Anyone else think Next Step 2015 FL are BS?

[HopefulMDclass2020]

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I have now done every 2015 FL from Kaplan, TPR, and 3/5 from next step. Some of the questions from Next Step I find to be completely BS, and out of the scope of what we need to know. I also thought their verbal for test 1/2 was a complete joke. I was averaging around 127 from Kaplan/TPR, and then hit 123 on the first verbal and 122 on the second. The third verbal was more reasonable however, I scored a 126.

Anyone else have the same experience as me? I am getting really discouraged seeing my overall score drop despite my continuous studying.

 

[baratheonfire]

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[Mr. Beefy Lion]

What were your scores on the next step exams and Kaplan? I just took the first next step and got 503 (125/122/128/128). I find their bio to be too easy and CARS to be ridiculous if that's what you mean. It seems pretty similar to kaplans full lengths to be honest. Haven't done any offical AAMC stuff yet tho so I can't compare to that

 

[platanus]

After going through NS psycho/socio book, I decided to not deal with NS.

 

[HopefulMDclass2020]

Do not get me started on the psycho/socio. I did not read their content, however I am getting tested over feminist theory and a bunch of other theories I was never taught in Kaplan and TPR. I was worried that maybe Kaplan/TPR forgot to cover it. But I went over the AAMC guide to the 2015 MCAT and did not find any of those subjects mentioned.

I will still do the remaining to practice test though. I will at least refine my test taking techniques.

 

[allantois]

Do not get me started on the psycho/socio. I did not read their content, however I am getting tested over feminist theory and a bunch of other theories I was never taught in Kaplan and TPR. I was worried that maybe Kaplan/TPR forgot to cover it. But I went over the AAMC guide to the 2015 MCAT and did not find any of those subjects mentioned.

I will still do the remaining to practice test though. I will at least refine my test taking techniques.

It is listed under theoretical approaches.
https://www.aamc.org/students/apply...knowledgemapconcepts2/368630/psbbfc9cc9a.html

 

[HopefulMDclass2020]

It is listed under theoretical approaches.
https://www.aamc.org/students/apply...knowledgemapconcepts2/368630/psbbfc9cc9a.html

Thank you so much for input! I will have to double check, but I am almost positive TPR did not cover that. I will have to add it into my notes.

 

[HopefulMDclass2020]

What were your scores on the next step exams and Kaplan? I just took the first next step and got 503 (125/122/128/128). I find their bio to be too easy and CARS to be ridiculous if that's what you mean. It seems pretty similar to kaplans full lengths to be honest. Haven't done any offical AAMC stuff yet tho so I can't compare to that

I find there biology to be okay, difficulty seemed reasonable. And my scores have varied from 497 (when I started studying) - 508, and anywhere in between lol. I am taking the MCAT July 18. My goal is just to consistently score around 508, and I will be happy. 🙂

 

[Mr. Beefy Lion]

If you got a 508 on one of their full lengths (not the diagnostic ) you are in pretty good shape

 

[mcatjelly]

Thank you so much for input! I will have to double check, but I am almost positive TPR did not cover that. I will have to add it into my notes.

They do in their addenda. 🙂 Make sure you download those!!!

 

[HopefulMDclass2020]

Awesome, you guys are great! GL studying 🙂

 

[TheOneAndOnlyJamesFranco]

Having taken all of those practice exams, which would you say is most consistent with AAMC? And how did you go about taking all of those schedule wise?

 

[HopefulMDclass2020]

Having taken all of those practice exams, which would you say is most consistent with AAMC? And how did you go about taking all of those schedule wise?

I have only taken the old AAMC FL. I am taking the 2015 AAMC FL 1 month out (around June 20th). I would recommended both Kaplan and TPR. I also bought McGraw Hill and 3 EK FL, which I have not completed yet (I plan to review them after I complete them). My schedule was 1 FL every Saturday and then grade it Sunday. However, I am to the point now where I am basically done with the content portion. So I am now going to work TPR hyper learning and then 2 FL per week, one Tues and 1 Sat until the real deal. Hope this helps!

 

[DesitnationMD]

I have only taken the old AAMC FL. I am taking the 2015 AAMC FL 1 month out (around June 20th). I would recommended both Kaplan and TPR. I also bought McGraw Hill and 3 EK FL, which I have not completed yet (I plan to review them after I complete them). My schedule was 1 FL every Saturday and then grade it Sunday. However, I am to the point now where I am basically done with the content portion. So I am now going to work TPR hyper learning and then 2 FL per week, one Tues and 1 Sat until the real deal. Hope this helps!

I have used the NS FL, Kaplan FL, TPR FL and EK FLs so far. I would rank EK > NS > TPR > Kaplan. I found the NS exams tougher in VR for sure btu the sceinces were comparable to EK and the new AAMC materials I have. For each full length I focus more on the % I am getting right as NONE of these companies know anything about what the new scales will be so at best they are doing guesswork. You have only taken old AAMC full lengths? I can tell you that those old passages are mot much like the newer AAMC stuff. EK and NS come closer to the new stuff, Kaplan less so.

Given how you seem to have immediately gotten angry with NS and then TPR due your failing to know what is actually on the AAMC MCAT or what is in your own study materials, I would recommend you take a close, close look at your AAMC materials (grab the official guide) and don't depend on ANY of these companies to give you all of what you need for this new exam. It's all too new for any company to say they know how to interpret the AAMC MCAT 2015 content outline. That is why I am taking full lengths from multiple companies. The Khan academy is also a great resource.

Don't judge an exam based on how happy you are with your score. Check out the April and May test takers threads to see opinions on how close practice come to the real thing and how their practice scores compared to their actual real score. That is the only good way to judge these exams and for now, it is too soon to conclude much.

 

[Gauss44]

AAMC practice tests rule. I WISH THEY WOULD MAKE MORE THAN ONE! A current version of AAMC's book The Guide to the MCAT should also have practice questions and passages from each section if there is one?

Other than that, I would say, focus on learning the required subject matter and use TPR and Kaplan tests to practice. In the past AAMC practice tests have been the most accurate indication of what someone's real score will be. Most prep company tests scores were NOT excellent indicators.

(And I'm not recommending the following, but just mentioning that some people have taken the real MCAT as a trial run to get familiar with the test and just voided it at the end. Again I don't "recommend" that. Just saying that it has been done. We are all old enough to make our own decisions on here, but that may or may not be a good option if you need it to be one.)

 

[justreachforthesky]

Do not get me started on the psycho/socio. I did not read their content, however I am getting tested over feminist theory and a bunch of other theories I was never taught in Kaplan and TPR. I was worried that maybe Kaplan/TPR forgot to cover it. But I went over the AAMC guide to the 2015 MCAT and did not find any of those subjects mentioned.

I will still do the remaining to practice test though. I will at least refine my test taking techniques.

According to their reps in Amazon reviews, they license content from generic textbook makers rather than writing their own books. This may be a little off topic, but I have realized that the testimonials/reviews for NS seem fake. Just my $0.02.

 

[kitkat13]

This may be a little off topic, but I have realized that the testimonials/reviews for NS seem fake

This is really obvious when you look at the "reviewers" post history. Why do they ONLY review NextStep material and literally NO OTHER product. Huh, weird right?

 

[Necr0sis713]

Do not get me started on the psycho/socio. I did not read their content, however I am getting tested over feminist theory and a bunch of other theories I was never taught in Kaplan and TPR. I was worried that maybe Kaplan/TPR forgot to cover it. But I went over the AAMC guide to the 2015 MCAT and did not find any of those subjects mentioned.

I will still do the remaining to practice test though. I will at least refine my test taking techniques.

Well that's a nice confidence booster...My score on NS were 507 and 508. TPR on the other hand, 504. Still 2 months out though.

 

[justreachforthesky]

This is really obvious when you look at the "reviewers" post history. Why do they ONLY review NextStep material and literally NO OTHER product. Huh, weird right?

Haha exactly.. I thought I was seeing things but every single review looked fake. Either that or a brand new company that no one has ever heard of suddenly cracked the brand spanking new MCAT... and also happens to have reviewers that will only review their own products

More importantly, they have more total reviews than the other test prep companies, even though said companies have been around for years.