Kaplan diagnostic test vs. real mcat score

[hopefulmed195]

I got 18 on my first diagnostic test (7 PS/5 V/6 BS). I'm really disappointed. How much do I expect my score to improve on the real deal? I'm hoping to get 35+. Is that possible? Btw, I'm taking the test in Jan.

Oh, one more question: How is Kaplan verbal compared to real MCAT verbal? My verbal score is really low. I heard that it's the most difficult section to improve on. Is it still possible to raise that 5 to 10+?

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[SN2ed]

Don't worry about diags. They're worthless and meant to demean students/increase the chance of a company reaching its guaranteed point increase. It basically told you exactly what you already knew, you're going to have to study. Now specially about Kaplans' diag (if they have the same one they had last year), the format was different from the real thing, the number of questions wasn't the same, and the difficultly was FAR from the real thing. Kaplan's actual practice tests are much better than their diag.

For verbal help and help raising your other sections, go to the "Where to Start?" sticky.

 

[stereo]

28 (8 PS, 12 VR, 8 BS) on Kaplan Diagnostic. 33 (11 PS, 10 VR, 12 BS) on real thing.

 

[deleted74029]

16 on Kaplan Diagnostic (6PS, 7VR, 3BS) 25 on the next full length I took about a month later (6, 13, 6) and that was two weeks ago and I've been hitting my science sections uber hard and still have about 5 weeks left before I sit so hopefully I can break 30 by then.

I'm so ashamed of that diagnostic 🙁

 

[MossPoh]

Kaplan diagnostics, as most other non aamc exams, tend to much more math intensive. You are within the average for most people taking a first diagnostic, especially if far removed. I think the span for my kaplan class last fall was from 16 to 23 or so. I had a 21. A lot of it has to do with practice. I got that 21 on the diagnostic and I peaked out on a 39 on one aamc, and consistently got around a 36 or so. That being said, I got a 25 on my first take. Retake tomorrow.

 

[Frunkey]

I jumped from a 21 on my Kaplan Diagnostic to a 36 on my last practice full-length. Awaiting th 7/10/08 score reports...

 

[engineeredout]

Does that free kaplan test have any validity when it comes to letting you know where you stand on preparation, or is it just worth the practice but don't pay attention to the score?

 

[LikeClockWork]

26 to 31 here. Considering I had a 27 the first time I took it, I guess that'd be expected.

 

[hopefulmed195]

So...does that mean I should expect to get mid 25s-really low 30s on MCAT?

 

[Brick Walls]

So...does that mean I should expect to get mid 25s-really low 30s on MCAT?

There is no exact range...just b/c your diagnostic was 18 does not mean you are limited to a MCAT score of 25-30.
Keep in mind that when you took your diagnostic, you probably never even practiced for the MCAT, let alone remember most of your sciences.

However, the diagnostic should give you an idea of where you are and how to get to where you need to be. You said you want 35+ on your real MCAT. This is not impossible, but you must remember that you are going to have to work hard.

...I dont know about you, but when i took my diagnostic, I wasnt even really paying attention. There were so many concepts I had forgotten, i was simply guessing on many questions.

 

[LikeClockWork]

So...does that mean I should expect to get mid 25s-really low 30s on MCAT?

This is by no means an exact science. The diagnostic is just a dry run without any training. The studying and additional practice tests could "click" for you more or less than other people on here. Don't try too hard to predict exactly what you'll get. Just keep working.

 

[futuredoctor10]

Yeah I agree with LikeClockWork. The diagnostic is just to gauge where you start off initially, and by no means "dictates" how well you can do on the real deal. Also, if you browse around some people improve only a few points from the diag whereas some people improve alot -- even doubling their diagnostic score!

So just keep doing content review coupled with practice MCAT-style questions, and then start doing full-lengths during the end of content review and then more intensely in the weeks leading to your exam. You will notice your scores improving... my score improved dramatically from my diagnostic to my Kaplan FL1. Good luck!

 

[chuckmorris]

I went for a 23 on my diagnostic (PS 8 VR 7 BS 8) to a 34 on the real deal with my highest kaplan being a 36. I <3 Kaplan.

 

[SN2ed]

Thread closed. Please do not bump a thread from 2008.