Full Lengths

[lincoln87]

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Hello,

I was wondering if anyone can help provide some guidance on full length exams during my study schedule. I had a few questions im having trouble finding answers to:

1. How many AAMC FL's are there? I've been told two, but is there more? Can't seem to find exact number on the AAMC site.
2. I've purchased the TPR full lengths, with these and the AAMC full lengths, what order should I do them in, and at what point? My MCAT is June 30th, and I've seen people say it's better to leave them for the last month then do one every three days. I've also seen people say do one per week. I'm considering a form of hybrid of these two: one every two weeks for first two months then one every 3-4 days during the last month. Even if I choose this path, I'm unsure of optimal order.

Any insight is appreciated! As always, thanks

 

[itsalwayssunny96]

There are 2 scored FL's. There's also a sample test that only tells you how many you get correct in percentages, but does not give you a scaled score. I would buy all 3.

I would start your full lengths around 3 months before your test date doing 1 FL a week (given that you completed most of content review). I know some people said they did like 2-3 within the last two weeks, but I found that that was overkill and I could at max do one a week (I ended up doing 10 FL's finishing my last one today). You'll see what works for you as you go! Definitely do TPR full lengths first (apparently they are really deflated) and then do the three AAMC ones last.

 

[lincoln87]

There are 2 scored FL's. There's also a sample test that only tells you how many you get correct in percentages, but does not give you a scaled score. I would buy all 3.

I would start your full lengths around 3 months before your test date doing 1 FL a week (given that you completed most of content review). I know some people said they did like 2-3 within the last two weeks, but I found that that was overkill and I could at max do one a week (I ended up doing 10 FL's finishing my last one today). You'll see what works for you as you go! Definitely do TPR full lengths first (apparently they are really deflated) and then do the three AAMC ones last.

Thanks a ton! However I'm scheduled to finish content review ~1 month prior to exam date. So if I start FLs now, I'll be doing them with most of the content review not yet complete. Is this normal?

 

[itsalwayssunny96]

Thanks a ton! However I'm scheduled to finish content review ~1 month prior to exam date. So if I start FLs now, I'll be doing them with most of the content review not yet complete. Is this normal?

I don't think it's abnormal to start doing full lengths if you're not completely done with content review. That being said, I would probably not start doing full lengths until you are around halfway done with content review. But, I saw one post of someone on here or reddit who did NO content review and started doing FL's and did really terrible on the first few FL's but did really well on the real MCAT (like a 520 LOL).

Personally, I didn't want to start FL's till I finished content review but given your situation that that would put you to a month before the test, I think I would probably start your FL's ~ 2 months beforehand to give you enough time to get used to the timing of the test and all. Also, my situation is probably a bit different than yours since most of my studying has been throughout the semester whereas you have some of the summer! 🙂