People taking the TPR MCAT 2015 course MCAT practice exams...

[FoodisGood163]

I can't really tell anything with this new exam, but for people that are taking the TPR course (online or in person) and have taken their practice exams, how do you think they are? I'm hearing things along the lines of being harder than the actual MCAT. I've been making about 126-128 per section (provided I've only taken 2 practice tests), but I want to see if I'm at least on the right track since my exam is on 06/19

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[Dreamstoo]

I can't really tell anything with this new exam, but for people that are taking the TPR course (online or in person) and have taken their practice exams, how do you think they are? I'm hearing things along the lines of being harder than the actual MCAT. I've been making about 126-128 per section (provided I've only taken 2 practice tests), but I want to see if I'm at least on the right track since my exam is on 06/19

Definitely harder. You're doing better than the majority of people here who score around 60% right overall on those tests.

 

[Holmwood]

TPR typically is harder than the actual. But their "tricky" questions are sort of pointless now that the new MCAT is more straightforward and rewards you for looking at the big picture rather than being fixated on the minutiae.

 

[FoodisGood163]

Whew, thanks. That definitely helps me feel better. I was hoping that was the case.

 

[libertyyne]

The TPR exams have been killing me.
TPR FL 1 500
TPR FL 2 503
Kaplan .5 30
Kaplan .3 499
TPR FL 3 506
AAMC 3R 35
TPR FL 4 506
AAMC 4R 31
Kaplan FL 1 502
TPR FL 5 507

God Knows what the numbers mean. But it has at least been helpful in identifying some science concepts that i dont have a firm grasp over. I was terrified that people were scoring 510+ on those things since they dont give you your percentile rank yet.

 

[Dreamstoo]

The TPR exams have been killing me.
TPR FL 1 500
TPR FL 2 503
Kaplan .5 30
Kaplan .3 499
TPR FL 3 506
AAMC 3R 35
TPR FL 4 506
AAMC 4R 31
Kaplan FL 1 502
TPR FL 5 507

God Knows what the numbers mean. But it has at least been helpful in identifying some science concepts that i dont have a firm grasp over. I was terrified that people were scoring 510+ on those things since they dont give you your percentile rank yet.

Trust me.... there are VERY few people scoring this well on SDN and on the pre-med scheme as a whole. Highest score I have heard of personally (in real life) was a 506 on a TPR from a person who started scoring that high after 3 months of prep. Majority of people I know in real life have been scoring around 500 for Kaplan/TPR (general trend I have seen have been gradually approaching from low-mid 490s to low 500s range)

 

[FoodisGood163]

That seems to be the general consensus from what I've been able to find on SDN. It just doesn't help when I see 505 after trying so hard on the practice tests after content review. I took TPR test 3 yesterday and I thought that the first section was the hardest one I've taken yet. So demoralizing...

 

[irishnerd26]

Ugh this makes me feel a lot better. Highest I've scored on TPR is 497. It's hard to feel "ready" when you don't even know what that is.

 

[Sir.SavaLottaLife]

There was someone on the April thread who scored ~500 on TPR FL's but reported a prelim percentile rank of 90-100 from test date. Also, if it means anything, on the old MCAT TPR and other test prep companies FL gave scores lower than AAMC. There would be people who scored in the high 20's for TPR and get low 30's for AAMC practice tests and their real MCAT. But I'm sure that there are some that may do better on TPR tests so you never know. The belief is it's not too representative because it relies on content knowledge more than an AAMC test would. People on here are saying that the EK FL's are the most representative at the moment.

My FL scores so far:
TPR #1: 500 (pre-content review; also took AAMC 11 a couple days before and got a 26 if its relevant)
TPR #2: 505 (today)

I plan on taking one more TPR test, one EK test, and the AAMC test before my test date next month. I plan on giving a review of how each one felt compared to my real test after test date as well.

 

[clarice starling]

I'm usually just a lurker on here but I came across this thread and thought I would share my experience with TPR FLs/AAMC FL. I started the online TPR course in late Feb, finished up early April, and have been reviewing on my own since then, using TPR practice exams/materials for the most part. Recently switched over to AAMC materials after reading horror stories about the discrepancies between prep companies and the real deal. Haven't taken the test yet, I take it next Friday. The results of all of my exams are below.

TPR FLs
MCAT Course Test 1: 497
MCAT Course Test 2: 502
MCAT Course Test 3: 500
MCAT Course Test 4: 501
MCAT Course Test 5: 503
MCAT Complete Test 1: 504
MCAT Complete Test 2: 501
MCAT Complete Test 3: 501
MCAT Demo Test: 505

Ranges for individual sections in TPR FLs
Chem/Phys: 123-125
CARS: 122-127
Bio/BC: 124-127
Psych/Soc: 126-129

AAMC FL
Chem/Phys: 66%
CARS: 89%
Bio/BC: 83%
Psych/Soc: 81%

I was really discouraged by my TPR scores because they were significantly lower than I was hoping. I've read multiple threads here on SDN and reddit, etc. giving really mixed opinions on whether or not TPR was at all representative of the real test (easier, harder). All I've really been able to conclude is that the Bio/BC section is entirely different than anything that is available from prep companies right now. I hope this helps and feel free to share further thoughts/stuff you've heard about percentages on AAMC practice test versus prelim %.

 

[medcrazy20]

Deleted

 

[Dreamstoo]

There was someone on the April thread who scored ~500 on TPR FL's but reported a prelim percentile rank of 90-100 from test date. Also, if it means anything, on the old MCAT TPR and other test prep companies FL gave scores lower than AAMC. There would be people who scored in the high 20's for TPR and get low 30's for AAMC practice tests and their real MCAT. But I'm sure that there are some that may do better on TPR tests so you never know. The belief is it's not too representative because it relies on content knowledge more than an AAMC test would. People on here are saying that the EK FL's are the most representative at the moment.

My FL scores so far:
TPR #1: 500 (pre-content review; also took AAMC 11 a couple days before and got a 26 if its relevant)
TPR #2: 505 (today)

I plan on taking one more TPR test, one EK test, and the AAMC test before my test date next month. I plan on giving a review of how each one felt compared to my real test after test date as well.

Yeah after the 5 TPR course exams. I'm contemplating doing their remaining 3 exams or do the 3 EK tests instead. It seems like everyone said those were the closest to the real thing. Similarly to how TBR for the old exams were considered the closest to the real thing but with harder difficulty. Then again IMO TBR exams were only ideal for people with 30+ scores trying to score as close to above a 40. Weren't helpful unless your foundation was very strong. I never took one but that's what I have been told by people who have taken them.

 

[libertyyne]

Yeah after the 5 TPR course exams. I'm contemplating doing their remaining 3 exams or do the 3 EK tests instead. It seems like everyone said those were the closest to the real thing. Similarly to how TBR for the old exams were considered the closest to the real thing but with harder difficulty. Then again IMO TBR exams were only ideal for people with 30+ scores trying to score as close to above a 40. Weren't helpful unless your foundation was very strong. I never took one but that's what I have been told by people who have taken them.

BTW did you notice that the exams went from showing all the questions to a more accurate showing one question at a time? I just want to break 510 on the PR tests for once.

 

[Sir.SavaLottaLife]

Yeah after the 5 TPR course exams. I'm contemplating doing their remaining 3 exams or do the 3 EK tests instead. It seems like everyone said those were the closest to the real thing. Similarly to how TBR for the old exams were considered the closest to the real thing but with harder difficulty. Then again IMO TBR exams were only ideal for people with 30+ scores trying to score as close to above a 40. Weren't helpful unless your foundation was very strong. I never took one but that's what I have been told by people who have taken them.

It depends on your budget. If money ain't a thing you probably should buy all 3 EK exams, while if you're working with a budget like me I'd just buy 1-2 and mix them up with the ones you already have. I'm assuming you're the former since you took the course.

 

[joebob19872]

Hey there! Glad I found this thread. I took my first TPR full length today and scored a 507 (125,128,126,128). Did anyone else think that it didn't contain enough experimental based/inference questions? I felt like there was too much information recall on nit picky details. Also, I was surprised by how much physics and o.chem there was, given people's reactions about the real exam. It also seemed to be lacking in biochemistry.

 

[Dreamstoo]

I took two Kaplan tests and 6 TPR FLs over the past 5 months. I've been studying for 6 months but with school+2jobs+TAing+research. I'm really surprised why the Kaplan tests are so much harder than TPR. Here are my scores:
TPR FLs:
MCAT Course Test 1: 496 (took it in Jan)
MCAT Course Test 2: 493 (Jan)
MCAT Course Test 3: 494 (Feb)
MCAT Course Test 4: 502 (March)
MCAT Course Test 5: 500 (May)
MCAT Complete Test 1: 501 (May)

Kaplan FL#1: 490 (May)
Kaplan FL#2 495 (May)

I also took the NextStep Prep Diagnostic: 504 (April-May)
My test is on June 20, I don't know if I should buy the NextStep prep FLs (3x for $100) for more practice?

Hey I got similar scores on the first 3 course tests after only 1.5 months of prep. Did you feel they were significantly harder than the later tests you took? I felt the PS (whatever the new one is called) was brutal on FL 3 and the discretes were difficult on the BS. Biochemistry was a weakness in both sections for me.

Also the Kaplan FLs I have heard are equally demoralizing. Friends were averaging a high 490 and got a very high prelim score near 90%.

 

[FoodisGood163]

Your feeling about the PS section for FL 3 was similar for me. I got a 125 on it

But I took FL 4 a week ago and got a 507, so that's refreshing! Hopefully I'll see even more of an increase since there's about 24 days before my test...

 

[vin5cent0]

I took the TPR practice tests and then the may 22nd MCAT. I thought the actual MCAT was significantly harder, personally. Maybe I was just more nervous, I donno

 

[FoodisGood163]

If the actual MCAT was harder...I really don't know how to feel now.

 

[BryanBeid]

It's definitely a content thing as well. The TPR exams are NOT seemingly a very good representation of the actual exam. Especially the chem/phys, they just threw in physics from the old test that aligned but none of it focuses on the body. Less biochem, etc. If you're not used to the new way the questions will be asked I could see it being a shock to the system.

 

[FoodisGood163]

I think TPR did a pretty good job with their bio and psych/soc passages. They are pretty focused on experiments and what results you can interpret based on graphs/tables. I also think some of TPR's later exams (2-4, haven't done 5 or the supplemental exams) get pretty experimental-based with regards to the phys sci section. Their verbal was just...eh...I wouldn't recommend practicing for the MCAT with their verbal.

 

[Dreamstoo]

Your feeling about the PS section for FL 3 was similar for me. I got a 125 on it

But I took FL 4 a week ago and got a 507, so that's refreshing! Hopefully I'll see even more of an increase since there's about 24 days before my test...

A 125 on a PS section for TPR is good... I know someone who was averaging a 124 on it for Kaplan tests and got a 85-100% prelim for April.

 

[piii]

TPR FL 1:
Chem/Physical: 127 - 79.66%
CARS: 126 - 71.7%
BIO: 129 - 84.75%
Psych: 127 - 74.5%
Total: 509

TPR FL 2:
Chem/Physical: 127 - 79.6%
CARS: 124 - 60.38%
BIO: 129 - 88%
Psych: 127 - 72.8%
Total: 507

Took TPR FL 2 today. CARS screwed me with the 60%.

 

[joebob19872]

TPR FL 1:
Chem/Physical: 127 - 79.66%
CARS: 126 - 71.7%
BIO: 129 - 84.75%
Psych: 127 - 74.5%
Total: 509

TPR FL 2:
Chem/Physical: 127 - 79.6%
CARS: 124 - 60.38%
BIO: 129 - 88%
Psych: 127 - 72.8%
Total: 507

Took TPR FL 2 today. CARS screwed me with the 60%.

Pretty good, 509 is the highest TPR score I've seen

 

[mikil100]

TPR FL 1:
Chem/Physical: 127 - 79.66%
CARS: 126 - 71.7%
BIO: 129 - 84.75%
Psych: 127 - 74.5%
Total: 509

TPR FL 2:
Chem/Physical: 127 - 79.6%
CARS: 124 - 60.38%
BIO: 129 - 88%
Psych: 127 - 72.8%
Total: 507

Took TPR FL 2 today. CARS screwed me with the 60%.

As the above posted mentioned, your scores are pretty good. I wouldn't worry too much about the verbal, take the AAMC practice pack questions to see what your percent score is with them

 

[libertyyne]

The Chem Physical science section is killing me. I cant seem to break 127 to save my life.

Type Date Total Physics Chemistry PC% CARS CARS % Biology B % Psychology P %

• TPR 1 28-Feb 500 125 62.71% 124 126 125
• TPR 2 8-Mar 503 68.26% 124 33 55.93% 126 39 73.58% 127 43 72.88% 126 42 71.19%
• TPR 3 11-Apr 506 72.17% 126 42 71.19% 127 40 75.47% 127 44 74.58% 126 40 67.80%
• TPR 4 18-Apr 506 73.48% 125 38 64.41% 127 40 75.47% 127 45 76.27% 127 46 77.97%
• Kap 1 19- Apr 502 67.39% 124 33 55.93% 128 47 88.68% 125 38 64.41% 125 37 62.71%
• TPR 5 26-Apr 507 75.22% 126 41 69.49% 128 46 86.79% 126 42 71.19% 127 44 74.58%
• Kapl 2 9- May 505 73.48% 124 34 57.63% 129 48 90.57% 127 47 79.66% 125 40 67.80%
• TPR 6 16-May 507 75.22% 125 40 67.80% 126 39 73.58% 127 43 72.88% 129 51 86.44%
• TPR 7 24-May 507 74.78% 126 40 67.80% 125 35 66.04% 129 51 86.44% 127 46 77.97%
• TPR 8 25-May 506 72.61% 126 41 69.49% 125 35 66.04% 127 43 72.88% 128 48 81.36%

Any ideas on how to improve. I feel like i have plateaued.

 

[joebob19872]

The Chem Physical science section is killing me. I cant seem to break 127 to save my life.

Type Date Total Physics Chemistry PC% CARS CARS % Biology B % Psychology P %
TPR 1 28-Feb 500 125 62.71% 124 126 125
TPR 2 8-Mar 503 68.26% 124 33 55.93% 126 39 73.58% 127 43 72.88% 126 42 71.19%
TPR 3 11-Apr 506 72.17% 126 42 71.19% 127 40 75.47% 127 44 74.58% 126 40 67.80%
TPR 4 18-Apr 506 73.48% 125 38 64.41% 127 40 75.47% 127 45 76.27% 127 46 77.97%
Kaplan 19-Apr 502 67.39% 124 33 55.93% 128 47 88.68% 125 38 64.41% 125 37 62.71%
TPR 5 26-Apr 507 75.22% 126 41 69.49% 128 46 86.79% 126 42 71.19% 127 44 74.58%
Kapl2 9-May 505 73.48% 124 34 57.63% 129 48 90.57% 127 47 79.66% 125 40 67.80%
TPR 6 16-May 507 75.22% 125 40 67.80% 126 39 73.58% 127 43 72.88% 129 51 86.44%
TPR 7 24-May 507 74.78% 126 40 67.80% 125 35 66.04% 129 51 86.44% 127 46 77.97%
TPR 8 25-May 506 72.61% 126 41 69.49% 125 35 66.04% 127 43 72.88% 128 48 81.36%

Any ideas on how to improve. I feel like i have plateaued.

Have you tried taking the AAMC practice test? I heard that TPR's are harder (sorry, accidentally put easier the first time). And I wouldn't over-focus about TPR's chem/physics too much, in my opinion it is more similar to the old exam

 

[Dreamstoo]

Have you tried taking the AAMC practice test? I heard that TPR's are easier. And I wouldn't over-focus about TPR's chem/physics too much, in my opinion it is more similar to the old exam

Where did you hear that? I heard the exact opposite. I forgot who it was but someone here scored 15% higher on AAMC 3-4 days after taking a TPR FL.

 

[Dreamstoo]

.

 

[libertyyne]

Where did you hear that? I heard the exact opposite. I forgot who it was but someone here scored 15% higher on AAMC 3-4 days after taking a TPR FL.

IF they are easier I have no hope in hell doing well. I have also been taking the older AAMC tests and have been scoring 33-35ish.

 

[Dreamstoo]

IF they are easier I have no hope in hell doing well. I have also been taking the older AAMC tests and have been scoring 33-35ish.

Well that would translate to a 514-515 on the new MCAT. Those are really good scores on the older AAMCs. Good job . I myself got a score around there for one of those practice tests when I prepped first time around.

They aren't representative of the new MCAT however. Chem/Phys apparently changed up a lot.

If it helps, friend was averaging a 497 on Kaplan FLs and his pre lim range was between 31-34 (old score). A 497 on the old exam would have been a 22.5 Someone else I know was the same way and ended up with a prelim in the 28-30 range.

 

[libertyyne]

Well that would translate to a 514-515 on the new MCAT. Those are really good scores on the older AAMCs. Good job . I myself got a score around there for one of those practice tests when I prepped first time around.

They aren't representative of the new MCAT however. Chem/Phys apparently changed up a lot.

If it helps, friend was averaging a 497 on Kaplan FLs and his pre lim range was between 31-34 (old score). A 497 on the old exam would have been a 22.5 Someone else I know was the same way and ended up with a prelim in the 28-30 range.

Any idea on where to get practice for the new Physic/CHem section? I have been trying to go through the entire PR workbook, the ek1001 qs and still not a large enough improvement.

 

[joebob19872]

Whoooops I definitely meant harder, was thinking about AAMC. Will edit

Reasons to proofread...

 

[FoodisGood163]

Unfortunately, that's the bad thing about only having 1 practice test from AAMC. I hope that TPR's exams prepare me for the worst the MCAT has to offer. I've been hearing good things about EK exams though.

 

[libertyyne]

Unfortunately, that's the bad thing about only having 1 practice test from AAMC. I hope that TPR's exams prepare me for the worst the MCAT has to offer. I've been hearing good things about EK exams though.

Ugh. I hate that they charge 50 dollars for one practice exam. Were their rates always this high or are they exploiting the situation ? I am hoping TPR and Kaplan atleast prep me for the worst. TPR has an incentive to keep your practice scores below what you would really score considering their better score guarantee.

 

[libertyyne]

Well that would translate to a 514-515 on the new MCAT. Those are really good scores on the older AAMCs. Good job . I myself got a score around there for one of those practice tests when I prepped first time around.

They aren't representative of the new MCAT however. Chem/Phys apparently changed up a lot.

If it helps, friend was averaging a 497 on Kaplan FLs and his pre lim range was between 31-34 (old score). A 497 on the old exam would have been a 22.5 Someone else I know was the same way and ended up with a prelim in the 28-30 range.

Thanks for the support. I am a non trad who has a full time job and have been studying only on weekends and nights. It has been rough.

 

[Dreamstoo]

Unfortunately, that's the bad thing about only having 1 practice test from AAMC. I hope that TPR's exams prepare me for the worst the MCAT has to offer. I've been hearing good things about EK exams though.

Same. I have no idea what to do after I finish these course tests besides the AAMC test.

 

[Sir.SavaLottaLife]

Any idea on where to get practice for the new Physic/CHem section? I have been trying to go through the entire PR workbook, the ek1001 qs and still not a large enough improvement.

I would recommend watching Khan videos on the Phys/Chem type of problems you have trouble with then continue to practice. I find that sometimes watching one of these videos, they say something that just clicks with me and it helps.

 

[Dreamstoo]

I would recommend watching Khan videos on the Phys/Chem type of problems you have trouble with then continue to practice. I find that sometimes watching one of these videos, they say something that just clicks with me and it helps.

I really need to start checking out Khan Academy. Everyone for the new MCAT seems to provide highly praise about them.

 

[Mr. Beefy Lion]

I really need to start checking out Khan Academy. Everyone for the new MCAT seems to provide highly praise about them.

Be careful, khan can be dangerous. Don't be like me and start watching everything just to rack of energy points haha

 

[soccergurl1987]

Be careful, khan can be dangerous. Don't be like me and start watching everything just to rack of energy points haha

Bahaha totally did this. Had to upgrade my avatar...

 

[joebob19872]

TPR FL 2:
Chem/Physical: 127 - 79.6%
CARS: 124 - 60.38%
BIO: 129 - 88%
Psych: 127 - 72.8%
Total: 507

Took TPR FL 2 today. CARS screwed me with the 60%.

I just took TPR FL2 today. CARS also screwed me big time, good to hear I'm not the only one. On the 1st FL I got a 128 (83.0%) but I got a 124 (58.5%) on this one. The passages were longer than I expected so I suppose it was good practice.

Other sections were the same or better as my TPR1.
Chem/Physics: 126 (74.6%)
Bio: 129 (88.1%)
Pysch: 128 (79.7%)
Total: 507

 

[FoodisGood163]

Yeah, I wouldn't pay too much attention to CARS in TPR. At least, that's what others have told me.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Can someone confirm for me whether the AAMC practice test you get in the TPR course is the actual MCAT2015 practice exam? Because on the portal though TPR, it just says "Princeton Practice Exam" so I can't tell

 

[TheAnonymous]

Can someone confirm for me whether the AAMC practice test you get in the TPR course is the actual MCAT2015 practice exam? Because on the portal though TPR, it just says "Princeton Practice Exam" so I can't tell

Yes, they provide the official AAMC FL + Official Guide + all Question Packs.

 

[Dreamstoo]

I just did the AAMC Official Guide half length. Psych/soc and CARs overall felt easier. The C/P really didn't feel representative of what I've been doing with TPR. Same with B/Biochem. Took more critical thinking then straight memory recall.

 

[Dreamstoo]

Also, where's the question pack on the TPR interface? I had the old Self Assessment but would prefer using the newer Question Pack if I'm able to.

 

[TheAnonymous]

Also, where's the question pack on the TPR interface? I had the old Self Assessment but would prefer using the newer Question Pack if I'm able to.

Click on "Resources" and then "AAMC Tests and Questions"

 

[Dreamstoo]

Click on "Resources" and then "AAMC Tests and Questions"

Thanks. I spent $10 today on the AAMC questions lol from the Official Guide. Forgot TPR included it. Oh well!

 

[TheAnonymous]

Thanks. I spent $10 today on the AAMC questions lol from the Official Guide. Forgot TPR included it. Oh well!

haha no worries.

Are the Official Guide questions different from the old ones? I have a 1 month or so left so I think I should start transitioning to AAMC materials