping to do it in Spet ( Sept 911 is latest date 2010). Assuming he’s doing this, how to combine the Kaplan prep with your Examkracker & AAMC samples?</p>
<p>Well Examkrackers has some live in-person courses in different parts of the country – [Course</a> Finder - courses & exam schedules](<a href=“http://www.examkrackers.com/course-map.php]Course”>http://www.examkrackers.com/course-map.php) …just click on your state to see courses near you. Their live courses run about the same price as Kaplan (~$1,800), but I cannot comment on whether they are worth the money.</p>
<p>They also offer [their books and study material](<a href=“https://www.examkrackers.com/store/index.php?cPath=2&PHPSESSID=e9ac345a18af1c1458e2ec3c7437b9e8”>https://www.examkrackers.com/store/index.php?cPath=2&PHPSESSID=e9ac345a18af1c1458e2ec3c7437b9e8</a>) – I used the complete MCAT study package <a href=“link”>url=https://www.examkrackers.com/store/product<em>info.php?cPath=2&products</em>id=68&PHPSESSID=e9ac345a18af1c1458e2ec3c7437b9e8</a>.</p>
<p>Personally, I did not feel like I needed a prep course because I had a lot of extra time since I was not taking classes, and I was able to set up and stick with a HIGHLY regimented study schedule of approximately 30-36 solid hours of studying per week. If your S can do an intensive self-study schedule after his summer course, which may be difficult given the condensed and fast-paced nature of summer school, then he likely can be well prepared for the final MCAT administration in Sept. </p>
<p>Lastly, there is one free AAMC sample test available at [url=<a href=“http://www.e-mcat.com%5De-mcat.com%5B/url”>http://www.e-mcat.com]e-mcat.com[/url</a>] as well as more recent full-length exams for $35 each.</p>
<p>It is also very possible to prep for MCAT while taking lighter load (for example, register for 15 credit hours instead of 19). Most are doing it these way.</p>
<p>Thx for all the advice. S is doing 4U ECON in summer , devoting the rest studying MCAT in NorCal & SCal to get ready for Sept. Will take Kaplan online & get other supplementary books. He has done all premed classes includ biochem.
Welcome any more advcie on useful books + sectional strategies !</p>