Comments on AAMC I

[ancientmd]

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Okay, I have heard on this forum that this test was suppose to be easy. I posted a measely 23 today. I felt the verbal was on par with other stuff, but I felt the PS and BS were just strange for some reason... maybe just a bad day... has anybody else taken this exam... is it as pathetic as I felt it was?

 

[Mudd]

I'm not sure I'd jump on the easy bandwagon, but it is outdated. It was written in 1990 as an indicator of what to expect on the new MCAT intorduced in April of 1991. The problem is that the curve was generated based on experimental data, and not actual MCAT conditions.

Some of the passages are rather challenging. In fact, passage VI presents the concept of anti-matter, which was also on the most recent MCAT. So while the test may be a bit dusty, it still serves as a good exam in terms of topics and style.

The verbal section is easier than the current MCAT, but the curve on Exam 1 is harsh.

Bottomline: don't feel so bad. Learn from the experience.

 

[Mike59]

How did you come up with 23?? I think it depends how you score it. I compared percentiles with the percentile-score conversion charts for three different companies and here's what I came up with for my AAMC I score:

TPR Scale (Practice Tests A-D): 10V, 10PS, 10B = 30
Kaplan Scale: 9V, 14P, 11B= 34
AAMC III Scale: 8-9V, 10-11PS, 8-9BS= 26-29

So my total range is 26-34, not very helpful!

Is there a proper way to score AAMC I that gives me a realistic idea where I stand???

 

[racergirl]

About AAMC I: Yes, it is easier than current tests, especially the verbal portion (at least I thought so--I took the April 2001 MCAT).

For scoring, well, there isn't a score chart for AAMC I, but I think an AAMC chart would bring you much closer than a Kaplan scale. Kaplan would be based on a harder test, so the scale would be too generous.

 

[Mudd]

For scaling AAMC 1, use the average raw percentages for the sections and compare to other AAMC exams. For instance, in physical sciences on AAMC 1, the average question gets 56.2% correct responses, according to their numbers. On the physical sciences on AAMC 2, the average question gets 59.6% correct responses, according to their numbers. This means that the scale for AAMC 1 should be slightly more benevolent than the one for AAMC 2.

So:

• 
  12+ ...... 60-77
  10-11 ... 52-59
  8-9 ....... 43-51
  7 .......... 38-42
  6 .......... 33-37
  5 .......... 27-32
  4- ......... 0-26

although, it seems that if anyone can put an answer for every question and get 0 correct, they have done the amazing and should be automatically admitted into the medical school of their choice.

 

[CoffeeCat]

I'm confused, what's the verbal scale for AAMC I?