I've heard that Kaplan science sections are very much like the real MCAT (the AAMC ones seem a easier). But I didn't realize until know that the Kaplan scales are VERY easy compared to the AAMC ones. What should I make of this? I've been getting 14-15 on both AAMC and Kaplan, but is the real MCAT is unlike both in that it is as hard as the Kaplan ones (meaning I'll get 5 wrong or so, which is good enough for a 14-15 on the Kaplan scale), BUT then also uses the AAMC scales, so that -5 is like a 12 or 13?
The Kaplan curves are "easier" because the questions are harder. This means that the average student gets more answers wrong, so for the same scaled score (1-15)--which means the same percentile rank--as the AAMC test, you can get more answers wrong.
I don't think the Kaplan verbal is very predictive, because their verbal materials are TERRIBLE. Many people say this, but some score higher on Kaplan than AAMC, and others lower. I'm a mixed bag: on most of the Kaplan practice tests, I score in line with my AAMC score, but on a couple of them it's been much lower. In those cases, I have found there are mistakes in the Kaplan test, so I don't pay too much attention to the really low scores. If you want a good estimate of how you'll do on verbal, use the AAMC tests only.
But the Kaplan science sections seem decently predictive, provided you remember that the curve in the real MCAT is less forgiving (but the questions are easier). Although on the first couple of Kaplan FLs I took, I scored much lower than on the AAMC practice tests, from the third one on my scores on Kaplan and AAMC are right in the same ballpark.
I think the total Kaplan score (all 3 sections together) is more reliable as a guide than your score on any of the individual sections. (In other words, if you're averaging a 33 in Kaplan, that's probably a decent predictor of your score on the real test, but don't take the VR, PS or BS section score as gospel.)
