Customer Reviews

Flowers & Silver MCAT, 4th Edition (Princeton Review: Flowers & Silver MCAT (W/CD))

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am a Ph.D. graduate student in organic chemistry looking to apply to medical schools next year. I came upon a question on p. 739 of this edition that is incorrect in several aspects.

First, the reaction stated in the problem: 1-ethoxy-1-methoxy ethanol + bromide -----> 1-ethoxy-1-methoxy ethyl bromide + water, will not proceed at all. 1-ethoxy-1-methoxy ethanol does not exist as a stable species -- it will decompose rapidly. Say, hypothetically, that the reaction DOES proceed: the product, 1-ethoxy-1-methoxy ethyl bromide, will rapidly decompose as well.

Secondly, of the four multiple choice answers offered, none is applicable to the stated problem.

Lastly, the authors' explanation of the problem is wholly incorrect. The starting material is NOT a primary alcohol and cannot undergo any type of substitution (SN1 or SN2), especially in light of the poor nucleophile (bromide). Again, hypothetically, if the authors had incorrectly named the structure! ,(the only other logical possibility being 2-ethoxy-2-methoxy ethanol, a primary alcohol) the reaction would still not proceed, because the alcohol functionality is a poor leaving group.

I would strongly recommend looking elsewhere for organic chemistry aids for the MCAT, as this book contradicts many fundamental organic chemistry concepts.

I am preparing for the August MCAT and can no longer continue to use this book. There are indeed errors throughout the 4th edition. And the paper that it is printed on is weak and low quality. As you study about blood pressure, you might feel yours rise dangerously due to this book's inability to present the material as clear as it is advertised.

I can no longer trust this book. At first I thought it was just accidental deletions and sloppy editing, but the outright conceptual mistakes in the subject matter make me wonder about who was writing some of it. It's truly hard to believe that Princeton Review would put out something of this quality but it looks like I'll have to shell out another 60 bucks on a different book. I want my money back!

This book explains materials very well and the multiple choice questions are good.However, there are many mistakes especially in orgo. I also found that some topics were completely omitted(like blood groups in Biology)and many other things. The verbal questions were too easy and insufficient

There are misakes sprinkled throughout the Organic Chemistry section of the book. The Kaplan Version seems to have better editors.

The organic Chemistry section, a crucial part of the MCAT has missing Hydrogen atoms. If you do not like being confused, I suggest buying the Kaplan MCAT review book.

I took the MCAT about 10 years ago, did very well on it and am now a doctor. I was picking up this book for a friend who is preparing for medical school. I thought this book was great. To prepare, I read this and then I got some old MCAT tests. I took a review course but that felt like a waste of time. I was busy while taking the review course and it felt kind of basic and I didn't have time to study outside the course. The best thing I did was take the summer before the August MCAT and I just spent the whole summer, day after day doing old tests. That, I think, is what did the trick. I would say steer clear of Kaplan and Barrons tests because they tend to be too hard, focusing on minutia that will never be tested and diverting your energy away from material that you actually need. I seem to recall Princeton Review tests were pretty good. But if you can get your hands on old tests, that is the way to go.

PLease, do not make the same mistake I did, that is, buying this book 3 weeks before the MCAT to study. This book is inaccurate in many areas at best and insulting to one's intellegence at worst. It only covers about 75-80% of the material you need to know! Unacceptable if you are relying on this for a comprehensive study. Stay away from this one!

Gives easy to understand reviews of the MCAT subject matter. Some errors in the book. would not recommend using it if you haven't taken the class first. Lack of practice problems is my main objection.

This book is all you need to prepare for the MCAT. It has a thorough review of all the science you need to know for the Physical and Biological Sciences portions of the test, plus helpful hints on how to get a high score on the Verbal Reasoning and Essay portions. If you're an idependent learner and agree with me that $1000 for an MCAT prep course is a waste of money, get this book and the companion practice tests and make up your own prep course.