1. Why did you choose Next Step (now Blueprint MCAT)? How much research did you do before you decided to buy and what finally convinced you to sign up?
I chose Next Step after speaking to a classmate of mine who told me about her 9-point score increase. That alone was already a selling point! After scheduling a consultation meeting and discussing my goals with a Next Step representative, I felt confident that Next Step would help me in doing well on my MCAT.
2. How do you feel Next Step (now Blueprint MCAT) helped you prepare for the MCAT and get a score you were happy with?
My tutor was very instrumental in helping me prepare for my MCAT. I could always email or text him in between our sessions when I had a question regarding a specific practice problem or if we had to adjust my study schedule because of my school exams. My tutor was able to recognize my strengths and weaknesses and tailor my studying plan to them. I had an overall 8-point increase, with the major jumps being in the Chem/Phys and Psych/Soc sections.
3. What aspects of the Next Step course did you enjoy the most?
What I liked most about Next Step was how personalized everything was. If something wasn’t working for me, all I had to do was let my tutor know and we adjusted as necessary. I also appreciated how similar the Next Step practice exams were to the actual MCAT exam. It was a great gauge for what my actual score would be on test day.
4. Had you taken the MCAT before and/or studied any other way? (e.g., attempted to self-study or took another company's course?). If so, why do you feel Next Step (now Blueprint MCAT) worked where the others had failed?
I had previously taken the MCAT and attempted another company’s course. I found that there was no accountability which led to poor study habits and not doing as well as I had hoped on my exam. With Next Step, having a tailored study schedule and a tutor who would frequently check-in gave me the sense of accountability that I needed.
5. Would you recommend Next Step (now Blueprint MCAT) to friends, classmates or co-workers?
Yes, and I have multiple times!
6. What would you say to them?
Next Step works with you to achieve the goal you have in mind. It’s not a “do this, do that” kind of test prep company, but one that really works with you on a personal level. Next Step realizes that “one size fits all” doesn’t work well with test prep and it’s evident with the time they take to match students with the right tutor and curate personalized study plans.
MCAT Prep Reviews - Private MCAT Tutoring
Name: Maggie C.
MCAT Prep Course: Private MCAT Tutoring
Score Increase: +20
1. Why did you choose Next Step (now Blueprint MCAT)? How much research did you do before you decided to buy and what finally convinced you to sign up?
I chose Next Step because it is one of two companies my school’s Health Professions Advisory Office recommends, and of those two it is the only one with professional tutors whose job is test preparation, not just successful students. I talked with other friends choosing which prep company to pick and ultimately we all decided on Next Step.
2. How do you feel Next Step (now Blueprint MCAT) helped you prepare for the MCAT and get a score you were happy with?
Next Step helped me prepare by giving me a set schedule for the months leading up to MCAT while I was studying abroad. Most of my life and education was upended during the pandemic, as many people’s lives were. However, my test prep was a constant which helped keep me calm and focused for the test. I ended up getting a 518 with two perfect sections (Psych and Bio) and I was really happy to only have to take it once.
3. What aspects of the Next Step (now Blueprint MCAT) course did you enjoy the most?
The content books were very helpful and concise and the pacing and focus on all four parts of the test was helpful. The content review videos were also very helpful for complex physics and chemistry topics. Taking the NS practice tests was also very helpful because it made the real test and the AAMC practice tests seem easy.
4. Who was your Next Step (now Blueprint MCAT) tutor, and in what specific ways did they help you?
My tutor was Phil Hawkins and my tutoring was a big part of why I felt prepared and confident going into the test. I was studying abroad for the first two months of my prep and Phil was very flexible in working with my crazy schedule and travel in making my study plan. He helped me to stay on track and also go over a lot of the tough concepts from Physics and Chemistry that I had taken a few years ago. It was also extremely helpful to have a tutor when the test changed length because he had insight from his colleagues and other students on how to approach it.
5. Had you taken the MCAT before and/or studied any other way? (e.g., attempted to self-study or took another company's course?). If so, why do you feel Next Step (now Blueprint MCAT) worked where the others had failed?
No, I wanted to do it once and do it right.
6. Would you recommend Next Step (now Blueprint MCAT) to friends, classmates or co-workers?
Yes.
7. What would you say to them?
I would say that if you do Next Step you will be confident going into the test and feel very prepared. It is very helpful as a busy college student to have someone helping to plan a test prep schedule and keep you on track. The tutoring is very individualized to what you need to focus on.
Note: Some responses were edited for grammar and clarity.