MCAT scheduled for Aug 5 and not sure of how to interpret practice test scores, should I postpone?

[doctor_may]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone, I've been studying for the Aug 5 MCAT since finals ended in mid-May. I plan on applying in 2017. I based my schedule off of mcatjelly's and mainly used the EK book set. As of the end of June, I have been taking practice exams and my scores are as follows (in chronological order):

AAMC 120 Questions (Taken as a half-length):
C/P 17/30 (57%)
CARS 24/30 (80%)
B/B 21/30 (70%)
P/S 24/30 (80%)
TOTAL 86/120 (72%)

Princeton Review Free Demo FL
C/P 122
CARS 125
B/B 124
P/S 126
TOTAL 497

Next Step FL 1
C/P 127 (79th percentile)
CARS 125 (58th)
B/B 126 (67th)
P/S 128 (86th)
TOTAL 506 (71st)

Next Step FL 2
C/P 126 (67th percentile)
CARS 126 (70th)
B/B 126 (67th)
P/S 127 (75th)
TOTAL 505 (68th)

Next Step FL 3
C/P 127 (79th percentile)
CARS 126 (70th)
B/B 127 (79th)
P/S 126 (66th)
TOTAL 506 (71st)

Next Step FL 4
C/P 127 (79th percentile)
CARS 126 (70th)
B/B 126 (67th)
P/S 127 (75th)
TOTAL 506 (71st)

Next Step FL 6
C/P 127 (79th percentile)
CARS 127 (81st)
B/B 126 (67th)
P/S 127 (75th)
TOTAL 507 (74th)
(this was a total surprise because this exam seemed insanely difficult)

Next Step FL 5
C/P 126 (67th percentile)
CARS 126 (70th)
B/B 126 (67th)
P/S 128 (86th)
TOTAL 506 (71st)

I'm aiming for a 508 and the test is two weeks from now. I'm getting worried because although I've remained pretty consistent at 506, I would like to score a 508 before test day, and the highest I've gotten is a 507, once…
Someone who has already taken the MCAT mentioned that I should consider postponing. If I did, I don't think I'd get sufficient time to study this fall or spring, as I know I'll be very busy.
I want to be able to take it once by doing it properly, and I thought I was doing it right by taking off 2.5 months to study, and it definitely makes me nervous to postpone and lose memory of the content/stamina I've built up.
I know it's said that practice test company scores tend to be deflated and not to take the score to heart, but should I really be relying on that? I also read that others' NS scores tend to be higher than other companies as well/more representative of their real score. The person I was speaking with said to take the Sample Test next week and use that as a gauge of whether to postpone. In that case, what % correct should I be aiming for on the Sample? Is postponing a good idea?

*Also, I cannot postpone to the later August test date because I will be starting my campus job.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Roayer]

It looks like you are close to your goal maybe even past it. Once you take the sample Test/Scored It will be easier to tell but your NS scores indicate you can do it. 124/128/126/127 looks like your score breakdown for the O.G which is a 505 so I'm guessing you can do it. Repost with your sample/scored they are the best indicator.

 

[neurodjent]

I say you're looking good to me and I definitely think you can hit that 508+ mark. Don't judge your progress on your results from prep companies practice FL's, only AAMC official FL's should be used to judge whether you are ready or not. You might not think that you're going to score higher than 508 because the practice FL's make you think that you're only as good as a 506 but the practice FL's from prep companies are very deflated. Just as an example, I averaged 502 on Kaplan and 506 on NS and I got a 510 on the AAMC unscored. Keep up the hard work and you'll be fine! Good luck!

 

[Nucleophile1]

It's hard to say until you have taken the AAMC Unscored or Scored. I recommend taking one of those and see how you do.

 

[doctor_may]

Thank you guys! Is it advisable to take the Sample ASAP, or still next week (7 days before the test)?

 

[Roayer]

I also got a 77% first time and a 509, so the conversion is pretty accurate.

 

[doctor_may]

Thanks for the input 🙂
So for my remaining tests I'll do the AAMC Sample/Scored but don't know if it's worth it to dish out another $120 for NS exams 7-10, because I would probably take 2 at max given my remaining time. I don't want to get too caught off guard using another brand either at this point. What if I used the section banks+CARS question pack as an FL? Like do 59 questions from each of the banks & 53 questions from the question pack all timed?

 

[Roayer]

Thanks for the input 🙂
So for my remaining tests I'll do the AAMC Sample/Scored but don't know if it's worth it to dish out another $120 for NS exams 7-10, because I would probably take 2 at max given my remaining time. I don't want to get too caught off guard using another brand either at this point. What if I used the section banks+CARS question pack as an FL? Like do 59 questions from each of the banks & 53 questions from the question pack all timed?

Do not do the whole Section Bank timed like that. You need to learn from them and treat them like gold, review after each passage. I'd suggest EK4 and EK3 over the NS, they were the most representative exams I took. I also did them the week before I retook the MCAT and thought it was good practice. The whole Idea of using multiple test prep companies is so you don't get used to one brand's style.

 

[doctor_may]

Ok, definitely doing the section banks, and if I have time I will try to include EK 3 or 4 as well. Will repost with my Sample scores soon!

 

[The_shake_n_Blake]

Hey guys! I also wanted some input. I am also taking the test August 5th and am wondering what you guys think of my situation. I took the test back in April and got a 499. I realized that the way I was studying was wrong, because I was just trying to do content and never really practiced and would kind of half-ass my practice tests. So after getting my score in May, I have been studying nonstop and did the Kaplan HSG option (I took the class the first time, but I wanted to still have their resources this next time around). Anyways, my Kaplan tests were 502, 501,500,499. I wanted to try something different, so I bought the 4 practice next step tests and have taken the first two. The first one I got a 509: C/P= 128 CARS=126 Bio=127 Psych=128 and then I took the second one today and got a 506 C/P=128 CARS/Bio/Psyc=126. Anyways, I notice that my biggest issue isn't content, but the passages can get really confusing. I had planned on reviewing my test and then also going through the AAMC question pack again. Any other advice? Also, my goal is to get at least a 507, and I'm wondering if anyone thinks I am ready. When I was taking the NS test today, I realized it was significantly harder than the first one (at least in my opinion) so I was surprised I got a 506. Anyways, any advice would be great. I am applying this cycle so it's kind of do or die now lol.

 

[doctor_may]

Just took the sample…

C/P 64%
CARS 81%
B/B 76%
P/S 80%
75.25% total

Conversion chart I found equated this to a 507… Should I be worried? Or am I in alright shape for Aug 5th test with my 508 goal in mind?

 

[Roayer]

Just took the sample…

C/P 64%
CARS 81%
B/B 76%
P/S 80%
75.25% total

Conversion chart I found equated this to a 507… Should I be worried? Or am I in alright shape for Aug 5th test with my 508 goal in mind?

You look like you should be fine. You haven't even done the Section Banks yet and those are where you will really help increase your score. Keep it up!

 

[doctor_may]

You look like you should be fine. You haven't even done the Section Banks yet and those are where you will really help increase your score. Keep it up!

Thank you!
I just used another score conversion chart from reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/Mcat/comments/3culxa/tentative_aamc_sample_fl_score_conversion/) and it gave me a 511… that seems pretty inflated though right?

I started on the Section Banks yesterday and they're really difficult so far, but definitely good practice. And yes hopefully I'll be in better shape once I'm all through them! Gotta fix that C/P score lol…

 

[Roayer]

Thank you!
I just used another score conversion chart from reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/Mcat/comments/3culxa/tentative_aamc_sample_fl_score_conversion/) and it gave me a 511… that seems pretty inflated though right?

I started on the Section Banks yesterday and they're really difficult so far, but definitely good practice. And yes hopefully I'll be in better shape once I'm all through them! Gotta fix that C/P score lol…

Probably slightly inflated but I could totally see you scoring that. Just iron out those weak areas in C/P and B/B and your golden.

 

[doctor_may]

So I did the section banks last week and my scores were:
C/P 54%
B/B 56%
P/S 68%

And I just finished the Scored AAMC test with a 506… :/
(Breakdown was 126, 128, 126, 126)

How is this looking for this Friday's test?

 

[Roayer]

So I did the section banks last week and my scores were:
C/P 54%
B/B 56%
P/S 68%

And I just finished the Scored AAMC test with a 506… :/

How is this looking for this Friday's test?

I think you have a pretty legit shot of hitting 508, especially if you iron out those weak areas you found from the SB and Scored. I'm guessing you will score between a 505 and 510.

 

[doctor_may]

I think you have a pretty legit shot of hitting 508, especially if you iron out those weak areas you found from the SB and Scored. I'm guessing you will score between a 505 and 510.

Thanks! Would it be worth it to postpone at all or should I not risk losing content knowledge/stamina over the course of a pretty hectic school year?

 

[Kpw101]

You carry more risk going into an exam you don't feel prepared for as compared to risking losing content knowledge if you postpone. Content knowledge can always be solidified again. A score that isn't within your goals however cannot be taken back.

 

[southernpremed2]

practice tests

 

[southernpremed2]

sorry that's 60%-67% lol

 

[southernpremed2]

edited

 

[doctor_may]

also took NS 6 but didn't do so hot (126/126/126/126) 504. What I did notice is that I'm more consistent in my CARS scores between the last 2 FLs I've taken.

I haven't taken the actual exam yet but NS 6 was really difficult in my opinion and I know others have posted that their scores dropped significantly on that one - hope that helps

Your other scores also look good to me, again I can't really say much due to lack of experience lol but from browsing these threads I think you are in good shape

 

[doctor_may]

You carry more risk going into an exam you don't feel prepared for as compared to risking losing content knowledge if you postpone. Content knowledge can always be solidified again. A score that isn't within your goals however cannot be taken back.

Thanks for the advice, I'll be keeping this in mind.

 

[doctor_may]

Hey all, I decided to postpone for a few months and try to improve my score. Best of luck everyone!