Decoding the AAMC

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listener23

listener23

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I need a high MCAT score, no fluff lets get straight to it.

1. Do you think the AAMC gives more lenient curves to 8am testers.
Theory: It's early as hell! To take a 8am you most likely had to wake up at like 6 or 7 in the morning. ( I know the curve is pre-set)

2. Do you think that the AAMC is accounting for the increased number of under prepared kids that's rushing to beat the 2015 MCAT. They must be curving harder.

3. The vast majority of the. People I talk to leave the MCAT feeling like crap and there life is over. I left feeling happy and I had a lot of fun, I even stayed and took the survey. Does this mean I did worst than expected and fail for traps?
 
listener23 said:
I need a high MCAT score, no fluff lets get straight to it.

1. Do you think the AAMC gives more lenient curves to 8am testers.
Theory: It's early as hell! To take a 8am you most likely had to wake up at like 6 or 7 in the morning. ( I know the curve is pre-set)

2. Do you think that the AAMC is accounting for the increased number of under prepared kids that's rushing to beat the 2015 MCAT. They must be curving harder.

3. The vast majority of the. People I talk to leave the MCAT feeling like crap and there life is over. I left feeling happy and I had a lot of fun, I even stayed and took the survey. Does this mean I did worst than expected and fail for traps?
Click to expand...
1. No
2. No
3. No
 
listener23 said:
For #2 you have to give a deeper answer.
Click to expand...
The curve is based on how people perform on the test questions prior. As a greater number of people are going to be taking the test, you are going to be dealing with people who know they have to take the test earlier (so they don't get with the changes), these people have also likely studied, and as a result of such, the overall grades are likely going to be a tad higher overall, resulting in less of a curve.

TL;DR more people -> less curve
 
Last edited:
No your wrong. The MCAT average has been between 24-25 for a long time. The AAMC knows testers are more likely to take there exams even underprepared just to avoid the 2015 MCAT. The average can't change that much or the test is an unstable indicator of med school readyness. My theory is the AAMC curved harder because if they didn't the average would drop to like a 19 which will make a score of a 25 look impressive. This will confuse ADCOMS.
 
Last edited:
listener23 said:
No your wrong. The MCAT average has been between 24-25 for a long time. The AAMC knows testers are more likely to take there exams even underprepared just to avoid the 2015 MCAT. The average can't change that much or the test is an unstable indicator of med school ready ness. My theory is the AAMC curved harder because if they didn't the average would drop to like a 19 which will make a score of a 25 look impressive. This will confuse ADCOMS.
Click to expand...
You have numerous spelling errors in this post so I'm having a bit of difficulty interpreting what you're attempting to convey here.

I would think people who are cognizant enough of the new MCAT change would perhaps have done a bit of research into the present MCAT.

Blankly stating "I'm wrong" because I disagree with you is a very childish thing to do.
 
listener23 said:
I need a high MCAT score, no fluff lets get straight to it.

1. Do you think the AAMC gives more lenient curves to 8am testers.
Theory: It's early as hell! To take a 8am you most likely had to wake up at like 6 or 7 in the morning. ( I know the curve is pre-set)

2. Do you think that the AAMC is accounting for the increased number of under prepared kids that's rushing to beat the 2015 MCAT. They must be curving harder.

3. The vast majority of the. People I talk to leave the MCAT feeling like crap and there life is over. I left feeling happy and I had a lot of fun, I even stayed and took the survey. Does this mean I did worst than expected and fail for traps?
Click to expand...

1) No, see #2

2) Definitely no

The curve is based on previous test takers' performance on those questions and passages, not on the performance of your peers on test day. They have data telling them how hard each passage is going back years; your curve is pre-generated and will not be more or less than any other curve. ADCOMs know how the MCAT works, and understand that no matter what time of day, time of year, or time nearing the new rollout, your performance is curved the same as everyone else. If everybody went in and all purposefully failed the test together, you really think they'd still award 40+ scores to people who got 10% of questions right? That isn't how it works - your score represents your performance against the aggregate history of people who faced the same questions/passages you did, not the performance of those testing with you the same day.

3) Depends what score range you are in

Usually people scoring at the very high range (95th %ile and up) leave feeling crappy because it is rare for a question to stump them and they feel bad about having many cases of not knowing the answer. For people scoring decent (maybe low 80s %ile) not knowing some answers is much more common and they can leave comfortable that they knew enough. In both cases performance usually matches closely with the last few AAMC full length practice tests.
 
Boolean said:
You have numerous spelling errors in this post so I'm having a bit of difficulty interpreting what you're attempting to convey here.

I would think people who are cognizant enough of the new MCAT change would perhaps have done a bit of research into the present MCAT.

Blankly stating "I'm wrong" because I disagree with you is a very childish thing to do.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the grammar/ spelling ( I really just want to go to sleep). My MCAT was insanely easy (all three sections) , so if they didn't curve harder they made the thing using easier questions to keep the average around 25.
 
listener23 said:
Sorry for the grammar/ spelling ( I really just want to go to sleep). My MCAT was insanely easy (all three sections) , so if they didn't curve harder they made the thing using easier questions to keep the average around 25.
Click to expand...
Perhaps you simply studied enough and as a result felt prepared when taking the test.

n = 1.
 
Boolean said:
The curve is based on how people perform on the test. As a greater number of people are going to be taking the test, you are going to be dealing with people who know they have to take the test earlier (so they don't get with the changes), these people have also likely studied, and as a result of such, the overall grades are likely going to be a tad higher overall, resulting in less of a curve.

TL;DR more people -> less curve
Click to expand...

With this reasoning it is also likely more people rushing to take the test = more people who are unprepared but are scared for 2015 and therefore more people than usual are underprepared giving a better curve.

However I don't think there will be any significant changes in the curve in either direction to give anyone a greater disadvantage/advantage than normal.

OP, I don't think any of your proposed situations will help you in any enormous way. Just focus on the things in your control
 
listener23 said:
I need a high MCAT score, no fluff lets get straight to it.

1. Do you think the AAMC gives more lenient curves to 8am testers.
Theory: It's early as hell! To take a 8am you most likely had to wake up at like 6 or 7 in the morning. ( I know the curve is pre-set)

2. Do you think that the AAMC is accounting for the increased number of under prepared kids that's rushing to beat the 2015 MCAT. They must be curving harder.

3. The vast majority of the. People I talk to leave the MCAT feeling like crap and there life is over. I left feeling happy and I had a lot of fun, I even stayed and took the survey. Does this mean I did worst than expected and fail for traps?
Click to expand...

Personal issues aside (because I'm pretty sure nobody here likes you), you're just not very a very smart person.

And before you cite your "insanely" high score that you haven't even gotten yet, just know that it doesn't mean you're intelligent.
 
listener23 said:
Sorry for the grammar/ spelling ( I really just want to go to sleep). My MCAT was insanely easy (all three sections) , so if they didn't curve harder they made the thing using easier questions to keep the average around 25.
Click to expand...
4) If you felt the MCAT was insanely easy, you're doing it wrong.


WhittyPsyche said:
With this reasoning it is also likely more people rushing to take the test = more people who are unprepared but are scared for 2015 and therefore more people than usual are underprepared giving a better curve.

However I don't think there will be any significant changes in the curve in either direction to give anyone a greater disadvantage/advantage than normal.

OP, I don't think any of your proposed situations will help you in any enormous way. Just focus on the things in your control
Click to expand...
Yes, boolean was mistaken as well, there will be no shift in the curve in either direction because performance of the group on test day does not impact scores. There may be more/less very high scores awarded, but it will not be due to a difference in #wrong allowed.
 
WhittyPsyche said:
With this reasoning it is also likely more people rushing to take the test = more people who are unprepared but are scared for 2015 and therefore more people than usual are underprepared giving a better curve.

However I don't think there will be any significant changes in the curve in either direction to give anyone a greater disadvantage/advantage than normal.

OP, I don't think any of your proposed situations will help you in any enormous way. Just focus on the things in your control
Click to expand...
I've updated my post as at the time of writing I was working on revising what I meant. The curve is fairly pre-determined, so the curve is likely to face very little impact, as you said in the second sentence.

We can debate the first notion of people rushing to take the test to the ends of the earth, it really depends on the individuals themselves (I think there is an adequate number of each party)
 
efle said:
4) If you felt the MCAT was insanely easy, you're doing it wrong.



Yes, boolean was mistaken as well, there will be no shift in the curve in either direction because performance of the group on test day does not impact scores. There may be more/less very high scores awarded, but it will not be due to a difference in #wrong allowed.
Click to expand...
See my correction.
 
Chipster. said:
Personal issues aside (because I'm pretty sure nobody here likes you), you're just not very a very smart person.

And before you cite your "insanely" high score that you haven't even gotten yet, just know that it doesn't mean you're intelligent.
Click to expand...

Your post contributes nothing and making a personal attack on OP is even worse than his conceitedness.
 
efle said:
4) If you felt the MCAT was insanely easy, you're doing it wrong.



Yes, boolean was mistaken as well, there will be no shift in the curve in either direction because performance of the group on test day does not impact scores. There may be more/less very high scores awarded, but it will not be due to a difference in #wrong allowed.
Click to expand...


Yea that's what I was saying in # 3 when you feel to good about your Mcat that means you fail for traps.
 
efle said:
Your post contributes nothing and making a personal attack on OP is even worse than his conceitedness.
Click to expand...


Just ignore it him and like 2 others attacks me on all my post. Also my constant misspelling and poor grammar makes me an easy target.
 
Boolean said:
I've updated my post as at the time of writing I was working on revising what I meant. The curve is fairly pre-determined, so the curve is likely to face very little impact, as you said in the second sentence.

We can debate the first notion of people rushing to take the test to the ends of the earth, it really depends on the individuals themselves (I think there is an adequate number of each party)
Click to expand...

Sorry I didn't see it when I responded. I thought I had responded, but I left the reply box open. I didn't say my situation was more accurate than yours, simply that both scenarios are equally plausible if we were using preparedness as a measure of the curve direction.

I do agree, the tendency to adhere to the normal will likely be the case with both types of groups represented.
 
WhittyPsyche said:
Sorry I didn't see it when I responded. I thought I had responded, but I left the reply box open. I didn't say my situation was more accurate than yours, simply that both scenarios are equally plausible if we were using preparedness as a measure of the curve direction.

I do agree, the tendency to adhere to the normal will likely be the case with both types of groups represented.
Click to expand...
Certainly.
That said, I am very curious to see the distribution between the two groups after the 2014 MCAT season ends. I'm very curious as to where distributions will pan out.
 
listener23 said:
Yea that's what I was saying in # 3 when you feel to good about your Mcat that means you feel for traps.
Click to expand...

It varies a lot by person. I had a good friend consider voiding and put down a deposit for another test date, only to get his scores back - 39. Clearly he felt terrible despite doing well. On the flip side I thought my test was pretty manageable (not insanely easy but easier than a couple of the AAMC FLs) and ended up breaking 40. Nobody can really objectively rate their performance on such a momentous test.

Since you seem like the kind of person that would care, your avatar isn't the medical symbol - you want the rod of asclepius, not the caduceus.
 
Boolean said:
Certainly.
That said, I am very curious to see the distribution between the two groups after the 2014 MCAT season ends. I'm very curious as to where distributions will pan out.
Click to expand...
Will that kind of data even be available? They don't release per-test percentiles, only annual bell curves.
 
efle said:
It varies a lot by person. I had a good friend consider voiding and put down a deposit for another test date, only to get his scores back - 39. Clearly he felt terrible despite doing well. On the flip side I thought my test was pretty manageable (not insanely easy but easier than a couple of the AAMC FLs) and ended up breaking 40. Nobody can really objectively rate their performance on such a momentous test.

Since you seem like the kind of person that would care, your avatar isn't the medical symbol - you want the rod of asclepius, not the caduceus.
Click to expand...


Lol yea I know your like the 3rd person to tell me I kind of like this one now.
 
efle said:
Will that kind of data even be available? They don't release per-test percentiles, only annual bell curves.
Click to expand...
Likely not, but who knows. The annual bell curve will be interesting to see nonetheless, I would think.
 
efle said:
It varies a lot by person. I had a good friend consider voiding and put down a deposit for another test date, only to get his scores back - 39. Clearly he felt terrible despite doing well. On the flip side I thought my test was pretty manageable (not insanely easy but easier than a couple of the AAMC FLs) and ended up breaking 40. Nobody can really objectively rate their performance on such a momentous test.

Since you seem like the kind of person that would care, your avatar isn't the medical symbol - you want the rod of asclepius, not the caduceus.
Click to expand...
You broke 40? Nice! You're in a great position now.
 
Boolean said:
And the IA and the crime. Can't forget about those (Adcoms won't)
Click to expand...

I am aware that no matter what I score at this point I may never be a doctor but until they tell me no I'm going to keep moving forward.
 
Boolean said:
Likely not, but who knows. The annual bell curve will be interesting to see nonetheless, I would think.
Click to expand...
You can at least compare between recent years which is cool. Curve has held pretty constant, only fluctuates by 0.1-0.2 percentile points for any given score.
 
Toddissox said:
I was so bored from studying for stats today so I've been following this all day. It's like watching a forum-style reality show.
Click to expand...
giphy.gif
 
efle said:
It varies a lot by person. I had a good friend consider voiding and put down a deposit for another test date, only to get his scores back - 39. Clearly he felt terrible despite doing well. On the flip side I thought my test was pretty manageable (not insanely easy but easier than a couple of the AAMC FLs) and ended up breaking 40. Nobody can really objectively rate their performance on such a momentous test.
Click to expand...
Jordan_clapping_9843884b28d9819f71c2ed4181347f0e.gif

Excellent job!!!
 
efle said:
Yea 14/13/14 and yet another friend of mine got another 39, we're all pretty pumped. Thanks for the moral support, our school sure knows how to churn out premeds huh 😉
Click to expand...
Yeah! Just don't make the mistake of only applying to the top ranked med schools like some of your former peers have done and curent peers might do.
 
listener23 said:
.
Click to expand...


listener23 said:
Update: I took the thing lol got a 24 6/13/5

PS- was boring so I basically put anything except on the discrete.

VR - was fun and I enjoyed myself

BS- started off fun but I didn't want to be a doctor anyway so for like the last 2-3 parts I didn't put anything and left the center early.

A few weeks later I wanted to be a doctor (it's complicated) and the aamc added a December spot which freed up a nov 7 spot for me. I took it fri.
Click to expand...

dude what
 
Ace Khalifa said:
Yeah! Just don't make the mistake of only applying to the top ranked med schools like some of your former peers have done and curent peers might do.
Click to expand...
Yeah I don't have any expectation of going top-tier, which is good after hearing these 4.0/40 didn't get in anywhere horror stories from the prehealth advisers! Cheap, decent, Californian state school here I come!!!
 
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