How do people tend to do on their first AAMC MCAT practice test?

[HeronsBeak]

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Hi everyone,

I have been studying half heartedly for the last month with the examkrackers books and now that I am done with my summer class I plan to focus more intently on the books until my MCAT date in late August. I just took my first MCAT practice test from the AAMC, and got a 28, 8,12,8. Not the greatest spread, was expecting higher in phys sci, but I haven't gotten to some of that material yet, so I get it. Bio sci was pretty tough, but doable, but I didn't see a lot of the material I had been studying in the test, so that's a little worrisome. Anyone care to comment on how your first practice test went and if you saw a lot of improvement after studying for a while.

Thanks,

Trent

 

[MedPR]

My real score = my score on my first AAMC.

 

[Cinclus]

Don't take any more until you've finished your content review, as they won't be reflective of your ability until then. Your verbal is very good, which is great, bacause it's much harder to improve that score.

 

[MedPR]

Don't take any more until you've finished your content review, as they won't be reflective of your ability until then. Your verbal is very good, which is great, bacause it's much harder to improve that score.

+1. My VR didn't change much the entire 3.5 months.

 

[HalfListic]

Depends on your previous studies, of course

 

[dododr]

all my scores bumped up by about two on the practice after about a three month period of halfheartedly studying(was taking full time classes/part time work). I then had a two week period of no school with more intense studying in which I improved by 1 in each section from my initial practice on the actual MCAT. I don't think my prep plan was very effective but I am ok with my score.

A lot of people say +/- 2 of your average practice exam scores. I was +.5

Ditto on starting off with a good VR, as I've heard that is the most difficult to improve.

 

[UrshumMurshum]

I did 1 point better than my first practice AAMC. (Which was AAMC 3)

To be fair though there was only a few week timespan between the two.

 

[QualityProcess]

I took about ten practice AAMCs and was lowest on my first attempt. Improved each time. My actual score was very close to the average of my practice scores.

It was a little frustrating to hit my average when I had hit my max score twice the week of the MCAT. Did well enough to be competitive though, so I put away the books and reluctantly accepted that I had performed at my average. 👎

 

[DrMaximus]

I only did three points higher than my first score on the practice AAMC.

And I was scoring 6 points higher on my final AAMC practice than what I actually scored...

 

[MedicalMBA]

I took one diagnostic EK test when I first started at scored a 26 with no studying whatsoever. I didn't take another test until I finished all my content review. My first test score after studying for three months was a 33. I took about 20 tests from then until my actual test day (EK,BR, GS and AAMC). I averaged around a 35-36 for these tests. I ended up leaving the center feeling like I got a 34 and actually ended up getting a 38S (a lot of luck I guess). But I agree with everyone here...taking tests before finishing content review really is worthless. Also, my verbal score only changed +1/+2 from my initial starting tests.

Also before I get absolutely flamed and criticized for posting in DO, my sgpa is barely a 3.0 and my cgpa is a 3.1. I think I'm in a pretty unique position lol.

 

[QualityProcess]

Good job medMBA. A 38s takes a little bit of luck and a lot of work, you should be proud. 👍

 

[azide10]

My real score = my score on my first AAMC.

Same. My first score was a 28, my AAMC average was a 31, my highest score was the test I took days before the actual test at a 35. Finished with a 28. the PS section hit several of my weaknesses and bam, missed the 30 mark.

 

[EnergyDrink]

First test was a 28 (or maybe 30, I forget), studied for few weeks and averaged a 34 on AAMC (highest was a 39). Ended up with a 32 on the real thing.

From what I gathered, the tests get harder every year. The 34-38 range is also extremely variable; the difference between a 34 and a 38 is almost meaningless in terms of ability.

I believe taking tests before content review is valuable, as it introduces you to the test and how knowledge is tested. As you do content review, look back on the test and see how they tested you on the content. Understanding the psychology of the exam is part of the battle. I teach SAT/ACT/GRE/AP and that's how I do it with them.

 

[corpsman33]

I scored an 18 on my first attempt, but to be fair I took the practice exam (#3) without studying at all (and I hadnt had physics or chemistry in over 11 years and I had never taken o chem at the time).

I took the real exam a few months later after O chem 1 and after 18 days of studying and scored a 28.

 

[HeronsBeak]

Thanks everyone for posting, I appreciate the insight! Now that I finished my class its time to get down to studying for the next few weeks leading up to August 23!

 

[gmcguitar4]

First aamc practice got a 25. Before any studying. Averaged 36 on the rest of the tests after studying. Ended up with 33.

 

[rockets123]

First aamc practice got a 25. Before any studying. Averaged 36 on the rest of the tests after studying. Ended up with 33.

How did you study for the test?(any particular tips
Which materials did you utilized?

 

[abolt18]

First test for me, I got a 24. Did a lot of review on how to test better, all the rest of my AAMC's were 29 and one 28. Ended up with a 28 on the actual test.

 

[dntke1518]

Compared to my AAMC averages I was +4 on my actual test.

 

[angldrps]

28 on the very first FL test is actually pretty good. make sure you post phrase each practice FL. I used this method and would highly recommend it:http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=786361

 

[gmcguitar4]

How did you study for the test?(any particular tips
Which materials did you utilized?

Took Kaplan intensive course for a couple months. I did every practice question they offered including the custom quizzes, the section tests, and their practice tests. So after doing quizzes and going through all the material I would do section tests every day..basically a full BS, PS, or VR section and would go over it all right/wrong answers. I would review the material again on all the questions I got wrong and the ones I was unsure of. After the course ended I started taking practice tests for a 1 month. Every other day I would take on basically. Did not practice the writing section at all..complete waste of time.

The thing I concentrated most on was my timing. By test day I finished the BS and PS sections with 5-7 minutes left each and had time to review all the answers a few times. To get this down I would practice doing individual passages and keeping them under a certain amount of time. Then I would practice 3 passages at once and try to get them all under a certain amount of time. Also, do all stand alone questions first before attacking passages.

For VR I just wish I read more in the past. I just started reading The Republic and I wish I had been reading stuff like this for years before the MCAT. So if any of you have a few years before taking the test I would suggest start reading hard philosophical books, scientific journals, political journals, etc. It will help your analyzing and critical thinking skills..which is what the test is testing you for. My score just stayed at a 10 through all my practice tests and hit an 11 a couple of times.

Final breakdown was a 12BS, 11PS, 10VR, P writing. Was considering a retake because my average was higher than this but not worth risk IMO.