The Princeton Review MCAT Prep Course Review
Best Materials • Best Instructors • Online Course • In-Person Course • Prep Course • Best Overall • Nov 17, 2024 2:07:15 PM
About the company: Established in 1981, The Princeton Review has solidified its reputation as a leading provider of test preparation and college admission services. With decades of experience, the company has garnered trust from students seeking comprehensive and effective solutions for standardized test readiness and college admissions guidance. Specializing in a myriad of standardized tests, their MCAT preparation course is a beacon for students aiming to conquer this critical exam.
Our verdict
Your bones don't break, mine do. That's clear. Your cells react to bacteria and viruses differently than mine. You don't get sick, I do. That's also clear. But for some reason, you and I react the exact same way to water. We swallow it too fast, we choke. We get some in our lungs, we drown. However unreal it may seem, we are connected, you and I. We're on the same curve, just on opposite ends.
Compared to other courses
My money's in that office, right? If she start giving me some bullshit about it ain't there, and we got to go someplace else and get it, I'm gonna shoot you in the head then and there. Then I'm gonna shoot that bitch in the kneecaps, find out where my goddamn money is. She gonna tell me too. Hey, look at me when I'm talking to you, motherfucker. You listen: we go in there, and that Winston or anybody else is in there, you the first motherfucker to get shot. You understand?
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Service offerings
Your bones don't break, mine do. That's clear. Your cells react to bacteria and viruses differently than mine. You don't get sick, I do. That's also clear. But for some reason, you and I react the exact same way to water. We swallow it too fast, we choke. We get some in our lungs, we drown. However unreal it may seem, we are connected, you and I. We're on the same curve, just on opposite ends.
Course Structure:
- The Princeton Review offers various MCAT prep options, including live online and in-person classes, self-paced courses, and private tutoring.
- The Live Online Course, a popular choice, includes 40 hours of live instruction and costs around $2,800.
- The winter bootcamp is a unique option for concentrated preparation in the weeks leading up to the new testing cycle.
- Learning Modules:
- Extensive coursework with 500+ video lessons, 2,500+ practice problems, 16 full-length practice tests, and 40+ live instruction hours.
- Curriculum is divided by MCAT subject, further broken down into classes, each with before class, class, and after class components.
Practice Work:
- Access to 2,500+ practice problems with thorough explanations.
- Subject-specific diagnostic exams for baseline skill assessment and progress tracking.
- Access to AAMC official practice materials, including practice tests, flashcards, and online practice.
Live Sessions:
- Abundance of live instruction hours, ranging from 40 to 200 hours, depending on the course.
- Classes taught by a rotating team of subject matter experts, ensuring specialized knowledge in each field.
Shortcomings:
- Some criticism for the quality of online video lessons, with grainy footage and tinny audio.
- Lack of interactive elements in the online video lessons.
- Mobile app limited to 550 flashcards, lacking practice quizzes, problems, and video lessons.
Overall Study Time:
- Generous content access period of 12 months for all Princeton Review MCAT courses.
- Winter bootcamp offers an intensive study option for students with a concentrated preparation schedule.
Platform and user experience
- Princeton Review has invested time and resources in perfecting its digital platform for the MCAT course.
- The online portal is described as clean, professional, and aesthetically pleasing, though not necessarily sleek or modern.
- The layout is user-friendly, making navigation through the portal easy and intuitive.
- The top navigation bar directs users to various sections of resources and study materials in an understandable manner.
- The drill-down functions and organization of online classwork simplify the process of finding desired resources.
- The video-based lessons, constituting part of the user experience, are criticized for being pixelated with metallic-sounding audio.
- Despite shortcomings in video quality, the overall user interface and experience of Princeton Review's online content are positively described as visually appealing and easy to use.
Integration of Materials:
- 11 hard copy prep books covering subject-specific content review and course-based workbooks.
- The subject-specific review books are praised for their detailed explanations and helpful graphics.
Books and digital materials
- 9 MCAT books
- 17 FLEs
- 35 diagnostic exams
- Official AAMC practice material
- 500+ MedFlix videos
Flexibility and Optionality:
- Flexible options, including live online and in-person classes, self-paced courses, and private tutoring.
- Winter bootcamp for intensive preparation leading up to the new testing cycle.
$3,199 (Winter Bootcamp)
Score guarantee and Refund policy.
Yes. Make sure you read and complete all the requirements as cited here
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What we liked
Your bones don't break, mine do. That's clear. Your cells react to bacteria and viruses differently than mine. You don't get sick, I do. That's also clear. But for some reason, you and I react the exact same way to water. We swallow it too fast, we choke. We get some in our lungs, we drown. However unreal it may seem, we are connected, you and I. We're on the same curve, just on opposite ends.
What we didn't like
Your bones don't break, mine do. That's clear. Your cells react to bacteria and viruses differently than mine. You don't get sick, I do. That's also clear. But for some reason, you and I react the exact same way to water. We swallow it too fast, we choke. We get some in our lungs, we drown. However unreal it may seem, we are connected, you and I. We're on the same curve, just on opposite ends.
Students are saying
Here is some of what the community is saying about Kaplan, these are comments and posts from actual students discussing Kaplan and not bias testimonial:
Good things:
- Kaplan was praised for effective content review.
- Kaplan courses were acknowledged for providing structure.
- Helpful resources such as practice tests, video lessons, and books.
Not-so-good things
- Kaplan books are overrated
- Feedback highlighted the content-heavy nature of FLs and a consensus that they might be deflated compared to AAMC.
- Criticism was directed towards the instructor/class portion, with a sentiment that it wasn't worth it.
- Concerns were raised about the curriculum's scattered structure, especially for those new to MCAT prep.
Marketing vs reality
Score guarantee and Refund policy, short answer yes, but there are some specific terms and if you don't read and complete all the requirements as cited here then no refund.
What does it say vs what does it mean (can we do something to call this out as a banner or other visual). The real requirements, how do we present this in a way that is palatable for both the brand and the student.
Deals and how to sign-up
Your bones don't break, mine do. That's clear. Your cells react to bacteria and viruses differently than mine. You don't get sick, I do. That's also clear. But for some reason, you and I react the exact same way to water. We swallow it too fast, we choke. We get some in our lungs, we drown. However unreal it may seem, we are connected, you and I. We're on the same curve, just on opposite ends.
Change log
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