Standardization of the MCAT

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

makingthejump

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
188
Reaction score
29
The majority of post-MCAT test takers seem very worried about their performance. However, here is a word of advice that may change your perspective. This exam has been standardized for many years. This term means that there is no variation in difficulty over the years because it is the same exact standardized exam. With this being said, you should expect to score within a reasonable range of your practice scores IF you took them under timed conditions in an environment that is representative of the real MCAT. Any large deviation +/- on the actual MCAT from your averaged AAMC practice exams is due to other factors such as being very nervous during the exam or other outside things affecting your emotions. While standardization is by no means perfect, you should be very confident that you will score within a few points of your AAMC average. This again is why taking this same standardized exam more than one time does not benefit the majority of test takers (of course there will always be outliers who are the exception). Just keep this all in mind when feeling down about your performance on the actual MCAT.

Members don't see this ad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Yes, without a doubt each exam is the same more or less. But people can definitely score better the second time around if they study the right way and commit themselves the necessary amount of time. I don't believe that what you get once is what you will always get, no matter how much or how well you study.
 
Top