MCAT getting harder over time?

[Jugador75]

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Is there any truth to the rumor that the MCAT is getting more difficult (or that the curve is getting more difficult) over time? After about 150 hours of studying I got a 33 on AAMC practice test II. Although I'm shooting for a 37, I felt pretty good about it b/c I still plan on studying a ton. Anyway, one of my premed friends told me not to get too excited b/c the AAMC practice tests, as with the real mcat, get harder and harder. Thoughts?

 

[efex101]

Yeah, from what I hear the last AAMC practice exams are much tougher than the I and II. So yeah, pat yourself on the back that is a great score but do not assume nada.

 

[Camden772]

From what I have seen AAMC IV, V, and VI are most representative of the real MCAT. People usually score very close to their last practice test, if their last practice test is one of these three.

 

[WonderBoy]

The MCAT is not getting harder, its has remained relatively the same over the past few years. You can see this by looking at the average scores on the sections at the AAMC site.

Anyhow a piece of advice to the OP, the real mcat has the basically the same level of difficulty as the AAMC practice test. HOWEVER, taking the real test is a whole different ball game compared to taking practice tests.

Nervousness and the level of noise are main things that can mess you up on the real deal. Try to practice in an environment that same level of noise as a testing center, that will help you a lot.

Good luck

 

[uniqueseraph]

If it is getting harder, that can help or hurt. The MCAT is graded on a curve just like all standardized tests. I can say that the MCAT's not getting easier. You sound like you put a lot of studying into it, so don't worry you'll do fine. Good Luck!🙂

 

[Jugador75]

I know it's graded on a curve. What I was referring to was the possibility that the curve itself was getting harder. That's the only way to make a standarized test harder.

As far as the noise in a testing room, do any of you guys recommend wearing ear plugs? I guess the only downside of that is not being able to hear the proctor call out the times.

 

[Gleevec]

I disagree Wonderboy.

Even though the average scores are the same, ask admissions, and they will tell you that the test is getting harder over time. But they will also tell you that students are more and more prepared than in decades past. The reason the score has stayed the same is not beause of same difficulty, but increased difficulty matched with increased student aptitude.

The AAMC practice tests are much much easier than the actual MCAT. This is because the MCAT has according to many (i am no expert on this) has become much harder over time. The actual MCAT was more like my practice Kaplan tests in terms of difficulty than my practice AAMC tests. However, I ended up getting my highest score from the easy AAMC tests on the real MCAT.

In general, Ive been told and have experienced myself that AAMC practice tests are easier but are more representative of your true score, while the other practice tests (Kaplan, TPR) are more indicative of difficulty.

Originally posted by WonderBoy
The MCAT is not getting harder, its has remained relatively the same over the past few years. You can see this by looking at the average scores on the sections at the AAMC site.

Anyhow a piece of advice to the OP, the real mcat has the basically the same level of difficulty as the AAMC practice test. HOWEVER, taking the real test is a whole different ball game compared to taking practice tests.

Nervousness and the level of noise are main things that can mess you up on the real deal. Try to practice in an environment that same level of noise as a testing center, that will help you a lot.

Good luck