How predictive is the Kaplan MCAT diagnostic test?

[hookgrip]

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I just took the Kaplan diagnostic test and got the score below. I felt very confident about the verbal section, moderately confident on the biological sciences, and least confident on the physical sciences. Makes sense, since I haven't taken a physics or general chemistry course for over 2 years now.

I'm taking the actual test in late August and will be spending a considerable part of my summer preparing. Is the diagnostic a decent predictor of actual MCAT performance? If so, do I have a decent chance of getting >36 based on my diagnostic score?

 

[apumic]

Not really, TBH. It's shorter and the questions are MUCH easier than the real thing. Definitely don't expect an 11 on Kap VR to translate to anything near an 11 on AAMC VR. The other two are at least somewhat comparable but still MUCH easier and require VERY little critical thinking (compared to the real test).

You did similarly to how I did on my Kaplan diagnostic, which is great! I'd suspect you'll likely hit somewhere in the 35-40 range with solid work but keep in mind that once you're about 10 in a section, changes tend to be pretty slow since a 10 means you've generally got the content down. At that point, it's mostly filling it a ton of misc little holes and building your critical thinking skills. You're really tackling consistency on the toughest questions at that pt. Don't expect the next 1-3 pts/section to be an easy win. Work hard and you can score very well from here.

 

[metaphase]

Actually, I had the opposite experience with the Kaplan Diagnostic. I found its scoring much harsher than the real thing; even more so than the other Kaplan FL's. I got a 22 on the Kaplan Diagnostic and it freaked me out, I thought I was totally screwed forever etc... until I realized I was getting 30's on FL's.

They need their diagnostic to be harshly graded for their money-back guarantee. If that's how you did before taking the course, you'll be fine for the real thing. Don't worry.

 

[raltima07]

You did similarly to how I did on my Kaplan diagnostic, which is great! I'd suspect you'll likely hit somewhere in the 35-40 range with solid work but keep in mind that once you're about 10 in a section, changes tend to be pretty slow since a 10 means you've generally got the content down. At that point, it's mostly filling it a ton of misc little holes and building your critical thinking skills. You're really tackling consistency on the toughest questions at that pt. Don't expect the next 1-3 pts/section to be an easy win. Work hard and you can score very well from here.

I agree with this 100%. I was averaging 30-32 on practice exams, and I knew mostly everything. It was just the little things killing me. I have no happy ending, but I hope I did better on my real exam.