MCAT

[Premed315U]

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I just took my first full length practice. (yuck). I did PR Diagnostic 483. I got a 28. I used the scoring range listed in the Columbia Review MCAT book that I bought at the store (is this accurate?)

I'm wondering if PR Diagnostic 483 is considered equal to, harder, or easier than the real thing? How do the topics tested and type of questions compare to the real thing? I'm shooting for a 33-34ish. Do you think I have a good shot at raising my score 5 points through studying and lots more practice tests?

Thank you.

 

[none]

Whether it's harder or easier, it's not reliable. Use AAMC practice tests to gauge your readiness for the real thing and I recommend you stick to III, IV and V.

 

[brandonite]

Originally posted by none:
•Whether it's harder or easier, it's not reliable. Use AAMC practice tests to gauge your readiness for the real thing and I recommend you stick to III, IV and V.•••

Yup. Couldn't agree more. The AAMC tests are the only tests close to the real MCAT.

 

[Jessica]

Premed - I believe that if you put in the effort, you can get the score that you are after. I never took at PR diagnostic, but I did a 1/2 length kaplan diag. and was able to improve my score 10 pts. from that (I hadn't finished O Chem or Physics when I took it though, went from a 27 of the diag. to a 37 on the real thing, I was shooting for a 35) I would say that if you are starting off with a 28 (take an AAMC practice test too, like the others said, it is more like the "real thing") a mid-thirties score is realistic to shoot for. Good luck!

 

[YBee]

a 28 for your very first practice test is amazing! You will prob. get high 30's. Really.

My first diagnostic (w/Kaplan so it is only 1/2 length) was a 21 - final score? 37. and you have twice as much time. You are golden.

🙂

 

[Premed315U]

YBee,

Thank you so much for your very encouraging message. How much did you study for the MCAT? A 37 is amazing, and I hope that I can get such a great score. Do you have any good tips?

Thank you

 

[Jessica]

Originally posted by Premed315U:
•Do you have any good tips?
•••

I am sure that Ybee will get beck to you too, but I'll throw in my opinion too. I would say either take a prep class or set up a study schedule and STICK to it. I did the former, because after shelling out $1100 for a Kaplan class, I felt rather obligated to go to class and put a good amount of at-home study time in. If you are dedicated on your own, I think that you would do just as well studying on your own (with prep books and practice tests.) I would try to get your hands on as many books (I studied mostly the kaplan books, also borrowed the TPR and Berkeley books from a friend) and practice tests as you can (especially AAMC.) Don't forget to practice the test taking situations, when you get closer to exam time, take timed exams and try to mimic what the actual MCAT day will be like, it will take the stress out of things.

Like Ybee said, you are way ahead of the game for being on the ball right now! Use it to your advantage and you will definitely maximize your MCAT score. 🙂

If you want more advice ,you might also want to try doing a search for "MCAT prep", I am sure that there are a lot of old threads about study ideas.

 

[Tweetie_bird]

Hi Premed,
I have started studying for my April MCAT too. I thought we could be online study buddies. 🙂 🙂

Whaddya say?
Tweetie

 

[brandonite]

Originally posted by Jessica:
•If you want more advice ,you might also want to try doing a search for "MCAT prep", I am sure that there are a lot of old threads about study ideas.•••

Yup. This is a VERY familiar topic... Just do a search, and you'll find a lot of various opinions.

I skipped the classes. I didn't think they were worth the $$. I suppose it depends on whether you can motivate yourself to get your butt in gear or not. I used both the Kaplan and TPR books. I liked the TPR books slightly better (Flowers and Silver), because I felt there tests were slightly closer to the AAMC tests. The Kaplan books are also very good. If you're not going to take a class, you might as well spend the money to get a couple of books.

I suppose the to take a class/to not take a class question really comes down to whether you can motivate yourself to study or not...

 

[YBee]

I took a Kaplan Prep course - started studying in June for August MCAT. I went to all the Kaplan classes - not a great help, but it was good to have all the info run past me. Then I read all the Kaplan materials (bio book, physics book and chem books plus in class guide at least 2 or 3 times.

I also took 8 practice exams - 5 kaplan (which are harder than amcas) and Amcas III, IV and V. Kaplan also has a number of subject exams which I took 1 or 2x each.

I also reread a large part of my physics textbook b/c Kaplan did a really bad job of explaining a lot of things, and part of my bio b/c it had been five years since I took bio so I was rusty on mitosis/meiosis/genetics etc.

The kaplan physics tests in many instances are much harder than the actual - the mcat I took in august did not require the memorization of any equations, other than V=IR and c=freq.* wavelength. I was a little bitter after having memorized 100+ equations. 🙂

the main thing is - you have to know the science - if you know the science you will kick butt on those sections.

as for the verbal, w/a 28 you prob. already read quickly, which is the most important thing. After that, all you need to know is: if faced with two possible answers, which is more likely to be right. Answer: the one that has the less extreme answer choice. Once you can do that in practice, you won't go wrong.
Good luck!

 

[KyGrlDr2B]

I took the PR and took diagnostic tests 480-485. You cannot go by what another company's book says is the scale--they are all diff. For example, I believe TPR goes by how previous classes did on the test as how to gauge the score (remember, the mcat is scaled). I can help you out sorta though. Missing about 10 or less will give you a 9/10 or greater verbal and missing a little less than half on the sciences will give you an 8 (i think its somthing like miss 30 get an 8). Those were *usually* the stats on our tests. Hope it helps 😀 .

 

[The Falconer]

I agree with all of the above posters overall. I do think taking the after market practice tests can help though. Keep in mind that more than likely you will get lower scores on those than on the AAMCs, or the real thing. I've been told its so you have that shock value of "Wow, that course worked for me". I'd have to agree with Jessica in the studying category...be faithful and take a course if ya can..she took one and did REALLY well. I didn't and did only slightly better than average. I just wasn't disciplined enough in my studying and she was. We both have approximately the same GPAs and go to the same undergrad so you decide. She is smarter than I though-I think. Do those practice tests and study so you get a great score and don't stress about will you get in, you'll be able to stress about where will you accept at! Just my opinion.