Best medical test preparation guides according to redditors

Buy this: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-7-Book-Subject-Review-2018-2019/dp/1506223958/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499609245&sr=8-1&keywords=kaplan

Read the whole thing and come back when you're done. Technically, you aren't allowed to post here until you have finished reading that but since you're 12, we'll let it slide.

Why give these questions to CS grads now if they know they've passed a data structures and algorithms class that should have done the same?

You can say, "well, the class isn't perfectly standardized and even though they may have passed, maybe they didn't do great on the part of the class on graph traversal".

To which I reply, "How is your standardized test any different?"

I'll compare to another standardized test:

> The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120-180. The average score is about 150, but if you're looking to get into one of the top 25 law schools, your score should be well over 160.

Maybe you get a 160 out of 180 on your CS-AT or whatever your standardized test is called, but you bombed all the graph traversal questions. How would the company know this? If graph traversal is important to them, they'll still want to ask about it.

You can come up with an alternative scoring scheme, I guess, but unless this test is both exceedingly thorough, and the results are super granular, companies are still going to ask the technical questions they care about. And they'll probably ask them anyway, to verify you didn't cheat, or only pass your test because you spent six months specifically studying things like this where the entire purpose is to teach as specifically to the test as is possible.

You have to show that it's in the company's best interest to not do the extra few hours of interview work and instead trust the test results, and when you're talking about an investment in the candidate of potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars, I don't see any reason they'd make their interview process any simpler because of this test.

Check out MCAT Audio Osmosis (http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-MCAT-Audio-Osmosis-Jordan/dp/1893858235) if you like studying this way. They go over pretty much everything, and while I did not use the recordings, I really liked the Examkrackers books.

I always recommend Dr. Samir Desai's book on MMI strategies. He also has a book for the traditional interview, but I never read that one. I'm sure it's just as helpful.

$200 for a used set when I can buy a brand-new 2nd edition set on $130 on Amazon? Great deal.

http://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Review-MCAT-Subject-Complete/dp/045148715X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457629848&sr=1-1&keywords=princeton+review+mcat

Type "978-0451487155" into https://secure.princetonreview.com/Util/RegisterBook/?modal=1

That number is the ISBN-13. I got it from https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/045148715X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511113709&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=princeton+mcat

PTCB Exam Simplified, 2nd Edition: Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Study Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/1942682018/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_PMgvDb88A6NTV

I'm using Katzung (http://www.amazon.com/Katzung-Trevors-Pharmacology-Examination-Edition/dp/0071789235) right now and it has good explanations and diagrams so far. I ended up picking katzung because it was pretty well recommended on usmle-forums it seems to be a good supplemental to classes right now

I wouldn't go through and do the exams over again. It doesn't serve much purpose because you've already seen the questions and know the correct answers somewhere down in your brain.

I would just find some more practice problems to do and do one last in-depth look at the material. I got sick of studying and the last two weeks before the exam, I did like 5-6 passages a dayfrom Exam Krackers VR 101 and looked through a couple of questions and sections in the Berkeley Review (gen chem and physics) and the EK Bio book. I told myself I was going to take all of the AAMC tests, but only ended up taking two (35 and 32) and ended up scoring quite well on the real thing.

I enjoyed this book: Multiple Mini Interview (MMI): Winning Strategies From Admissions Faculty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C4FP99A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_COAQBbN856MEV

It’s well reviewed and rated. It has a ton of examples to help get you thinking about what kinds of questions you might get and how you could answer. The book, as well as most others will advise you to not try and over prepare or memorize answers. Instead, if you choose to practice, practice your answer structure. Restate the scenario in your own words to make sure you understand it right, talk through all of your thought process in a coherent and sympathetic manner, and answer the question as honestly as possible. Don’t give the answer you think they want to hear, answer how you truly feel. Leave 2-3 min for any follow up questions depending on time allotment.

Beyond that the best advice I’ve heard is to make good eye contact, be present with your interviewer, don’t make up an answer if you don’t know, and convince yourself you’re just happy to be there and don’t let the nerves ride you.

what do you think about this? https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Questions-American-College-Physicians/dp/1938921100/ref=dp_ob_image_bk

No, it's the Examkrackers 101 Verbal reasoning passages.
http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-Passages-MCAT-Verbal-Reasoning/dp/1893858553/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373476316&sr=1-1&keywords=ek+101+verbal

Goes back to it not being any of your business. If it is an open relationship and they wanted you to know you would have been told.

So if you tell your boss best case scenario (for the bosses relationship)what happens, it’s an open relationship and you made him uncomfortable by bringing his personal life into the workplace or it’s not and you once again made him uncomfortable by bringing his personal life into the workplace + you opened up the possibility to misinterpreting the situation (cultural differences eg Italians kiss as greetings) and causing animosity in their relationship.

Forget about what you’d do irl, the Casper is just testing your ability to see both sides of a story and not be impulsive. Your actual response doesn’t matter as long as you display those traits by explaining your thought process but in this case the argument to not tell the boss while also showing restraint and a methodical/logical thought process is far easier than the argument to tell them without any other information


I think you need to read this book. https://www.amazon.com/Multiple-Mini-Interview-MMI-Strategies-ebook/dp/B01C4FP99A

It’s made for the mmi but tbh it still applies to the Casper

I haven't taken Pharmacology yet, but this was a valuable resource for the Pharmacology section in my Physiology course:

http://www.amazon.com/Katzung-Trevors-Pharmacology-Examination-Edition/dp/0071789235

https://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-MCAT-528-Advanced-Students/dp/1618656317

http://offers.aamc.org/mcat-study-materials-1

https://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Review-Complete-MCAT-Preparation/dp/0804125082

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDkK5wqSuwDlJ3_nl3rgdiQ

https://nextstepmcat.com/course

You can google Anki. If you have some money it might be good to check out a program that meets in person near you. Depending on your knowledge, study habits, and natural test taking abilities. Altius is a program near me that people seem to like, it comes with personal tutors. If you were planning on a self study schedule, make sure you have time set aside for it.

I thought i would be able to devote two hours a day to studying, but with work, my school, my family responsibilities, etc. I have time for maybe an hour a day. When summer rolls around, i will be able to spend 6-8 hours until my test date. At that point, it will be a lot easier to sit down and focus.

You should also be aware of your cycles. From your other posts, it looks like you are mid-twenties, you might want to consider how old you will be when you enter school, and possibly make plans to at least take the test this summer, even if you apply next cycle.

Only you know who you are and how studying goes for you, but i would say that you should limit your studying to less than a year, probably less than 6 months, if we are being honest.

Check your reading comprehension, and make sure you are practicing CARS daily. As in, go get a CARS book tomorrow and start doing passages. It takes time to learn reading comprehension. Also, start leisure reading some adult books, even if it is just audiobooks. That helps your comprehension more than you think, and it is good for your brain too.

Good luck. I know a lot of people haven't given you straight answers as to what you need, hopefully this will help. Take charge of your destiny, the side bar is also helpful, and so is the one over at /r/Mcat

Tchau!

Yes sorry I meant EK 101 passages! And here's the TPR complete MCAT link: https://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Review-Complete-MCAT-Preparation/dp/0804125082. I'd buy the used versions because they're like $20-ish. Optional, but really useful imo for the reasons I mentioned before. I also meant the AAMC CARS Q-packs!

CARS is different from other verbal sections you've seen before (SAT, LSAT, and GRE are all very different from this). The reason is because 90% of your questions concern the main idea. Crafting a main idea from a passage is more difficult than you think, you cannot skim any portion of the passage and you really have to digest every word the author is saying. The passages are convoluted, have random twist and turns in arguments, so you have to really assess the function of every sentence. And you need to do so in under 5 minutes in order to get time to answer questions. It's hard to understand unless you do a CARS passage, and hey you might be really good at it! But for most people, it requires a LOT of practice and correction.

As for O-chem, you won't be asked on an MCAT to recall a super specific mechanism. Common things that I saw were decarboxylation reactions, your basic SN1/SN2, nucleophilic addition and substitution, stuff like that. You will never be asked to thoroughly remember something like hydroboration of alkenes or even the specific names of mechanisms. EK chem will definitely be sufficient for you, in my opinion.

we can order it, here you are https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1511766697/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think "Kaplan Core Cases" is the newest version of the 'complex cases'.
To those interested: http://www.amazon.com/USMLE-Step-CS-Core-Cases/dp/1609788893

Depend how much you consider expensive, but I liked this guide https://www.amazon.com/Dietetic-Technician-Registered-Secrets-Study/dp/1609716612

My highest priority item on my apartment list is this couch because I'm moving into my own place soon and don't currently have a place to sit....so yeah....thats....thats an issue.

My highest priority item on my painting list is this book because I really enjoy oil painting and want to learn how to get better at it!

My highest priority item on my hobbies list is Skyrim because my boyfriend really loves The Elder Scrolls and I think he would really love this as a moving in gift.

My higest priority item on my cats list is this cat scratcher because my current one is falling apart and I feel awful about it D:

My highest priority item on my college list is this MCAT review set because I'm hoping to get into medical school and really could use this to study!

My highest priority item on my Owls list is this set of salt and pepper shakers because like I said earlier, I have literally nothing for the apartment, plus owls are my favorite and I really love this!

My highest priority item on my Makeup list is this palette because I really love the colors and everyone keeps gushing over how amazing it is!

Finally, my higest priority item on my Add-On list is cat odor eliminator because let's face it, my cats stink.

Thanks for this fun 'discussion'

This is what I have to make sure we are talking about the same thing

NextStep has a book of 108 practice passages. I've seen a lot of apparently high scorers say that book is golden.

http://www.amazon.com/MCAT-Verbal-Practice-Passages-Section/dp/1511766697

I used DTR Exams secrets book by Mometrix: https://www.amazon.com/Dietetic-Technician-Registered-Secrets-Study/dp/1609716612/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1523349320&sr=8-2&keywords=dtr+exam+study+guide It is pretty straight forward and affordable. It comes with 1 practice exam that has over 100 questions.

There are no shortcuts around content review. I recommend using Khan Academy playing videos on 1.5x speed with MCAT books as a supplement. Make sure you do the practice questions after each section.

Hardcore dedication to practice problems and exam strategies should be done after you have a firm grasp on all the concepts i.e. one month before the exam. I did 85% content 15% practice questions/strategy the first three months of preparation and 75% practice questions/strategy 25% content the last month before the exam.

You should use review at least two passages from this book every day to keep your CARS game up as it is the easiest place to lose points: https://www.amazon.com/MCAT-Verbal-Practice-Passages-Section/dp/1511766697

These are inexpensive and pretty good. Just download the Kindle app to your laptop:
http://www.amazon.com/TS1-Reasoning-Practice-Testing-Solutions-ebook/dp/B00CIGXJYI/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406419809&sr=1-3&keywords=verbal+reasoning+mcat

Are these the books that people get? https://www.amazon.com/Complete-7-Book-Subject-Review-2018-2019/dp/1506223958/ref=zg_bs_11693_2/144-2822295-9506565?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z3WKNP4AE79EHJCXQ6CE








What seems to be the best way to approach taking on this monstrous task? Are some practice tests better than others? I do plan on covering everything in the books, but I wonder if there is a certain structure that people usually use (for example - doing subjects that they are most familiar or least familiar with first, or doing multiple subjects at once instead of doing all of chemistry, then all of physics, etc)

Can someone find me these MCAT kaplan prep books in PDF version.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-7-Book-Subject-Review-2018-2019/dp/1506223958

Also, The Princeton Review has several books available. The one i'm using is:

http://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Review-Complete-MCAT-Preparation/dp/0804125082/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418459067&sr=8-2&keywords=princeton+mcat+2015

What style of interview is it? I had one standard and one MMI interview last year and prepared for each one a little differently.

If it's a standard, you don't need much time at all honestly. I would say I prepped maybe an hour a night for the week leading up to the interview, mostly looking at common questions and formulating some ideas for answers. You shouldnt be trying to memorize answers, but I'd definitely make a list of personal traits and activities that you want to bring up in your interview and see where they would fit in with the usual interview questions.

For MMI, I would highly recommend this book and practice with someone on the format and timing of the questions. I started prepping seriously for the MMI for a few hours (maybe 1-3) a night for about 2 weeks leading up to the interview.

Good luck!!

Yes,

https://www.amazon.ca/Examkrackers-Passages-McAt-Verbal-Reasoning/dp/1893858553/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Pretty good book actually, a lot of really boring and dense humanities passages, with a good portion of questions being "reasoning beyond the text".

This is their current edition book for CARS (among other things): http://www.amazon.com/9th-Examkrackers-MCAT-Reasoning-Skills/dp/1893858715/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1462834094&sr=1-8&keywords=exam+krackers

The other book I bought used is the 101 passages (sorry for the mix-up!): http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-Passages-MCAT-Verbal-Reasoning/dp/1893858553/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1462834094&sr=1-2&keywords=exam+krackers

I read the review on amazon and someone reported there being several significant errors that were not corrected in the CD's. Here's just a couple of examples:
CD #7 Track 2: While discussing melting Jon says "It is interesting to relate thermodynamics to the heat curve... ...But the enthalpy change is NEGATIVE"

Jon should have said "It is interesting to relate thermodynamics to the heat curve... ...But the enthalpy change is POSITIVE" Both enthalpy change and entropy change are positive during melting. Everything else in the track still applies. If both entropy and enthalpy change are positive, delta G depends upon temperature.
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CD #7 Track #8: Jordan says "Lewis acids: donate; bases: accept." This is backwards. Lewis acids accept a pair of electrons and Lewis bases donate a pair of electrons.
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CD #7 track #10: Jordan says that the pH of a solution with a hydrogen ion concentration of 3.6x10^-4 is 4.5. It is 3.5.
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CD #7 Track #11: Jordan says "The log of A times B equals the log A times the log of B." He should say "The log of A times B equals the log of A plus the log of B."

http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-MCAT-Audio-Osmosis-Jordan/dp/1893858235

There are multiple versions of the test every year, so you will get a different answer from everyone. I used the study guide linked and felt that everything on my test was covered in this book.

https://www.amazon.com/PTCB-Exam-Study-Guide-2017-2018/dp/1635301483/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1541218394&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=ptcb+study+guide+2018-2019&dpPl=1&dpID=516co27AHxL&ref=plSrch

So i found this one:

https://www.amazon.com/TEAS-Test-Study-Guide-2017/dp/1635301106/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1492555224&sr=8-3&keywords=ati+teas+study+manual+sixth+edition

From what it looks like, people are saying its better than the manual from the ATI website itself so i'll probably end up buying it.

Do you think the practice assesments are worth it from the ATI website? people say that it has the most accurate question format as the actual test itself...

Are the Kaplan PDFs identical to the box set?

I am using mostly khan myself! Which Kaplan one did you get?

http://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-Complete-7-Book-Subject-Review/dp/1618656449/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411513225&sr=1-1&keywords=kaplan+2015+mcat

That?

Thanks!

So I should use this one then right?:
https://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-Complete-7-Book-Subject-Review/dp/1618656449

And not this one?:
https://www.amazon.com/MCAT-Complete-7-Book-Subject-Review/dp/1506205593/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

Exam Crackers. http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-Passages-MCAT-Verbal-Reasoning/dp/1893858553/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1303004505&sr=8-1

In my experience, the rest of the exam crackers prep material was worthless. I would also look into the Princeton Review method of reading through passages...that worked for me. Other than that, its just practice, practice, practice.