Exam 1/24, shooting for 520+, postpone or just take it?

[hmmmperhaps]

The final update, 3/4/2025: Just trust your average! 😀

Update 1/21/2025: FL3 done, and that's the last of the practice exams! If any future students come across this, hoping this data helps and I'll be back in a month to update on how predictive it was for me. Removed the section scores since I think it might be TMI.

Update 1/18/2025: Took FL5, scores also put up. I think I'll post the rest of my scores in case a student comes across this thread in the future and would find it helpful. I just hope that FL5 CARS was a fluke 🙁

Update 1/13/2025: Took FL4, scores put up here. Should I take FL5 or FL3 next? Was thinking about saving FL5 for very last but since they're the most representative, maybe I want to take it earlier so I can patch up the last couple of gaps in knowledge

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Hello everyone! Hoping this type of post is okay since I saw another student post something similar.

The nerves are really getting to me now, and although my most recent FL's are at a nice-ish spot, I've been thinking that they could be flukes and that it might be better for me to push the exam back a month or two, given that I haven't really learned my pathways but have been getting by pretty well despite those gaps?

Debating if I should just try to only grind out P/S or try to fill in the remaining gaps for B/B at the same time, etc.
Currently working on the AAMC and Anki cards, as well as finishing the rest of the FLs.

Here's a table with my scores and their dates:

Exams	Date	C/P	CARS	B/B	P/S	Total
AAMC Unscored	6th	-	-	-	-	Apparently converts to 518?
AAMC FL1	7th	-	-	-	-	519
AAMC FL2	8th	-	-	-	-	521
AAMC FL4	9th	-	-	-	-	524
AAMC FL5/Free Scored	10th	-	-	-	-	518
AAMC FL3 (last mock)	11	-	-	-	-	521
Blueprint Diagnostic	(1st technically)	-	-	-	-	497
Blueprint #1 (oldest)	1st taken	-	-	-	-	508
Blueprint #2	2nd	-	-	-	-	510
Blueprint #3	3rd	-	-	-	-	512
Blueprint #4	4th	-	-	-	-	510
Kaplan Free	5th	It expired, but	Listing here regardless	-	-	🙁
The Real Deal	1/24/2025	132	128 🙁	131	129	520!!!

I was planning to take another mock tomorrow, but was debating between FL4 and FL3 (saving FL5 for the week before the exam), was unsure what to focus on, as well as if I should postpone since I heard that you should expect a 3-5 point drop from your FLs. Any guidance is greatly appreciated!

And thanks for taking the time to look over this

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[ecobio]

i had similar scores to you and ended up with a 520

general rule is to add 6 points to the blueprint exams, they make them harder on purpose

obviously hard to say from an outsiders perspective but it doesnt seem to be like flukes to me. continue studying with question banks and practice exams in true testing conditions

 

[newkungfukenny]

ur in a great position. take fl 4 and see how u do--that and fl5 are most representative. but i'd bet money on a 518+ for you easy

 

[Miamiheat2003]

I hope this is true

 

[Miamiheat2003]

so i have been averaging a 512, 512 and 513 on BP, and I planning to take mcat on 4/8. I am taking BP 4 this weekend, then transitioning to AAMC stuff. I do not really know how to take these scores and what to do

 

[newkungfukenny]

so i have been averaging a 512, 512 and 513 on BP, and I planning to take mcat on 4/8. I am taking BP 4 this weekend, then transitioning to AAMC stuff. I do not really know how to take these scores and what to do

aamc 520 scorers typically score this highly on BP esp consistently lol. no one can really make any definitive statements but you seem to be in great shape

 

[Dr.S at Princeton Review]

Based on your previous test scores and most recent FL, you are in great shape and pace to score in the 520s. Personally, I would just take the FL5 as you are only 10 days away from your test date and use the remaining time to patch up knowledge gaps. The last thing you want to do is take more FLs than you need and not do as well and shake your confidence leading up to exam day. Best of luck on exam day!

 

[hmmmperhaps]

Based on your previous test scores and most recent FL, you are in great shape and pace to score in the 520s. Personally, I would just take the FL5 as you are only 10 days away from your test date and use the remaining time to patch up knowledge gaps. The last thing you want to do is take more FLs than you need and not do as well and shake your confidence leading up to exam day. Best of luck on exam day!

Thank you for the advice and insight! Do you think I should open FL3 now and just use it as another AAMC Question Bank so that I can get exposure to as many questions and topics as possible? Or should I save it in case I feel like I have the stamina and time to do another full length practice (or save it for the off-chance that I ultimately end up retaking the exam)?

 

[Dr.S at Princeton Review]

Personally, I would save it as a FL exam if you feel like you have the stamina and time to do another exam. FL exams are a precious and great resource so I wouldn't waste them if you don't need to!

 

[ktsiman]

Update 1/13/2025: Took FL4, scores put up here. Should I take FL5 or FL3 next? Was thinking about saving FL5 for very last but since they're the most representative, maybe I want to take it earlier so I can patch up the last couple of gaps in knowledge

---

Hello everyone! Hoping this type of post is okay since I saw another student post something similar.

The nerves are really getting to me now, and although my most recent FL's are at a nice-ish spot, I've been thinking that they could be flukes and that it might be better for me to push the exam back a month or two, given that I haven't really learned my pathways but have been getting by pretty well despite those gaps?

Debating if I should just try to only grind out P/S or try to fill in the remaining gaps for B/B at the same time, etc.
Currently working on the AAMC and Anki cards, as well as finishing the rest of the FLs.

Here's a table with my scores and their dates:

Exams	Date	C/P	CARS	B/B	P/S	Total
AAMC Unscored	12/24/2024	53/59	48/53	56/59	49/59	Apparently converts to 518?
AAMC FL1	01/6/2025	130	131	132	126	519
AAMC FL2	01/9/2025	130	132	130	129	521
AAMC FL4 (most recent)	1/12/2025	131	132	132	129	524
Blueprint #1 (oldest)	10/20/2024	127	127	127	127	508
Blueprint #2	12/1/2024	130	125	128	127	510
Blueprint #3	12/8/2024	130	127	129	126	512
Blueprint #4	12/18/2024	130	125	128	127	510
Kaplan Free	11/29/2024	It expired, but	Listing here regardless	-	-	🙁

I was planning to take another mock tomorrow, but was debating between FL4 and FL3 (saving FL5 for the week before the exam), was unsure what to focus on, as well as if I should postpone since I heard that you should expect a 3-5 point drop from your FLs. Any guidance is greatly appreciated!

And thanks for taking the time to look over this

Wow your score amazing. May I ask what you believe contributed to such success?

 

[hmmmperhaps]

Wow your score amazing. May I ask what you believe contributed to such success?

Thanks! I don't know if your opinion has changed seeing the drop in CARS for FL5, but I had a pretty strong chemistry and biology background being at my university, which has helped a lot in reasoning out questions for B/B and C/P. I also thought going through all the AAMC material and u[Earth] (don't know if SDN has the same restrictions as Reddit) was incredibly helpful as well.

We'll see there if there's any real success this Friday I guess!

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

How did it go?

 

[hmmmperhaps]

How did it go?

Didn't think the exam was too bad. Definitely a couple 50/50s here and there, but I'll have to wait until the end of February to find out how I really did.

 

[stew_md]

Didn't think the exam was too bad. Definitely a couple 50/50s here and there, but I'll have to wait until the end of February to find out how I really did.

If it didn't feel too different from your practice exams I'm guessing you will get 518+.

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

If it didn't feel too different from your practice exams I'm guessing you will get 518+.

Exactly. I had a ton of 50/50s, especially in P/S and still hit 517 (would have been higher except 123 CARS lol). Trust the FL’s @hmmmperhaps, probably 518-522. 521 on the dot being my prediction.

 

[ktsiman]

Thanks! I don't know if your opinion has changed seeing the drop in CARS for FL5, but I had a pretty strong chemistry and biology background being at my university, which has helped a lot in reasoning out questions for B/B and C/P. I also thought going through all the AAMC material and u[Earth] (don't know if SDN has the same restrictions as Reddit) was incredibly helpful as well.

We'll see there if there's any real success this Friday I guess!

Good luck!!!

 

[nontradpremed2024]

Any updates?

 

[hmmmperhaps]

Any updates?

Got my score and it's uploaded! Pleasantly surprised. Thanks to everyone for their advice!

 

[stew_md]

Got my score and it's uploaded! Pleasantly surprised. Thanks to everyone for their advice!

520? Let’s go!

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

Congrats on the 520. I was also disappointed in my CARS score (123) on test day, but you had an excellent score regardless. I would have killed for a 128 CARS lol. You'll keep all doors open and have a decent chance for some T20s and scholarships. Good luck!