Are the new MCAT's questions taken from the old one?

[radioactive15]

A speculative thread.

Do you guys think that AAMC just looks at previously administered MCAT's (pre-2015) and just re-organizes the questions into the new MCAT's categories? (with the exception of the psychosocial section)

If yes, is there any way for us to purchase/obtain previous MCATs? Not old practice tests, the real thing. I'm guessing we can't, but just a shot in the dark here.

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[El-Rami]

I'm pretty sure the practice tests are made of retired MCAT questions.

 

[efle]

There is likely to be at least some re-use. You cannot acquire old MCATs other than the practice exams, but said practice exams were composed entirely of actual MCAT questions that had been on previous tests.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

A speculative thread.

Do you guys think that AAMC just looks at previously administered MCAT's (pre-2015) and just re-organizes the questions into the new MCAT's categories? (with the exception of the psychosocial section)

If yes, is there any way for us to purchase/obtain previous MCATs? Not old practice tests, the real thing. I'm guessing we can't, but just a shot in the dark here.

You cannot purchase old exams besides what they have released.

As for recycling, you should read the AAMC site in detail. There are some great hidden gems of insight in both their posts and their webinars. At AAMC workshops, questions like this come up, so choose webinars that have Q&As at the end. Sometimes answers about the MCAT can be found in their application information, because the application people have to make sure that it is fair for all applicants despite the fact that they may have MCAT scores that cover a three-year span.

 

[ElectricNoogie]

A speculative thread.

Do you guys think that AAMC just looks at previously administered MCAT's (pre-2015) and just re-organizes the questions into the new MCAT's categories? (with the exception of the psychosocial section)

If yes, is there any way for us to purchase/obtain previous MCATs? Not old practice tests, the real thing. I'm guessing we can't, but just a shot in the dark here.

Does the AAMC recycle Qs? Sure. Will some Qs from the pre-2015 MCAT show up on the new MCAT, yeah, of course. Will you ever be able to purchase a live Q that hasn't been retired? Nope.

Yes you can obtain previous MCATs. The pre-2015 practice tests, AAMC 3-11 were actual administered MCATs ranging from 2000-ish to 2011 or so. They are no longer for sale by the AAMC but they are obtainable. As for can you actually obtain an old real MCAT that is not a released practice test? No. You never have and you never will, not legally anyway.

Buy the AAMC PT, buy the Official Guide Qs and get the CARS Qpack at least (all the Q packs contain recycled Qs from old MCAT exams).

As for more material, check out this thread HERE for a review of Full length exam pros/cons by various companies.