Kaplan Review MCAT Books Review

February 20, 2024

minute read

Your future medical profession, as well as your overall future, are both significantly impacted by what your MCAT score will be. You must ensure that you get your target score when you take the MCAT.

With that in mind, you must provide yourself with MCAT prep materials that have proven to have helped MCAT students succeed on the MCAT. You do not want to invest in MCAT prep books that you aren’t sure would be worth your money, right? 

One of the MCAT prep books that have gained popularity among MCAT students is from Kaplan. For further information on these books, please keep reading, as this article reviews the Kaplan MCAT books. 

Everything you know about this set of MCAT review books, you will find here. So, let’s get started!

What are Kaplan MCAT Books?

The Kaplan MCAT books are consistently among the highest caliber and have been around for many years. 

Everything you need to have a successful MCAT home study plan is included in the Kaplan MCAT book set, including their own MCAT study plan, subject-specific reviews, and a ton of MCAT practice problems (online and in the book). 

Given that the books are examined by medical professionals and people with advanced degrees in science, you can also utilize them as a source of information. 

Most of the students with good MCAT scores whom we spoke with suggested this. In addition, they praised the clarity of the information, the quality of the illustrations, and the organization of the practice problems in each chapter. 

The Kaplan MCAT book set standout quality is its ability to highlight the passages the test will most likely include. 

Since the Kaplan MCAT prep books do not have (yet) the MCAT Psychology and Sociology book set, you would need to buy them from other MCAT prep companies to prepare further. 

List of Kaplan MCAT Books 

Most students would agree that compared to the different MCAT prep books available in the market, Kaplan is one of those on top of their lists. 

Aside from being comprehensive and with many detailed explanations, the questions are patterned and structured after the actual MCAT. 

Due to this, there is no question that most students recommend the Kaplan MCAT books list. 

For your reference, we have listed the different Kaplan MCAT books should you want to know more about them.

1. Kaplan MCAT Complete 7-Book Review 

Kaplan MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review

Kaplan's MCAT Complete 7-Book Review gives you access to the most advanced MCAT study and practice resources available. The people behind the creation of this complete bundle ensure you get the most of what you pay for.

When you purchase the Kaplan MCAT complete 7-book review set, you get the following:

  • 3 full-length practice exams
  • 350+ practice questions in the book
  • 24 full-page Quicks Sheets for key ideas
  • Concept checks and end-of-chapter summaries
  • Videos, practice problems, and quizzes are accessible online for a full year

The Kaplan MCAT Complete 7-book review set of books contains seven review books:

Kaplan MCAT Physics and Math Review

This Kaplan MCAT book covers all concepts, equations, and illustrations you need to ace the MCAT physics section

There are numerous passages and stand-alone questions followed by detailed explanations for each answer.

MCAT Organic Chemistry Review

Everything you need to know and study for the MCAT organic chemistry is found in this Kaplan MCAT book. 

Equations, terms, and definitions are explained in full detail. There are also thousands of questions to answer.

MCAT General Chemistry Review

This Kaplan MCAT book covers all the MCAT general chemistry information required for the MCAT. 

This book contains everything you need to help you study for the MCAT general chemistry section. This includes illustrations, equations, and definitions of the different general chemistry concepts.

MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Review

With the help of this Kaplan MCAT book, preparing for the MCAT CARS section is made easier. 

With tons of passages and thousands of questions to answer, you are sure to improve your critical thinking and analyzing skills. In-depth explanations are also included.

MCAT Biology Review

This Kaplan MCAT book will make studying for the MCAT biology simpler to understand. 

With exemplary illustrations and explanations, you are able to understand the different biology terms, definitions, and illustrations. There are also tons of passages and questions to answer that are followed by thorough explanations.

MCAT Biochemistry Review

If you are experiencing difficulty studying for MCAT biochemistry, this Kaplan MCAT book is your angel. 

The in-depth explanations and illustrations of the different concepts required for the MCAT are made simpler in this book. You also get to improve your score by answering thousands of questions in this book.

MCAT Behavioral Sciences Review

According to many, behavioral science is one of the most challenging portions of the MCAT. 

With the aid of this Kaplan MCAT book, studying and mastering the different concepts and ideas are made easier. In addition, there are more than enough passages and questions to answer that contain in-depth explanations as well.

As Kaplan releases a new edition each year that considers any of these changes, you can be certain that everything adheres to the most recent AAMC recommendations.

You are not required to purchase the most recent edition. However, this book will be essentially the same if you can get a used copy from within the previous two years.

However, it is worth noting that most students prefer to purchase the most recent editions for peace of mind.

Book Price: 

  • USD 179.99

2. Kaplan MCAT Self-Study Toolkit

Kaplan MCAT Self-Study Toolkit

Kaplan's MCAT Self-Study Toolkit gives you access to the most cutting-edge MCAT study materials and practice resources available. On a sticker on your box set, you will find instructions for online registration and your own access code.

When you buy the Kaplan MCAT self-study toolkit, you get the following: 

  • Comprehensive subject review and techniques are provided; updated to reflect the MCAT's most recent, accurate, and testable information across all 7 textbooks.
  • Targeted, individualized practice using Kaplan's Qbank of 3,000+ questions enables you to design unique practice tests based on the subjects you want.
  • Six comprehensive practice exams with in-depth explanations and thorough score summaries are presented through a realistic online test interface, boosting test readiness and confidence.

Book Price: 

  • USD 259.99

BONUS – Kaplan MCAT Flashcards

Kaplan MCAT Flashcards

Though not a prep book, this review would be incomplete if we didn’t mention their flashcards. 

With 1000+ MCAT flashcards, you can study for the MCAT while you're on the road and improve your test-day performance. Kaplan MCAT flashcards are only one of a few resources that cover all of the terminology, definitions, and concepts on the test. 

These flashcards cover all the topics required for the MCAT, such as biology, chemistry, general chemistry, biochemistry, physics, sociology, and psychology. With the aid of these MCAT flashcards, you can remember the terms, definitions, and equations more efficiently.

Pricing

  • USD 35.99

How to Use Kaplan MCAT Books Effectively

The Kaplan MCAT books are excellent materials you can use while preparing for the MCAT. However, they do not come at a cheap price. So you have to ensure that you maximize their usage. 

Here are some key tips on how to use the Kaplan MCAT books effectively:

Read Actively. 

Reading and taking notes are fairly passive methods of learning that will not help you retain information over the long term. Instead, you should prioritize active review (e.g., testing yourself with flashcards, practice problems, etc.). 

It's okay if you occasionally forget something and decide to reread the appropriate chapter. However, attempt to limit the amount of time you spend using passive study methods.

Make Use of Flashcards.

As you start your MCAT preparation, you need to read the books thoroughly. Create flashcards if you need to memorize any reactions, pathways, or other information. 

You can always make some review questions to put your knowledge to the test, as not everyone prefers flashcards. 

Before working on any pertinent practice questions for topics like chemistry and physics, thoroughly read the chapter.

Create and Follow an MCAT Study Plan.

Imagine you just have a short window of time before the MCAT, and have no idea where to start. You might start by breaking down the subject and deciding on a weekly goal. For example, you could choose to cover at least one or two topics from each book during the first week. 

Additionally, try to read two chapters each day. 

Ensure your weekly objectives enable you to complete all topics before the exam day. It would also be advantageous if you gradually added additional challenges to monitor your progress throughout the course of your study period.

Know Your Weak Areas.

The MCAT covers a lot of topics. Try to concentrate on the important subjects you haven't mastered if time is already at a premium. 

You can identify the areas that need improvement from your prior practice exams and begin enhancing your knowledge there. Consider going over difficulties again to gauge your response time.

Take your time comprehending the principles of the review problems if you find them to be more challenging than the others. It is also fine if you have individual notes.

Do Not Be Afraid to Pair Kaplan MCAT Books with Other Prep Materials. 

No MCAT prep material is perfect. The Kaplan MCAT books may be one of the best, but they also have their flaws. 

You can use it in addition to other MCAT preparation materials, bundles, and flashcards. It is up to you which you find the most effective.

Kaplan MCAT Books Pros and Cons 

As stated earlier, no MCAT prep books are flawless. Therefore, using Kaplan MCAT prep books has its share of pros and cons. 

Listed below are the pros and cons of the Kaplan MCAT books:

The Pros of Kaplan MCAT Books:

  • The Kaplan MCAT books discuss every topic in full detail. Most students struggle to understand some topics on the MCAT, but this package has proven to be an effective study aid.
  • There are chapter summaries, which are essentially abridged copies of the chapter content. This is excellent for quick skimming and review in the days leading up to the test. In addition, the Kaplan MCAT books make locating particular terms and concepts simpler.
  • The format of the online questions is computer-based, giving you the impression that you are taking the actual MCAT. This helps you give the confidence you need when you finally take the MCAT. 
  • There are a lot of passages and questions to answer. Answering these practice questions is one of the best ways to help you prepare for the MCAT. Just ensure that you analyze why your answers are correct or incorrect. 

The Cons of Kaplan MCAT Books:

  • The Kaplan MCAT books are a bit pricey. Despite being one of the best MCAT prep books available in the market today, some students are hesitant to buy them because of their price. 
  • In contrast to other review sets, the books do not include any full-length or even partial tests for you to practice on. Even though they provide an online resource for this, it would be better if it were incorporated inside the books themselves.
  • The strategies and structure of the Kaplan MCAT books are one-size-fits-all. Regardless of your learner type, you get the same materials. This may be challenging for students who need to catch up on many MCAT topics. 

Kaplan MCAT Books: Users’ Reviews

If you are thinking of buying the Kaplan MCAT books, it is essential to know that most students who have purchased this set have nothing but good words to say about it. They believe they couldn’t have achieved a strong MCAT score had they not used the Kaplan MCAT books.

Most of these books have an average user review of 4.5 out of 5

Here is what customers have to say about the Kaplan MCAT books:

Kaplan MCAT Books Amazon Reviews 1
Kaplan MCAT Books Amazon Reviews 2
Kaplan MCAT Books Amazon Reviews 3

Verdict: Are Kaplan MCAT Books Worth it?

With everything that we have discussed in the Kaplan MCAT books, it is safe to say that these MCAT prep materials have proven to be worth trying. This bundle has everything you may need for the MCAT – full-length exams, practice questions, a digital platform, flashcards, and in-depth explanations. 

Preparing for the MCAT is challenging, so you have to use materials that have helped thousands of test-takers. The Kaplan MCAT books are one of these books.

So, if you are hesitant about whether or not you should give Kaplan MCAT books, they may be worth one of the investments you have to make for the MCAT.

Your MCAT Success Mentors

About the Author

We're a team of future doctors passionate about giving back and mentoring other future doctors! All mentors on the team are top MCAT scorers and we all are committed to seeing you succeed in achieving your physician dreams ???? To help you achieve your goal MCAT score, we take turns hosting these Live MCAT Courses and are also available for 1:1 private tutoring!

70+ MCAT Strategy Video Lessons + Notes - Free!

The Free Top Scorer MCAT Strategy Video Course

Learn from multiple 515+ scorers on how to:

  • Master MCAT content quickly and for the long-term
  • Breakdown MCAT questions and identify correct answers
  • Plan your MCAT prep schedule to ensure you stay committed
  • Take and review practice exams in the most strategic way
  • Cultivate the right MCAT success mindset
  • Know how to study as a retaker to ensure this is the last MCAT prep
  • And much more!

Trusted by 2,800+ students since 2019

200+ 5  ⭐️ reviews on TrustPilot

>
Success message!
Warning message!
Error message!