Kaplan VS. Princeton Review
Written: Jun 09 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Classes are on video, Keeps you on a schedule
Cons: Bad teaching, Must go to Kaplan library for additional material, Not much practice materials
The Bottom Line: Invest the $1200 on something else. I recommend that you just find someone who has already taken the course and use their books.
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| daapilot's Full Review: Kaplan MCAT Course |
Take it from someone who has gotten into medical school and took the Kaplan MCAT Class... DON'T WASTE $1200 bucks on the course. In the Kaplan MCAT classes, all they do is pretty much read out of the Lesson Book. You don't ever need to technically go to class, unless you are too lazy to read the book.
What I suggest is that you just buy the Kaplan books online on EBAY or get it from someone who has already taken the course.
The materials that they give are not as good as the ones given by Princeton Review. The science review book for Kaplan is very basic, but the Princeton Review Science book is more detailed and thorough. Also, the Kaplan problems in the books that they give you are nothing like MCAT questions. The questions in the book are basic review problems so that you can refamiliarize yourself with the material.
The questions from the Topical tests are more like MCAT questions. The only problem is that you have to go to the Kaplan Center to get a hold of these problems. They do not give you a copy, or let you take it home and bring it back. This is a pain if you are going to have trouble going to Kaplan Center or have classes during the day and can't make it. Keep in mind that they close at 9PM on weekdays and at 5PM on weekends. And they DON'T OPEN ON FRIDAYS.
I had a real problem with this, which is basically the reason that I regret taking Kaplan. I never had time to go to the Kaplan Center and study the materials there. And I do the majority of my studying way after 9PM. So when I studied at night, I used my friend's old Princeton review books.
Princeton Review seems to be better because they at least give you all the study materials. No need to go to some library to do extra problems. Also, Kaplan seems to emphasize a lot of formula memorizing. The MCAT is more application of your knowledge rather than straight plugging in numbers into a formula.
Princeton Review book materials are far better than the Kaplan book materials.
So what are the advantages of taking Kaplan over Princeton Review??? Well, if you are one of those people that can't study at home, then maybe the fact that you need to go to Kaplan Center to do the problems is a blessing in disguise. Also, if you miss a class, you can always make it up by going to another scheduled Kaplan class, or watching it on video. Princeton Review does not have this option. If you miss more than one class, tough luck. There are no videos and they will not let you make up more than one class.
You can do well on this test studying on your own with Kaplan MCAT course materials or Princeton Review course materials. If you have a choice, get the Princeton Review books.
The key is to solve as many problems as possible.
GOOD LUCK!!
Recommended:
No
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daapilot
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Location: Rego Park, NY, USA
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 2 members
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A medical student who enjoys life, sports, finding good deals, and electronic toys!
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