consistent low scores in AAMC prac tests

[MedicinaeDoctor]

im following the EK timeline (and my EK teachers advice) and taking AAMC practice exams throughout my study, however, i've taken 3 exams (and 1 diag) and my score has not changed, even though i've learned a lot of material. its always in the 18-21 range. getting REALLY worried because my test is at the end of january 28th. i still have a 2-3 more chapters left to go in physics, chemistry, and bio from the EK books. have to read all of orgo. my verbal score hovers in the 7-9 range.

should i just complete the EK chapters, do section tests from kaplan (i have the online thing that i haven't used yet), do EK 1101/1001 to strengthen basics that i'm struggling with, do berkeley review passages for the rest of december. AND then attempt the next few AAMCs and Kaplan full lengths throughout january? what do you guys think?

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[MedPR]

Your composite is 18-21 and your VR is 7-9? So your PS and BS combined are 9-12? You should definitely postpone your MCAT date. If you are scoring 4-6 on BS and PS I really doubt that you are actually learning and understanding any of the material. Having a good grasp on the content is enough to get you at least a 7 on each section.

 

[411309]

Postpone your test, theres no way you're going to be ready in roughly a month if you're only scoring 18-21 on AAMCs, you need more time. Why are you missing questions, problems with critical thinking or gaps in knowledge? Individual scores?

 

[SN2ed]

I strongly suggest you delay because you're not ready. You'd probably be better off with more robust study materials. EK is good, but only if you're already strong in the subjects covered and need a brief refresher. Additionally, your post-practice review may be lacking.

General Guidelines for Reviewing:

- Go over EVERY question. Both the ones you got right and the ones you got wrong.
- Reviewing should take 2-3 times longer than taking the timed practice problems.
- If your tests are fluctuating, it is due to the different topics on the various tests. In other words, you have some glaring weaknesses that when targeted, nail you, badly. You have to find out what those weaknesses are because they are evident by your scores. Do NOT dismiss any wrong answer as a "stupid mistake." You made that error for a reason. Go over your tests again.
- You might want to consider making a log for all of your post test results where you work through the questions below. Doing so, you'll be able to easily notice trends.

Some things to go over when reviewing:

1. Why did you get the question wrong? Why did you get the question right?
2. What question and passage types get you?
3. How is your mindset when facing a particular passage?
4. Are you stressed for time?
5. Where are your mistakes happening the most? Are they front loaded? Are they at the end? All over?
6. What was your thought process for both the questions you got right and the ones you got wrong?
7. For verbal, what was the author's mindset and main idea?
8. Did you eliminate all of the answer choices you could from first glance?
ex. You know an answer should be a positive number so you cross out all of the negative number answer choices.
9. What content areas are you weak in?
10. Why are the wrong answers wrong and the right answer right?
11. How can you improve so you don't make the same mistake again?