The self-paced MCAT prep class: smart option?
On this website, we’ve assembled lots of advice to help you choose the best MCAT prep route:
1. You can study independently, using one or more book sets. Check out our review of several top MCAT prep book sets here.
2. You can take an MCAT live prep course, or an MCAT online prep course in the 2-3 months leading up to end of junior year.
******If you’ve realized that NOW is the ideal time to schedule your MCAT, and arrange for a prep class, you can click here for the very best discounts we could find on the Kaplan online prep course and Princeton Review MCAT prep courses.
3. You can sign up for one of several online MCAT prep classes in the summer immediately after junior year. This will put you slightly past the date when applications open, for when you receive your MCAT score. (If you do decide to take a course, here’s a review of Kaplan vs. Princeton Review, two top rated courses.)
4. Or…you can do a hybrid of options 2 and 3, signing up for a self-paced MCAT prep class through Kaplan or The Princeton Review
. You can find Kaplan self-paced MCAT reviews and Princeton Review self-paced MCAT reviews here. Both companies offer this option. And both offer two of the best MCAT online prep courses. Signing up for the self-paced MCAT prep class allows you to start your studies anytime, stretch it out as long as you want, and have full access to all online MCAT prep class materials online, any time of the day or night.
Why take a self-paced MCAT prep class?
Why take a self-paced MCAT prep course? It could be the best option for you if you
(1) like solitary study, or
(2) if you get distracted in a classroom full of students.
(3) It’s also liberating: there are no tutors, no class time, and no scheduled study sessions.
(4) The self-paced MCAT prep course cost is less than a live class, meaning you can save cash for other expenses like application fees and travel for interviews. The self-paced MCAT prep class, simply by not being “live,” costs $1,999. Taking a live online class, and taking an in-person class both cost around $300 more ($2,299 or $2,499, depending on the prep company).
With a self-paced MCAT prep class, you’ll get hundreds of hours of pre-recorded videos featuring the MCAP prep company’s instructors. It’s slightly more “chill,” since you can watch the videos when you want, in the order you want, and you can even rewind or repeat sections if needed. You’ll get the same online resources as if you took a live class, including practice exams, a bank of helpful study materials and live advisors. Both Kaplan and The Princeton Review offer a “higher score guarantee” which allows you to take the class again at no additional cost within 2-3 months of your first attempt. For a slight up-fee, you can add more study materials, more interactive content, and even personal coaching if you need it.
Earlier start; more time
If you’re anxious to begin your MCAT prep, the self-paced MCAT prep class offers you the chance to spread your study across several months’ time. Rather that waiting until the end of junior year, you can start taking Princeton MCAT prep or Kaplan MCAT prep now, and get the content under your belt earlier. That way, you can still leave plenty of time on school breaks or at the end of Winter semester to give you extra time to devote to the sections that are most challenging.
With the self-paced online MCAT prep option—as with other MCAT prep courses—I always recommend that you supplement your study materials with books from other companies that excel in certain areas, like Biology or Ochem. (See our link above.)
Is there a downside with an online self-paced MCAT prep class?
The main drawback to the MCAT training online is obvious: if you don’t have a set schedule for attending classes, you’ll have to motivate yourself to come up with a study schedule. If you’re self-motivated and distraction-free, this may not be an obstacle for you.
If you want to get started this semester, check out the two best self-paced MCAT prep classes: Kaplan and Princeton Review. They both offer premedFAQ discounts, so make sure to use our links here, or on our main page.
Now’s the time to make a plan and find the best online MCAT prep course for you. If it is, there’s no time like the present to get started!
Check out these other MCAT prep-related posts:
—Kaplan or Princeton Review for best MCAT prep course
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