ExamKrackers MCAT Complete Study Package/ 6 Book Package Paperback – Box set, November 1, 2014

I'm an MCAT instructor with MCATProf.com and have been teaching the MCAT for 10 years having previously been an instructor with Kaplan and the Princeton Review. I've read and used all the books available for the current 2014 MCAT (Berkeley Review, Kaplan, Princeton Review, Examkrackers) and in the past wasn't especially impressed with the Examkrackers MCAT books. I've purchased all the 2015 MCAT books that are currently commercially available (Princeton Review Complete MCAT Set, Kaplan 7-Book Subject Review, Examkrackers Complete Study Package, and Next Step Test Prep Practice for Behavioral Sciences)I'd rank them in the following order1. Examkrackers Complete Study Package2. Kaplan Complete 7-Book Subject Review3. Princeton ReviewnMCAT Subject Review Complete Set4. Next Step Test Prep Practice for Behavioral Sciences.Examkrackers is the only set that completely reformatted their books to be inline with the new exam. Every book is almost completely different with reformatted content, and new practice passages that fit the format of the new exam. All their science passages reference primary research articles directly as do the MCAT passages for the 2015 exam. These new types of passages are different than the more information dump type passages for the current 2014 MCAT exam. In addition, all their passages directly involve biological systems even in the physics and chemistry books which is what you'd expect to see with the new 2015 MCAT. They also redistributed the content science content in the book to better adequately represent the degree to which each subject is tested on the new exam. These books are a complete reboot to best fit the new exam. Each chapter has comes with three well written passages and around 20 free standing practice questions. The books do not include any full lengths, which is probably their biggest weakness.The Princeton Review probably did the worst job of updating their books, seemingly not even glancing over the AAMC outline for the material covered of the 2015 MCAT. They essentially re-released their old books, almost nothing has been changed: same passages, same content, the distribution of science material, same verbal strategy but without the online practice questions and passages that came with the old book. You'd probably be better off purchasing the old books as they came with much more in terms of online practice questions and materials. The main benefit of the new books is that they include 3 full length online practice exams. To supplement the old PR books, you'd probably just want to purchase the Princeton Review Psychology and Sociology Review, and Kaplan MCAT Biochemistry Review. You'd also want to to check the AAMC content outline for the 2015 exam in order to know which Ochem chapters to skip in the PR booksKaplan did a great job updating their books to best reflect the new content but they provide no practice passages in the books. They do provide 2 full length practice exams.Next Step Test Prep Behavioral Science book is essentially just a book of poorly written practice passages and an outline you could have gotten directly from AAMC. Their passages do not reflect the 2015 MCAT passages as they're way too long, mostly information dumps instead of experiments to analyze and the questions are too easy.

I bought have the Princeton Review books via the class I am about to start, and Kaplan books. I use the Examkrackers to help review along with the Kaplan books my boyfriend uses, and then use the Princeton books/workbooks from class to practice. I line up the chapters in each review book and since there are three of them I am guaranteed to look and practice the material three times. Which also helps catch author mistakes (looking at you Princeton Review)I have to say I was pretty impressed the the EK books. They were completely updated, barely any mistakes, and a lot of practice at the end of each chapter. The pages are glossy, easy to read and follow and super organized in terms of subject matter. Also, they are right to the point on subject matter without being so over the top on vocabulary or how they write a sentence like the Princeton books. I would highly recommend them, especially for those looking to review old material you might have forgotten, it's a great start to first go through EK, then when you feel more confident the Princeton books.EK books do a great service to those of us who can't remember some of the basics, and they are more engaging to read than any of the other books out there. Wish they came with a practice workbook though, luckily I have one from Princeton review.

All in all I felt prepared for the exam using Examkrackers material. There wasn't too much detail (like in the Kaplan books) and the 30 minute exams are super helpful.However, there are an almost inexcusable number of typos (T cell immunity section labeled B cell, chapters 6 and 7 exams swapped in the Chemistry book, it goes on and on). The publisher must have some indication of them by this point, so it was frustrating to not have been provided with an erratum at the very least. It made me wonder if there were more significant content errors that I wasn't catching.Overall I would give three stars except the self-study guide on their website was so helpful (despite being completely wrong in time required per section).

Just took the MCAT today after using the 10 week course suggested by Examkrackers, and using their 4 online exams that are 50 dollars each. I am very satisfied and felt completely prepared. The books continually test you from week 1 using actual science journal passages just like the MCAT. I would highly recommend this course. I also previously bought and reviewed Kaplan's books on biochemistry and Psychology/Sociology to help me in the areas I was weaker.Update on 6/15/16, I got my MCAT scores and unbelievably I got 96 percentile!!! Equivalent to a 37 in the old MCAT. I am incredibly pleased and grateful to Examkrackers for the outstanding preparation offered by these books and the online exams. Thank you so much.For background I am 45 years old and considering medicine as a second career. I took the MCAT in 2014 with Kaplan and got a 30 and felt unprepared. This time I first used the Kaplan Biochemistry book and read it through, then the Kaplan Social Sciences book and read it through, then I purchased Examkrackers and followed their 10 week course schedule posted on their website and followed it over 11 weeks as I am working and needed a bit of extra time. It prepares you so well that I was completely calm and in control during the exam and finished each section with 5-10 minutes to spare. My best score was CARS, where I got a 99%. Thanks again. Highly highly highly recommend.

This came so quickly! I noticed that they had a distribution center in my state, but I didn't think I would receive it by the next day. The pages are really nice and the books come in a cardboard casing that holds them together. I like the visuals a lot and am really excited about studying with this. I have seen other MCAT prep books and they just look really uninvolved. This one is engaging and passage-based like the real test.