Kaplan scaled scores vs Real deal

[kalix]

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This topic is being discussed throughout several threads, however, it seems to me that my scaled Kaplan score would equate to a couple points lower on an AAMC test. I'm having trouble making sense of this.

For example, say an individual gets a scaled score of a 7 in physical sciences of a Kaplan test. In my case, I took 5 practice tests, and had a couple 7's, couple 8's, and one 9. I still managed to score a 7 on a couple of the tests, even though it equated to less than 50% correct(~45% 😱 ) in the section? However, at the e-mcat website, the scale for PS devised using MCAT scores from previous years indicated 54% and higher would yield a 7 in PS.

I don't understand this. To me, it seems this would lead to faulty predictions when forecasting one's real MCAT score in April based on Kaplan's conversions? So, tell me, should I be paranoid, that if by chance I performed at the 7 level this past April, that in actuality I could be in for a rude awakening when I get my real score back and it's more like a 5? Really hope this isn't the case, however, these conversion scales are worrying me.

 

[evljanevl]

supposedly, kaplan kids score on average 2 points higher than their average kaplan test score, on the real thing.

 

[Hotbodmatt]

Dude, it's because the Kaplan tests are much harder than the AAMC ones...at least concerning the PS. I was consistently hitting 12s on PS on Kaplan, but went up to 13-14 on the AAMC. You'll get more right on the real thing to have a higher percentage correct. Kids usually go up a point on the Sciences from Kaplan to the Real thing. (PS is my strength, I suck at Verbal...hoping for an 8. Bio isn't too strong either. I really should go for a career in math.)

 

[kalix]

Dude, it's because the Kaplan tests are much harder than the AAMC ones...at least concerning the PS. I was consistently hitting 12s on PS on Kaplan, but went up to 13-14 on the AAMC. You'll get more right on the real thing to have a higher percentage correct. Kids usually go up a point on the Sciences from Kaplan to the Real thing. (PS is my strength, I suck at Verbal...hoping for an 8. Bio isn't too strong either. I really should go for a career in math.)

Wow, I would love to substitute your PS for mine, then I would be good to go. Anyways, I get what you're saying, makes sense, still felt like I randomly guessed on a considerable # of Q's in PS... o well, can't worry about it now, big money big money!!!

 

[Hotbodmatt]

Kalix, I'd probably be happy to swap your verbal and bio scores with mine. Ha...I'm not taking the freaking exam again. I did 13 practice tests...so, it's all about the score in June. I think I'm going to go to Hawaii for the summer. Phone my folks and find out how I did in June...if it's too low, I might paddle into surf that's lets just say, really big...drown my misery in more than a metaphorical sense. hehe