I noticed the combined score average fluctuates from year to year, and for example, when I took it in aug '01 the average was 24.1. For comparison, the average for Apr '03 is 24.8. Thats nearly a point? What exactly does this mean about the difference between the two tests? Does it mean the Apr'03 test was easier? Does it mean the Apr'03 test takers were smarter?
I thought the MCAT was standardized?!
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I knew this was going to happen.
The verbal now goes from 14 to 15. 13-15 is a lower score than 14 or 15, the verbal was considerably easier than previous years AND more people are scoring higher and higher on the MCAT.
Hmm...maybe I should have taken april '03 instead of august '02. I won't be surprised if WASHU's MCAT avg is 38 this year.
Gr.
The verbal now goes from 14 to 15. 13-15 is a lower score than 14 or 15, the verbal was considerably easier than previous years AND more people are scoring higher and higher on the MCAT.
Hmm...maybe I should have taken april '03 instead of august '02. I won't be surprised if WASHU's MCAT avg is 38 this year.
Gr.
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WHAT!?!?!?! How do you know that april '03 had an easier verbal section in general compared to the august '02, which is what I took. I know that they took 5 questions off in this past MCAT, but does that make it easier or did they go with slightly easier passages and questions.?
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You guys are totally off-base. Look at the last three years of data, available on the amcas website (http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/sumaug02.pdf and http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/sumapr02.pdf), and you will see that the August scores are always a bit lower than the April ones. This is not because the test is easier: notice the number of first-timers versus retakers at each administration and you will find your answer. The April people who did badly on the MCAT will then retake it in August (much more so than August people will retake the next year in April). People who retake have a lower average than people taking it the first time (most of those who did well the first time will choose not to subject themselves to a retake).
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Well for some people 5 less questions means they had time to finish...
That would raise everyone's scores.
That would raise everyone's scores.
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24.1 to 24.8 is not nearly a point....it is actually a non-significant difference that should be expected from the error of standardizing the tests
the small range of variation over the many years of test data show that the test is, indeed, very well standardized and a little variation about the mean (which is always around 24) is perfectly acceptable.
the small range of variation over the many years of test data show that the test is, indeed, very well standardized and a little variation about the mean (which is always around 24) is perfectly acceptable.
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