Feeling very discouraged

[Lola222]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm taking the MCAT next week, and I'm taking the AAMC scaled test this week.
On EK I scored between 60-70% on each test, and the AAMC sample test around 507-508. My goal is 510, and there were about 10 questions I missed on the sample test that were simple biochem I forgot to review. I've reviewed the biochem, and I know my material, but I get discouraged sometimes because I'll do a question bank section or a Khan academy section and I struggle with some. I don't know how else to study, I've done loads of passages and did thorough content review. I know Khan Academy is easier than the real one, so i'm doing the Bio section right now- about half way through and I come across things I've never covered or things that are super complicated. And then I hear that most people score below their sample test.
I don't see any point in postponing, since i've studied so hard. It's just discouraging that i've studied so hard/practiced so much and that's the most I can show for it.

 

[gyngyn]

Do not take the MCAT until you are confident that you will get a score consistent with success.

 

[Lola222]

Do not take the MCAT until you are confident that you will get a score consistent with success.

I understand that. But I will never feel like I'm ready. On the sample test I could've made a 510, if I had just reviewed the stuff I reviewed now. But I keep messing up on Khan Academy passages. I wish there were multiple AAMC tests like there used to be, so I could get a better feel for what my average would be. But there are only two so..

 

[XxThaDoggxX]

I understand that. But I will never feel like I'm ready. On the sample test I could've made a 510, if I had just reviewed the stuff I reviewed now. But I keep messing up on Khan Academy passages. I wish there were multiple AAMC tests like there used to be, so I could get a better feel for what my average would be. But there are only two so..

Was only 1 when I took it.

 

[Lola222]

Was only 1 when I took it.

Back before 2015, I believe there were a bunch of AAMC practice tests. I don't know what to do.

 

[gyngyn]

I understand that. But I will never feel like I'm ready. On the sample test I could've made a 510, if I had just reviewed the stuff I reviewed now. But I keep messing up on Khan Academy passages. I wish there were multiple AAMC tests like there used to be, so I could get a better feel for what my average would be. But there are only two so..

You need to take all the time necessary to get the score you need.
It's whole lot better to stay out of trouble than it is to get out of trouble.

 

[Lola222]

You need to take all the time necessary to get the score you need.
It's whole lot better to stay out of trouble than it is to get out of trouble.

I literally said though I will never feel ready. It could be 2020 and I still wouldn't be ready. I got around my target on the sample test, but since there are only 2 tests, it's hard to gauge how ready I am. And the fact that Khan academy is supposed to be is easy is really getting me down.

 

[gyngyn]

I literally said though I will never feel ready. It could be 2020 and I still wouldn't be ready. I got around my target on the sample test, but since there are only 2 tests, it's hard to gauge how ready I am. And the fact that Khan academy is supposed to be is easy is really getting me down.

You will start to feel ready when there is evidence that you will get the score you need. Don't waste AAMC FL's. Use older material, if needed. Have you been over to the MCAT thread?

 

[Lola222]

You will start to feel ready when there is evidence that you will get the score you need. Don't waste waste AAMC FL's. Use older material, if needed. Have you been over to the MCAT thread?

Okay but the evidence was the sample test? I'm really confused with what you're saying. The old AAMC is nothing like the new stuff. I've been over to the MCAT thread a lot. I found that most practice tests are nothing like the real thing- so me doing a few Kaplan or Princeton would not be very effective. I am just wondering if I should take the test since i've studied hard for a few months, and know my material. I just am having trouble with Khan Academy.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

If you take the exam in a week, there's a high chance you'll want to build a time machine after you get your score. Please be patient and work on your weaknesses. You'll thank yourself later.

 

[gyngyn]

Okay but the evidence was the sample test? I'm really confused with what you're saying. The old AAMC is nothing like the new stuff. I've been over to the MCAT thread a lot. I found that most practice tests are nothing like the real thing- so me doing a few Kaplan or Princeton would not be very effective. I am just wondering if I should take the test since i've studied hard for a few months, and know my material. I just am having trouble with Khan Academy.

Medical school will still be here when you have figured out your best strategy.
Do not rush the exam. Prepare well and execute effectively.

 

[Lola222]

If you take the exam in a week, there's a high chance you'll want to build a time machine after you get your score. Please be patient and work on your weaknesses. You'll thank yourself later.

So I won't get around a 510? I'm very confused with the advice i'm getting. Should I spend another 2 months on top of the 4 months i've already spent? I have no specific weakness, and expect to make at least a 127 on each section, with psych and verbal higher. But I heard Khan Academy is easy, and i'm not doing as well on Khan academy passages as I am on the AAMC.

 

[Lola222]

Medical school will still be here when you have figured out your best strategy.
Do not rush the exam. Prepare well and execute effectively.

Can you tell me what you mean by prepare well? I've done everything I can. Besides doing more practice tests that imo don't correspond to the material as well as AAMC material does, there is nothing but Khan Academy, which I'm doing eh in. You keep saying prepare better, but I don't understand what you mean by that.

 

[gyngyn]

Can you tell me what you mean by prepare well? I've done everything I can. Besides doing more practice tests that imo don't correspond to the material as well as AAMC material does, there is nothing but Khan Academy, which I'm doing eh in. You keep saying prepare better, but I don't understand what you mean by that.

Sometimes you need to stop and re-assess your study methods. Get a consult with your study skills center. Check out the MCAT forum.
Sometimes a person burns out and needs a break.
Without regard for the reasons that are contributing to your failure to meet expectations, taking the MCAT next week won't address them.
A weak score never goes away.

 

[Lola222]

Sometimes you need to stop and re-assess your study methods. Get a consult with your study skills center. Check out the MCAT forum.
Sometimes a person burns out and needs a break.
Without regard for the reasons that are contributing to your failure to meet expectations, taking the MCAT next week won't address them.
A weak score never goes away.

If I had a concrete way to increase my score to say a 515+ I would be all for this. But my goal is a 510, and that's what my sample test indicated. The problem i'm having is Khan Academy. Do you have advice on that? Is it easier like I heard?

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

So I won't get around a 510? I'm very confused with the advice i'm getting. Should I spend another 2 months on top of the 4 months i've already spent? I have no specific weakness, and expect to make at least a 127 on each section, with psych and verbal higher. But I heard Khan Academy is easy, and i'm not doing as well on Khan academy passages as I am on the AAMC.

It's not about the time spent, it's more about prepping diligently so that you can achieve a desirable score on your first attempt. For some it takes a few months, for others, longer.

FWIW, most of the 95th+ percentile scorers i know prepped for at least 6 months

 

[Lawpy]

1. This thread should be in MCAT Discussion Forums, but don't crosspost since a mod will move it for you.

2. Whether Khan Academy is easier or not is up to the individual. Just because you heard it was easy from someone doesn't mean it's easy for you. And just because you weren't doing too well in KA passages doesn't mean you don't have the aptitude in crushing the MCAT (which is what the AAMC makes)

3. Try out the AAMC Section Bank, AAMC scored and unscored practice tests, and AAMC Question Packs and gauge your performance. Try NextStep Practice Tests if you don't want to waste AAMC resources.

 

[WedgeDawg]

FWIW, most of the 95th+ percentile scorers i know prepped for at least 6 months

FWIW, in my experience, most of the 95th+ percentile scorers I know prepped about 3 months, so I'm sure it varies greatly.

1. This thread should be in MCAT Discussion Forums, but don't crosspost since a mod will move it for you.

Perhaps, but it's fine here too.

 

[Lola222]

1. This thread should be in MCAT Discussion Forums, but don't crosspost since a mod will move it for you.

2. Whether Khan Academy is easier or not is up to the individual. Just because you heard it was easy from someone doesn't mean it's easy for you. And just because you weren't doing too well in KA passages doesn't mean you don't have the aptitude in crushing the MCAT (which is what the AAMC makes)

3. Try out the AAMC Section Bank, AAMC scored and unscored practice tests, and AAMC Question Packs and gauge your performance. Try NextStep Practice Tests if you don't want to waste AAMC resources.

I did pretty well on the Question packs- there were some questions here and there, but I went over those and averaged around 80-90%. How are NextStep compared to actual AAMC? And thank you for your advice. When people tell me to just prep better without specifics I have no idea what that means.

 

[Lola222]

It's not about the time spent, it's more about prepping diligently so that you can achieve a desirable score on your first attempt. For some it takes a few months, for others, longer.

FWIW, most of the 95th+ percentile scorers i know prepped for at least 6 months

Idk i've prepped as much as I can I feel. I guess I have it in my mind, which is probably not a good thing that I want to get every question right- so when I do miss a question on the section bank or Khan Academy, I feel like i'm not ready.

 

[Lawpy]

Perhaps, but it's fine here too.

Up to you, I just thought OP was asking for MCAT specific advice

I did pretty well on the Question packs- there were some questions here and there, but I went over those and averaged around 80-90%. How are NextStep compared to actual AAMC? And thank you for your advice. When people tell me to just prep better without specifics I have no idea what that means.

I think you'll do well on the MCAT as long as you keep focusing on AAMC practice. EK and NextStep tests are supposedly the next best things after AAMC material, so you could try a couple of NS to see how you do (probably would skip the first one/diagnostic since rumors say NS stole it from AAMC). It's just more practice.

I think with a week away though, you should try out the AAMC Section Bank. KA passages are useful primarily in biology and psych/soc, so if you're making few mistakes in some of these passages, learn from them and see how you could improve. But I wouldn't panic over making a couple of mistakes.

Undisputedly though, the AAMC materials are the best. Learn from them as much as you can.

 

[Lola222]

Up to you, I just thought OP was asking for MCAT specific advice



I think you'll do well on the MCAT as long as you keep focusing on AAMC practice. EK and NextStep tests are supposedly the next best things after AAMC material, so you could try a couple of NS to see how you do (probably would skip the first one/diagnostic since rumors say NS stole it from AAMC). It's just more practice.

I think with a week away though, you should try out the AAMC Section Bank. KA passages are useful primarily in biology and psych/soc, so if you're making few mistakes in some of these passages, learn from them and see how you could improve. But I wouldn't panic over making a couple of mistakes.

Undisputedly though, the AAMC materials are the best. Learn from them as much as you can.

For the biology in KA, sometimes there are terms I have never come across, even with a biochemistry major. And the wording is strange in some passages. Idk how people are saying they're easy lol. EK was harder IMO than AAMC, and the tests had no biochem whatsoever, so that was one pitfall of them.

 

[Lawpy]

For the biology in KA, sometimes there are terms I have never come across, even with a biochemistry major. And the wording is strange in some passages. Idk how people are saying they're easy lol. EK was harder IMO than AAMC, and the tests had no biochem whatsoever, so that was one pitfall of them.

Yeah I would ignore what others say and focus on your own performance. I think you can do well as long as you're calm and confident on test day. Use the AAMC materials as the true indicators for your understanding and mastery, and you will be fine. Good luck!

 

[PB&Jam]

I just took the MCAT May 20th. The closer it got, the less ready I felt, even though I had attended a course offered by my school, reviewed my weak areas using Kaplan books, and took numerous practice exams where I was consistently hitting at or near my target score. My mom told me the same thing the night before my exam, and I knew it was true. I'd never feel totally ready. It's freaking impossible. There's just way too much content to know to be able to ever feel ready. I can't tell you whether to postpone or not, that one's on you. If you decide to take it, though, pay close attention to what you're missing in AAMC FLs, section banks, etc. and really, REALLY hit that stuff. For example, I was consistently weak on physics and psych/sociology, so I drilled that s*** for the two weeks before my exam. I never touched any CARS practice material outside FLs, because I always nailed them. Figure out exactly what you need to work on and drill, drill, drill.

Also, re: Khan Academy stuff, I consistently did less-than-stellar on those even though I scored in the 5-teens on practice exams. I found some of their questions to be veery strangely worded.

 

[Lola222]

I just took the MCAT May 20th. The closer it got, the less ready I felt, even though I had attended a course offered by my school, reviewed my weak areas using Kaplan books, and took numerous practice exams where I was consistently hitting at or near my target score. My mom told me the same thing the night before my exam, and I knew it was true. I'd never feel totally ready. It's freaking impossible. There's just way too much content to know to be able to ever feel ready. I can't tell you whether to postpone or not, that one's on you. If you decide to take it, though, pay close attention to what you're missing in AAMC FLs, section banks, etc. and really, REALLY hit that stuff. For example, I was consistently weak on physics and psych/sociology, so I drilled that s*** for the two weeks before my exam. I never touched any CARS practice material outside FLs, because I always nailed them. Figure out exactly what you need to work on and drill, drill, drill.

Also, re: Khan Academy stuff, I consistently did less-than-stellar on those even though I scored in the 5-teens on practice exams. I found some of their questions to be veery strangely worded.

I'm good at CARS/Psych and Soc, what got me on the sample test was a bunch of biochem that I forgot. I had been doing EK and they don't emphasize biochem at all. I"m about to take the section bank tmmrw, and i'm scared i'm going to take and do bad, because honestly I don't know what else to do. I don't know if I can spend another 2 months reading Princeton or Kaplan. I'm scoring around 508-510 based on only the one AAMC test, but i'm just worried it was a fluke and there could be a bunch of questions on the real one that I have no idea how to handle.

 

[Eleithyia]

Do check out the MCAT Discussions threads--lots of people are worrying how to prep and people have been trying to hash it out since last year.
I just took my exam, and I prepped with ExamKrackers content review material plus a Princeton Review Psych/Soc book, three Princeton Review FL tests, AAMC scored/unscored FL tests (late in the game), and the AAMC question banks and section banks. Non-AAMC material can still be useful, even though it is by nature not perfectly representative of the real deal. There are some that are very comparable. I wouldn't personally recommend Princeton Review, especially if you keep forgetting to take non-AAMC estimates with a grain of salt, but I hear good things about Next Step FL exams. If you think it will help your nerves to do more practice tests, you may have to suck it up on the representativeness front and just go for it.

If you're genuinely worried, take gyngyn's advice and postpone until you're ready. If you can sort of tell that you're just having last-minute cold feet/panic, then chill a little and take a minute to calm yourself down--meditate, go for a walk, whatever floats your boat. Freaking out will not help you on test day, if you do choose to take it next week.

Also, if you haven't already done it (and if you have the time), you might want to look at the outline of the material to be tested, go down the list, and briefly describe each item. Make a note of the things you don't know/aren't sure about and make it a priority to review those. This could be reassuring to you if you do know your stuff and it could work as a reality check if you don't. You just have to make sure you're being honest with yourself about what you do and don't know.

 

[MilaKunisDoe]

I'm scoring around 508-510 based on only the one AAMC test, but i'm just worried it was a fluke and there could be a bunch of questions on the real one that I have no idea how to handle.

I wouldn't call a score of 508-510 on the AAMC practice test a fluke. No one can just blindly guess through half of the exam and end up with that score.

 

[Lola222]

I wouldn't call a score of 508-510 on the AAMC practice test a fluke. No one can just blindly guess through half of the exam and end up with that score.

Do you think there is a good chance I will get a 510 on the real test then? People say to subtract points from your sample exam and I was like "oh crap" haha

 

[MilaKunisDoe]

Do you think there is a good chance I will get a 510 on the real test then? People say to subtract points from your sample exam and I was like "oh crap" haha

I haven't taken the test yet (testing in July), but if I hit my target score on the AAMC practice test, I would be confident going into the exam. Just stop using Khan and focus on the AAMC material. I think you'll do fine on your MCAT!

 

[eteshoe]

Do you think there is a good chance I will get a 510 on the real test then? People say to subtract points from your sample exam and I was like "oh crap" haha

More times than not people end up scoring a bit lower on their real exam than the practice ones. That's why it may be better you aim at a 515 if your target is 510. You'll either be very pleasantly surprised (i.e. if you get a 515+) or content (i.e. 510+).

 

[Lola222]

More times than not people end up scoring a bit lower on their real exam than the practice ones. That's why it may be better you aim at a 515 if your target is 510. You'll either be very pleasantly surprised (i.e. if you get a 515+) or content (i.e. 510+).

How can I bring my score up though? I've literally studied so hard and practiced so much, that I feel there's not much I can do. I feel that some people are just unable to do extremely well on this test, because I seem unable to get a 515 after 4 months.

 

[Eleithyia]

Have you been thoroughly reviewing your practice questions (qbank, section bank, etc.)? Ideally one would review all the ones they missed and try to fix their mistakes/the holes in their knowledge, but I used to also check through the correct answers to review questions I guessed on--that way the next time I wouldn't be guessing. It also might be a good idea to identify any weak spots you have and do more reading in those areas.

If it's possible that what is throwing you off is the journal-style passages, read some journal articles to get a feel for it, and consider making yourself a road map of the passage info (i.e. increase in WXYZ --> activated ABC kinase --> down-regulation of wxyzr gene --> fewer WXYZ receptors)

I've reviewed the biochem, and I know my material...
I've done loads of passages and did thorough content review.

How can I bring my score up though? I've literally studied so hard and practiced so much, that I feel there's not much I can do. I feel that some people are just unable to do extremely well on this test, because I seem unable to get a 515 after 4 months.

Obviously I don't know exactly how you did your content review or how you approach your practice, but if you're not happy with your practice scores and you have been practicing a lot (and practicing well), then your content review might not have been as thorough as you thought. If your content review really was thorough, then the way you've been practicing might not be as effective as you thought, or whatever problem-solving strategy you're using isn't working as well as you want it to with this test.

 

[Lola222]

Have you been thoroughly reviewing your practice questions (qbank, section bank, etc.)? Ideally one would review all the ones they missed and try to fix their mistakes/the holes in their knowledge, but I used to also check through the correct answers to review questions I guessed on--that way the next time I wouldn't be guessing. It also might be a good idea to identify any weak spots you have and do more reading in those areas.

If it's possible that what is throwing you off is the journal-style passages, read some journal articles to get a feel for it, and consider making yourself a road map of the passage info (i.e. increase in WXYZ --> activated ABC kinase --> down-regulation of wxyzr gene --> fewer WXYZ receptors)




Obviously I don't know exactly how you did your content review or how you approach your practice, but if you're not happy with your practice scores and you have been practicing a lot (and practicing well), then your content review might not have been as thorough as you thought. If your content review really was thorough, then the way you've been practicing might not be as effective as you thought, or whatever problem-solving strategy you're using isn't working as well as you want it to with this test.

I do make myself a road map, and I am reviewing throughly, both questions I got right and wrong. I feel that my content review is very good, the problem I have is application I assume, since I'm not getting above a 515. I'm doing the section bank, and it's rather difficult, which obviously doesn't bode well. I don't think I can devote another 2-3 months on this test, when there is not even the guarantee that my score will go up even by a few points.

 

[osckey]

Here's an excerpt from a conversation I had with someone who was similarly nervous like you. Keep in mind these figures are for the old MCAT:

"If you feel that the biggest mistake is making silly errors (not reading question all the way, calculation error, misread) then you need to calm down.

If you are missing questions because you don't know what to do, then there's you probably haven't done enough practice problems in that area or content review.

Do what you can, because this may just be your nerves. The week before the exam I was a mess. To me, scores that are hovering around 10 are nothing to postpone the MCAT over. *Consistent* scores of 0-8 would cause me to tell you to postpone. However, a single test where you scored 8's sounds more like an outlier than an average.

This problem could be twofold:

(A) You don't know what you're doing on most of the questions or fail to identify the topic they are testing.

Resolution: more practice problems and more *specific* content review.

OR

(B) "Silly" errors such as misreads, miscalculations, or lack of attention span are devastating your scores. When you go back to correct your tests, ou notice that you make ridiculous errors that make an otherwise easy problem much more difficult in your mind.

Resolution: "Silly" mistakes are most certainly caused by sleep deprivation and anxiety. Sleep a minimum of 7-8 hours a night. Go to sleep early and wake up early. Silly mistakes can also fluctuate in frequency depending on what time of day and where you take your practice tests. Taking the tests at the later in the day usually ended up with more errors for me than usual. Obviously, take the tests in quiet and no distracting places.

You're problem may be a mix of A and B. Find which one is the dominant problem and expend most of your time and energy addressing that problem."

@Lola222 if you feel that you will not do well on the exam then delay. There is no point in rushing to the failure line. It's a marathon. Know when to execute your sprints, now when to pace yourself, and now when you're as prepared as you possibly could be. Reaching the finish line as a winner is the goal.

 

[Lola222]

Here's an excerpt from a conversation I had with someone who was similarly nervous like you. Keep in mind these figures are for the old MCAT:

"If you feel that the biggest mistake is making silly errors (not reading question all the way, calculation error, misread) then you need to calm down.

If you are missing questions because you don't know what to do, then there's you probably haven't done enough practice problems in that area or content review.

Do what you can, because this may just be your nerves. The week before the exam I was a mess. To me, scores that are hovering around 10 are nothing to postpone the MCAT over. *Consistent* scores of 0-8 would cause me to tell you to postpone. However, a single test where you scored 8's sounds more like an outlier than an average.

This problem could be twofold:

(A) You don't know what you're doing on most of the questions or fail to identify the topic they are testing.

Resolution: more practice problems and more *specific* content review.

OR

(B) "Silly" errors such as misreads, miscalculations, or lack of attention span are devastating your scores. When you go back to correct your tests, ou notice that you make ridiculous errors that make an otherwise easy problem much more difficult in your mind.

Resolution: "Silly" mistakes are most certainly caused by sleep deprivation and anxiety. Sleep a minimum of 7-8 hours a night. Go to sleep early and wake up early. Silly mistakes can also fluctuate in frequency depending on what time of day and where you take your practice tests. Taking the tests at the later in the day usually ended up with more errors for me than usual. Obviously, take the tests in quiet and no distracting places.

You're problem may be a mix of A and B. Find which one is the dominant problem and expend most of your time and energy addressing that problem."

@Lola222 if you feel that you will not do well on the exam then delay. There is no point in rushing to the failure line. It's a marathon. Know when to execute your sprints, now when to pace yourself, and now when you're as prepared as you possibly could be. Reaching the finish line as a winner is the goal.

I feel that it could be a tossup on how well I do. Basically, I know all my content. But when I get a question that combines content from a bunch of different topics and also requires a lot of interpretation I get lost. Really though, mentally I can't spend another few months on this test that's already consumed the last 4. I don't think I can be more prepared, and I envy people who study as hard as I do and get 515+, but i'm not one of those people. I guess this is my limit, and hopefully I will get a 510, but if not, then I will apply and hope for the best.
Thank you for your advice. Also, do you know if the section bank is comparable to the questions on the real thing? It's super hard haha

 

[osckey]

I feel that it could be a tossup on how well I do. Basically, I know all my content. But when I get a question that combines content from a bunch of different topics and also requires a lot of interpretation I get lost. Really though, mentally I can't spend another few months on this test that's already consumed the last 4. I don't think I can be more prepared, and I envy people who study as hard as I do and get 515+, but i'm not one of those people. I guess this is my limit, and hopefully I will get a 510, but if not, then I will apply and hope for the best.
Thank you for your advice. Also, do you know if the section bank is comparable to the questions on the real thing? It's super hard haha

How have you been sleeping? Have you been exercising regularly (I was a fatty during MCAT study and didn't workout at all. Exercise would have easily bumped my score 1-2 points). I suspect that you are not at your actual limit. Are you running short on time? Do you suspect you may be struggling with ADD/ADHD? Have you ever been evaluated by a licensed physician concerning that possible diagnosis? Accommodations can be made for your testing experience for such condition.

 

[Lola222]

How have you been sleeping? Have you been exercising regularly (I was a fatty during MCAT study and didn't workout at all. Exercise would have easily bumped my score 1-2 points). I suspect that you are not at your actual limit. Are you running short on time? Do you suspect you may be struggling with ADD/ADHD? Have you ever been evaluated by a licensed physician concerning that possible diagnosis? Accommodations can be made for your testing experience for such condition.

I don't lose concentration, and i'm pretty sure I don't have ADD/ADHD. Besides practicing more and content review, what other ways are there to get past a plateau then?

 

[osckey]

I don't lose concentration, and i'm pretty sure I don't have ADD/ADHD. Besides practicing more and content review, what other ways are there to get past a plateau then?

Take a 1 day break. Review your wrong answers. Target specific weaknesses you have. Practice exams are their to help you pinpoint weaknesses so take advantage of that. Also, calm down during exams. The MCAT will throw new topics at you in essays that you aren't expected to know. You are expected to be able to deduce an answer from the given information though. Instead of panicking, learn to stick to the fundamentals of what you know and apply it to the new scenario.

 

[backside_attack]

too lazy to read through this entire thread, so sorry if other people suggested this already: buy a Kaplan and PR book on Amazon for ~$30 each - they'll come with access to 2 or 3 online full length practice tests. Practice practice practice!

 

[eteshoe]

How can I bring my score up though? I've literally studied so hard and practiced so much, that I feel there's not much I can do. I feel that some people are just unable to do extremely well on this test, because I seem unable to get a 515 after 4 months.

Honestly after a certain point, content review won't help just taking as many FL's as you can. Also taking a breather in between FL's so you don't get too burned out. If you feel this nervous this close to the exam, you may want to delay.

 

[NonTrad16]

I also think it's sort of impossible to decide when you're "ready". I had the one AAMC (unscored, just raw percentage) test, question banks, and horribly unrealisticly scored PR tests.

At some point you decide enough is enough and you take it.

I had a 501 max Princeton score, mid 70-80% correct on my AAMC practice, and got a 513 on the real deal. I studied up until the day, and even reviewed the morning of since I figured it couldn't hurt. You have to choose to be confident at some point... If you're constantly doubting yourself and need certain proof that you will score to a certain level, you're going to psych yourself out, which in no way helps on test day.

 

[Lola222]

I also think it's sort of impossible to decide when you're "ready". I had the one AAMC (unscored, just raw percentage) test, question banks, and horribly unrealisticly scored PR tests.

At some point you decide enough is enough and you take it.

I had a 501 max Princeton score, mid 70-80% correct on my AAMC practice, and got a 513 on the real deal. I studied up until the day, and even reviewed the morning of since I figured it couldn't hurt. You have to choose to be confident at some point... If you're constantly doubting yourself and need certain proof that you will score to a certain level, you're going to psych yourself out, which in no way helps on test day.

My percentage was in the mid 70's as well for the AAMC. And I agree- the test prep companies just don't replicate the exam at all.
I need to work on my confidence- I know that doubting myself is my biggest problem. Did you find the section bank hard? I'm getting between 50-60% which is further demoralizing me lol. These passages are beyond anything i've ever seen, and I literally got a headache from interpreting them. Should I expect the real MCAT to be like the section bank or more like the AAMC exam (508-510 range on that).

 

[GrapesofRath]

Dont waste the AAMC Scored FL at this stage

You need to analyze all the questions you do carefully and notice trends in the mistakes you are making. If you spend enough time looking and analyzing youll find them. If it's due to lack of content knowledge, well you have to study the content more. Just saying "Careless mistakes" isnt good enough. There is always a trend behind what we all like to perceive as a careless or dumb mistake. You can come up with a million different things or potential reasons why. Cant just say "Oh Im just making mistakes I dont know how to correct them". There is almost always a way to at least identify mistake sources. Usually it is possible to find a way to mitigate them in MCAT prep to some degree. Even if those same mistakes still happen to the same degree by 90%, that's improvement that matters. When I prepped I did all I could to try and find those ways and areas I might be able to maximize my score and reduce my tendency to make mistakes with certain things, even if it was only by say 5-10%. It all adds up.

This is literally the most important test youve taken your entire life and equates 4 years worth of tests that make up your GPA in terms of importance. If you arent getting what you want, you should be thinking of any possible avenue to try to maximize your score. It's just too important of a test not to.

There are over 10,000 practice questions out there from good sources that I found simulated the test well(many companies like Kaplan dont but these often did). BR, EK, NS, AAMC, TPRH, TPR ICC, Khan Academy. I guarantee between all that you can find over 10,000 questions from their review books to FLs to other stuff. If you havent done all that or close to it, you cant say youve used up all the material, have practiced as much as you can and done as much as you can to improve your score. The thing is the MCAT tests types of skills that take months to really show improvement on if they do at all. Sometimes spacing out your studying rather than cramming it really is for the best.

 

[Lola222]

@GrapesofRath

I would be the biggest idiot if I didn't do the Scored FL before my test. I wasted 200 on the EK exams that were great for content review, but nothing like the real test. I'm not going to spend more money on other exams that are unlike the real exam. I appreciate your advice, but I feel like you didn't really understand my problem. I don't consider months of studying "cramming", and the source of my mistakes is often combining content with interpretation. The only thing representative of the MCAT are the 2 FL, so I don't know why you would recommend I not do one of them?

 

[GrapesofRath]

@GrapesofRath

I would be the biggest idiot if I didn't do the Scored FL before my test. I wasted 200 on the EK exams that were great for content review, but nothing like the real test. I'm not going to spend more money on other exams that are unlike the real exam. I appreciate your advice, but I feel like you didn't really understand my problem. I don't consider months of studying "cramming", and the source of my mistakes is often combining content with interpretation. The only thing representative of the MCAT are the 2 FL, so I don't know why you would recommend I not do one of them?

You don't sound like you're in a position yet where you can either maximize your score or are as likely to get a score you want which is why I recommended pushing taking the scored FL back and moving back your test day. You should like someone from afar on this thread who's just trying to tell themselves they'll get the score they want but in reality knows they don't feel great about the chances of that( there's a reason you made this thread after all and it wasn't to brag about how ready you are).

Make whatever decision you feel is the best one, key is to just make it weighing all the variables properly and knowing the consequences each way. Good luck

 

[Lola222]

You don't sound like you're in a position yet where you can either maximize your score or are as likely to get a score you want which is why I recommended pushing taking the scored FL back and moving back your test day. You should like someone from afar on this thread who's just trying to tell themselves they'll get the score they want but in reality knows they don't feel great about the chances of that( there's a reason you made this thread after all and it wasn't to brag about how ready you are).

Make whatever decision you feel is the best one, key is to just make it weighing all the variables properly and knowing the consequences each way. Good luck

I have weighed all my options, and I don't have any concrete way of raising my score. In the past few months, i've done everything suggested in this thread already: look for trends, go over practice exams, hardcore content review, take a break, do more practice exams etc. I'm just going to go in and see what happens. Honestly taking the section bank questions was probably the wrong thing to do: the questions are so difficult it demoralizes me. In retrospect, I would have just stuck with the FL and question packs.

 

[Eleithyia]

@GrapesofRath
I would be the biggest idiot if I didn't do the Scored FL before my test. I wasted 200 on the EK exams that were great for content review, but nothing like the real test. I'm not going to spend more money on other exams that are unlike the real exam. I appreciate your advice, but I feel like you didn't really understand my problem. I don't consider months of studying "cramming", and the source of my mistakes is often combining content with interpretation. The only thing representative of the MCAT are the 2 FL, so I don't know why you would recommend I not do one of them?

Take the AAMC FL close to the date of your test, whenever you decide that may be.

As far as spending money on other resources: The two AAMC FL's are the only absolutely representative study materials, they're not the only representative materials. Most of the other people who are taking this test are not restricting themselves to AAMC practice materials. Questions/passages from other companies' FLs will make you practice "combining content with interpretation." I'm linking the thread from the May 20th test--lots of people gave their estimates of test difficulty starting on p. 24 of the thread. The consensus was that difficulty varied by section, and that some sections were at least as hard as the section bank. It's good practice, so don't write it off.

 

[Lola222]

Take the AAMC FL close to the date of your test, whenever you decide that may be.

As far as spending money on other resources: The two AAMC FL's are the only absolutely representative study materials, they're not the only representative materials. Most of the other people who are taking this test are not restricting themselves to AAMC practice materials. Questions/passages from other companies' FLs will make you practice "combining content with interpretation." I'm linking the thread from the May 20th test--lots of people gave their estimates of test difficulty starting on p. 24 of the thread. The consensus was that difficulty varied by section, and that some sections were at least as hard as the section bank. It's good practice, so don't write it off.

Thanks! In your opinion, what percent right on the section bank is considered "good"?

 

[ReneeM]

If you do go through with taking the MCAT next week try to work on your confidence. I was panicking the week before my exam as well, but taking the day before my test off to relax and go to a spa helped me a lot. If it's any consolation my real score was significantly better than the scored FL, but I don't know if that is very common. I still wish I had waited to take the exam till I felt ready.
Good luck!

 

[osckey]

If you do go through with taking the MCAT next week try to work on your confidence. I was panicking the week before my exam as well, but taking the day before my test off to relax and go to a spa helped me a lot. If it's any consolation my real score was significantly better than the scored FL, but I don't know if that is very common. I still wish I had waited to take the exam till I felt ready.
Good luck!

That's something I experienced as well. In the end, I remember going through my first section and thinking "omg, I was panicking over this?"

I definitely kept thinking the real thing would be way harder than the practice exams when in fact it was quite the opposite way around.