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So this is obviously n=1 here but... I got a 502 on FL1 only 3 weeks before getting a 514 on the MCAT. In the last month, I took all the FLs and spent ~20-30 hours reviewing each one like crazy.
The three scored AAMC exams predicted my actual score. Go over every question with a fine tooth comb and know what you did right and what you did wrong.
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Thanks for your question @medschoolwoo! Can I ask what your goal score is?
Yes, about a week before my actual test.
Here is my testing schedule from last summer.
Test 1 (early June, before doing much review) AAMC sample: C/P 70%, CARS 68%, B/B 74%, P/S 80%
FL1 (8/1): TBR1 C/P 130, EK1 CARS 123 (ouch), *****1 B/B 127, EK1 P/S 128 = 508 total
FL2 (8/7): TBR2 C/P 129, EK2 CARS 122 (starting to stress), TBR1 B/B 129, *****1 P/S 129 = 509 total
FL3 (8/10): *****1 C/P 131, *****1 CARS 125, EK1 B/B 127, TBR1 P/S 128 = 511 total
FL4 (8/15): EK1 C/P 129, EK3 CARS 124, *****2 B/B 128, EK2 P/S 129 = 510 total
FL5 (8/20): TBR3 C/P 131, *****2 CARS 126, TBR2 B/B 129, *****2 P/S 128 = 514 total
FL6 (8/23): AAMC 1 C/P 131, CARS 126, B/B 131, P/S 130 = 518 total
FL7 (8/30): AAMC 2 C/P 131, CARS 124, B/B 131, P/S 129 = 515 total
FL8 (9/5): EK3 C/P 127, *****3 CARS 124, TBR3 B/B 129, *****3 P/S 128 = 508 total
FL9 (9/13): AAMC 3 C/P 131, CARS 123, B/B 130, P/S 128 = 512 total
MCAT (9/18): C/P 132, CARS 122, B/B 132, P/S 130 = 516 total
AAMC exams are the best predictors of how you'll do. The other exams were super helpful for timing and exposure to weird stuff, but nothing is as accurate at predicting your score as AAMC.
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Thanks! I think it's definitely possible to increase you score by 3 points in the next three weeks. I think psychology you can definitely bump up a few points by making sure you memorize all of the terminology.
For the other sections, go back and thoroughly review all of the aamc material to make sure you understand everything that you're making mistakes on. Do you have any AAMC material left?
^^^ This! P/S can be increased faster than any section. Pound KA passages, scour the 300-page reddit document, and make flashcards. Understanding how AAMC asks questions is key. Review every question you have from them.
The fact that you're at a 505 and still have that much aamc material to learn from is a good sign that you can improve a lot over the next few weeks. Make sure you schedule out your remaining days so that you can go through and review all of the aamc material sufficiently. If you do that I think it'll see a pretty nice score increase and should be within your goal score.
I hope that helps and please don't hesitate to reach out with other questions!
I hope that helps and please don't hesitate to reach out with other questions!
Just to make what StarSpangled said more of an n=2, I also went from a low FL1 (505) to a 515 on the real deal in about 3-4 weeks.
I studied mostly by doing one AAMC FL at the beginning of the week and thoroughly reviewing it for the rest of the week. But almost half of my bump came from P/S, which you can make major improvements on over just a few weeks. That section is a vocabulary test, and Khan Academy is amazing for it.
You're definitely within striking distance of that 510+ !
I studied mostly by doing one AAMC FL at the beginning of the week and thoroughly reviewing it for the rest of the week. But almost half of my bump came from P/S, which you can make major improvements on over just a few weeks. That section is a vocabulary test, and Khan Academy is amazing for it.
You're definitely within striking distance of that 510+ !
If I have gone through about half my AAMC material, but have the option to reset them and go through it all again do you think that is a good approach?
Not yet, you wanna continue to see new material. Parsing through new material and making sure you're able to apply the stuff you've learned is important. You'll have time a bit closer to your test date to go over your old stuff again, but at this point you want to keep working through new stuff.
I hope that helps! If you have any other questions, definitely reach back out
I hope that helps! If you have any other questions, definitely reach back out
You are perfectly on track if your goal score is 508-510. Keep working through the remaining aamc material and make sure to review thoroughly!! I would not recommend to reschedule, but if anyone has a different opinion, please definitely share.
I think you're doing well and you need to start believing in yourself and your ability to reach your goal score. That's going to make a difference in your end outcome, trust me. No more second guessing yourself. You're doing great and you're capable and you will achieve what you want! Just keep working and it's going to work out.
If you need anything else. Please reach out and good luck!
