Difference in MCAT practice exams and actual MCAT scores?

[aznb0y129]

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Hey, I was just wondering if I could get some feedback from people who've already received their MCAT scores. Did you notice a difference in your score versus your average on the practice exams?

I'm getting nervous because I've read several threads where people lament about getting 25 on the MCAT even though they were averaging 33+ on the practice exams, which puts me in deep trouble (I've only taken 2 practice exams, first was a 27, second was a 30).

Also, if you could list the prep class you took (Kaplan, Princeton Review, Exam Crackers, none, other), that would be helpful too.

 

[spyderracing32]

Read it somewhere that the higher scores on practice exams (say 38+) are less reliably predictive of actual MCAT scores, so maybe that explains Dulcina's "drop" from practice to actual 39...

That's because a drop from a 41/42 to a 39 is like 6 questions.

 

[kiganga]

I was -1 from my practice test and happy to get it after my experience. Too much pressure on one test with no chance for repeat led to a total choke from this guy.

It was tough waiting for the score, I was in limbo...how low would I go?

 

[Raryn]

I averaged about 35-36 on my practice tests and got a 39 on the actual exam. I did have one practice test over 40 though, and I always perform better under pressure.

My distribution was a friggen surprise though. I was expecting a 13+ in physical sciences and a 12 or so in biological, and then I manage to pull the opposite.

 

[HumidBeing]

I don't know this thread hid out on this forum for so long.

Time for it's vacation to end. Moving to the MCAT forum.

 

[tncekm]

I averaged about 35-36 on my practice tests and got a 39 on the actual exam. I did have one practice test over 40 though, and I always perform better under pressure.

My distribution was a friggen surprise though. I was expecting a 13+ in physical sciences and a 12 or so in biological, and then I manage to pull the opposite.

I wish I had that kind of luck. I averaged about 36 on my practices, and although I historically perform my best under pressure, not that day! I wish I gained 3pts like you... I lost 3. I came out with a 33--my lowest AAMC (not including my "diag"). Overall, I'm still happy I'll never take the MCAT again.

 

[Crash Bandicoot]

The old exams rely more on outside knowledge. If you're better at critical thinking type questions, you'll do better on the real thing. And vice versa.

 

[futuredoctor10]

The old exams rely more on outside knowledge. If you're better at critical thinking type questions, you'll do better on the real thing. And vice versa.

Ooh this might be good news for me!!! On a side note, how bad were the "super convoluted" answer choices for Bio alot of ppl are reporting?

 

[tncekm]

Really, Crash? So you think that the actual test relys more on info synthesis than memorization? How much actual calculating is there? Same as the practice tests?

In the little time left before the test, is understanding concepts more important than practicing different types of problem calculations?

That was true in the BS section, but not the PS of my test.

 

[StayingSteady]

I kind of find average practice test scores misleading. I mean, technically shouldn't you be getting better as you take more practice exams? So if your scores keep on increasing as you take more practices, then chances are you're going to score above your average on test day, right?

For example, say your scores are (in order): 27, 27, 30, 30, 33, 34, 35, 37, 37, 37, 37
Your average would be around 33, but I'm sure you'd score closer to 37ish on test day...

 

[Give me vicodin]

a quick question: i have aamc 4 - 10 left to take, should just go nuts and try to take 2 - 3 test per week? im taking the test on sept 13th.

 

[spyderracing32]

a quick question: i have aamc 4 - 10 left to take, should just go nuts and try to take 2 - 3 test per week? im taking the test on sept 13th.

I sit on the 12th and have 5-10 left, and that's what im doin.

 

[Raryn]

a quick question: i have aamc 4 - 10 left to take, should just go nuts and try to take 2 - 3 test per week? im taking the test on sept 13th.

I pretty much took a test a day my last week of studying, but I'm a crazy ass SOB.

 

[StPlayrXtreme]

My practice tests were anywhere from a 29-38...

On the real thing I scored a 34. Not my absolute best, but about where I expected it to be.

 

[BlueElmo]

I pretty much took a test a day my last week of studying, but I'm a crazy ass SOB.

How did you not get burned out?

 

[Raryn]

How did you not get burned out?

Habit? I wasn't doing much else that week.

The last day, I took my last AAMC with the instant solution checking enabled and just took it slow and changed the answers I actualyl knew and just got unobservant on. Got a 44 for the confidence boost, but I never count that one in my averaging 😛

 

[tncekm]

I kind of find average practice test scores misleading. I mean, technically shouldn't you be getting better as you take more practice exams? So if your scores keep on increasing as you take more practices, then chances are you're going to score above your average on test day, right?

For example, say your scores are (in order): 27, 27, 30, 30, 33, 34, 35, 37, 37, 37, 37
Your average would be around 33, but I'm sure you'd score closer to 37ish on test day...

"Probably" yes, but not necessarily. If that were the case I'd have scored quite a few points higher on test day 🙁 Bottom line... $h1t happens. Sometimes probability works for you, somtimes against you.

 

[Crash Bandicoot]

Really, Crash? So you think that the actual test relys more on info synthesis than memorization? How much actual calculating is there? Same as the practice tests?

In the little time left before the test, is understanding concepts more important than practicing different types of problem calculations?

Not that there's less outside info required than on the practice tests, but yea, I would say that the difficulty of the new tests comes more from convoluted questions.

For your last question, if I had to pick I would say yes (go for concepts), but there were a couple of tricky calculations on my tests. Not strictly numerical, but manipulating equations.

In general though, the new tests seem like the practice tests but harder. Point being, if voiding is an option for you, void with caution. The curve is much more generous than the practice tests. I nearly voided a 36, and I think I actually would have done better the first time around.

 

[Crash Bandicoot]

Ooh this might be good news for me!!! On a side note, how bad were the "super convoluted" answer choices for Bio alot of ppl are reporting?

Pretty bad. If you've taken any hard Kaplan passages, some of them are like that. Combined with getting your ass handed to you for 3+ hours, it was seriously tough just to get through the passage and figure out what the hell they were talking about. I wanted to just walk out and reschedule.

Don't want to scare you guys though, I really think the curve was generous.

 

[Just Joshin]

I scored 8 points lower than my practice tests.

 

[mcant]

I was worried about the same thing, but ended up scoring one point above my average. I had never scored higher than a 12 in BS and rocked a 13 on the real thing. Averaged a 33 overall (roughly) and scored a 34.

 

[futuredoctor10]

I nearly voided a 36, and I think I actually would have done better the first time around.

I am glad to hear the curve is much more generous than practice exams, making up for the (new) increased difficulty on the actual MCAT. So pretty much, if you finish the exam under expected/normal circumstances, DO NOT VOID even if you thought questions were hard!

 

[Revilla]

I am glad to hear the curve is much more generous than practice exams, making up for the (new) increased difficulty on the actual MCAT. So pretty much, if you finish the exam under expected/normal circumstances, DO NOT VOID even if you thought questions were hard!

Don't assume that's the case for every MCAT administration. The curve for some MCAT exams is probably quite generous; the curve for others isn't. Keep in mind the curve can work both ways.

 

[futuredoctor10]

Yeah good point. I guess don't overanticipate a nice curve, but do not void just because the exam is hard right? I have read alot of 35+ posts where people wanted to void... so definitely I think DON'T VOID under most circumstances, wait and see how you score, in the event it was a hard exam with a nice curve.

 

[alicat]

My avg practice test scores were a wide range, between 30-34. But then I only got a 27 on my MCAT...i was seriously pissed!!! Esp cuz all my Kaplan teachers thought I'd be fine....
I have noooo idea why I did so poorly on the actual test. It was very disappointing.

 

[Revilla]

Yeah good point. I guess don't overanticipate a nice curve, but do not void just because the exam is hard right? I have read alot of 35+ posts where people wanted to void... so definitely I think DON'T VOID under most circumstances, wait and see how you score, in the event it was a hard exam with a nice curve.

I think that if you feel you're ready for the exam going into it on test day, don't void no matter what. You never know what could happen. If you get a difficult exam, chances are, it's difficult for everyone (nice curve). Honestly, after my experience with the July 18th exam (which was very straight-forward) and scoring so much lower than my average AAMC exams, I think I'd rather have a more difficult test with a more generous curve.

 

[xPersephone]

i did 3 points better on the real thing than on my average practice test score

 

[NYR56]

Holy thread resurrection!

 

[xPersephone]

Holy thread resurrection!

that would be google's fault.

 

[dallastxn88]

My AAMC exams were...

#8- 34
#9- 31
#10- 34
#6- 34

On my actual MCAT I scored a 38. I have no idea what happened. I must've worked well under stress? I took the Kaplan course.

 

[AH3]

I scored 3 points higher than my best practice test and about 4-5 points higher than my average. The results vary. You will hear stories of extremes both ways, but there's no use worrying about it. Take plenty of practice tests and prepare yourself for the MCAT and that's all you can do. I found that running a few hours before the test and eating/drinking during breaks helped a lot.

 

[tncekm]

My AAMC exams were...

#8- 34
#9- 31
#10- 34
#6- 34

On my actual MCAT I scored a 38. I have no idea what happened. I must've worked well under stress? I took the Kaplan course.

And this is why I hate their grading system. lol. I mean, I'm glad for you, but it sure sucks for others of us.

I remember prior to taking the exam I got 36,36,35,36 on the last few AAMC's, and then on test day I got a 33. Still a good score, but 3 pts makes a big difference in school choice. And, I'm "also" one of those people who typically does my best under pressure... so much for that on MCAT day.

Whatever, it worked out though. lol

 

[luckyducky87]

wow, cruising through the first page of this thread really freaked me out. 3/27er and a retaker... I've been averaging around 34 on TBR, but -3 from that? Crud.

 

[tncekm]

wow, cruising through the first page of this thread really freaked me out. 3/27er and a retaker... I've been averaging around 34 on TBR, but -3 from that? Crud.

You'll "probably" end up around your average score. However, because it's a matter of "probability" you can also end up getting super lucky, or super screwed. Just take the test and find out. ^_^