Discrepancy between Kaplan Scores and AAMC FL scores. Content problem?

[gadgor]

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Hi everyone,

I have taken about 4 Kaplan tests and am averaging around 32. However, my average for the AAMC FLs is around 26...is this a content problem or am I not used to the way AAMC asks their questions?

Thanks.

 

[AM508]

I used both Kaplan and AAMC tests during my studying. I took 5 of each. The Kaplan tests seem to have a more generous grade distribution than AAMC. For example, say you got 8 questions wrong and got an 11 on Kaplan, 8 questions wrong might get you a 9 or 10 on AAMC (note: those are made up numbers for illustrative purposes only). My AAMC scores were consistently about 2 points lower than my Kaplan scores. Before taking the MCAT, I averaged the 10 practice tests and scored the same on the real MCAT as the average of my 10 practice tests. In other words, I did a little bit better than my AAMC scores on the real test and a little worse than my Kaplan scores. I think doing a mix of the tests is the best idea. Opinions will likely vary as everyone is different in their prep though.

EDIT: as far as diagnosing what is going on with your tests, after each test you should look at all the things you got wrong and see if you can find a pattern. The post mortem on each practice test is essential, otherwise you can't expect to get better.

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

It seems like the problem may be that you're not accustomed to the style of the AAMC. One may scoff at the "style of the AAMC" but it is very real, my friend. No material can perfectly match the language and patterns of the AAMC except of course AAMC material.
This is normal - I see a dip in scores when one goes from company tests to AAMC tests. Don't worry, though - pinpoint your weak areas, work hard to get better at them, and take more AAMC practice tests + review them very intensely (i.e. the review should take at least as long as it took to take the test in the first place).

 

[justadream]

Kaplan's curve is overly generous. I wouldn't use their tests in general (much less use them for score estimations).