2015 MCAT PRACTICE EXAM SCORES

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

uwbadgers4

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2015
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Hey guys,

I was just trying to get a sense of where I am in comparison to others. I've taken 3 kaplan ones and have an average of 125,125,126,124 for a total of 500 on the spot (not good) but I heard they are hard so I took the Princeton Demo test and got 122(!!), 126, 125, 128 for a 501. I took 2 next step exams and averaged right around a 504-507.

Im taking the april 17th test, how are you guys doing? Im aiming to get a 505 over above. How do the AAMC tests compare?

Members don't see this ad.
 
I have taken only TPR diagnostic and have not started studying officially…
Got a 496 :/

Did you take a diagnostic?
 
I took TPR practice test 1 before content review, got a 500 (126,125,124,125). I think I'll do the demo test next time. Haven't tried Next Step, don't think I plan to either.

You know these scores are just speculative, we don't know how aamc is going to divide up the scores. Pretty much all of the kaplan and TPR practice test scores I've seen from posters on here have been in the 490-505 range. If 508 is the closest thing to a 30 then I have a hard time believing most of the people posting on here wont crack that number. I also have a feeling the top ends of the scale for each are going to be at least a little bit more forgiving than with the old MCAT, where 2 missed questions bumped you down from a 15 to a 13.

The adcoms aren't going to be sure what the new scores mean anyways, so percentiles are going to tell us where we stand
 
Yep, this is all true. Its better for the prep companies to underestimate your numerical value and percentile. We will see in time.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Yeah I think that a diagnostic isn't worth much really. On my first diag I got a 487 and thought I was screwed because that percentile is in the teens.

Then without any prep, I took the first "practice test" offered by a test prep company and magically scored a 498.

What I'm trying to say is that I think test prep companies purposely make the diagnostics difficult to scare you.

In the end, I would work through some honest content review, take a lot of practice tests, and let that one AAMC full-length be the determinant of whether you're ready to test or not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Ive managed to score 13s on previous MCAT in both bio and physical sci. I took the TPR MCAT Demo test.... I got a 125 on physical (or what ever it is not called) and a 122 on the bio. If you guys notice on the TPR tests there are several questions (4 on the physical sci sections) that state that the answer is for example C, and the scoring marks the correct answer is D. I think the "diagnostic" tests are meant to "persuade" takers to sign up for a class with that prep company. Verbal though.... that's a whole different story, I still seem to not know how to read.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
I've been getting right around 500 on the first 3 Next Step tests. Doing poorly in psych and CARS which I usually ace on TP.
 
I've been getting right around 500 on the first 3 Next Step tests. Doing poorly in psych and CARS which I usually ace on TP.
Nexts steps verbal is CARS is very difficult IMO. I took a half passage and struggled to finish on time, and felt unsure of my answers.. I scored 62.5% correct which I think is about median, but I struggled to attain even that.
 
I took the Kaplan Course and am taking the April 17th test. My scores haven't really been improving, although my last one was a 495 (don't judge:/). This thread is helpful for me to get a sense of what you guys are getting on the practice tests. I am waiting to take the AAMC one a week prior to test day.

At the end of the day, our averages will determine what is considered a 'good' score vs 'bad' score. my MCAT instructor said they are estimating a 510 and above to be in the 90th percentile (take with a grain of salt). I think that the things to consider are a) there are 4 sections vs 3, and b) the psych/soc portion is all unfamiliar territory as far as test questions are concerned.

What are some of the best study methods you guys have been utilizing? Im having the most difficulty with the psych/soc section...any tips? Do you think I will be able to bump my scores up to above the 500-505 mark by test day? (that's my goal right now)
 
Just took it and got a 503. 39th percentile in bio and 99th in Psych LOL

Go figure! Have you taken any other FLs at all by Kaplan or TPR? I took the NS half test as a diagnostic without any studying in mid-March and got a 495 (121-124-125-125). I'm probably going to take a FL on Wednesday and the AAMC Sample Test next Saturday, but I'm not sure which to take. I have three Kaplan and three TPR I think…I've heard mixed reviews for both!
 
Go figure! Have you taken any other FLs at all by Kaplan or TPR? I took the NS half test as a diagnostic without any studying in mid-March and got a 495 (121-124-125-125). I'm probably going to take a FL on Wednesday and the AAMC Sample Test next Saturday, but I'm not sure which to take. I have three Kaplan and three TPR I think…I've heard mixed reviews for both!

That's the only one I've taken so far. I did a prep for the old exam though and took it in December and got a 26.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I have taken a Next Step practice exam and the AAMC official exam.

Next step: 499
Chem and physics: 64%
CARS: 60%
Bio and biochem: 63%
Psych and soc: 71%

AAMC: ??
Chem and physics: 75%
CARS: 96% (literally almost cried of happiness when I saw this)
Bio and biochem: 66%
Psych and soc: 88%

The AAMC one was SO, SO much easier than the Next Step test. I'd been freaking out all week because I thought my studying wasn't paying off. But I feel much better after taking the AAMC one, since I think I showed pretty drastic improvement. Only exception is the bio section, but I haven't finished taking my physio and biochem classes, nor have I reviewed metabolism, so I'm hoping my scores will increase a lot after I learn/re-learn all that stuff.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Interesting scores.

I read somewhere that 508 is speculated to be the new 30? Whereas on the previous test, when it felt like EVERYONE on SDN seemed to be scoring 32+, it doesn't seem to be the case this time that the majority of people on here are getting spectacular scores.

Taking the new test is probably a great move because scales might be very lenient as people figure out how to crack the test.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Taking the new test is probably a great move because scales might be very lenient as people figure out how to crack the test.

Taken from AAMC's "The New Score Scales for the 2015 Exam: An Overview of What Admissions Officers Need to Know" page 8...
"We recognize that the first test takers on the new exam may be different from test takers who sit for the exam later in the year. It is possible that early test takers will be higher scoring than those who test later."

Hoping that's actually the case!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Taken from AAMC's "The New Score Scales for the 2015 Exam: An Overview of What Admissions Officers Need to Know" page 8...
"We recognize that the first test takers on the new exam may be different from test takers who sit for the exam later in the year. It is possible that early test takers will be higher scoring than those who test later."

Hoping that's actually the case!
Interesting scores.

I read somewhere that 508 is speculated to be the new 30? Whereas on the previous test, when it felt like EVERYONE on SDN seemed to be scoring 32+, it doesn't seem to be the case this time that the majority of people on here are getting spectacular scores.

Taking the new test is probably a great move because scales might be very lenient as people figure out how to crack the test.
Halle-Fcking'Lujah.. guess we got that going for us. :smack:
 
Got a 508 (128/127/127/126) on the NS diagnostic. Felt pretty difficult, but not bad with my planned test date being August.
 
I've taken two TPR tests so far. I got 124, 126, 125, 127, 502 total on the first and 124, 127, 126, 126, 503 total on the second one. Can't seem to improve than darn phsyics/chem section, ugh!

I agree with someone else that mentioned these scores are all speculative by the test prep companies. My pre-med advisor told me that the general consensus is that if there was a year for someone with a great all around application with less than stellar test scores to squeak through, this is the year. It's going to be a learning curve for everyone, including the schools, to get used to the new scores.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 users
I've taken two TPR tests so far. I got 124, 126, 125, 127, 502 total on the first and 124, 127, 126, 126, 503 total on the second one. Can't seem to improve than darn phsyics/chem section, ugh!

I agree with someone else that mentioned these scores are all speculative by the test prep companies. My pre-med advisor told me that the general consensus is that if there was a year for someone with a great all around application with less than stellar test scores to squeak through, this is the year. It's going to be a learning curve for everyone, including the schools, to get used to the new scores.
Yup, I also got that feel.. guess this is some of our turns to shine lol
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Has anyone taken the free Next Step diagnostic half test? If so, how'd you do?

I took the diagnostic yesterday and I got a 504, so barely breaking the 50th percentile? Boy that was depressing haha but for some reason I cannot seem to break away from that
 
Hey guys,

I was just trying to get a sense of where I am in comparison to others. I've taken 3 kaplan ones and have an average of 125,125,126,124 for a total of 500 on the spot (not good) but I heard they are hard so I took the Princeton Demo test and got 122(!!), 126, 125, 128 for a 501. I took 2 next step exams and averaged right around a 504-507.

Im taking the april 17th test, how are you guys doing? Im aiming to get a 505 over above. How do the AAMC tests compare?
Did you end up testing? How was it? How did you fare?
 
how did you guys get the TPR exams? Can you buy them even if you don't enroll in a TPR course?
 
Might as well add a little more to the data set. The average BR scores on the three practice exams have been:

Test 1
126.2 Chem/Physics
124.4 CARS
127.3 Psych/Soci
126.1 Biological

Test 2
126.8 Chem/Physics
125.1 CARS
128.1 Psych/Soci
127.3 Biological

Test 3
127.2 Chem/Physics
125.8 CARS
127.9 Psych/Soci
126.8 Biological

These are based on a limited data set and cannot be compared to actual scores yet. The difficulty of the exams vary, but the curve adjusts for that. The important feature is that students showed and upward trend from their first exam (available after 80% of the lectures had been attended) to their last exam. There is a concern that the Psych/Soc curve may be too generous and the CARS curve too harsh at the moment, but without actual MCAT scores to reference, there is no way to know now. Students did feel extremely well prepared for the psych/soc section from the combination of lectures and the book, so hopefully the BR curve is valid for that section.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Might as well add a little more to the data set. The average BR scores on the three practice exams have been:

Test 1
126.2 Chem/Physics
124.4 CARS
127.3 Psych/Soci
126.1 Biological

Test 2
126.8 Chem/Physics
125.1 CARS
128.1 Psych/Soci
127.3 Biological

Test 3
127.2 Chem/Physics
125.8 CARS
127.9 Psych/Soci
126.8 Biological

These are based on a limited data set and cannot be compared to actual scores yet. The difficulty of the exams vary, but the curve adjusts for that. The important feature is that students showed and upward trend from their first exam (available after 80% of the lectures had been attended) to their last exam. There is a concern that the Psych/Soc curve may be too generous and the CARS curve too harsh at the moment, but without actual MCAT scores to reference, there is no way to know now. Students did feel extremely well prepared for the psych/soc section from the combination of lectures and the book, so hopefully the BR curve is valid for that section.
Thanks for the info. I look forward to purchasing these as they become available. May I ask how well TBR course students did on the old practice exams, and possibly the old actual exams, to give this more perspective?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
I took the Kaplan Diagnostic Exam (I have only studied 2 chapters out of 12 chapters for each subject of the 7-subject Kaplan book set prior to taking the exam..basically not much AT ALL). It was recommended to take the exam before the live online class began. I scored a 487 (122/123/120/122). This is horrible, but I need to get my content review down before assuming anything.
Also, I felt like the passage based questions from experiments were difficult. I found myself getting lost while reading the passages and analzying the data. Hoping this skill improves by September.
 
Hey guys,

I was just trying to get a sense of where I am in comparison to others. I've taken 3 kaplan ones and have an average of 125,125,126,124 for a total of 500 on the spot (not good) but I heard they are hard so I took the Princeton Demo test and got 122(!!), 126, 125, 128 for a 501. I took 2 next step exams and averaged right around a 504-507.

Im taking the april 17th test, how are you guys doing? Im aiming to get a 505 over above. How do the AAMC tests compare?

My practice test scores are almost identical to yours and I can't seem to raise them despite multiple test attempts. If you don't mind me asking, did you score similarly on the real exam? I'm taking the real test at the end of the week and I'm not exactly confident :-/
 
Hi everyone,
So i desperately need your advice. In my last practice exam i scored a 490 (below average)!!!! which is really depressing, and, my exam's already coming up! (August 22) Do you guys think I should cancel my exam date? Or do I have a chance of raising my score by 15 points. I've never ever taken physics, so I've been teaching myself physics (and it's really hard). I'm also just really lost with how much content review i should b/c it just feels like there's SOO MUCH to know, and I'm just really overwhelmed.
Any advice is welcome!!!
 
@m3djunkie I was gonna say that you have a month left, so that should make a big difference. But then I saw that you haven't ever taken physics and now I'm thinking you should wait and take the test after you take physics. Don't take the MCAT until you are absolutely ready. I doubt you can teach yourself physics in a month.
 
On the AAMC practice test, the percentile scores you get back are the number of questions that you got right, but on the actual exam the percentiles are where your score fell in relation to others who took it that day. Is that correct? If so then how should I best interpret my results from the AAMC practice test I took.

I scored:
Chem/Phys: 50%
CARS: 70%
Bio: 55%
Psyc/Soc: 50%
 
I've posted this elsewhere before, but will post here in case it is helpful to someone. I took approximately one FL per week between March and June. Note: I turned my percentiles into approximate scores using TPR/Kaplan's formulas.

1. Kaplan 1: 504

2. NextStep 1 Diagnostic: 505 126/125/126/128

3. Kaplan 2: 501 124/126/126/125

4. TPR Demo: 505 124/126/126/129 58%/74%/68%/85%

5. TPR Test 1: 506 125/128/127/126 66%/83%/73%/70%

6. TPR Test 2: 509 125/125/128/131 68%/70%/83%/93%

7. TPR Test 3: 508 125/125/128/130 68%/58%/75%/90%

8. AAMC MCAT Online Practice Questions 90%/87%/70%/87%

9. Kaplan 3: 508 125/128/126/129 63%/85%/70%/85%

10. Gold Standard Diagnostic 511 125/130/130/126 60%/89%/90%/75%

11. AAMC Question Packs Part 1:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio 1 90%/93%/63%/92%

12. AAMC Question Packs Part 2:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio1 88%/82%/88%/93%

13. EK Test 1: 506 125/126/128/127 61%/76%/75%/76%

14. AAMC Question Packs Part 3:Bio2,CARS2,CARS2,Bio2 83%/88%/87%/92%

15. AAMC Sample Test: 514 128/128/128/130 76%/87%/85%/90%

16. EK Test 2: 510 126/126/127/131 71%/76%/73%/92%

Real June 20 MCAT: 519 127/132/129/131
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5 users
I've posted this elsewhere before, but will post here in case it is helpful to someone. I took approximately one FL per week between March and June. Note: I turned my percentiles into approximate scores using TPR/Kaplan's formulas.

1. Kaplan 1: 504

2. NextStep 1 Diagnostic: 505 126/125/126/128

3. Kaplan 2: 501 124/126/126/125

4. TPR Demo: 505 124/126/126/129 58%/74%/68%/85%

5. TPR Test 1: 506 125/128/127/126 66%/83%/73%/70%

6. TPR Test 2: 509 125/125/128/131 68%/70%/83%/93%

7. TPR Test 3: 508 125/125/128/130 68%/58%/75%/90%

8. AAMC MCAT Online Practice Questions 90%/87%/70%/87%

9. Kaplan 3: 508 125/128/126/129 63%/85%/70%/85%

10. Gold Standard Diagnostic 511 125/130/130/126 60%/89%/90%/75%

11. AAMC Question Packs Part 1:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio 1 90%/93%/63%/92%

12. AAMC Question Packs Part 2:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio1 88%/82%/88%/93%

13. EK Test 1: 506 125/126/128/127 61%/76%/75%/76%

14. AAMC Question Packs Part 3:Bio2,CARS2,CARS2,Bio2 83%/88%/87%/92%

15. AAMC Sample Test: 514 128/128/128/130 76%/87%/85%/90%

16. EK Test 2: 510 126/126/127/131 71%/76%/73%/92%

Real June 20 MCAT: 519 127/132/129/131

How did you figure out what TPR/Kaplan's formulas for scoring are? Is it listed somewhere?
 
How did you figure out what TPR/Kaplan's formulas for scoring are? Is it listed somewhere?
No it isn't as far as I know. I basically just looked at my TPR/Kaplan results and compared them. For example, I scored a 73% on EK2's Bio/BC section. I looked and saw that scoring a 68% on TPR Demo Bio earned me a 126, scoring a 73% on TPR 1 Bio earned me a 127, and scoring a 75% on TPR 3 Bio earned me a 128. So, using that approx. scale, I marked myself with a 127 for that EK2 Bio section. This was to calm my neurosis (which are probably pretty common among SDN people) to have a score associated with my FL, however inaccurate it may be (and you can indeed tell that I did better on the real MCAT than most of my practice tests; they aren't very representative). I don't at all think it is necessary to do, but as I spent/wasted the time to develop that pseudosystem for myself, I shared it alongside my more objective data.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
I've posted this elsewhere before, but will post here in case it is helpful to someone. I took approximately one FL per week between March and June. Note: I turned my percentiles into approximate scores using TPR/Kaplan's formulas.

1. Kaplan 1: 504

2. NextStep 1 Diagnostic: 505 126/125/126/128

3. Kaplan 2: 501 124/126/126/125

4. TPR Demo: 505 124/126/126/129 58%/74%/68%/85%

5. TPR Test 1: 506 125/128/127/126 66%/83%/73%/70%

6. TPR Test 2: 509 125/125/128/131 68%/70%/83%/93%

7. TPR Test 3: 508 125/125/128/130 68%/58%/75%/90%

8. AAMC MCAT Online Practice Questions 90%/87%/70%/87%

9. Kaplan 3: 508 125/128/126/129 63%/85%/70%/85%

10. Gold Standard Diagnostic 511 125/130/130/126 60%/89%/90%/75%

11. AAMC Question Packs Part 1:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio 1 90%/93%/63%/92%

12. AAMC Question Packs Part 2:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio1 88%/82%/88%/93%

13. EK Test 1: 506 125/126/128/127 61%/76%/75%/76%

14. AAMC Question Packs Part 3:Bio2,CARS2,CARS2,Bio2 83%/88%/87%/92%

15. AAMC Sample Test: 514 128/128/128/130 76%/87%/85%/90%

16. EK Test 2: 510 126/126/127/131 71%/76%/73%/92%

Real June 20 MCAT: 519 127/132/129/131

Thank you for posting! May I ask which materials you used to practice and prepare in addition to the tests?
 
No it isn't as far as I know. I basically just looked at my TPR/Kaplan results and compared them. For example, I scored a 73% on EK2's Bio/BC section. I looked and saw that scoring a 68% on TPR Demo Bio earned me a 126, scoring a 73% on TPR 1 Bio earned me a 127, and scoring a 75% on TPR 3 Bio earned me a 128. So, using that approx. scale, I marked myself with a 127 for that EK2 Bio section. This was to calm my neurosis (which are probably pretty common among SDN people) to have a score associated with my FL, however inaccurate it may be (and you can indeed tell that I did better on the real MCAT than most of my practice tests; they aren't very representative). I don't at all think it is necessary to do, but as I spent/wasted the time to develop that pseudosystem for myself, I shared it alongside my more objective data.

You seem like a great person to ask my question above. Any chance you could interpret my percent answered correct to an actual score. Just based on what you've seen.
Chem/Phys: 50%
CARS: 70%
Bio: 55%
Psyc/Soc: 50%

BTW this is the full length AAMC practice test I took.
 
Thank you for posting! May I ask which materials you used to practice and prepare in addition to the tests?
I bought all the 2015 Kaplan books and read through those. As a psych major, I felt weakest about the biochem content and so went through every single Khan Academy biology video on 2x speed (I definitely recommend 2x). I started to go through the Khan Academy physics videos but decided they weren't worth the time. I went through the EK 101 book to become comfortable with CARS. With that siad, I spent most of my time taking as many FLs as I could and that was way more helpful than content review for sharpening my skills.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
You seem like a great person to ask my question above. Any chance you could interpret my percent answered correct to an actual score. Just based on what you've seen.
Chem/Phys: 50%
CARS: 70%
Bio: 55%
Psyc/Soc: 50%

BTW this is the full length AAMC practice test I took.
My totally inaccurate system doesn't have many data points near some of those scores, but I would guess something like 123/125/124/123. But seriously, I am NOT advocating for any rumination on a particular FL score. The key is simply improvement. Getting a 495 on that FL today has very little bearing on your actual MCAT score, so don't waste your energy overthinking it. Just review it, learn from questions you got wrong, and move on to the next one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
My totally inaccurate system doesn't have many data points near some of those scores, but I would guess something like 123/125/124/123. But seriously, I am NOT advocating for any rumination on a particular FL score. The key is simply improvement. Getting a 495 on that FL today has very little bearing on your actual MCAT score, so don't waste your energy overthinking it. Just review it, learn from questions you got wrong, and move on to the next one.

Totally agree. I have a target goal of a 500 or above so I just want to get an idea if I'm near that.
 
AAMC FL taken about 2 nights ago:

C/P: 66%
CARS: 70%
B/Biochem: 50%
Psych/Soc: 66%

Goal score is 506 but I'm happy with a 503. Based on mcatjelly's scale, I scored around a 499-500 which is a ~25 on the old scale. My test is on August 6th and I have no idea if I should take it or not.

I took the AAMC OG last Monday and got:

C/P: 63%
CARS: 63%
B/Biochem: 60%
Psych/Soc: 90%

This translates to a 505-506 on mcatjelly's scale.

I have no idea if I can improve Bio in the short amount of time I have. I have to decide by tomorrow night whether to push it off until late August or September.
 
My practice exams ranged from 504-509 using princeton review. You should be getting above 125 on each section at least. I took the real MCAT in May and received a 522. The thing that will separate people is their ability to interpret data and understand experimental design/procedures. I know this is what helped my score the most.

Most people I know who were stuck in the 500-501 spot wound up with 508 or above on the real thing. Remember that you are comparing yourself to other people and not the machine. It is about how much better you can do than your peers. Truthfully, if you look at how you do in class then that will give you the best idea about what your score will look like. Try to improve your practice test scores, but focus on learning the reasons for your mistakes. Also, read the explanations to EVERY question- not just the ones you get wrong. You could have always been right for the wrong reason.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
My practice exams ranged from 504-509 using princeton review. You should be getting above 125 on each section at least. I took the real MCAT in May and received a 522. The thing that will separate people is their ability to interpret data and understand experimental design/procedures. I know this is what helped my score the most.

How did you do the AAMC FL and Official guide questions? My last few TPR's were 510,511, and 508, but I only scored a chem/phys:86%, CARS: 64%, Bio:83%, Psych:85% on my AAMC FL. I really wanna hit a 515+, but I know thats probably gonna come down to whether or not I perform on CARS or not.
 
How did you do the AAMC FL and Official guide questions? My last few TPR's were 510,511, and 508, but I only scored a chem/phys:86%, CARS: 64%, Bio:83%, Psych:85% on my AAMC FL. I really wanna hit a 515+, but I know thats probably gonna come down to whether or not I perform on CARS or not.

AAMC FL:
Chem/phys: 83%
CARS: 83%
Bio: 88%
Psych: 83%

Actual MCAT
Chem/phys: 130 (97th percentile)
CARS: 131 (99th percentile)
Bio: 132 (100th percentile)
Psych: 129 (93th percentile)
Total: 522 (99th percentile)

Frankly, CARS is a giant gamble IMO. I did terrible on the reading ACT so I was terrified of CARS. In the end, it is just how well will you understand the passages and can you focus under pressure. I am a slow reader. So, I really struggled with timing. I did not really use the official guide questions. I just printed the AAMC content list and used it like a check-list to make sure I knew everything on there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
I've posted this elsewhere before, but will post here in case it is helpful to someone. I took approximately one FL per week between March and June. Note: I turned my percentiles into approximate scores using TPR/Kaplan's formulas.

1. Kaplan 1: 504

2. NextStep 1 Diagnostic: 505 126/125/126/128

3. Kaplan 2: 501 124/126/126/125

4. TPR Demo: 505 124/126/126/129 58%/74%/68%/85%

5. TPR Test 1: 506 125/128/127/126 66%/83%/73%/70%

6. TPR Test 2: 509 125/125/128/131 68%/70%/83%/93%

7. TPR Test 3: 508 125/125/128/130 68%/58%/75%/90%

8. AAMC MCAT Online Practice Questions 90%/87%/70%/87%

9. Kaplan 3: 508 125/128/126/129 63%/85%/70%/85%

10. Gold Standard Diagnostic 511 125/130/130/126 60%/89%/90%/75%

11. AAMC Question Packs Part 1:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio 1 90%/93%/63%/92%

12. AAMC Question Packs Part 2:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio1 88%/82%/88%/93%

13. EK Test 1: 506 125/126/128/127 61%/76%/75%/76%

14. AAMC Question Packs Part 3:Bio2,CARS2,CARS2,Bio2 83%/88%/87%/92%

15. AAMC Sample Test: 514 128/128/128/130 76%/87%/85%/90%

16. EK Test 2: 510 126/126/127/131 71%/76%/73%/92%

Real June 20 MCAT: 519 127/132/129/131

What did you do to study for you psych/soc section?
 
AAMC FL:
Chem/phys: 83%
CARS: 83%
Bio: 88%
Psych: 83%

Actual MCAT
Chem/phys: 130 (97th percentile)
CARS: 131 (99th percentile)
Bio: 132 (100th percentile)
Psych: 129 (93th percentile)
Total: 522 (99th percentile)

Frankly, CARS is a giant gamble IMO. I did terrible on the reading ACT so I was terrified of CARS. In the end, it is just how well will you understand the passages and can you focus under pressure. I am a slow reader. So, I really struggled with timing. I did not really use the official guide questions. I just printed the AAMC content list and used it like a check-list to make sure I knew everything on there.
Wow neutrophil! This is crazy! Congrats. A lot of people say that the real MCAT is harder than the AAMC FL. Would you agree?
 
Wow neutrophil! This is crazy! Congrats. A lot of people say that the real MCAT is harder than the AAMC FL. Would you agree?

I thought that the CARS was longer (bigger passages) and the psych section was much harder. I would say that the bio and chem/phys were really close to the same as the FL though.
 
My practice exams ranged from 504-509 using princeton review. You should be getting above 125 on each section at least. I took the real MCAT in May and received a 522. The thing that will separate people is their ability to interpret data and understand experimental design/procedures. I know this is what helped my score the most.

Most people I know who were stuck in the 500-501 spot wound up with 508 or above on the real thing. Remember that you are comparing yourself to other people and not the machine. It is about how much better you can do than your peers. Truthfully, if you look at how you do in class then that will give you the best idea about what your score will look like. Try to improve your practice test scores, but focus on learning the reasons for your mistakes. Also, read the explanations to EVERY question- not just the ones you get wrong. You could have always been right for the wrong reason.

Hey Neutrophil2016, when you took your diagnostic exams did you take it timed and before any content review or was it untimed and after content review? What do you advise on how I should approach my TPR diagnostic exam?
 
I've posted this elsewhere before, but will post here in case it is helpful to someone. I took approximately one FL per week between March and June. Note: I turned my percentiles into approximate scores using TPR/Kaplan's formulas.

1. Kaplan 1: 504

2. NextStep 1 Diagnostic: 505 126/125/126/128

3. Kaplan 2: 501 124/126/126/125

4. TPR Demo: 505 124/126/126/129 58%/74%/68%/85%

5. TPR Test 1: 506 125/128/127/126 66%/83%/73%/70%

6. TPR Test 2: 509 125/125/128/131 68%/70%/83%/93%

7. TPR Test 3: 508 125/125/128/130 68%/58%/75%/90%

8. AAMC MCAT Online Practice Questions 90%/87%/70%/87%

9. Kaplan 3: 508 125/128/126/129 63%/85%/70%/85%

10. Gold Standard Diagnostic 511 125/130/130/126 60%/89%/90%/75%

11. AAMC Question Packs Part 1:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio 1 90%/93%/63%/92%

12. AAMC Question Packs Part 2:Chem,Physics,CARS1,Bio1 88%/82%/88%/93%

13. EK Test 1: 506 125/126/128/127 61%/76%/75%/76%

14. AAMC Question Packs Part 3:Bio2,CARS2,CARS2,Bio2 83%/88%/87%/92%

15. AAMC Sample Test: 514 128/128/128/130 76%/87%/85%/90%

16. EK Test 2: 510 126/126/127/131 71%/76%/73%/92%

Real June 20 MCAT: 519 127/132/129/131


Sorry this is so delayed -- great job on the MCAT! I'm taking the test in late January and am scoring around 500 right now. I'm following your advice and reading/ doing a lot of practice tests. About how long would you say it took you to study? :D Congrats again!
 
Sorry this is so delayed -- great job on the MCAT! I'm taking the test in late January and am scoring around 500 right now. I'm following your advice and reading/ doing a lot of practice tests. About how long would you say it took you to study? :D Congrats again!
How long, like, in total? I studied roughly 15-20 hours each week from January until June. Consistent studying it key, so try to do some each week, rather than just cramming towards the end. The way I did it, studying was a nice respite from my actual work and I was therefore able to focus. I think the most important thing is studying enough that you're improving while still being able to find joy in your learning. If you despise the MCAT, you aren't likely to do well. Take a deep breath, try to enjoy it for what is it (learning your first real set of medical facts), and you'll do fine. Good luck!
 
Top