Couple points below goal score with 3 weeks left. Help!

[Twilson016]

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Hey Guys,
So I am registered for the January 23rd date, but my practice tests are still coming out just a couple points shy of my goal score for Test Day. With only about 3 weeks left, can someone help me figure out how to make the most of the time I have left to study by giving me some advice on what I should be doing during these last few weeks? Is increasing a score by 2 or so points possible within such a short period of time? My last 3 practice test went as follows:
Kaplan Full Length #3: 9PS/10VR/8BS
AAMC #3 (I realize this probably isn't the best indicator): 8PS/10VR/10BS
AAMC #5: 9PS/9VR/9BS

I tend to feel the least confident during PS, I feel like I'm guessing a lot, but somehow the scores come out decent. Verbal seems to be my strong suit, but those dang Humanities passages screw me over every time. I feel pretty comfortable with BS as a Bio major, I just have a hard time with the Physiology passages/questions because I've never taken physiology.

I am pretty much solely applying to DO schools and my GPA is pretty strong so my goal score is a 28-30. Ideally I would ideally like to be scoring a couple points above my goal score on my last few practice tests so that if nerves cause my score to decrease on Test Day, it would still be okay.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[valkener]

Your score is pretty competitive so I would also apply broadly to MD. I think you are on a good path, just keep practicing. Take ALL AAMC tests and study the underlying concepts if you get a question wrong.

Other than that, make sure you apply broadly (both DO and MD) and also apply early. Good luck.

 

[Twilson016]

Thanks for the encouragement. It definitely helps during the last couple weeks. I took AAMC #7 yesterday and scored a 9PS/9VR/10BS. I can't seem to break that 28 barrier, at least it's consistent though. Today I've been analyzing where I went wrong, and watching videos on the underlying concepts of what I missed. I will probably continue to study tonight and tomorrow and then take AAMC #8 on Saturday. Thanks for the help!

 

[FutureNodakMD]

I was in the same boat, achieving a few points shy of my goal scores, and then I took the last 3 AAMC practice exams, and BAM just like that I was getting my goal! Granted I was putting in 8-10 hours per day studying, but don't let it get you down!

Also, I had run through all of my content review books multiple times and decided to give the Khan Academy videos a shot for the specific subject areas I had trouble with. With that being said...I really enjoyed them because they are short and easy to watch, so if you need extra review those are quick and easy!

Also, just keep doing the practice exams because that is what helps the most! GOOD LUCK!

 

[BuckyBadger!]

You're doing fine! Hang in there. Make sure you spend some time analyzing your shortcomings on exams! I think this is an important step, although not particularly helpful for verbal . . . Go back and read a section of a review book on the areas you didn't perform so well on. Good luck.

 

[Twilson016]

Thanks guys for all the encouragement. It really helps! Although I just took AAMC #8 and only scored a 8PS/10VR/8BS which is really worrying me with less than 2 weeks until test day. Granted I was only one question away from 9's in both PS and BS, a 26 is still daunting with such little time left. Any suggestions? Did anyone have a similar experience with AAMC #8?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[FutureNodakMD]

I only had one point higher on AAMC #8 actually in the same time period......just look at the topics you are continually getting questions wrong in, then review those topics and keep doing practice problems. As always, keep doing the rest of the AAMC practice tests if you have not already.

 

[Quik]

To improve your VR score, I'd recommend doing a short VR exercise almost every day (3 passages or so). This section is all about pattern recognition. Going into the test date, hone these skills down to a fine point and you should see good improvement in the last 10 days, going at it every day. If you really get good, these skills should carry over to the sciences, as the physiology questions are written in a similar manner that allows reasoning and elimination to derive the correct answer without having the necessary background knowledge.

 

[doc4lax]

My averages were anywhere between 27-29, leaning more towards 28's. 3 weeks before my test date I got a 24 and flipped out for like a week. Next week I got a 29 and then was steady till my test date. If you prepare properly, test as if it were your actual MCAT, and BREATHE you will be fine 🙂 I ended up scoring a 28 and managed to get into a good MD school in the midwest. Trust yourself and your plan and you will be okay. Just another bump in the road to get to where you wanna go. Good luck!

 

[Gauss44]

A couple points might be the increase you'll gain from just practicing taking the full lengths. Something about getting into the rhythm and mindset of full length MCAT tests tends to up people's scores.