AAMC I. I've already done a search :o)

[Premed315U]

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Hi,

I did AAMC I today. HOw do you think this is going to compare to my real test?
I got about the same # wrong on bio and physical sciences that I've been getting wrong on the other recent practice tests, but I did much better on verbal (5 wrong vs. 10-12 wrong on previous bookstore ones). Is the verbal MUCH easier than the real thing, or am I hopefully getting better at verbal?

I've already done a search and see that some say I is easier but don't provide specifics about why--is it all sections, or just verbal? Also, I saw a few people who did better on the real thing than AAMC I.

Thank you.

 

[Ranger Bob]

The verbal sections on the first 3 (or so) released AAMC practice tests are MUCH easier than the more recent practice tests, and also easier than the MCAT you're likely to encounter. It's just as well, because the curve on those early tests was such that a few careless errors could make the difference between a perfect score and a 10 or 11.

The science sections of the early released tests are closer to the "real thing," though the amount of organic chemistry on the Bio section has increased from maybe 30% on the practice tests to about 50% currently.

 

[El Jefe]

Also make sure that when you are practicing you are practicing early in the morning. The real MCAT verbal will hit you at like 8am so be ready to read when you are tired/sleep deprived. I did worse on the actual verbal than practice ones just becuase my mind wandered more when I was really tired.

 

[Tweetie_bird]

holy CRAP! you are only getting 5 wrong???? OUT OF AN ENTIRE SECTION???

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME????????

🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁

 

[brandonite]

It should have an approximate chart to convert between your number of questions right, and the score you'd recieve... You can use this to get a bit of an idea as to the changes.

The first couple (I think 2 is just like 1, if I remember right) AAMC tests have a nasty curve to the VR sections. So, if you get 2 or 3 wrong, you're suddenly down to a 10.

You can get a pretty good idea as to the relative curve on each of the tests by looking at that chart. III and IV are both similar to the MCATs last year, but you can still get a pretty good idea as to your final mark by looking at that chart.

 

[Premed315U]

Tweetie, have you done AAMC I? I did much worse on others, so don't feel bad!!! I actually totally surprised myself on this one and couldn't believe it. Just crossing my fingers that this will continue.

Something that has helped me is reading the entire passage thoroughly and then going on to questions. I don't worry about time, and I always finish on time. I just read it with a fine tooth comb and try not to go back to the passage tooo much--only on things I'm not sure of. Also, I'm getting better at picking out wrong answers from previous test mistakes. I'm relieved that practicing is helping.

 

[Tweetie_bird]

Average in 1991 for each section was about an 8. I got a bit higher than average (in terms of percentile) for each one, I just made a smooth curve b/w the average and the least score you can get (1) and extrapolated my "actual" (approximate) score based on my percentile.

Note: before anybody jumps on me, I want to clarify that I KNOW that it's not a linear curve. Thus I used the word, "approximate."
Tweetie

 

[brandonite]

You guys made me go look at my MCAT materials... 😀

Anyway, you're right, there is no conversion in there between your percentage and your score out of 15, BUT, if you go to your copy of practice test II, at the back, there is a conversion that takes you between your percentile, the number you got right, and your score out of 15.

Tests I and II are very similar, if I remember right. You should get a rough idea.

 

[Mossjoh]

I'd hate to tell you this, but AAMC I is so easy that it is not even comparable to the real MCAT. Try AAMC 4 or 5 for a true comparison.

Mossjoh

 

[Darwin]

Hey Mossjoh - I think 4 and 5 were even easier than the actual test (just my opinion, re: my version, etc). Here's the deal with the practice tests:

Do NOT use any of them as predictors of difficulty of the actual exam. The verbal on the real exam is MUCH more difficult than any of the AAMC published tests. In my opinion, the actual test was slightly more quantitative than all of them, so make sure you know how to crunch numbers at a level beyond what the AAMC tests have you doing.

That said, as others have pointed out, despite the varying difficulty between 1-2 vs. 3-4 vs. the actual test, the conversion score is REALLY accurate to what you should expect on the actual test. This is what I tell my students at PR - and I give them my breakdown for the 4 tests and actual...so here goes. AAMC I 32, AAMC II = 31, AAMC III = 33, AAMC IV = 35, actual test = 34. The subsection scores were very accurate as well. The only difference between AAMC IV and the actual test was that I went from a 14 bio on AAMC IV to a 13 on the actual. In my opinion, the actual test was harder than AAMC IV, but again, your score tends to stay the same. It's good that you're taking them now...use tham as a predictor to see how hard (or not) you need tow work over the next couple of months to achieve the score you wish. Hope this helps, and take care.