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If you scored 34 or higher on the MCAT, what score did you start off with on your practice tests. I am just curious as to how much improvement somebody could have. Thanks!
If you scored 34 or higher on the MCAT...
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I scored in the 30-33 range (don't remember the exact numbers) on the Examkrackers' practice test and the 2 AAMC practice tests I took. 40 on the real thing.
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87138
That's just crazy. Congrats. It seems like I've read about several people on here whose scores on test day jumped significantly higher than what they were tracking in practice.
D
deleted102545
AAMC 3: 32
AAMC 4: 28
AAMC 5: 30
AAMC 6: 32
AAMC 7: 31
AAMC 8: 31
AAMC 9: 32
April '06: 28
August '06: 34
I only did self-study. I tried a Kaplan course for SAT in high school and didn't like it so I didn't do it for MCAT. I'm happy with my performance. I would have liked a 36+ but who am I to complain?
AAMC 4: 28
AAMC 5: 30
AAMC 6: 32
AAMC 7: 31
AAMC 8: 31
AAMC 9: 32
April '06: 28
August '06: 34
I only did self-study. I tried a Kaplan course for SAT in high school and didn't like it so I didn't do it for MCAT. I'm happy with my performance. I would have liked a 36+ but who am I to complain?
I started with a 27 on TPR's 4911. I didn't break 30 until mid-July...but ended with AAMC 7,8,9 with 33, 35, 39. Got a 37 on the Aug 06 MCAT.
On one hand, I'm wondering what could've happened had I taken orgo II and physiology before the MCAT (utterly doable had I just planned ahead), if I had actually completed most of the TPR workbook problems, and if I hadn't been working 60 hours/week in the lab for most of June and July. I knew that I hadn't maxed out MCAT prep and definitely could've done more practice on subjects. I keep on hearing about people who've scored a point or two higher on the real deal than their max on practice exams...and that would've been extremely nice.
HOWEVER, (lest I seem ungrateful) I'm mostly just extremely relieved that it turned out as well as it did especially considering the stressful summer leading up to it. So extremely extremely glad that I don't have to even think about retaking this.
On one hand, I'm wondering what could've happened had I taken orgo II and physiology before the MCAT (utterly doable had I just planned ahead), if I had actually completed most of the TPR workbook problems, and if I hadn't been working 60 hours/week in the lab for most of June and July. I knew that I hadn't maxed out MCAT prep and definitely could've done more practice on subjects. I keep on hearing about people who've scored a point or two higher on the real deal than their max on practice exams...and that would've been extremely nice.
HOWEVER, (lest I seem ungrateful) I'm mostly just extremely relieved that it turned out as well as it did especially considering the stressful summer leading up to it. So extremely extremely glad that I don't have to even think about retaking this.
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My first practice test: 29 on 3R
Then got four 35's and a 39 and 40 the week before the test (all aamc tests)
I got a 39 on the real thing
I didn't take any classes, I just studied with all the examkrackers stuff and all the aamc practice tests
Then got four 35's and a 39 and 40 the week before the test (all aamc tests)
I got a 39 on the real thing
I didn't take any classes, I just studied with all the examkrackers stuff and all the aamc practice tests
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That was me. 3 points from my highest.
Don't underestimate how focused you can be on test day.
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Gold Standard GS1: 29
3R: 31
7: 31
9: 32
August '06: 36M
As you can see, I forgot to practice writing 😛 I'd also like to add that you should treat the practice exams like the real thing, ie: rest up the day or two before, and do the test in a quiet/ conducive place. Only then can you gauge your progress. Plus, you'd be more encouraged by higher scores, thus giving more motivation for studying.
3R: 31
7: 31
9: 32
August '06: 36M
As you can see, I forgot to practice writing 😛 I'd also like to add that you should treat the practice exams like the real thing, ie: rest up the day or two before, and do the test in a quiet/ conducive place. Only then can you gauge your progress. Plus, you'd be more encouraged by higher scores, thus giving more motivation for studying.
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I scored a 22 (6ps 8v 8b) on my first diagnostic and a 36 (13ps 11v 12b) on the real thing. I took a TON of practice tests but my average on the last 4 AAMC's I took was about a 35. I studied with Kaplan although I really doubt that prep company choices make much difference. You get out what you put in (time wise, not money wise).
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Diagnostic: 24
First Practice (Kaplan): 32
Actual: 37
First Practice (Kaplan): 32
Actual: 37
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I ranged between 33 and 37 on the AAMC practice tests and got a 39R on the real thing.
I started studying 3 weeks before the test and I bought the Kaplan book to study from, mostly b/c I haven't been in school for 7 years and haven't had the intro science classes for 14. I found that reviewing my old textbooks was more helpful than reading the Kaplan book once I knew what kind of problems I might find on the MCAT. There weren't enough problems in the book to practice with to get proficeint enough to do them quickly for the exam.
I started studying 3 weeks before the test and I bought the Kaplan book to study from, mostly b/c I haven't been in school for 7 years and haven't had the intro science classes for 14. I found that reviewing my old textbooks was more helpful than reading the Kaplan book once I knew what kind of problems I might find on the MCAT. There weren't enough problems in the book to practice with to get proficeint enough to do them quickly for the exam.
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no way you had a 27 on one mcat and a 40 on another. i dont buy it.
for me: diag 21, real deal 40 (took PR, studied for about 1 month pretty solidly, kind of half studied the month before that)
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Took four AAMC practice tests and got a 31 on all 4 of them.
real MCAT: 34
real MCAT: 34
In order taken......dont remember all of my sub scores...but remember some...PS, VR, BS
3R: 27
4911: 25, 7,8,10
4921: 23 7,6,10
"A": 27
4931: 28
"B": 28
AAMC 7: 30 10, 10, 10
4,5,6= dont remember, but mostly in 30-33 range
AAMC 9: 33 (10 days before) 11,11,11
AAMC 8: 34 (week before) 11,10,13
Real thing: 38R 13,13, 12
Take as many practice tests as you can. You need to be completely comfortable with the format so that when you walk in on GAME DAY it feels just like another practice test. Not just the psych factor, it helps with pacing too. I could just "feel" if I was going too fast or too slow. alsot, on days you will take practice tests, eat the same meals (and then eat the same meal on test day)...i made cheesy omlets and had a cup of tea for the caffeine. Make every testing opprotunity a chance to practice for the real thing. follow the same patterns. i even went out of my way to take practice exams in the same classroom as the real thing. i took my lunch break on the real mcat in the same cafe i sat in during practice tests. a lot of this is mental, so keep that in mind. make your mcat day resemble any other ordinary day. make several small sandwiches for the day of, and snack between sections to keep your glucose [ ] up. avoid the temptation to OD on red bull. it will probably just make you jittery. but, a cup of coffee, tea, red bull, amp, etc in the morning might be helpful, even if you dont regularly drink it.
As you can see, ANYTHING can happen on the day of. Keep your cool. eat the same breakfast, if you hate getting up early like i do....get up early that whole week so your body clock is adjusted (hit the sack at 9, get up at 5:30 everyday that week).
for in between sections, bring a magazine with you to read so you wont think about the exam/fret. if youre a chick and like cosmo, bring that. if its guns and ammo, bring that. whatever will keep you calm and not worrying between sections is what you need....take a section and forget about it. you will NEVER need it again. the girl that was flipping through her flashcards in between sections voided her test. trust yourself. youve studied for months. you KNOW THIS.
i was freaking out for the 2 days after the exam cause i could think of all these questions i *knew* i missed. although it probably wont help some of you haha, dont worry about it...its over....youll probably be surprised when you check THX 2 months later.
review your old tests. often. know EVERYTHING you did wrong on them and how to rework 'em. If youre in a class, finish the whole book of practice problems. it helps.
verbal....read read read. i read the WSJ and some upper end mags like atlantic, economist, BMJ, etc. if you could get your hands on science and nature, it would tremendously help...
Most people score within a point or two on the final thign. i have no idea how i went up 4 points, so i cant help ya there.
a final word: i studied for this exam like my life depended on it. i studied so much i was embarresed to tell people how much i studied. for the 9 weeks of TPR course, i spent about 50-60 hrs a week preparing. i took fri nights and sund mornings off. so about 400-500 hours. if youre taking it in april, i would recommend you study about that much over the 5 month or so period you have to prepare. ive never been a great test-taker either, so trust me....the MCAT can be beat. good luck to everyone.
um...im getting my ass kicked by school right now...so i wont be checking this forum a whole lot...so if you have specfic Qs, PM me. good luck once again to you all.
3R: 27
4911: 25, 7,8,10
4921: 23 7,6,10
"A": 27
4931: 28
"B": 28
AAMC 7: 30 10, 10, 10
4,5,6= dont remember, but mostly in 30-33 range
AAMC 9: 33 (10 days before) 11,11,11
AAMC 8: 34 (week before) 11,10,13
Real thing: 38R 13,13, 12
Take as many practice tests as you can. You need to be completely comfortable with the format so that when you walk in on GAME DAY it feels just like another practice test. Not just the psych factor, it helps with pacing too. I could just "feel" if I was going too fast or too slow. alsot, on days you will take practice tests, eat the same meals (and then eat the same meal on test day)...i made cheesy omlets and had a cup of tea for the caffeine. Make every testing opprotunity a chance to practice for the real thing. follow the same patterns. i even went out of my way to take practice exams in the same classroom as the real thing. i took my lunch break on the real mcat in the same cafe i sat in during practice tests. a lot of this is mental, so keep that in mind. make your mcat day resemble any other ordinary day. make several small sandwiches for the day of, and snack between sections to keep your glucose [ ] up. avoid the temptation to OD on red bull. it will probably just make you jittery. but, a cup of coffee, tea, red bull, amp, etc in the morning might be helpful, even if you dont regularly drink it.
As you can see, ANYTHING can happen on the day of. Keep your cool. eat the same breakfast, if you hate getting up early like i do....get up early that whole week so your body clock is adjusted (hit the sack at 9, get up at 5:30 everyday that week).
for in between sections, bring a magazine with you to read so you wont think about the exam/fret. if youre a chick and like cosmo, bring that. if its guns and ammo, bring that. whatever will keep you calm and not worrying between sections is what you need....take a section and forget about it. you will NEVER need it again. the girl that was flipping through her flashcards in between sections voided her test. trust yourself. youve studied for months. you KNOW THIS.
i was freaking out for the 2 days after the exam cause i could think of all these questions i *knew* i missed. although it probably wont help some of you haha, dont worry about it...its over....youll probably be surprised when you check THX 2 months later.
review your old tests. often. know EVERYTHING you did wrong on them and how to rework 'em. If youre in a class, finish the whole book of practice problems. it helps.
verbal....read read read. i read the WSJ and some upper end mags like atlantic, economist, BMJ, etc. if you could get your hands on science and nature, it would tremendously help...
Most people score within a point or two on the final thign. i have no idea how i went up 4 points, so i cant help ya there.
a final word: i studied for this exam like my life depended on it. i studied so much i was embarresed to tell people how much i studied. for the 9 weeks of TPR course, i spent about 50-60 hrs a week preparing. i took fri nights and sund mornings off. so about 400-500 hours. if youre taking it in april, i would recommend you study about that much over the 5 month or so period you have to prepare. ive never been a great test-taker either, so trust me....the MCAT can be beat. good luck to everyone.
um...im getting my ass kicked by school right now...so i wont be checking this forum a whole lot...so if you have specfic Qs, PM me. good luck once again to you all.
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I got a 37S but started out in the midrange 20s. I didnt take a review course because I thoroughly believe that they suck and can seriously kiss my ass. After studying pretty hardcore for a few months and still scoring midrange 20's i decided my fate was sealed and i'd just take it for the hell of it. ended up doin pretty well!
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holy crap.. this thread is VERY VERY inspirational.. definitely deserves a much needed bump
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Wow.. just goes to show practice scores don't mean alllllll that much.. its more what you learn about your mindset on test day
Actual MCAT:
April 2005: 25P (7P,8V,10B)
May 2007: 34S (11P, 11V, 12B)
First practice test = AAMC 4 = 27
Then throughout, I took AAMC 5-10. Averaged 32ish. Had a mini freakout when, one week prior to the real deal, I made a 29 on AAMC 10. Whoops!
And I totally agree with what Green Apple says. Keep at the practice, keep improving those target areas of weakness, and keep your end goal in mind!
One last vital thing, DO NOT freak out or have an anxiety attack when you see others on SDN posting high AAMC practice test scores!
April 2005: 25P (7P,8V,10B)
May 2007: 34S (11P, 11V, 12B)
First practice test = AAMC 4 = 27
Then throughout, I took AAMC 5-10. Averaged 32ish. Had a mini freakout when, one week prior to the real deal, I made a 29 on AAMC 10. Whoops!
And I totally agree with what Green Apple says. Keep at the practice, keep improving those target areas of weakness, and keep your end goal in mind!
One last vital thing, DO NOT freak out or have an anxiety attack when you see others on SDN posting high AAMC practice test scores!
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started kaplan with a 28, 40s on real test. studied mar13-jun15.
