Customer Reviews
ehhh 
2008-06-27
I'm a pre-pharm student and I was told that it would be helpful to use the mcat review books because it's more informative. I'm not sure how these books got so many good reviews because beside for the cute pictures and animations it was lacking a lot of useful info. Additionally, there's barely any math review in the package, and there's a big chunk of calculus on the Pcat and Mcat...I was kind of disappointed...
Falls short 2008-06-21
Even if you are capable of looking beyond the blatant errors in the text, to which the company admits to themselves, this "complete" study package still falls short of its promise. The lecture-review questions found at the end of each lecture are not oriented towards the testing style of the MCAT, considering that the MCAT is in large part a test of comprehension and analytical-skill.
At times, Examkrackers' attempts at skimming-down the volume of material to the essentials interfered with the ability to fully comprehend various concepts. Specifically, the section on naming compounds in the Organic Chemistry section was especially brief.
I would certainly NOT recommend using Examkrackers as the only study guide for the MCAT. Kaplan's review book goes into more detail with helpful notes on MCAT favorites and provides the buyer with a great section on the mentality and testing style of the MCAT in general
Not worth buying the set 2008-06-12
Even in the 7th edition, these books are filled with mistakes- typos, grammatical errors, inconsistent explanations, and inaccurate information.
The only good thing about this set is the biology book. I would recommend only buying that. I think you are better off getting Princeton Review books for Physics, Chemistry and Organic. I definitely don't recommend Kaplan, because they try to cram textbooks into their study guides.
Although there are lots of practice questions, many of the explanations are hard to follow and the most of the time the book doesn't review material that are in the questions. It makes it very difficult to find what you should review.
Difficult to follow 2008-06-04
I bought the examcrackers complete study package and managed to read through all of the books and complete the practice questions in each chapter. It was very difficult to follow the information, and I felt very frustrated.
A friend of mine just took the MCAT and used the Kaplan book, so I have been borrowing his book and the material makes a lot more sense. It's laid out in black and white, with to the point examples and diagrams. The examcrackers books are simply not well organized. The explanations are very wordy, and ill-worded at that, and I'm not sure how much of a benefit the color pages really are, except to increase the price.
I feel much more confident with the Kaplan book. I don't think examcrackers is worth the trouble, and I am a little confused by all of the positive reviews.
great 
2008-05-22
This product is easy to understand and very clear. The material in it seems really well thought out. I am really enjoying it and think it will help me to improve my MCAT scores.
BEWARE 
2008-05-13
This is a 5 volume set of the newest editions of the now famous ExamKrackers MCAT Manuals. You'll find everything that you need to know to score your best on the MCAT. For the first time, these books are sold as a five volume set with a top quality, full length practice MCAT included as a bonus. 980 pages of color and black and white illustrations on text book quality paper. 31 thirty minute topical exams in MCAT format. Over 1400 MCAT questions in all. This 5 volume set is certain to become the top selling MCAT study set this year.
MCAT Prep 
2008-05-04
This is a good review of the concepts that the MCAT covers. It goes heavy on mnemonic devices, and the questions are more difficult than the MCAT. Keep in mind that the MCAT is not trying to trick you on every question, unlike the ExamKracker questions. If you use these books, which I recommend because they are much more readable than the other books, take a lot of AAMC practice MCATs. They are expensive but there the only way to gauge how hard the questions will be.
Also, the last MCAT I took was well balanced (unlike the AAMC practice tests) so make sure you cover all of the chapters. I spent a week teaching myself optics and skipped a review of O-Chem chemical analysis-On the real MCAT optics weren't included but there were 4 questions over techniques on chemical identification.
Finally, the 1001 question series is a helpful way of drilling the concepts into your head. The questions follow the same progression as these books and builds on previous concepts. They go well with each other. (Except for 101 Passages-pick some other source for Verbal prep).
Examkrakers MCAT Complete Study Package - Lies 2008-04-27
I read all the great reviews for this package thinking that I was finally getting a great product to study for the MCATs with. I didn't read the not-so-great reviews until after I'd ordered it. Later on I realized that Examkrackers employees had most likely written all those great reviews themselves and that the product I thought I was getting probably wasn't as great as the reviews said. I was pissed so I sent it back without even opening the package. Examkrackers should realize that this kind of dishonesty could lose them a lot of good business. They should try actually making a great product that can sell itself without having to trick people on Amazon into buying something. I also sent back another book of theirs that didn't have all the hype reviews just because I was so mad at that. I don't know about Examkrackers anymore.
I'm still on the search for a good MCAT study guide.
The REAL deal... 2008-04-09
OK, here's the real deal:
Most of us are using these books because we dont want to shell out for the courses:
Examkrackers is the best bang for your buck and most importantly, if you're someone who is worried about motivation I'm a good student, but definately a procrastinator), it provides the EASIEST and most simple study plan. Color, pics are good learning tools and keep you engaged and from staring at the wall instead.
I do not work for Kaplan and you negative people drive me nuts. Matter of fact this is the first review I've written and mainly because I got annoyed reading some reviews :P
How to use this study guide:
I personally highlight and make flashcards as I got through and listen to the Audio set on my car commutes. (Brilliant!) I'll have a more regualar and stricter schedule as I approach my exam date. The materials simply laid out in front of you, but YOU still have to memorize it.
Using this set will help you learn the material, but the other half is the getting practice exams and then filling in your weakness. The 1001 questions are nice if you have time because the cool this is that they are organized by TOPIC so you can do specific problems about weak areas and not just entire exams about everything.
This set should be your foundation and once you start, you should be able to fill in anything else you need from there. Don't be an idiot reading textbooks unless you have 6 months or more. As for needing a science base, assuming you come from a decent education system and reasonable intellect you should be able to figure most things out with your prereqs done. I'd much rather cut the [...] and fill in as needed than read a repetitive book for 5 hours anyway! :o)
You can do it! Good luck, guys! Take the exam seriously!
The books are good but don't take the classes now offered 
2008-03-27
The books are good not doubt about it, they highlight the info in a very easy way. However, they do not elaborate on subjects that are problematic for typical students like acid/base chemistry and fluid motion and magnetism. I think they rely way to heavily on diagrams rather than actually discussing topics. Buy the books if you want the basics but realize that this cannot be your only tool - there is really not a lot of practice in them and you will still have to review major concepts on your own. Its a good start though.
Stay away from the classes though! They pretty much hire anyone, do not have their own training protocal and charge you an arm and a leg!
