Aamc Practice Tests Similarity

[kajrah07]

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Hi guys,

this question most likely was asked before, but I could not find it


I am practicing from the aamc tests bought online and most of them seem pretty similar...so is this a reliable source for the actual test....well what i mean is, has anyone studied from these tests only and went and took the test and found it pretty similiar


because when i take the tests from other sources, such as kaplan, they are different


thanks

 

[wjp25]

kajrah07,

I was under the impression that the AAMC practice tests were very similar to the types of questions you will see on test day, but I was rudely mistaken May 31. I found the real exam to be much more difficult and my score reflected that.

I was regularly scoring 30-32 on the AAMC practice tests and did not come close to that on May 31. I originally thought that the verbal reasoning section was fairly close in difficulty but that the PS and BS section was tougher than the old tests. I was wrong about the verbal as I did horrible on that section compared to how I was scoring on the AAMC tests, I guess there must have been alot of verbal geeks taking the test that day, or I had a total brain fart.

Anyway, the moral of this story is that don't use the AAMC tests as the ONLY tests you take, like I did. They are definitely helpful, but don't use those scores as an absolute judge on how you will fair on the real MCAT. I am retaking the test in Sept and am trying to get ahold of some of the other companies full lengths for more rounded approach this time.

 

[RoadRunner17]

kajrah07,

I was under the impression that the AAMC practice tests were very similar to the types of questions you will see on test day, but I was rudely mistaken May 31. I found the real exam to be much more difficult and my score reflected that.

I was regularly scoring 30-32 on the AAMC practice tests and did not come close to that on May 31. I originally thought that the verbal reasoning section was fairly close in difficulty but that the PS and BS section was tougher than the old tests. I was wrong about the verbal as I did horrible on that section compared to how I was scoring on the AAMC tests, I guess there must have been alot of verbal geeks taking the test that day, or I had a total brain fart.

Anyway, the moral of this story is that don't use the AAMC tests as the ONLY tests you take, like I did. They are definitely helpful, but don't use those scores as an absolute judge on how you will fair on the real MCAT. I am retaking the test in Sept and am trying to get ahold of some of the other companies full lengths for more rounded approach this time.

That's what I feel, having taken the paper administration in 2005 and seeing other peoples' experiences this year with the CBT. You need to diversify your practice test-taking, and focus on improving your test-taking skills rather than trying to just increase the number of questions you get right on the exam. That's the only way to make sure you'll do the best you can do... you can't always predict your actual scores, as the May 31st administration showed, so you shouldn't spend time trying to.

 

[kajrah07]

See now that is unfair...they say that those tests are from the actual mcat makers, and yet they cheat you by making you buy them and then it not being the same

now i am two days away from my test day

God help me

 

[RoadRunner17]

It's not the practice tests I think are the issue, its the administration of the CBTs.. but I don't really think its that significant an issue if you've taken the majority of the AAMC practice tests. That will give you a better idea of how you can reasonably expect to do on the real test.

Good luck on Friday!

 

[kajrah07]

Thanks!

 

[cloosh]

kajrah07,

I was under the impression that the AAMC practice tests were very similar to the types of questions you will see on test day, but I was rudely mistaken May 31. I found the real exam to be much more difficult and my score reflected that.

I was regularly scoring 30-32 on the AAMC practice tests and did not come close to that on May 31. I originally thought that the verbal reasoning section was fairly close in difficulty but that the PS and BS section was tougher than the old tests. I was wrong about the verbal as I did horrible on that section compared to how I was scoring on the AAMC tests, I guess there must have been alot of verbal geeks taking the test that day, or I had a total brain fart.

Anyway, the moral of this story is that don't use the AAMC tests as the ONLY tests you take, like I did. They are definitely helpful, but don't use those scores as an absolute judge on how you will fair on the real MCAT. I am retaking the test in Sept and am trying to get ahold of some of the other companies full lengths for more rounded approach this time.

yeah that's exactly what happened to me on test day. that plus my mentality was a bit off too. nothing really clicked on the day. i found the verbal to be quite difficult as well and i ended up doing horribly on it. i think my problem was that i didn't even bother focusing a bit more time on the verbal section, which is what i'm doing now for my next exam. i think the aamc tests are pretty good indicators, but taking the real exam is a whole lot different. if i were you, i'd get familiar with the test site, and know where it is ahead of time, maybe take a visit there, cause i didnt do that, almost got lost, and was even worried i might not make it on time. so when i finally did get to the site, i was already in an off mood. doesn't help, trust me.

 

[sc71football]

I found the CBT to be much more difficult than all of the AMCAS tests. I was averaging 4 points higher than how I actually did on the real thing. However, I have a friend who just got his scores back from may 31 and he got a 37 which is higher than all of his practice tests (and no he did not use other practice tests). So I think that it varies.

 

[J ROD]

Some people focus under pressure and some people do not.


Pressure breaks pipes!!!


That's why I am preparing for the worst!!!

 

[themule]

Some people focus under pressure and some people do not.


Pressure breaks pipes!!!


That's why I am preparing for the worst!!!

And forges diamonds.

TM

 

[RoadRunner17]

And forges diamonds.

TM

👍 Real doctors have to work well under pressure, too.

 

[meddoc1]

I don't know if anyone felt the same way but the CBT is very different from the AAMC. It just feel different. I understand that because now there are more exams every month so they have to have different style of question everytime. But its so hard to be prepare for whats coming. For example, sometime, the PS will be so heavy on calculation, then the next time it will be like taking a verbal test in the PS section. OMG... what do you want from me.

On top of that, there is always one section in the MCAT that is going to be extremely hard. like April was verbal, may 15 - hard on bio section, May 25 was Physic. Then comes May 31 was verbal again. This make me feel that the MCAT is not very consistant and luck becomes more important. I am praying that july 24th exam will be hard for bio cos i am better at it .. hahaha
Anyway, thats just my opinion...

 

[hokiemon]

You'll get no definitive answer to this.. i asked a while ago and people were talking about how it was very similar and one guy said he felt the real test was easier..

its probably best to ask people who havent gotten their score back yet.. that way theyll give u more of their impression of the test rather then how they did on it

 

[kajrah07]

I don't know if anyone felt the same way but the CBT is very different from the AAMC. It just feel different. I understand that because now there are more exams every month so they have to have different style of question everytime. But its so hard to be prepare for whats coming. For example, sometime, the PS will be so heavy on calculation, then the next time it will be like taking a verbal test in the PS section. OMG... what do you want from me.

On top of that, there is always one section in the MCAT that is going to be extremely hard. like April was verbal, may 15 - hard on bio section, May 25 was Physic. Then comes May 31 was verbal again. This make me feel that the MCAT is not very consistant and luck becomes more important. I am praying that july 24th exam will be hard for bio cos i am better at it .. hahaha
Anyway, thats just my opinion...

yea, i just hope that this friday it is more bio for me as well, because i am better at it, but hopefully not too much chemistry invovlved

😉