Does a score of 8 in the sciences indicate a lack of base knowledge?

[moto_za]

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Just wondering if scoring an 8 on the science section on the actual MCAT indicates that base science knowledge needs to be improved in addition to other factors??

 

[LUCPM]

Just wondering if scoring an 8 on the science section on the actual MCAT indicates that base science knowledge needs to be improved in addition to other factors??

I would say it depends. But 8 in PS section would indicate there is some weakness. 8 in BS section, on the other hand, really depends on the types of questions you are missing since very little knowledge is really tested.

 

[coyfish]

Not really. Maybe if you got radically better scores in the other sections. But if that is the case than you have a solid score anyway . . .

Your GPA is the best indicator of your background knowledge. The MCAT tests reasoning.

 

[J ROD]

I think it shows some lack of knowledge. Especially in the PS.....

I think 10+ shows you have the basic content knowledge in general....

hence, why the average matriculant MCAT is around a 30-31.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

I would say it depends. But 8 in PS section would indicate there is some weakness. 8 in BS section, on the other hand, really depends on the types of questions you are missing since very little knowledge is really tested.

lolwut

 

[UnclePhil]

I managed to get an 9 on BS for my kaplan diagnostic knowing very absolutely nothing on the test and using only the information from the passages to answer the questions and randomly guessing for the rest.

 

[Rabolisk]

Kaplan diagnostic is both easy and has a great curve. I think BS requires less knowledge, but I wouldn't characterize it as "very little" knowledge, though. I disagree with coyfish when he says that GPA is the best indicator of knowledge. I think the two best things GPA shows are work ethic and difficulty of teachers/courses/schools. To answer the OP's question, there is a difference between superficial knowledge (especially on the PS section) and deep knowledge. By deep I don't mean going beyond the scope of the MCAT, as much as understanding why something happens.

 

[LUCPM]

lolwut

5,763 / 365 = lolwut