The AAMC Official Guide Preparation Books are well-written study materials that have been helping premed students ace their MCAT exams!
Given that the books are created by the people who administer and create the test – you can expect professional overviews and more realistic questions.
These books are part of the MCAT official prep products series assembled by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). They are designed to assist students in navigating through the MCAT exam preparation process!
Read through this detailed review of AAMC official guide prep books to know more about these MCAT books!
List of AAMC Official Guide Preparation Books
Below are the AAMC Official Guide Preparation Books that you can find in the market:
AAMC Official Guide To The MCAT Exam - Fifth Edition
This is a thorough overview and guide of the MCAT exam, written by the Association of American Medical Colleges. They are the official organization that conducts and administers the MCATs. This book is included in the MCAT preparation series, consisting of low-cost and free MCAT prep products.
This book contains 120 practice questions (30 questions each for the four sections included in the exam) and solutions.
This official guide can give you tips on how to properly prepare for the exam and details on how it is scored. It also includes a description of the content assessed by each section of the MCAT.
The fifth edition is the latest version of the book, almost 400-pages long, and was released in November 2017. You can purchase it for around USD 30 on online retail shops like Amazon and eBay.
The price will vary depending on the quality of the book (used or new) and shipping rates.
AAMC Official Guide to the MCAT Exam - Fourth Edition
This official guide for the MCAT exams was published in January 2015, with 120 questions and 30 items allotted for each section. All items have detailed explanations of both correct and incorrect answers. In addition, this book provides helpful advice on how to come up with the right solutions and answers.
Since it is a guide for the MCAT, this book features a thorough overview of the registration process and the scoring guide.
Furthermore, the AAMC offers the choice to take practice questions online, letting the students feel like they are taking the actual MCAT exam.
Over at Amazon, this book costs about USD 13. The price will differ depending on where you buy it and from what site. It was published in 2014 with exactly 375 pages.
AAMC Official Guide to the MCAT Exam - Third Edition
The 3rd edition was released in 2013, reflecting the changes from 2014. This book includes valuable insights, tips, and guidance to help you prepare for the exam.
This edition was developed using feedback from a focus group of aspiring medical students. It has 146 practice questions from previous MCAT exams.
Each item features difficulty levels and percentages of examinees that got it right. Seven chapters are allotted for the exam alone. They explain the test day procedures and registration process.
It was published in 2013 with 392 pages. You can purchase it for USD 20 on Amazon.
How to Use the AAMC Official Guide Preparation Books Effectively?
There are ways you can use them most effectively! For AAMC Official Guide Preparation Books, here is how you can use them:
AAMC Official Guide Preparation Books Pros and Cons
The AAMC Official Guide is a good choice for a prep book if you’re preparing for the upcoming MCAT. Though, it is natural if you have doubts about using it. To help, here are the pros and cons of the books that you can consider!
The Pros of AAMC MCAT Preparation Books
Here are the pros of choosing the AAMC Official Guide:
The Cons of AAMC MCAT Preparation Books
Of course, no prep book is perfect. Like any other exam preparation book, the AAMC official guide has its cons and flaws.
AAMC Official Guide Preparation Books: User Reviews
Unlike other resources provided by the AAMC, this official guide is not free. You will need to spend money to have it. So, naturally, with money involved, it gives way to the question; is it worth buying or not?
Here are a few helpful testimonials from actual buyers of the book that could help you decide.
Amazon
Over at Amazon, the AAMC official guide to MCAT review has 4.7 out of 5 stars in ratings. It has a total of 202 global ratings and 13 reviews!
Going through these reviews, it is clear that most are satisfied with the book. More than one reader claimed that the guide was knowledgeable. In addition, they said that it is helpful to people studying for the MCAT.
One of the negative reviews claims that the book’s Kindle version was hard to navigate. Another said that they received the book in bad condition. As for the content, one said that it was just good, and another declared dissatisfaction.
Goodreads
Moving to Goodreads, there are fewer ratings and even fewer reviews. However, it gained a total of 4.75-star ratings from its buyers.
A reader claimed that the book is necessary if you want to prepare for the MCAT. They said that because the test makers wrote it, the book includes the outlines of all the content and topics you need to know. It also contains essential questions and practice passages for the readers.
Verdict: Are AAMC Official Guide Preparation Books Worth it?
AAMC Official Guide Preparation Books are resources you can use when preparing for your MCAT exams. They contain valuable insights and an overview of the exam itself, giving you a heads-up on how to prepare.
It is best not to rely on it, though. While the book itself is a guide for the MCAT, it lacks certain things you will need to prepare for the exam. For example, it does not have a full-length test or detailed study of the subject material.
Best pair this guide with another MCAT prep book. Also, try to use other AAMC official materials and resources. Then, you will be better prepared and ready for your MCAT exam!
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