Getting over a 30 on MCAT

[clevertooth]

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How hard is it to get 30 or above on MCAT? How would you equate it with SAT score, what sort of SAT score would be equally hard of getting a 30 or above on MCAT..based on percentile or something? Any other analogies?

 

[LP1CW]

I'm not sure, but I would be that there is a correlation between SAT score and MCAT. So, this is my best attempt. I would say if you have a 1100 to 1200 you could break 30. But I've know people with 1400 who end up with a 27. But you're asking about the whole population and not just a few individuals. I would say a 1400 might mean a 32 to 35. Truth is: I don't know, but that seems fair to me.

I was about to say that a 900 might equal a 24. But that's wrong because we're looking a different populations. All SAT takers don't take the MCAT, premed students, on average, probably are in the top, so we are a select group to begin with. I guess we could do a search to find out, but I'm not motivated enough to do that. Maybe someone knows.

Are you asking to see what you might end up with on the MCAT?

 

[Thundrstorm]

I don't think there's any correlation. I did very well on the SAT (well enough to be a National Merit Scholar), but I did poorly enough on my first crack at the MCAT that I'm retaking it. I think the difference is that the MCAT really requires so much more actual knowledge, not just common sense and good test-taking skills.

 

[Jalby]

There definately would be a correlation. Smart people score well on tests. But I think the correlation would be more for the math part of the SAT than the verbal. i.e. 780=37MCAT

On a side note, the National Merit scholars got their score by using the forumla (2*Verbal)+math=score. I was soooo pissed when I saw that.

 

[vmiskin]

The correlation between MCAT & SAT is weak, at best. While basic test-taking/focusing skills are required to do well on either test, the MCAT is an endurance test. While to a certain extent it does test what you know - or at least a familiarity thereof - I think it's far more about whether one can use one's familiarity with the subject material, relate it to the information contained in the passages, and process it all quickly to answer the questions. That sort of testing is significantly different from SAT questions, despite their outward similarities in appearence.

 

[ut_stephen]

The cross-section of the general population taking the SAT is not the same as that taking the MCAT. I would venture to say that the variance in intelligence/knowledge of those taking the SAT is much greater than of those taking the MCAT. Therefore, scoring in the 99 percentile on the SAT is not the same as scoring in the 99 percentile on the MCAT. I scored well within the 99 percentile on the SAT, but my MCAT score was in the 96-97 percentile range. (Of course, I may have gotten less intelligent over the years. 🙂 )
That being said, testing ability and strategy has a lot to do with one's score. I know people who studied for 10 hours a day for the MCAT who still scored under a 30, while others studied far less and scored well over 30. It is important to maintain your common-sense/reasoning ability and remain calm throughout the test.

 

[clevertooth]

Yes, true that they are totally different. But what about the percentile range..I mean it is a different population but then again its standardized.

Usually, how many people score over a 30? 70+ percentile or something like that?

 

[UseUrHeadFred]

Fact is, you need to take practice testS even to know what ballpark you're in.

The MCAT is hard, it is a test of knowledge, not an aptitude test.

 

[synapse lapse]

Yes, true that they are totally different. But what about the percentile range..I mean it is a different population but then again its standardized.

Usually, how many people score over a 30? 70+ percentile or something like that?

I get the question you're tryong to ask is not how the two tests compare but rather what score on the MCAT is in the 70% range. I will find the answer for you, it is listed in my Kaplan Comprehensive review book, but I am atwork now. If anyone else has the book, could you look them up for him and post score vs. % range. If not I'll post later. Thanks, Alex.

 

[TheFlash]

Yeah, you can't take percentiles for one test and interchange them with the other. The MCAT percentile has to be subsidized over that of the SAT because the test-taking population is different. If you're taking the MCAT that means you already did well enough to get into college (i.e. you did at least decently well on the SAT). Thus, getting in the 95th percentile on the SAT by no means correlates to the 95th percentile on the MCAT. You're tested against a "smarter" population, so your percentiles will in all probability be lower. Of course, there are plenty of exceptions.

I would wager that a 30 on the MCAT would correlated (very, very roughly) to a 1250-1300 on the SAT.

 

[Back34]

I would wager that a 30 on the MCAT would correlated (very, very roughly) to a 1250-1300 on the SAT.

I took the SAT's 3 times (I think) and never broke 1000. I took the MCAT once and pulled a 30...go figure.

 

[hamhamfan]

I would wager that a 30 on the MCAT would correlated (very, very roughly) to a 1250-1300 on the SAT.

I think that's a pretty rough estimation alright. The MCAT is a lot easier to study for the SAT's. With more science background, the questions become a lot more easy to tackle. In contrast, the SAT questions are pretty low level knowledge and IMHO it's not that easy to "study" for.

 

[bigbassinbob]

A 30 on the MCAT is the 80th percentile, not 70th. I don't know what that's equivalent to on the SAT, but I'm pretty sure there's not much correlation. I got an 1110 on the SAT and a 30 on the MCAT, I think the 55th percentile on the SAT. Also there's a lot of dumb people who take the SAT... not so much with the MCAT. So basically there's no correlation with my scores anyway.

 

[uclacrewdude]

Yes, true that they are totally different. But what about the percentile range..I mean it is a different population but then again its standardized.

Usually, how many people score over a 30? 70+ percentile or something like that?

24 = average score nationally on mcat
29 = average score of medical acceptances

btw, mcat tests thought process as well, peeps. thats probably the biggest reason its an endurance test and why you feel mentally wrecked after taking it.

 

[TheFlash]

I think that's a pretty rough estimation alright. The MCAT is a lot easier to study for the SAT's. With more science background, the questions become a lot more easy to tackle. In contrast, the SAT questions are pretty low level knowledge and IMHO it's not that easy to "study" for.

The sentence completion and analogy sections of Verbal on the SAT require only rote level memorization for success. Reading comprehension (which is all that the SAT tests on Verbal) is much easier to succeed on and study for than the critical thinking questions put forth in MCAT VR.

The SAT Math focuses on basic algebra and, at most, geometry. Anyone with a basic knowledge and reasonable intuition is adequately prepared. The Math sections also have a predictable format during the test, i.e. QC, multiple choice, free response. This is not arguably any "harder" to study for than the similar intuition and knowledge of more advanced coursework needed in answering PS questions.

If you truly couldn't study for the SAT, Kaplan and TPR wouldn't be making boatloads of money teaching kids how to do well on it. Maybe the 1250-1300 = 30 comparison was rash; more like 1200.

Anyway, that's my 2%.

 

[LUBDUBB]

I would wager that a 30 on the MCAT would correlated (very, very roughly) to a 1250-1300 on the SAT.

I sure hope so....I'll let you know in june. But seriously, I don't think it's even appropriate to roughly correlate the SAT with the MCAT. Totally different exam, totally different circumstances. There is about 6 years from when you take the SAT and the MCAT...and in those 6 years you undergo a significant development of intellect. There is no way to relate an exam you take in high school to one you take after college...Doing so is mere guess work...

 

[JohnnyOU]

How hard is it to get 30 or above on MCAT? How would you equate it with SAT score, what sort of SAT score would be equally hard of getting a 30 or above on MCAT..based on percentile or something? Any other analogies?

I think the MCAT is like any other exam, if you've had the prereqs and you seriously study prior to taking it, you'll do excellent.

If you do not study properly, you'll do average at best, unless you're extremely gifted. (which 99.9% of us aren't)

Johnny

 

[funkless]

I made a 32 on my ACT and a 33 on my MCAT. I have no idea what either score means, but I understand that a 30+ on the MCAT is considered good.

I'm by no means an intellectual, but I do read a TON. I think that is possibly the most important thing for the MCAT. I also think it is the most important thing if you're a bartender, a parent, a doctor, a teacher, a policeman, what-have-you. Read a lot and you'll get where you want to go.

I don't know what else to tell you.

Peace

 

[terpgirl]

I have yet to take the MCAT, but I took the SAT and ACT.

I don't remeber exact scores on the SAT, but I'm thinking I hit around 1250.

On the ACT, the first time I hit in the 95th percentile and the second time, in the 99th.

You'd have to convert the something-45 scale of the MCAT to either the 8 (I think?)-36 of the ACT or the 200-1600 of the SAT.

The SAT is a lot of luck, and a study of how to take a test. The ACT was something that you couldn't prepare for in a night... something more cumlative and of real knowledge you've learned since you were in high school (how to read a diagram, how to read and perform an experiment). You can't do the whole "I can eliminate these 2 because they seem odd" and then guess... but there's no guessing penatly on the ACT like there is on the SAT.

-Liz

 

[Calamari]

I think that if you made more than 1100 on SATs without studying for it you CAN make greater than a 30.

ex. 1100-1300 on SATs .........for MCAT may be anywhere from 3 to 40 range
if: 1300-1600 on SATs .........for MCAT may be 3 to 45 range

I say that you CAN make such scores because MCATs are very knowledge based

well, at least that's what I think 😎

 

[UseUrHeadFred]

I know people that dominated the ACT or SAT that were crushed by the MCAT. They didn't know what hit them.

Only practice can beat the MCAT.

 

[jlee9531]

I think that if you made more than 1100 on SATs without studying for it you CAN make greater than a 30.

ex. 1100-1300 on SATs .........for MCAT may be anywhere from 3 to 40 range
if: 1300-1600 on SATs .........for MCAT may be 3 to 45 range

I say that you CAN make such scores because MCATs are very knowledge based

well, at least that's what I think 😎

1100 = 30ish?
no way haha. people can not even study for the sat and easily get over 1100 on the sat....but you cant really do that for the mcat.