Next Step Full Length Exams??

[medschool1718]

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Hey guys... I am supposed to take my MCAT September 1st and I have been taking practice tests every week for the past 3 weeks and plan to do the same up until my exam. I scored a 503 on NS full length 1, 70% overall on AAMC sample unscored and then a 505 on NS2 and NS3. I am shooting for a 505 on the real thing and was wondering if you think its possible to get to that score. I plan on taking 1-2 more NS exams and then the 3 AAMC full lengths! I know the AAMC ones are the best predictors, but trying to save those until close to my test date. Thanks in advance!

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

Hey guys... I am supposed to take my MCAT September 1st and I have been taking practice tests every week for the past 3 weeks and plan to do the same up until my exam. I scored a 503 on NS full length 1, 70% overall on AAMC sample unscored and then a 505 on NS2 and NS3. I am shooting for a 505 on the real thing and was wondering if you think its possible to get to that score. I plan on taking 1-2 more NS exams and then the 3 AAMC full lengths! I know the AAMC ones are the best predictors, but trying to save those until close to my test date. Thanks in advance!

I think you're good to get a 505. I got 511-513 on NS and got a 515 on real thing so I think they were somewhat representative. Really depends what your aamc practice FL are though...

 

[medschool1718]

Wound up getting a 502 on AAMC FL 1, starting to get worried. I REALLY cannot afford to score below 500 when I take the test in 2 weeks.

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

Wound up getting a 502 on AAMC FL 1, starting to get worried. I REALLY cannot afford to score below 500 when I take the test in 2 weeks.

hmmm. what do you think went wrong on FL1? Was it a lack of content knowledge? Timing? Couldn't understand the passages? What was your FL1 score breakdown? Just an FYI: AAMC FL3 will be most representative of your score since it more accurately represents the changes to the Psych/Soc section.

 

[medschool1718]

124/124/125/129 was my score breakdown. CARS felt slightly more difficult than I had anticipated. I am planning on doing the CARS question packs from AAMC over the next few days.

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

124/124/125/129 was my score breakdown. CARS felt slightly more difficult than I had anticipated. I am planning on doing the CARS question packs from AAMC over the next few days.

The 124/125 in C/P and B/B have me slightly worried if I am to be honest. Shows a problem in foundational knowledge, and imo the C/P and B/B were much harder on the real thing than on the FLs (of course, there was a nice curve on them--but you still had to get the more difficult questions right!).

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

Hey guys... I am supposed to take my MCAT September 1st and I have been taking practice tests every week for the past 3 weeks and plan to do the same up until my exam. I scored a 503 on NS full length 1, 70% overall on AAMC sample unscored and then a 505 on NS2 and NS3. I am shooting for a 505 on the real thing and was wondering if you think its possible to get to that score. I plan on taking 1-2 more NS exams and then the 3 AAMC full lengths! I know the AAMC ones are the best predictors, but trying to save those until close to my test date. Thanks in advance!

Why are you shooting for 505? are you a URM? applying mostly DO?

 

[medschool1718]

Why are you shooting for 505? are you a URM? applying mostly DO?

applying mostly DO

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

applying mostly DO

Cool, just grind the section banks from AAMC and fill some content gaps and you scoring a 502+ should be fine for many DOs. Contingent on gpa and extracurriculars of course

 

[medschool1718]

Cool, just grind the section banks from AAMC and fill some content gaps and you scoring a 502+ should be fine for many DOs. Contingent on gpa and extracurriculars of course

I have a strong GPA and a ton of extracurriculars (health care and not health care related). It's just this test that is the weak point in my application. I am just SO scared my score will drop below a 500 on the real thing. The anxiety is kicking in big time.

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

I have a strong GPA and a ton of extracurriculars (health care and not health care related). It's just this test that is the weak point in my application. I am just SO scared my score will drop below a 500 on the real thing. The anxiety is kicking in big time.

Work on your mindset. Instead of "This test is intimidating" think "This test should be scared of me." Instead of "This test is so hard" think "I am going to crush it." You thinking that the test is going to be a weak point will turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. It might sound lame, but saying phrases like this to yourself will help build your confidence and make your more comfortable on test day. Work on it.

I can validate this as I went from a 501 -> 515, and a change in mindset was key.

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

I don't think it sounds lame at all. This is really good advice and I hope OP uses it.

Question. Did you take your third attempt of the MCAT after your M.S. or before?

So I took my first two attempts when I was a noob undergrad and thought partying was better than studying. Thank God I've matured lol. For the third attempt, I was ballsy and took it during the second semester of my program. I would not recommend this as it was the worst 5 months of my life balancing the SMP with MCAT studying and volunteering. But, I deserved it haha. However, the info that I was learning was directly relatable to the MCAT so it helped out a lot

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

That is awesome man. I'm planning on doing a smp next fall. I'm in the middle of a diy post-bac and I'm going to start studying next week for a January test (I'm going to do my very best). I just wanted to pick your brain a bit in regards to how your increased your score.

Good luck! I loved my SMP. As for what I did to study, I'd recommend getting your fav books for each subject (I did Princeton Review for Chem + psych + physics, and Kaplan for bio/biochem) and watched every video on Khan Academy. I think Khan was easily the best material (I did not use it for my first two MCATs and regret it lol). Then get the AAMC material and Next Step exams and you'll be set! Hope you enjoy your SMP and KILLLLLLLL the MCAT!