MCAT Score Predicitons Based on GPA and/or Practice Test Performance?

[mafunk]

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I'm sure this has been brought up ad nauseum, but I would like to know if anyone notices any correlation between GPA, MCAT Practice Test Performance and performance on the actual MCAT.

I know people who told me they had a 3.9 GPA then scored 24 on the MCAT - that scares me.

 

[Warick22]

There obviously some correlation between GPA and MCAT scores because to have a high GPA you must be relatively intelligent and a hardworker, both good attributes that will contribute positively towards a good MCAT score. However every school and even every class has a different difficulty to get an A. So, although there is some correlation it probably isn't the same across the board for students. For instance, I know someone who graduated with a 4.0 but couldnt get above a 29. And we all have heard of the people with a 3.3 that get a 40.

 

[Chrome19]

I know certified smart people that can't score 30+ on the test. A certain URM girl I know told me she couldn't even break 27, but she got in to medical school. She got a 230 on her USMLE step I though. Another resident told me the MCAT was the hardest test she had to take. The MCAT is just a funny weed-out test. To do well, one has to

1) Master the content
2) Work quickly
3) Quickly extract information from the passage and link with background knowledge.
4) Be a good test taker

Being very good at all four of these should land you a 30+ score, assuming you can score 8+ on the VR section. The VR section is a different ball game altogether. Still waiting for my results. If I don't break 30 it'll most likely be due to the VR. Science has never been my problem.

 

[kehlsh]

You can study for mcat and still fail.
In school, it's hard to fail if u studied

 

[muhali3]

lol you can fail on the mcat?

 

[kehlsh]

lol you can fail on the mcat?

People have different standards... but I treat fail as in getting lower than As in academics and 30s in MCAT

OH just kidding... (sort of)

 

[notbobtrustme]

lol you can fail on the mcat?

if you get a score that precludes entry into med school, that's a fail 😛


MCAT and GPA are correlated. GPA is fairly variable though, depending on where you went to school and teachers you had. I've known the absolute dumbest people in the world get a 3.6+. The MCAT is much tougher to game. If you don't know how to think or know the content, you will get rocked.

 

[Hotshy]

It's really hard to draw comparisons between GPA and MCAT I feel like.

I know some one (Not URM) with a 3.96 GPA took the MCAT Twice. She took it summer 2010 and scored a 28. She had 1 interview, no acceptances. She retook this summer scored a 30, 11 PS 8 VR, and 11 BS. She was doing well on her practices as well, but never broke above 9 in verbal. She studied and practiced hard, I mean at least a verbal passage everyday, and Full length verbal tests as often as she could, but still couldn't break 8 her second time around.

Like a previous poster said the MCAT, particularly the verbal is just a beast in itself. It's a strange thing.

When I shadowed I had residents tell me the same thing. "The MCAT is the hardest test I ever had to take." Consequently they ended up as carribean MD's, but are doing just now, matching into excellent fellowships and all.

 

[vcn3333]

G

 

[muhali3]

GPA is all about conscientiousness.

MCAT is about actual intelligence and working memory.

(imo)

I know many hard-working people with high GPAs that are unable to crack the MCAT.

 

[HankMed7]

GPA is all about conscientiousness.

MCAT is about actual intelligence and working memory.

(imo)

I know many hard-working people with high GPAs that are unable to crack the MCAT.

I disagree. Gap does have a good factor playing with intelligence. The main caveat is the school you attend. If you attend a state school and get a 3.7, that's nothing. But if you attend Yale and get a 3.7 thats a big deal.

Obviously your gpa reflects your dedication and character in working. And I agree that your mcat has more to do with intelligence. With that said, having a gpa above 3.5 shows that you do have a dedication to learning. This provides enough standpoint to conclude that you can succeed on the mcat (since you already have the dedication.

I would say a gpa above 3.6 at a decent university with a science major, you should easily be able to break a 30. You do need the proper study skills and dedication though.

Good luck!

 

[NickNaylor]

I'm sure this has been brought up ad nauseum, but I would like to know if anyone notices any correlation between GPA, MCAT Practice Test Performance and performance on the actual MCAT.

I know people who told me they had a 3.9 GPA then scored 24 on the MCAT - that scares me.

That, more than anything, is probably indicative of 1) not seriously preparing for the test and/or 2) having some kind of issues with standardized tests. I have a few friends that are brilliant but don't do well on standardized tests for whatever reason. The skills necessary to do well in class and on a standardized test really are different.