Test Prep Blog

The Official Guide for GMAT Review, published by GMAT test-maker ETS, is the most crucial book for your GMAT preparation. It's the only book that contains authentic practice questions - GMAT questions taken from previously administered tests. Even competing books recommend that students buy The Official Guide for that benefit.

The downside: this GMAT prep book is a little short on review, and doesn't contain any full-length practice tests.

If you've decided that you should re-take the GMAT (Should I Re-Take the GMAT?), here are descriptions of how you can re-test and what your schools will do with multiple GMAT scores:

• Rules for Re-Taking the GMAT
• Will B-Schools See all of My Scores?

It's very easy to re-take the GMAT, but make sure to evaluate the benefits against the costs. These three questions may help you decide:

1. Is my score below average at the schools I'm applying to?

2. Do I have enough time for GMAT prep, and will my new scores be on time for application deadlines?

3. Can I really score higher - enough to justify extra prep and testing fees?

We're less than 2 weeks away from the December 1st LSAT. Are you prepared?

If you're using this holiday week to start from scratch in preparation, first review the test contents. You should be familiar with the test format, question types, and time allotted per each section. Then begin to practice on sample problems under timed conditions.

Familiarize Yourself:

LSAT Overview

The Reading Comprehension Section

The Analytical Reasoning Section

The Logical Reasoning Sections

Practice:

Official LSAT Advice and Sample Questions (28-page PDF)

The Official LSAT Sample Test

(PDF)

There's an ACT coming up in December, and a few more next spring. How are you planning to prepare?

Every student who is preparing for the ACT needs 2 things: familiarity with the material, and familiarity with the test itself. Some students may be very comfortable and confident with the material covered by the ACT and can skip detailed review of ACT topics. Others may need more thorough review and lessons geared to the ACT. Different needs call for different books, so read about the best ACT prep books to decide which to buy.

Thinking of taking the December 1 LSAT? You can still register until the end of today (November 9) online or by telephone.

If you've already registered for the December LSAT, today is the last day to change your test center location - but you still have a few more weeks to decide if you are thinking of changing your test date.

Check out my list of LSAT Test Dates to see which date best fits your schedule.

I've been reading through MCAT prep books for years, trying to decide which is superior based on content, readability, and authenticity of questions. The MCAT book market is fiercely competitive, and there are a number of decent books available.

The series that stands out is ExamKrackers, specifically the Complete MCAT Study Package in 5 volumes. Despite the multiple volumes, it's actually not longer to get through than others, ranking in at 980 pages altogether compared to Kaplan Premier's 1,072 and Princeton Review's 1,120.

So what makes it better? The explanations are clear, the practice questions are perfect MCAT-style, the content is totally uncluttered and entirely relevant to the MCAT. You can easily carry one volume around at a time as you prepare, rather than having to lug around a thick tome.

The only missing piece is a computer-based practice test - ExamKrackers doesn't come with a CD unlike other popular books. But you can access official AAMC practice CBTs online: one is free, and the other seven are $35 each.

Examkrackers has an excellent 10 week home study schedule for the MCAT that utilizes official AAMC practice tests and Examkrackers study materials. These are my favorite MCAT prep books, and of course everyone needs to practice using the authentic MCATs - so it's the perfect combination for your MCAT preparation.

If you're planning to prepare for the January MCAT, this would be a great way to start. Visit the Examkrackers home study schedule and check it out!

For Junior pre-meds, this school year is leading up to the event that will separate the weak from the strong: the MCAT. There are more than 20 MCAT test dates this year - which will you choose and begin preparing for?

The following articles summarize some of the main considerations about MCAT test dates:

2008 MCAT Test Dates

When Should I Take the MCAT?

What You Need to Know about the MCAT & Rolling Admissions

One of the best breaks you can take during hardcore MCAT study sessions, besides going out for some fresh air, is to test your knowledge through practice questions. You can't lose - if you answer correctly, all of your studying is validated; and if you get them wrong, you feel a renewed drive to hit the books.

Examkrackers offers a Daily MCAT Quiz on its website for registered users (registration is free). Each daily quiz consists of 3 passage-based questions, one from each of the sections covered on the MCAT: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Verbal Reasoning. After submitting each answer, you'll be able to see a detailed explanation for the question. And over time, your scores are tracked and compared to other students who have taken the quizzes.

So go ahead: register now and take the MCAT quizzes whenever you need a break from the books!