When to take the Official Scored AAMC Exam (1 and 2)

[Gutsy]

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Hello everyone!

With the release of another AAMC Official Test (#2), I was wondering the timeframe of taking the AAMC exams (Unscored, Test #1, and Test #2). 2 weeks before or a week before the exam date? I'm taking my exam on January 28th, 2017.

I know it depends on the individual but when is the ideal time to stop taking practice exams (1 week from test date)? I would love to hear how past-takers have managed their schedules for taking AAMC practice exams.

Thank you!

 

[Kpw101]

Take 1 one week before the actual to predict your score. Take one maybe 3-4 weeks before to give you time to review content missed. It's all personal preference though. I'm guessing the scheduling of the order of your exams won't matter much as long as you do a good review of each one.

 

[DoctorCakes]

I took my exam in August. For me personally the only thing the AAMC exams did was help predict my actual score. They weren't much like the actual exam and I actually anticipated this. I took the last AAMC exam two weeks before to see if the score was in my target range. It was... so the last week I did a NS/EK exam (they are much more convuluted, lengthy, harder) to prepare my brain and stamina. The actual exam felt super easy when done this way.

To sum that up, I don't think AAMC practice exam should be the very last exam you take. The actual test was much harder so you do not want to be surprised. However, I don't know anything about the AAMC #2 that they just released.

 

[Gutsy]

I took my exam in August. For me personally the only thing the AAMC exams did was help predict my actual score. They weren't much like the actual exam and I actually anticipated this. I took the last AAMC exam two weeks before to see if the score was in my target range. It was... so the last week I did a NS/EK exam (they are much more convuluted, lengthy, harder) to prepare my brain and stamina. The actual exam felt super easy when done this way.

To sum that up, I don't think AAMC practice exam should be the very last exam you take. The actual test was much harder so you do not want to be surprised. However, I don't know anything about the AAMC #2 that they just released.

Thank you for your insights! I'm quite disappointed to hear that the real AAMC exams are a lot harder than the practice exams 🙁 Was the exam more like the section bank?

 

[theonlytycrane]

The real deal will have 2 sections that feel like the AAMC practice exam (#1, can't speak for #2 because I didn't take it) and 2 sections that are like the section bank / WTF.

At least that's what most people usually feel like. The scoring balances out though with the curve / scale so staying composed during the hard sections is key.

 

[Gutsy]

The real deal will have 2 sections that feel like the AAMC practice exam (#1, can't speak for #2 because I didn't take it) and 2 sections that are like the section bank / WTF.

At least that's what most people usually feel like. The scoring balances out though with the curve / scale so staying composed during the hard sections is key.

Oh I see! Good to know. Thank you!

 

[andelJ94]

Hello everyone!

With the release of another AAMC Official Test (#2), I was wondering the timeframe of taking the AAMC exams (Unscored, Test #1, and Test #2). 2 weeks before or a week before the exam date? I'm taking my exam on January 28th, 2017.

I know it depends on the individual but when is the ideal time to stop taking practice exams (1 week from test date)? I would love to hear how past-takers have managed their schedules for taking AAMC practice exams.

Thank you!

I've been told to take em both in the final month of my prep. Test 1 about 2 weeks out, test 2 about 1 week out. Sample test I am gaking 2 months out. In between I will be donig all the Section bank stuff.

I am using the craptastic, recycled AAMC Qpack questions now. Also have NS and EK full lengths to spread out over the rest of my time.

 

[Jack Westin]

Save AAMC Practice Exam 2 for the last week to 10 days out but only if you are super ready. You'll know if you are ready based on how you perform on AAMC Practice Test and Exam 1 a month before your exam.

Each one of these exams are critical to your success. You really want to take the time to review it thoroughly. So spread it out well. The MCAT is not a cramming test so be careful!

 

[andelJ94]

Save AAMC Practice Exam 2 for the last week to 10 days out but only if you are super ready. You'll know if you are ready based on how you perform on AAMC Practice Test and Exam 1 a month before your exam.

Each one of these exams are critical to your success. You really want to take the time to review it thoroughly. So spread it out well. The MCAT is not a cramming test so be careful!

I would think a full week is way way way more than sufficient to review 1 Fl exam, considering I'll have been working with AAMC material for 7 weeks at that point and the MCAT in general for 5 months.

If it takes too long to review, it likely means I missed a ton of questions and was probably not ready to take it in the 1st place. How long do you think it should take to review a single exam "thoroughly"?

 

[theonlytycrane]

^ I spent 2x time reviewing my exams and I'm a slower reviewer. So for a 95 minute section, I took about 3 hours. Most students can probably thoroughly review in 1.5-2 hours, though.

I would usually spend 2 days reviewing an exam. Just my $.02!

 

[andelJ94]

^ I spent 2x time reviewing my exams and I'm a slower reviewer. So for a 95 minute section, I took about 3 hours. Most students can probably thoroughly review in 1.5-2 hours, though.

I would usually spend 2 days reviewing an exam. Just my $.02!

When did you take the real thing/How did you do?

 

[theonlytycrane]

When did you take the real thing/How did you do?

August.

516 (131/128/129/128).

 

[Jack Westin]

I would think a full week is way way way more than sufficient to review 1 Fl exam, considering I'll have been working with AAMC material for 7 weeks at that point and the MCAT in general for 5 months.

If it takes too long to review, it likely means I missed a ton of questions and was probably not ready to take it in the 1st place. How long do you think it should take to review a single exam "thoroughly"?

I think a thorough review (reviewing right and wrong answers) should take about 5 days (assuming one section a day) if you study for 4-5 hours a day. But don't forget that after a thorough review, you want to hone in on your weaknesses and practice. You want to give yourself time to absorb what you did wrong and to strategize so that you don't make the same mistake.

Sample Test - 6 weeks before exam (you can do other company exam in between)
Exam 1- 4 weeks before exam (you can do other company exam in between)
Exam 2- 2 weeks before exam (you can do other company exam in between)

The key is to go over AAMC material throughout the course of your studying, not just last minute. All the while building stamina and endurance. I think a lot of students neglect the amount of focus that is necessary to successfully score well. Doing many exams spread out is fundamental to this end.

 

[DaAlienist]

So do you

I think a thorough review (reviewing right and wrong answers) should take about 5 days (assuming one section a day) if you study for 4-5 hours a day. But don't forget that after a thorough review, you want to hone in on your weaknesses and practice. You want to give yourself time to absorb what you did wrong and to strategize so that you don't make the same mistake.

Sample Test - 6 weeks before exam (you can do other company exam in between)
Exam 1- 4 weeks before exam (you can do other company exam in between)
Exam 2- 2 weeks before exam (you can do other company exam in between)

The key is to go over AAMC material throughout the course of your studying, not just last minute. All the while building stamina and endurance. I think a lot of students neglect the amount of focus that is necessary to successfully score well. Doing many exams spread out is fundamental to this end.

So you recommend no more than 1 full test per week? What if I am done reviewing after just 1-2 days, is that bad?