Kaplan PS still harder than actual MCAT?

[J ROD]

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For those that recent took the MCAT within the last six months, do you still consider Kaplan PS harder than the actual MCAT?

Would you rank it AAMC < MCAT< Kaplan?

Thanks,

 

[hferdjal]

Yea, I would like to know as well. I've been hearing a lot lately that the AAMC's are easier than the recent MCATs. And that discourages me.

 

[killinsound]

AAMC's are easier than real deal

Kaplans are harder but they curve ALOT so it ends up being "easier"

 

[RoadRunner17]

So wouldn't the solution be to do the Kaplan PS sections but focus more on % correct rather than whatever scoring chart they have?

 

[hamidace]

I personally found the Real PS way harder than the AAMC. It was closer to Kaplan but still much harder.

Real > Kaplan > AAMC

 

[J ROD]

I personally found the Real PS way harder than the AAMC. It was closer to Kaplan but still much harder.

Real > Kaplan > AAMC

So hard you could not figure it out?

On Kaplan even though it is harder, I can still get the questions right or at least get an idea of what to guess.

That killer one on July 24th was that still possible?

 

[Psychotropic]

I've taken the MCAT twice and I've studied via Kaplan Online before so I feel qualified to weigh in on this issue:

In terms of question difficulty:

Kaplan>>AAMC

In terms of scaled score

Kaplan< or = AAMC


Basically, Kaplan's PS passages are much more difficult than the AAMC passages, but scaled scores tend to be slightly equal to or greater than what you'd get on an AAMC test due to the generous Kaplan curve.

The first time I took the MCAT, I thought the PS section was insanely hard. I almost voided my test, but did not. I ended up getting an 11, which was exactly my Kaplan average.

The second time around taking the MCAT, I didn't study with Kaplan, but used strictly AAMC material. My PS section was easy and I thought it was on par with the level of difficulty of AAMC material. I averaged 13s on the PS for AAMC 7-->10 but only ended up with an 11, once again, on the real deal.


In summary, the difficulty of the PS content will vary from test to test, but in the end, your score won't change because each test is scaled accordingly!

I think RoadRunner is right in that when you practice PS tests from Kaplan material, focus on percentage correct. In the end, worrying about scaled score is stupid because you never know what you're going to get. It is all relative. So do the best that you can possibly do and don't worry about the rest.

 

[jzeidenb]

To get an 11 in each section, on AVERAGE, what approximate percentage should you be gunning for in each section (PS VR and BS?)

i consistenly get around 63% on PS and about 65-70% on BS depending how hard the orgo is (im great at bio awful at orgo). Im all over the place with VR, get 9-11 every time

 

[J ROD]

Thanks all, I got the curve idea.

harder test, bigger curve
easier test, smaller curve

Get close to the same score.


What I am trying to make sure of now from those that have taken it comes down to this.

When I take any practice test whether Kaplan or AAMC, I know right off the top how to approach it and what it is talking about.

Is this similar on the actual MCAT or are the passages so confusing that you get lost some?

That is the defintion of difficulty I am try to ascertain.

Thanks, again!!

 

[meowkat444]

i found the aamc tests to be basically useless (too easy). kaplan was about right. on test day, the PS was pretty comparable to kaplan, and the BS was way harder and confusing. some of the passages were pretty convoluted, yes. i had to really dissect them, and had to rush more than i did even on kaplan.

in the end, though, i scored very similarly on kaplan, aamc, and real thing. just though kaplan was better prep.

 

[J ROD]

i found the aamc tests to be basically useless (too easy). kaplan was about right. on test day, the PS was pretty comparable to kaplan, and the BS was way harder and confusing. some of the passages were pretty convoluted, yes. i had to really dissect them, and had to rush more than i did even on kaplan.

in the end, though, i scored very similarly on kaplan, aamc, and real thing. just though kaplan was better prep.

Thank you. I get bored on AAMCs because they do not really make you think. I think Kaplans are good as far as difficulty if I were making the test.

I plan to review my Kaplans during my last week to get me in the difficult mindset or do the sectionals/topicals to make me feel bad.🙁

BTW, your MCAT score is sick!!! Your GPA is fine!! Enjoy picking which acceptance letter you want to accept.

I just want a 30 and go to my state school!!

 

[axp107]

I have the option of either doing

Kaplan Fls 6 - 9

or

AAMC 7 - 10

which is a better idea?

 

[meowkat444]

do kaplan (much better prep), and then go over them very carefully. don't worry if it feels frustrating.

 

[mdgolfer84]

I seem to get demolished on the topicals. Those seem to be ridiculously hard.

I've basically only been using AAMCs as practice tests, a friend gave me access to try some topicals on Kaplan.

If I want to just go over a few kaplan tests just to look at the questions, which full lengths do you guys recommend?

 

[axp107]

Don't take 3.. it'll give you a false sense of security

nah j/k I'm just not happy that 3 was my highest so far haha

 

[J ROD]

I have only done two Kaplans, but I imagine any would be good to get used to the difficulty.

I do not recommend their verbal. It is not representative to AAMC and the questions are poorly written in my opinion and the answer choices are so ambigious that sometimes it is not real clear.

I would do AAMC and EK verbal.

 

[mdgolfer84]

Is the test really THAT much curved?

 

[go lakers]

real test always seems to be talked about as harder than any practice tests.

kaplan's PS is more math-based, and has a very generous curve, so scores are misleading.

 

[axp107]

In terms of AAMC and Kaplan tests.. when comparing them... sciences are on the mark.. you'll get around the same scores

Verbal on the other hand... 😀

 

[Psychotropic]

I have the option of either doing

Kaplan Fls 6 - 9

or

AAMC 7 - 10

which is a better idea?

I would do AAMC 7-10 because generally the scores you get on those tests will better correspond with what you will get on the actual test. This will give you a good idea of what's up. Besides, practicing verbal is most important and the AAMC tests have the best verbal section.

 

[Psychotropic]

Is the test really THAT much curved?

Yes it is curved tremendously, depending on the difficulty of the test. Whatever you do, do not get phased if you think you are bombing a section. For all you know, everyone else could be doing the same thing, thus affecting the curve. Give it your all and good luck.

 

[J ROD]

Is the test really THAT much curved?

Yes, as stated depending on the difficulty of the test.

When I take Kaplan I find myself guessing alot more and some of math questions are just nuts. I feel like I got a 8 and end up with a 11-12.

AAMCs, I feel like I missed a few and end up with a 11 or so.

The top stays at the top because of the curve. Just try not to panic and think through the test if it is a difficult one.

Personally, I want a easy PS to not drain me for verbal. Although if it had more Gchem than Phy then I really do not care as much.