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Tuesday, April 22nd
With its start as a California-based ed-tech start-up in 2010, Magoosh has grown steadily into a well-respected, platform-based approach to test and college preparatory materials. Noted for its friendly office environment and ethical business practices, how do Magoosh's MCAT materials compare to their peers?
Relatively low-priced, basic offerings
Magoosh offers some reasonably priced MCAT test prep, with a no-cost 7-day trial, one month of access for $379, and twelve months of access for $399. For that price, you'll receive a customizable study plan, 380+ content review videos, 740+ questions including 3 full-length practice tests, with detailed question explanations included.
Email-based support
Magoosh's support is entirely email based, and they offer no office hours or one-on-one tutors. Unlike more expensive competitors that include office hours, requests on Magoosh will take 1-2 business days to respond to any inquiry. In addition, their offerings are relatively basic when compared to competitors, who offer more practice questions than Magoosh's 740+, and far more preparatory materials than databases of videos and practice tests.
A welcome score guarantee
All that being said, Magoosh's 10+ point guarantee is a welcome assurance of the quality of their test prep: if you don't improve your score by ten points, you can request a refund or renewal of your plan. However, as with similar guarantees, you must verify a baseline score before you are eligible for the refund, so keep that in mind before beginning your MCAT test prep on Magoosh.
Reasonable but not robust MCAT prep
While Magoosh's prices are eminently reasonable, their offerings are decidedly bare-bones when compared to competitors. With no question banks, no interactive lessons, and no live support, we think Magoosh is a reasonable option if all you need are sample tests and questions. However, for most students looking for a supported test prep option with robust offerings, there are likely better options on our list.
While the answer to that question is going to depend on your specific needs (tutoring vs. online classes, directed study vs. self-paced prep), the MCAT itself is unavoidable if you dream of being a doctor. Standing for the Medical College Admissions Test, the MCAT is a valuable metric that can set you apart from your peers in the gauntlet of admissions to prestigious and well-regarded medical institutions.
Scoring well on the MCAT is critically important in the medical school admissions process. Admissions committees use MCAT scores as a standardized metric to assess the academic preparedness of applicants. A strong MCAT score can significantly enhance an applicant's chances of gaining admission to their desired medical school, opening doors to a fulfilling career in medicine.
The MCAT is designed to assess a wide range of skills and knowledge crucial for success in medical education and practice. Beyond evaluating factual knowledge, the test looks at critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. These qualities are indispensable for medical professionals who must navigate complex medical cases, make timely decisions, and adapt to rapidly evolving medical advancements.
The MCAT also mirrors the evolving demands of the medical field. Medicine is becoming increasingly integrated and patient-centered, requiring professionals to understand not only the scientific aspects of health but also the socio-cultural and ethical dimensions. The MCAT's inclusion of sections that assess psychological, social, and ethical concepts acknowledges the need for physicians who are empathetic, culturally competent, and capable of delivering holistic care.
While far from perfect, the MCAT provides a benchmark for comparing applicants from diverse educational backgrounds, ensuring that medical schools admit students who possess the foundational knowledge required for their rigorous curricula. By incorporating an emphasis on natural sciences, critical analysis, and reasoning, the MCAT tries to ensure that candidates are well-rounded and equipped to tackle the interdisciplinary nature of modern healthcare. This uniform evaluation method helps institutions make informed and fair decisions when considering a large pool of candidates.
Before you start browsing our curated list of MCAT preparatory services, we have a few tips that might serve you well as you do your due diligence:
Here at Top Consumer Reviews we have done our due diligence to make your MCAT test preparations less strenuous (and, hopefully, less expensive). With a bit of elbow grease and determination, you will be able to improve your score. So take a deep breath, and start preparing with our curated list of the top MCAT test prep available today.
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