Best AAMC FLs to take?

[lNVlNClBLE]

SDN,

Hello everyone. My MCAT is in less than a month now, and after I finish reviewing stuff in about a week, I want to take a couple more AAMC FLs. I've only taken #3, the free one, thus far.

Which FLs do you feel best represented the real MCAT? If at all possible, I would prefer something more physical science oriented (7/10/12 on #3) as that's what I need the most work on.

Also, is anyone else being affected by the change to the new MCAT? The schools I'm applying to won't be accepting scores from the old exam starting in 2016, so if I don't get in this application cycle, my score is literally only good for one year. I feel cheated, since most of the schools made their decision only a few days ago... But I bet if I do bad on my MCAT this year for whatever reason, it'll be an interview talking point even if I apply in 2018 after dominating the new MCAT. Pfft.

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[Heplayer92]

Honestly take all of them. They are all good information. People will say different things on which ones represent "the real MCAT."

Do well on your MCAT and that's one less thing stopping you from getting an acceptance next cycle. Best of luck!

 

[lNVlNClBLE]

Unfortunately, I don't have enough money to take all of them. Only 2-3 at max. /:

 

[uvrsol]

GS

 

[ruedjgtc]

If you ask people which ones to take, all you'll get is those test that those people personally struggled on. If you search the forums, you'll see this subject has come up a lot. More or less, it's always the same stuff, it's just does the way they ask you on that particular test hurt or help you. Since there is so much variety, and you never know how your real MCAT will come, most people suggest you just take a lot of tests (what Heplayer92 succinctly said) and assume your real one will feel similar to an amalgamation of those.

It may be sort of pricey to spend almost $300 on practice tests, but it's a lot more expensive to have to reschedule another MCAT/re-apply. I can understand your reservation, I was in a similar position, but i'm happy I just bled and paid for the tests.

 

[lNVlNClBLE]

Understood. I just wasn't aware if some of the higher numbered tests were more modern and thus better reflected the current state of the exam or not.

In any case, I think I'll just do 2-3 for now, and from those scores I'll decide if I really can muster all the extra money. Thanks everyone.

 

[theparty]

i would say go for 9, 10, 11 - they're definitely quite different from 3, 4, 5. also, if you're looking for cheaper CBTs,

the single best investment you could make on a budget is TPRH SW (science workbook) - it's fricking massive, something like 20 FLs worth of passages, and you can focus on specific areas you're weak in. by far the best practice passages too. i paid $25 for mine shipped in the for sale forum.

also, kaplan, TPR, and GS all have a free CBT. "The Gold Standard MCAT with Online Practice MCAT Tests (2012-2013 Edition)" (which i have) comes with access to GS 1, 2, 3 (i paid like $20 used for mine on ebay, you just need words from the book to log in online, so you can rent it on amazon for like $15). "MCAT Prep 2014 Physical & Biological Sciences Practice Tests & Questions - 8 tests" is apparently 8 tests worth of the science sections for $40, and got good reviews on amazon, but i've never heard anyone mention it before on this forum. finally, "Kaplan MCAT Practice Tests" is 4 kaplan tests for $25. on a strict budget, maybe consider one of those just to add more practice, although they're generally agreed upon that they're not as good as the AAMCs, but plenty of people who score 35+ are suggesting do as many CBTs as possible, from various sources (ie spinach's).