how does the experimental aspect of the MCAT work?

[runner0983]

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Sorry that I'm not that well informed but I was wondering if someone could explain if and how the test will be set up differently than any of the practice tests that companies offer (i.e. Kaplan, etc). Is there 5 sections instead of 4 on the test (we get two of either bio, physical or verbal)? Or can the experimental only be one of the sciences? Or is it that some sections have more questions than the practices ones? Do all questions that we answer count toward our scores? Thanks and goodl uck to all taking it on SAt.

 

[VPDcurt]

we definitely do not take more sections or more questions. i believe that some questions are experimental for inclusion on future mcats. i don't know if they count or not. you won't notice the difference between the real mcat and a practice in terms of length and number of questions.

 

[Medikit]

I hope you're not taking the test on saturday.

There are three sections, Bioillogical Science, Physical Science, and Verbal.
They won't change the number of passages.

 

[bonez318ti]

Just pretend there is no experimental passage (there may not be!)

don't make the incorrect assumption that the hardest passage on your form will be experimental.. because that is not the case. In all likelyhood, you will not be able to tell what questions/passages are experimental, so just assume they all count.

 

[willthatsall]

I'm not sure about the grading either. People act like if they get a question wrong they hope it is an experimental passage. But does being experimental necessarily mean it won't count? If it is experimental and it turns out to be statistically acceptable, won't the AAMC count it as part of the test anyway? Or are the experimental questions definitely not counted?

 

[bonez318ti]

i think experimental means that they are using the statistical breakdown to see if the curve fits their requirements for a question (ie: are too many people getting it right? are too many people getting it wrong?)

i doubt they would decide to have it count for this administration after they finish running the stats though. Im guessing that after they have enough datapoints, they will probably make the decision to include/not include it on a future adminstration.

then again, this isn't verifiable by anything.. so your guess is as good as mine 😉

 

[Psycho Doctor]

how about different versions of the test...how does that work? does everyone in the same room get the same test?

 

[willthatsall]

how about different versions of the test...how does that work? does everyone in the same room get the same test?

Yeah I heard this year they are trying to make it as easy as possible to cheat.

 

[smc927]

The fine print in the MCAT info on the registration web site explains that the "experimental" portions are tests that do not count toward your score. In other word, they want to see how it goes, but how well you do neither raises or lowers your score.

 

[willthatsall]

The fine print in the MCAT info on the registration web site explains that the "experimental" portions are tests that do not count toward your score. In other word, they want to see how it goes, but how well you do neither raises or lowers your score.

The one thing you can bet your ass on is that the experimental portion won't be at the very end since many people don't finish. Hmm, maybe it would be smarter to start at the end and work backwards!?

 

[PRamos]

Yeah I heard this year they are trying to make it as easy as possible to cheat.

In fact, they are introducing an entirely new element. Seeing the success of reality TV and game shows, they are incorporating that element to help select doctors that can relate to the TV-addicted cluture that we are.

This time, students will be provided with three life lines, although you shouldn't spend them all during the physical sciences. Taking your exam in a crowded room will increase the number of interuptions due to "poll the audience" lifelines, so smaller testing venues have a distinct advantage this summer.

In addition, they will be voting test takers "off exam island" during the breaks. Be sure to be nice to other test takers and tell them you are struggling, so they won't vote you off to lower the curve.

I'm not sure if there will be any inclusion of fear factor, but let's hope we don't have to eat a plate of bugs to be allowed to move on to verbal reasoning.

And to answer your question about "How do we know if they aren't grading an experimental question?" EXACTLY! To many people get hyped up by the experimental question issues. They are not experimental, they are first time questions that will be scrutinized. If they are statistically valid, they will be retained. This is what my chemistry teacher said and he's been teaching MCAT for a bunch of years. I tend to believe him over the random comments that premeds share.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

In fact, they are introducing an entirely new element. Seeing the success of reality TV and game shows, they are incorporating that element to help select doctors that can relate to the TV-addicted cluture that we are.

This time, students will be provided with three life lines, although you shouldn't spend them all during the physical sciences. Taking your exam in a crowded room will increase the number of interuptions due to "poll the audience" lifelines, so smaller testing venues have a distinct advantage this summer.

In addition, they will be voting test takers "off exam island" during the breaks. Be sure to be nice to other test takers and tell them you are struggling, so they won't vote you off to lower the curve.

I'm not sure if there will be any inclusion of fear factor, but let's hope we don't have to eat a plate of bugs to be allowed to move on to verbal reasoning.

hahaha i love it

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Yeah I heard this year they are trying to make it as easy as possible to cheat.

anyone who cheats on a test like this is crazy and deserves to get caught; the consequences are never worth the risk of possible gain

 

[Psycho Doctor]

The one thing you can bet your ass on is that the experimental portion won't be at the very end since many people don't finish. Hmm, maybe it would be smarter to start at the end and work backwards!?

haha that is very true.

 

[MoosePilot]

Experimental quesstions are worked into the part of the test you will already be taking. No way to tell how many or which ones are experimental, so don't worry about it. They don't count towards your score.

I hate the idea of someone skipping questions because they think they're experimental or something like that. I wish AAMC didn't even let it out that there are experimental questions/passages.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Experimental quesstions are worked into the part of the test you will already be taking. No way to tell how many or which ones are experimental, so don't worry about it. They don't count towards your score.

I hate the idea of someone skipping questions because they think they're experimental or something like that. I wish AAMC didn't even let it out that there are experimental questions/passages.

I just don't like the idea of wasting time and energy on something that doesn't matter.

 

[OHare]

There will be 1-2 passages total in your MCAT that are experimental. There is no way to tell. Your SAT had the same thing, so it shouldn't be a new concept to any of us.

 

[PRamos]

Experimental quesstions are worked into the part of the test you will already be taking. They don't count towards your score. I wish AAMC didn't even let it out that there are experimental questions/passages.

Where did AAMC let this out? I have been to their site several times and read everything they have to say about the MCAT. Absolutely nowhere do they mention that questions won't be graded.

I asked one of my prep course teachers who has been doing this for years and he explained that they toss out questions for statistical purposes. For some first time questions, that might be the case.

But absolutely no where on any official AAMC material can I find them saying that they have experimental questions that will definitely not be graded.

If they do say it, please site the reference. Otherwise is propagating hearsay that does nothing positive to those of us about to take this exam.

 

[OHare]

They can't put every technical detail about the test on the MCAT brochure. Do you want every statstical formula they use to calculate the scaled scores? Experimental sections are good because they ensure that all of the questions have been TESTED in a real test situation. All the questions we are taking tomorrow that WILL be graded were at some point experimental in some form.

 

[MoosePilot]

Where did AAMC let this out? I have been to their site several times and read everything they have to say about the MCAT. Absolutely nowhere do they mention that questions won't be graded.

I asked one of my prep course teachers who has been doing this for years and he explained that they toss out questions for statistical purposes. For some first time questions, that might be the case.

But absolutely no where on any official AAMC material can I find them saying that they have experimental questions that will definitely not be graded.

If they do say it, please site the reference. Otherwise is propagating hearsay that does nothing positive to those of us about to take this exam.

Learn to use the search feature. It's been posted before, I read it at the time, and have neither the time nor inclination to look it up again because you want me to.

 

[willthatsall]

Yeah I saw when the people from AAMC said there were experimental passages. I don't see how that affects us though, it doesn't change the task at hand.