Anyone else's scores DROPPING since they've started studying?

[b2sun]

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I took the AAMC practice tests in order of 3 4 6 8 7 9... and it's been going on a downward trend 🙁 (not counting 3, that was just a diag)

Anyone else been having this problem? Lol im not asking for a "WHAT SHOULD I DO OMG OMG" because asking for hypothetical solutions would be just silly. Instead im just curious as to who else is in my same boat

 

[BrainBuff]

Well, this happened to me as well. After a month of studying and doing Kaplan FLs, I took on AAMC 8, (my first AAMC) which became my highest score. From then on, I started dropping two or three points in subsequent tests..

I attributed to getting burned out and not able to concentrate anymore.

 

[b2sun]

im sure it just has to do with the relative difficulties of the tests, however it still is quite depressing!

 

[SN2ed]

If you haven't taken time off, it's burn out. It's nothing to get depressed about, simply spend 2-3 days completely MCAT free.

 

[b2sun]

I've never really gotten the concept of burning out. Why would you all of a sudden start doing worse?

 

[Contrarian]

I've never really gotten the concept of burning out. Why would you all of a sudden start doing worse?

not sure. the tests do tend to increase in difficulty. that said, my scores stayed in a pretty stable range. how much of a downward trend are we talking about here? a few points? or something more significant?

 

[dingyibvs]

I've never really gotten the concept of burning out. Why would you all of a sudden start doing worse?

You get burn out when you can no longer concentrate as well as before. I made sure I had many good hours of relaxation after 5-7 hours of studying for the MCAT every day.

 

[planktonelement]

Same thing happened to me, then they started going back up. Just keep working on your problem areas and things will eventually come together.

 

[psharma02]

Burn out for me is just when you can't put 2 and 2 together. Simply nothing is going on in that old noggin. For example, I studied so hard for a Chemistry final this summer... that when the final came... I couldn't figure out the units of molarity. thats how "burned" out I was (compared to the 96+ I was getting on each exam prior)

 

[SN2ed]

I've never really gotten the concept of burning out. Why would you all of a sudden start doing worse?

It's similar to lifting weights. You can't continually work on the same muscles. You have to give them a break to recover. Unfortunately, by the time one admits they're burned out, they're so far gone that it takes quite awhile to recover. I've seen your situation countless times now and in most cases, the problem was burnout. People underestimate the value of taking breaks to get some R&R and pay for it on test day.

The other possible problem is that your review isn't thorough enough. If you're absolutely sure you aren't burning out, then you need to fix how you're reviewing tests. Should your review method be the issue, you should re-review your old tests before taking new ones. A practice test hasn't been fully utilized until you properly review it.

 

[RedSoxSuck]

I've never really gotten the concept of burning out. Why would you all of a sudden start doing worse?

Hey, i am your typical premed. So i believe in MORE is better. I have taken the test before and have always pushed myself to keep studyin. That could via buying purest Caffeine that you can find on market (Caffeine anhydrous), getting immune to energy drinks (I can drink monster or two and fall asleep right away). YOU MUST TRUST. Initially when i start studyin almost 3 months ago, i forced myself to take every SUNDAY off and it worked great but after a while i had to take more time off. I used to start great (monday-wed) but then i used to get burn out. That forced me to take an evening off later in the week and then that stopped working. As i went on and kept forcing myself to study, whichever way i could. And on the 8/25 when i took my test i choked. I dont contribute my choking entirely to being tired but i think it had something to do with it. I took day and a half off before my test but i was still bit tired. I have alot of friends who scored in high 30s and they have told me. "Bust you A** but make sure to NOT burn out" bc when you burn out you cannot focus well (if at all) and then all the hardwork is kinnda worthless. So take time off its good for you.

 

[BrainBuff]

not sure. the tests do tend to increase in difficulty. that said, my scores stayed in a pretty stable range. how much of a downward trend are we talking about here? a few points? or something more significant?

I disagree. In fact, the first AAMC I took was 8 and I scored a 37. My subsequent range was then 36, 34, 35 ,35 all very randomly and not in order. My highest Kaplan was a 38 and it was number 2. Then, after that I would get anywhere from a 35 to a 37 and in the infamous FLs 9 and 10 I scored a 32.

I was really bored taking the tests and I would get interrupted at home while I was taking them with phone, etc. That's why I think I was getting burned out. I made sure I was MCAT free for 2 days prior to the test and I will find out how it went in three weeks!

Thinking about it, my highest Kaplan happened when I took it at the center. Concentration was much better there and I could tell I was really focused. Same thing happened during the real test. We will see..

 

[b2sun]

I disagree. In fact, the first AAMC I took was 8 and I scored a 37. My subsequent range was then 36, 34, 35 ,35 all very randomly and not in order. My highest Kaplan was a 38 and it was number 2. Then, after that I would get anywhere from a 35 to a 37 and in the infamous FLs 9 and 10 I scored a 32.

I was really bored taking the tests and I would get interrupted at home while I was taking them with phone, etc. That's why I think I was getting burned out. I made sure I was MCAT free for 2 days prior to the test and I will find out how it went in three weeks!

Thinking about it, my highest Kaplan happened when I took it at the center. Concentration was much better there and I could tell I was really focused. Same thing happened during the real test. We will see..

37 on 8??? thats crazy, **** was my lowest one =(

 

[loveoforganic]

Hey, i am your typical premed. So i believe in MORE is better. I have taken the test before and have always pushed myself to keep studyin. That could via buying purest Caffeine that you can find on market (Caffeine anhydrous), getting immune to energy drinks (I can drink monster or two and fall asleep right away). YOU MUST TRUST. Initially when i start studyin almost 3 months ago, i forced myself to take every SUNDAY off and it worked great but after a while i had to take more time off. I used to start great (monday-wed) but then i used to get burn out. That forced me to take an evening off later in the week and then that stopped working. As i went on and kept forcing myself to study, whichever way i could. And on the 8/25 when i took my test i choked. I dont contribute my choking entirely to being tired but i think it had something to do with it. I took day and a half off before my test but i was still bit tired. I have alot of friends who scored in high 30s and they have told me. "Bust you A** but make sure to NOT burn out" bc when you burn out you cannot focus well (if at all) and then all the hardwork is kinnda worthless. So take time off its good for you.

This is completely off topic, but you realize anhydrous caffeine just means without water right? Stop wasting your money. Your stomach and every cell in your body is full of water.

 

[b2sun]

Dude i drank 7 red bulls in one day before a 1st year chem final, i couldnt stop shaking the desks and bothering everyone within a 10 foot radius. I had to ask to be excused to the bathroom for a few minutes to run a few laps around the building to calm myself the hell down. I ended up going from the highest grade in the class to a BORDERLINE A-....

Caffine sucks.

 

[Contrarian]

I disagree. In fact, the first AAMC I took was 8 and I scored a 37. My subsequent range was then 36, 34, 35 ,35 all very randomly and not in order. My highest Kaplan was a 38 and it was number 2. Then, after that I would get anywhere from a 35 to a 37 and in the infamous FLs 9 and 10 I scored a 32.

I was really bored taking the tests and I would get interrupted at home while I was taking them with phone, etc. That's why I think I was getting burned out. I made sure I was MCAT free for 2 days prior to the test and I will find out how it went in three weeks!

Thinking about it, my highest Kaplan happened when I took it at the center. Concentration was much better there and I could tell I was really focused. Same thing happened during the real test. We will see..

Hmm...I guess it varies. I definitely felt like 3 and 4 were easier than 9 and 10. I felt like the general trend was an increase in difficulty, but it could just be the emphasis of different subject areas on different tests.