Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 Great way to SUPPLEMENT your studying! September 8, 2002
Jesus Exposito-cespedes (Chicago, IL USA)
27 out of 27 found this review helpful
I would not recommend "studying" straight from these audio CD's, though it can be done. Instead, it is very helpful to REVIEW the topics you're uncomfortable with. I listened to them in the car, in my lab job, before bed. They offer great flexibility to one's studying and the jokes help you relax a bit and not be so tense. The topics are covered with depth and help you become more INTUITIVE with the science.
Because the audio CD's go closely with the Examcrackers books, it feels like you can supplement a "lecture" with the great books. These guys are the best hands down on MCAT materials and have an online message board to answer any questions (very quickly too).
Good way to organize/pace your review... October 2, 2002
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
I'm satisfied with my 35, and I give these CDs a fair bit of the credit. I'd recommend, as another reviewer has, taking notes the first time through. It is a bit time consuming to do that, but you'll engage another learning modality. I think such an approach really helps drive home concepts later while listening over and over...and porta-lecture is the true beauty/benefit of AO CDs.Yes, the humor and sound effects are goofy and sometimes get carried away, but generally they are welcome breathers. I'd second the call for a revision that maybe shortens some of the longer comedy bits. But after a few listens, you'll know when to hit the ">>" button. I just can't see paying $1,000 for such a class, given resources like the AO CDs, the plethora of study books (by various companies including Kaplan), your textbooks and notes, and cold AAMC exams (be sure you self-administer, timed, several of these!!). AO CDs are broken into topical lectures so you can create a very efficient schedule of study and there is website where questions can be posted to the lecturers. Just be sure to listen frequently and actively for 3 months; don't take "osmosis" literally, you need to think...Good luck!
Convenient & Effective April 23, 2002
21 out of 21 found this review helpful
I used the Audio Osmosis CDs, my textbooks, and AAMC practice tests for self-directed MCAT prep. In my opinion, A.O. is a great bargain; I am very glad I "took a chance" on it rather than blowing $1K+ on a prep class. All I wanted, and what I got from A.O., was a clear, concise refresher of the science covered on the MCAT (as a post-bacc premed, my general chem and physics are about 7 years old). To boot, they also give a useful "strategy" for the verbal reasoning section - worked for me.In short, I found Jon's description hits its mark: the CDs condense many major concepts into a series of compact, conversational lectures (and they're portable and repeatable). Dense topics are frequently leavened with humor and goofy sound effects - these also generally make factoids and rules-of-thumb stick in your head. Please note that a few errors slipped through, you'll probably catch them, but you can also check their website for the short list of errata. Finally, the authors support their product(s) personally via a bulletin board system on their website.
cheezy, memorable jokes rule; snotty gunners suck February 12, 2005
reddirtgirl (East Coast, for now)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
I really appreciate that these cd's and this series exists. There is no ONE perfect set of MCAT prep materials, but these cd's are an indispensable part of my mcat prep "tools".
what works for one person may not work for another.
IMHO, AO is great if:
1. You apprecitate AUDIO learning, in addition to mere books.
2. You need to study for MCAT's on a flexible schedule (as opposed to revolving your schedule around a Kaplan/PR course).
3. You can't shell out $1500+ for Kaplan/PR/Etc.
4. You value bad jokes that help you remember dry concepts over hip, cool humor.
Avoid AO if:
1. You were born with a photographic memory and can recall EVERYTHING you learned in Bio 1&2, Phys 1&2, Chem 1&2, Organic 1&2.
2. You are an independently wealthy trust fund baby that doesn't need to work at least 1 or 2 jobs and can spend as much time as you want, whenever you want, on MCAT prepping.
3. You can afford the time and drop $1500+ on a professional review course.
4. You are too cool to appreciate bad jokes that halp you remember dry concepts.
You remember approximately 10 percent of what you read, 20 percent of what you hear, 30 percent of what you see, 50 percent of what you hear and see together.....
Excellent Test Prep March 19, 2002
Sharon E Mase (OH United States)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
I strongly recommend the MCAT audio Osmosis CD's to anyone who is preparing ot take the MCAT. Whatever intellectual level you are on, these CD's are incredibly helpful. They are very explanatory about all the concepts that will be addressed on the MCAT, and they review them in a creative, interesting way. It is practically impossible to become bored while listening to these because they do a lot of sound effects, real life examples, give insight on the thought process behind the MCAT and how you should approach it, and they approach the hard concepts addressed on the MCAT with a more intuitive approach. In addition, by having two different people teaching it, it is so much more engaging and exciting to listen to. I have personally met Jon Orsay, and trust me, not only does he know what he's talking about, he can communicate his knowledge effectively, and is definitely worth the money.
Also, the convenience of the CD's are very valuable. I listen to them in my car, as well as sitting down and taking notes on them. they fully cover all areas of the MCAT, and I am going to use this solely as my test prep (in addition to some practice MCATS), because it covers al the topics so well. I strongly recommend this product, especially if you don't want to take and expensive prep course.
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