*Official June 2016 MCAT Thread*

[aalamruad]

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Hey there everyone! Figured I'd start this thread since I recently started preparing for the June 18th MCAT. For those of you who are taking the June 2nd MCAT, June 18th MCAT, or still considering one of those two dates, feel free to post here with any questions, comments, concerns, or support you have to offer!

Good luck to you all! Let's crush it.

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

Hey guys! *Spoiler for scored FL* But could someone help me with this question on the chem/phys section?
Only 4 more days till were free!!

Oh god, I remember this question. I know that the -OH on acetic acid gets protonated to make it a good LG, then the -OH on the ethanol acts like a nucleophile and attacks the carbonyl carbon on acetic acid.

And the EK justification is, there is more evidence given by labeling an atom that DOESN'T move vs. an atom that DOES move during the rxn. The -OH on the ethanol technically doesn't exchange with other groups because it stays attached to the ethyl carbon chain. All I know is, if there is a question like that on the real MCAT, I'm going to select for the atom that doesn't detach from it's original molecule. I'm sure EK mentions why this is the best way in their "research methods" section in their Biology I book but idk, I couldn't find it.

Correct me if I'm wrong please, because I got this question wrong the first time I took the exam too, and this was how I understood the justification.

 

[Nickerbocker]

EDIT: I was wrong hopefully someone else can explain it better lol I personally wanted to label to O on the OH of the carboxylic acid so idk

EDITED EDIT: actually I'll give this a shot. So the it's a substitution reaction where the ethanol attacks the carbonyl Carbon. The O attacks the C and the C forms 4 separate bonds by breaking the double bond with the carbonyl oxygen. Now the carbonyl oxygen has a negative charge and in order to stabilize it the carbon wants to reform that double bond so it kicks off the best leaving group the OH and the ethanol O stays. So if you label it you'll see that the newly formed molecule has the labeled O and thus can deduce that the carboxylic acid lost its OH group. Someone else might be able to explain this better haah sorry I'm not an orgo expert.


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If you keep track of the H's in the reaction, both the H's of the alcohol and the acetic acid get dissociated at some point. So labeling the H doesn't tell you which reactant loses the -OH group. The only way to tell is by labeling one of the O's. The question is how do you tell which O to label? My thinking is, choice C tells you to label the carbonyl oxygen, which would tell you nothing about the -OH group, so you can eliminate that choice. And that leaves us with labeling the O of the ethanol, which as you can tell in the above reaction mechanism that it loses the H in forming the ester. So at the end of the reaction, you look for your isotopic labeled O and you will find the -OH of the ethanol has lost the H in forming the ester.
Not sure if that was clear or not but that was my thought process when answering this question.

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

View attachment 204456
If you keep track of the H's in the reaction, both the H's of the alcohol and the acetic acid get dissociated at some point. So labeling the H doesn't tell you which reactant loses the -OH group. The only way to tell is by labeling one of the O's. The question is how do you tell which O to label? My thinking is, choice C tells you to label the carbonyl oxygen, which would tell you nothing about the -OH group, so you can eliminate that choice. And that leaves us with labeling the O of the ethanol, which as you can tell in the above reaction mechanism that it loses the H in forming the ester.
Not sure if that was clear or not but that was my thought process when answering this question.

I like this explanation. Nice.

 

[theNDhopeful44]

Crap guess I missed that question. Oh well. That C/P on the scored sucked.

 

[bYGODSGRACE]

Hey can someone help me to understand galvanic and voltaic cells?

As I understand it galvanic doesn't require a battery and goes from anode to cathode from highest RP to lowest RP?

Voltaic requires a battery to make it go from lowest RP to highest RP?

 

[Lola222]

Since electricity is really being emphasized, and it's probably one of my worst subjects, what do you think I should review? I know the formulas, that field lines go from + to -, and basically all of the stuff in the EK book. What else should I review? lol

 

[Terror Billy]

Hey can someone help me to understand galvanic and voltaic cells?

As I understand it galvanic doesn't require a battery and goes from anode to cathode from highest RP to lowest RP?

Voltaic requires a battery to make it go from lowest RP to highest RP?

I think instead of saying voltaic, what you're looking for is electrolytic! Galvanic cells are spontaneous, whereas electrolytic are non-spontaneous and utilize electric current to drive the reaction.

in addition some minor differences are the charge of the anode and cathode. for galvanic and electrolytic both oxidation happens at the anode and reduction at the cathode. However, in galvanic the cathode is (+) and the anode (-), the opposite sign convention is true for electrolytic where cathode (-) and anode (+).

 

[BlastedHeath]

Since electricity is really being emphasized, and it's probably one of my worst subjects, what do you think I should review? I know the formulas, that field lines go from + to -, and basically all of the stuff in the EK book. What else should I review? lol

I watched all the Khan videos on electricity yesterday. I still don't know if I have a great understanding of it, but at least a few things clicked. My physics classes never covered electricity/magnetism so that is definitely one of my weakest subjects. If you watch them on 1.5x-2x, it's less than 2 hours total.

 

[theNDhopeful44]

Just finished the scored: 510! (128/126/128/128). Literally thought I bombed C/P lol

 

[Nickerbocker]

I think it's all about getting the big picture for this test. If the official practice tests tell us anything, it is that the new MCAT is all about critical thinking and understanding core concepts. Remember, you can't memorize everything!

 

[TXhopeful]

I found it to be a bit relieving after getting man-handled by examkrackers FLs. Much more straight forward and not as devious.

I feel like the EK exams are more difficult, but also representative of the newer exams. This is the consensus I'm reading on 509+ advice threads and some others, but I personally want to take their exams even though NS makes it amazing to review.

Quick Question: do you guys know the Krebs cycle intermediates (like fumarate, malate, etc..) and their structures? Is that necessary to know?

These type questions were on the Section Bank and I feel like it was AAMC showing you how nasty they can potentially be and the level of understanding. I really hope they don't expect us to know all the structures, but it'd be stupid to not write them down and look at them at least once a week.

Most of us have been doing the Section Banks, but does anyone feel like the Question Packs are helping? I think it would be stupid not to do ALL the AAMC material you possibly can, but I'm kinda dreading doing 240 questions on Chem and Physics

Also, best of luck to everyone taking the June 2nd exam! We're all rooting for you.

 

[bYGODSGRACE]

I think instead of saying voltaic, what you're looking for is electrolytic! Galvanic cells are spontaneous, whereas electrolytic are non-spontaneous and utilize electric current to drive the reaction.

in addition some minor differences are the charge of the anode and cathode. for galvanic and electrolytic both oxidation happens at the anode and reduction at the cathode. However, in galvanic the cathode is (+) and the anode (-), the opposite sign convention is true for electrolytic where cathode (-) and anode (+).

Thank you so much! So would gel electrophoresis where the anode is positive and cathode is negative have any relation to being an electrolytic cell?

 

[Mr. otcoD]

Thank you so much! So would gel electrophoresis where the anode is positive and cathode is negative have any relation to being an electrolytic cell?

I think you are mixing up the two. Gel electrophoresis is mainly used to identify units of protein based on size/weight. It's a type of chromotography, not necessarily a reaction. You are correct where the anode is positive and the cathode is negative (which is why DNA in the Gel is attracted to the anode because of the negatively charged phosphates)
Electrolytic cells are where you are dealing with redox reactions on a more gen chem basis. You are trying to oxidize one metal while reducing another. The only issue is that you just need energy for this to happen (which i believe makes it NON-spontaneous but please correct me if im wrong)

 

[Scrubs101]

Just finished the scored: 510! (128/126/128/128). Literally thought I bombed C/P lol

Congrats!!!!! I thought that C/P was horrible too! That's really impressive! What percent right is that for C/P?


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[Nickerbocker]

Anyone here feels that after taking the scored FL that a lot of the questions do not test you on the specific details but rather on the main concepts and also how well you can eliminate the wrong answers? I'm reviewing my test that I took yesterday and find that I got some of the answers correct based mainly on my ability to eliminate the wrong answers and not necessarily on my understanding of the topics.

 

[sks1313]

Anyone here feels that after taking the scored FL that a lot of the questions do not test you on the specific details but rather on the main concepts and also how well you can eliminate the wrong answers? I'm reviewing my test that I took yesterday and find that I got some of the answers correct based mainly on my ability to eliminate the wrong answers and not necessarily on my understanding of the topics.

Yes, I feel like the Scored FL tested my ability to think rather than my knowledge of the content. I feel like the NS FL was more content-intensive. Should we expect the actual test to be more like the FL?

 

[Nickerbocker]

Yes, I feel like the Scored FL tested my ability to think rather than my knowledge of the content. I feel like the NS FL was more content-intensive. Should we expect the actual test to be more like the FL?

That's my hope! Lol

My expectation is that it will be a mix between the FL and the Section Bank.

 

[Scrubs101]

Anyone here feels that after taking the scored FL that a lot of the questions do not test you on the specific details but rather on the main concepts and also how well you can eliminate the wrong answers? I'm reviewing my test that I took yesterday and find that I got some of the answers correct based mainly on my ability to eliminate the wrong answers and not necessarily on my understanding of the topics.

Yup! It's nerve wracking because you don't know how well you're guessing. Makes me not look forward to the month we'll have to wait for your scores and I'll probably be fully convinced I got a 472. But I'm definitely hoping the real thing is more like that than the section bank, but the section bank is an example of how we should prepare for the worst!


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[BlastedHeath]

I realized today that I've probably learned more in the last week than the last 3 months of studying combined. If I had put in even half this effort months or weeks ago, I'd probably be kicking butt on this thing, rather than just getting by. Really feel like I sold myself short studying for this thing while taking full time classes when I was already fairly weak on content. Oh well, live and learn.

Anyone here feels that after taking the scored FL that a lot of the questions do not test you on the specific details but rather on the main concepts and also how well you can eliminate the wrong answers? I'm reviewing my test that I took yesterday and find that I got some of the answers correct based mainly on my ability to eliminate the wrong answers and not necessarily on my understanding of the topics.

I haven't taken the scored yet, but I noticed this on other AAMC material. I posted a few days ago that I was getting many questions right, but my reasoning on them was wrong. Going back over them I realized I got them right because I was able to eliminate the incorrect choices, rather than know the correct reasoning for the right answer.

 

[sleepyhead22]

Thank you! Yes most definitely! I have noticed a commonality in the subjects I struggle with that are always on AAMC stuff and that is definitely one of them! Along with memorizing my AA's and their effects. I'm gonna do the section bank next and hopefully(upon review) I pick up a lot of the concepts that are reoccurring for me!


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Have you done the Q packs? Those helped me with reinforcing concepts and aren't as precious as the section banks lol. I used my notes and worked through some of them as practice. Lenses, circuits, flow, etc were reallyyy emphasized in the Q packs. I might go through them again to reinforce.

 

[sleepyhead22]

I realized today that I've probably learned more in the last week than the last 3 months of studying combined. If I had put in even half this effort months or weeks ago, I'd probably be kicking butt on this thing, rather than just getting by. Really feel like I sold myself short studying for this thing while taking full time classes when I was already fairly weak on content. Oh well, live and learn.

I've been thinking the exact same thing! I felt like I was studying hard, but working 8 hrs a day left me exhausted afterwards and my morning hours were really rushed. Since I've started not going to work (I do research and I'm hoping my advisor hasn't noticed I've been gone hahaha), I've gotten soooo much more studying done and feel like I'm actually learning rather than just reviewing but never grasping the concepts. We did our best with the time that we had, but yeah I wish I could've been studying for this full time for a couple of months before taking it.

 

[theNDhopeful44]

Congrats!!!!! I thought that C/P was horrible too! That's really impressive! What percent right is that for C/P?


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It was 48/59 for C/P (so ~81%).

I've only done the B/B section bank, and got a 66% on that. Is it even worth it to do the other two? I'm trying to figure out how to divide my time these last three days.

 

[zax]

It was 48/59 for C/P (so ~81%).

I've only done the B/B section bank, and got a 66% on that. Is it even worth it to do the other two? I'm trying to figure out how to divide my time these last three days.

IMO do the section banks! They are annoying and difficult but I honestly feel like they help with your critical analysis skills.

 

[Scrubs101]

It was 48/59 for C/P (so ~81%).

I've only done the B/B section bank, and got a 66% on that. Is it even worth it to do the other two? I'm trying to figure out how to divide my time these last three days.

Dang that's gotta be close to a 129
And I think the consensus is to do them all! I haven't done any of them yet but I'm going to try and find time to do them today and tomorrow! Then review them Wednesday + high yield topics


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[Scrubs101]

Have you done the Q packs? Those helped me with reinforcing concepts and aren't as precious as the section banks lol. I used my notes and worked through some of them as practice. Lenses, circuits, flow, etc were reallyyy emphasized in the Q packs. I might go through them again to reinforce.

Hmm I have not, but now that you say that I might try and squeeze the C/P ones in somehow. I'm just kind of pressed with time as I have a genetics exam tomorrow as well and some assignments due for my other classes this week. Definitely regretting taking classes this summer lol. But im gonna try and scrounge up some time for them!


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[theNDhopeful44]

@Scrubs101 @zax Sounds good to me. C/P on the real thing is probably going to be 100x more brutal (still don't understand why they do that).

Anyway, gonna go review the scored test, do more physics and gchem, workout, and then do psych.

 

[zax]

Anyone do the guide questions yet? Just did them and absolutely bombed lol
66% bio/
73% P/C
70% P/S
80% CARS
feeling quite hopeless for Thursday 😱

 

[sleepyhead22]

Anyone do the guide questions yet? Just did them and absolutely bombed lol
66% bio/
73% P/C
70% P/S
80% CARS
feeling quite hopeless for Thursday 😱

I struggled with those questions more than the other aamc stuff. I think because there's fewer questions, the margin for error is tiny. Don't freak out, I got like 50% on the C/P OG part but have done much better on other aamc c/p questions.

 

[sleepyhead22]

Hmm I have not, but now that you say that I might try and squeeze the C/P ones in somehow. I'm just kind of pressed with time as I have a genetics exam tomorrow as well and some assignments due for my other classes this week. Definitely regretting taking classes this summer lol. But im gonna try and scrounge up some time for them!


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You can just buy the Chem and physics packs so they aren't too expensive. You also can pause them and do them with solutions so no pressure to get through all of them- I did them when my brain wasn't up for more intense prep. Also I saw the same question pop up twice in both the Chem and physics, so don't feel the need to get through every question... Lol

 

[Scrubs101]

Edit: meh stupid question

 

[Scrubs101]

You can just buy the Chem and physics packs so they aren't too expensive. You also can pause them and do them with solutions so no pressure to get through all of them- I did them when my brain wasn't up for more intense prep. Also I saw the same question pop up twice in both the Chem and physics, so don't feel the need to get through every question... Lol

Haha that's good! If anything I can just flip through the solutions if I'm really short on time or say it's the day before my test and I want to rest my mind. I have access to them through my Kap course so I might as well use them! Thank you!


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[Nickerbocker]

wow just finished with Bio Section Bank, the second half is brutal! - it is so biochem heavy. >.<

 

[theNDhopeful44]

Okay. I went back over the C/P on the scored test and....it wasn't that bad. I did a lot better than I thought I had originally. I feel you on the reasoning thing, though. Some of my reasoning led me to the right answer, but didn't match the solution description.

 

[Scrubs101]

Okay. I went back over the C/P on the scored test and....it wasn't that bad. I did a lot better than I thought I had originally. I feel you on the reasoning thing, though. Some of my reasoning led me to the right answer, but didn't match the solution description.

Have you checked CARS yet? I feel as though even with their explanations a lot of the questions could go either way between two. But I might just be biased because I'm just mad I wasn't right lol


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[theNDhopeful44]

@Scrubs101 Not yet. Did everything but CARS. Taking a lunch break (currently doing the C/P section bank).

I'm ****ed if the real deal is exactly like/harder than the section bank. For C/P and B/B anyway, the scored exam passages are a CAKE WALK compared to the section bank.

 

[Scrubs101]

@Scrubs101 Not yet. Did everything but CARS. Taking a lunch break (currently doing the C/P section bank).

I'm ****ed if the real deal is exactly like/harder than the section bank. For C/P and B/B anyway, the scored exam passages are a CAKE WALK compared to the section bank.

Oh crap, that's scary to hear are you doing the section bank timed or just kinda working through them?

Edited: because I spelt hear wrong


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[theNDhopeful44]

@Scrubs101 I'm just working them. I have absolutely no idea why they're this much more difficult.

 

[theNDhopeful44]

Also btw, CARS pack 2 went much smoother than CARS 1. 81% correct.

 

[bisonbison]

I am not sure how I didn't find this thread before now... But HI GUYS! I am retaking my MCAT June 18th this year and reapplying. Got a 29 my first go-round in 2013 and applied this past cycle. 2 WL 0 acceptances. 3.9/4.0 GPA so I figured MCAT was a good place to start for improving my app. I am doing DREADFULLY on practice tests and the section bank, though. 🙁 Can't break 500 on Kaplan practice tests and took my first 100 question test in Bio/Biochem for the section bank and didn't even break 50%. Has anyone else had this problem? Really worried since the test is less than a month away...

 

[Brah of Science]

Also btw, CARS pack 2 went much smoother than CARS 1. 81% correct.

CARS I made me feel like I didn't know how to read

 

[theNDhopeful44]

I ******* HATE THE C/P SECTION BANK I SWEAR IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

 

[Scrubs101]

I am not sure how I didn't find this thread before now... But HI GUYS! I am retaking my MCAT June 18th this year and reapplying. Got a 29 my first go-round in 2013 and applied this past cycle. 2 WL 0 acceptances. 3.9/4.0 GPA so I figured MCAT was a good place to start for improving my app. I am doing DREADFULLY on practice tests and the section bank, though. 🙁 Can't break 500 on Kaplan practice tests and took my first 100 question test in Bio/Biochem for the section bank and didn't even break 50%. Has anyone else had this problem? Really worried since the test is less than a month away...

Kaplan is notoriously deflated! The average increase is like 14pts from Kaplan to real thing, this data is a little old though and has a clear as day sampling bias so you can at least count on a 5-10 pt increase. I only increased 3pts from highest Kap to AAMC scored but I think that's because I finally got the hang of kaplans tests. And anything above 50% on those section banks is completely normal heck is say even in the 40's is normal, everyone says those things are killer. No need to worry! Take the AAMC unscored once you feel comfortable and that will give you a much better idea of how you're doing. I'm sure you're definitely above 500. However once you take the AAMC unscored / scored be wary to make sure you are improving significantly from your previous score (29 about 507) so make sure you're definitely above 509-510! I'm sure you already know that though. Best of luck!


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[bYGODSGRACE]

Scored AAMC test today (Percentile, Percent Correct)

C/P 127 (79, 76)
CARS: 128 (90, 85)
B/B: 128 (87, 83)
Psych: 127 (78, 81)

Score 510

I feel like it was graded kinda harshly lowkey....Also I think I can deflate my percentage scores from the unscored AAMC from 515 to 511....because that equation that people used or whatever kinda overestimated my score...I plugged in the same percentages on the scored AAMC into that excel spreadsheet equation and it gave a 515 on the scaled, but obviously it was a 510...feeling a bit down about the performance, but hopefully I can pull through on the day of the exam.

 

[Scrubs101]

Scored AAMC test today (Percentile, Percent Correct)

C/P 127 (79, 76)
CARS: 128 (90, 85)
B/B: 128 (87, 83)
Psych: 127 (78, 81)

Score 510

I feel like it was graded kinda harshly lowkey....Also I think I can deflate my percentage scores from the unscored AAMC from 515 to 511....because that equation that people used or whatever kinda overestimated my score...I plugged in the same percentages on the scored AAMC into that excel spreadsheet equation and it gave a 515 on the scaled, but obviously it was a 510...feeling a bit down about the performance, but hopefully I can pull through on the day of the exam.

Congrats that's still a great score! A 128 on cars is praise worthy haha. I definitely agree that it was graded harshly though. Not sure how correct it was but my Kaplan teacher said as long as you're scoring atleast 75% right you should be around the 90th percentile. That was a recording from 2015 but still I agree it should be curved closer towards that. I got 77.5% right and an 82nd percentile. Seems a bit harsh to me as well.


But then again if it was my choice 50% right would be the 100th percentile haha. So I'm just complaining about something I should just deal with lol.

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[bisonbison]

Kaplan is notoriously deflated! The average increase is like 14pts from Kaplan to real thing, this data is a little old though and has a clear as day sampling bias so you can at least count on a 5-10 pt increase. I only increased 3pts from highest Kap to AAMC scored but I think that's because I finally got the hang of kaplans tests. And anything above 50% on those section banks is completely normal heck is say even in the 40's is normal, everyone says those things are killer. No need to worry! Take the AAMC unscored once you feel comfortable and that will give you a much better idea of how you're doing. I'm sure you're definitely above 500. However once you take the AAMC unscored / scored be wary to make sure you are improving significantly from your previous score (29 about 507) so make sure you're definitely above 509-510! I'm sure you already know that though. Best of luck!


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Oh thank goodness that makes me feel a LOT better. I think I am just getting overwhelmed because I feel like it's just so much material, especially having not taken some of these classes in 4+ years. What is the difference between the unscored and scored AAMC? I am thinking of taking one next week but am not sure which I should do first.

 

[Scrubs101]

Oh thank goodness that makes me feel a LOT better. I think I am just getting overwhelmed because I feel like it's just so much material, especially having not taken some of these classes in 4+ years. What is the difference between the unscored and scored AAMC? I am thinking of taking one next week but am not sure which I should do first.

Unscored reports scores in percent right while scored gives you a scaled score 472-528. There's charts and equations floating around to convert your unscored but they are seemingly inflated, because they're based off of the data with the clear as day sampling bias. Take the unscored first, it's seemed a bit easier to me, even though I did better % right on the scored for some reason I think the unscored is a good AAMC warm up. The scored will give you the most accurate representation of your score so wait until closer to test date for that one!


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[Mr. otcoD]

I am not sure how I didn't find this thread before now... But HI GUYS! I am retaking my MCAT June 18th this year and reapplying. Got a 29 my first go-round in 2013 and applied this past cycle. 2 WL 0 acceptances. 3.9/4.0 GPA so I figured MCAT was a good place to start for improving my app. I am doing DREADFULLY on practice tests and the section bank, though. 🙁 Can't break 500 on Kaplan practice tests and took my first 100 question test in Bio/Biochem for the section bank and didn't even break 50%. Has anyone else had this problem? Really worried since the test is less than a month away...

Based on what people have said, the section banks from AAMC (300 questions 100 each in c/p, bio, psych) have been really representative as to how the real exam is going to be in terms of how they will ask you for info. The section banks are going to be a lot harder but it'll introduce you to how it really is. I remember I was on TPR for longest time, then took an AAMC scored exam and the Psych section on AAMC threw me completely off guard. I realized that I had been studying wrong instead of effectively. Anything from AAMC is going to be the most worthwhile (compared to any test prep company).

 

[BlastedHeath]

In the middle of the scored AAMC right now. Didn't think C/P was that bad, but maybe that is wishful thinking. Something came to me that I didn't think about before. On the actual exam, if I finish a section early, can I use that time for an extended break? I'm assuming the actual test automatically moves to the next screen(the practice has you click ok before starting the break). So if there is 5 minutes left on my clock and I'm done reviewing, can I leave and come back 15 minutes later?

 

[Lola222]

Mentally I'm destroyed right now. Just got a 508 on the scored due to a 125 in chem. I studied for 4+ months hardcore and there were multiple concepts I've never encountered that was on the C/P section. I did better on the section bank than I did on the actual section for C/P. How do people do well on this section- I've tried so hard and this is the result. At this point I may as well just never take this exam.

 

[bisonbison]

Unscored reports scores in percent right while scored gives you a scaled score 472-528. There's charts and equations floating around to convert your unscored but they are seemingly inflated, because they're based off of the data with the clear as day sampling bias. Take the unscored first, it's seemed a bit easier to me, even though I did better % right on the scored for some reason I think the unscored is a good AAMC warm up. The scored will give you the most accurate representation of your score so wait until closer to test date for that one!


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Awesome, thank you!!