515 on a practice MCAT

[Les93]

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Hi all, I am a longtime lurker of the DO threads who's been studying for the mcat pretty much ever since the grade replacement policy changed, lol! I am still in the process of taking another 3 or so classes to get my sGPA up to that 3.3 mark BUT I figured that maybe a good mcat score could help forgive my unimpressive gpa.

I have taken three practice exams in the past month and a half or so. I got 501, 506 (on two kaplan ones) and then a 515 on the first AAMC practice test I tried this weekend. A few people have advised me to just hurry and sign up and take the damn thing for real with that score. I was pretty floored and though I have been studying hard and for quite some time, I worry that this is a fluke because I still don't feel ~comfortable~ with a lot of the material yet, especially the physical section. Evidently I am able to figure it out in a test setting? Basically I am just not sure if I should believe this practice test score. Should I just take it? Or should I finish up the remainder of the practice tests and study materials I have and plan to take the test in mid/late June? If anyone has any advice on this or on the relative validity of practice test scores as predictors to actual mcat scores, I'd be very grateful! Thank you in advance for your advice.

 

[zukunft195]

Hi all, I am a longtime lurker of the DO threads who's been studying for the mcat pretty much ever since the grade replacement policy changed, lol! I am still in the process of taking another 3 or so classes to get my sGPA up to that 3.3 mark BUT I figured that maybe a good mcat score could help forgive my unimpressive gpa.

I have taken three practice exams in the past month and a half or so. I got 501, 506 (on two kaplan ones) and then a 515 on the first AAMC practice test I tried this weekend. A few people have advised me to just hurry and sign up and take the damn thing for real with that score. I was pretty floored and though I have been studying hard and for quite some time, I worry that this is a fluke because I still don't feel ~comfortable~ with a lot of the material yet, especially the physical section. Evidently I am able to figure it out in a test setting? Basically I am just not sure if I should believe this practice test score. Should I just take it? Or should I finish up the remainder of the practice tests and study materials I have and plan to take the test in mid/late June? If anyone has any advice on this or on the relative validity of practice test scores as predictors to actual mcat scores, I'd be very grateful! Thank you in advance for your advice.

From what I've read on SDN, AAMC practice test scores are fairly accurate, while Kaplan tests tend to be graded tougher than the actual exam.

Are you strictly timing yourself? What's your cGPA?

 

[Les93]

Yeah, I'm doing the same timing as the real test. My cGPA is 3.55. Again, not stellar but not awful.

 

[zukunft195]

Yeah, I'm doing the same timing as the real test. My cGPA is 3.55. Again, not stellar but not awful.

How are your ECs?

If you get a 512+ on the actual MCAT, then you should apply broadly to low-tier MDs (and in-state MDs), with a smattering of mid-tier MDs, and a few top DO programs.

If you're dead-set on DO, then you can go ahead and take the MCAT as soon as possible. If you want to consider MD, then keep studying, take a few more practice tests, go over your mistakes, and take the MCAT when you feel you've reached your peak.

You should really be setting your sights on MD schools at this point.

 

[Les93]

I am currently a junior scientist in a virology lab at a major state medical school and did research throughout undergrad, I worked as a CNA in nursing homes all last summer/fall, and I have a good variety of consistent volunteer activities totaling maybe 250 hours between the hospital, a public adult high school that serves recent immigrant populations, and planned parenthood. So I'd say my ECs are pretty solid.

I'm not dead set on DO in any way, I just always assumed my grades were not good enough for MD's and I'm pretty sure they still aren't. I can't remember the last time I calculated my gpa the way that MD schools require (I believe you have to include math classes and any post-bac work that you do isn't really calculated into your undergrad gpa) but from what I remember my sGPA was barely above 3.0 when I did that. That seems too low for MD schools to me, idk.

 

[zukunft195]

I am currently a junior scientist in a virology lab at a major state medical school and did research throughout undergrad, I worked as a CNA in nursing homes all last summer/fall, and I have a good variety of consistent volunteer activities totaling maybe 250 hours between the hospital, a public adult high school that serves recent immigrant populations, and planned parenthood. So I'd say my ECs are pretty solid.

I'm not dead set on DO in any way, I just always assumed my grades were not good enough for MD's and I'm pretty sure they still aren't. I can't remember the last time I calculated my gpa the way that MD schools require (I believe you have to include math classes and any post-bac work that you do isn't really calculated into your undergrad gpa) but from what I remember my sGPA was barely above 3.0 when I did that. That seems too low for MD schools to me, idk.

Oh, I see. Then you really should be focusing on DO schools. Take another AAMC practice test to make sure you're consistent, and if the outcome is good (508+), take the actual MCAT.

 

[Ho0v-man]

Time to take it. Over studying is real. I did it and got diminishing returns. Should have taken it asap after I broke 30...