*Official June 2016 MCAT Thread*

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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.
 
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WhittyPsyche said:
But the score isn't based on the number of people who took it that day, nor are the percentile ranks, which is why they don't really change. They are based on the historical performance, which you get from years of experimental questions, as well as whatever other experimental measures they perform for rating questions. So the statistical significance is based off of (big) N, not (little) n.

It's likely pretty balanced in the amount each test is administered but if one particular version was circulated less it wouldn't matter. They probably use a randomizer, which is what my lab does. And some weeks we have a fraction of one test actually administered compared to another. Doesn't change anything.


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I am talking about validation of experimental passages and not about scores or percentile ranks. Before a particular passage can be actually tested it has to be validated and provide statistical data for scaling process. IMO, if N<1000 then the statistical data will not be significant for that particular passage,
 
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MI2015 said:
I think (and please correct me if I'm wrong) the discussion of scores and scaling. If i'm going to have a long debate I would private message people haha
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Haha I agree 100%! I thought the same thing, just wanted to make sure other people did too!
 
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Sam93 said:
Actually, I am interested to learn about this subject as well and I am learning quite a bit from these guys!
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But it's just back and forth- no one really knows the answer about scoring and stuff. That's just me, and obviously I have no right to tell people what they can post on here. Just agreed with GoCubs haha. Glad you are learning stuff though🙂
 
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Sam93 said:
Actually, I am interested to learn about this subject as well and I am learning quite a bit from these guys!
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More power to you dude. But, note the title of the thread. It'd be more appropriate to take it to a different thread or to DMs. Personally, the scoring doesn't really matter. Knowing how scoring is done won't help getting a better score.
 
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Jean Luc said:
I am talking about validation of experimental passages and not about scores or percentile ranks. Before a particular passage can be actually tested it has to be validated and provide statistical data for scaling process. IMO, if N<1000 then the statistical data will not be significant for that particular passage,
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Well that's what I am saying, I doubt N is less than 1000 when they have been doing this for so many years with so many tests each year. Even if you are testing the passage itself, if you did 1 passage in each test that would be a ton of data. 1/3 of the test doesn't have to be experimental to gather enough data.


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GoCubsGo20 said:
Haha I agree 100%! I thought the same thing, just wanted to make sure other people did too! Honestly, who gives a flying ****. Whining and arguing about the scale literally does no one any good, just annoys the **** out of us.
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I don't take my test until next week. I am not whining or arguing in the slightest. I am discussing. Like a PP I am actually interested in the process not just the product and discussing with people with interest in statistics and testing metrics is nice.

But I mean feel free to go back to the back and forth of "the wait is killing me". At least it's been a distraction for some haha.


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Jean Luc said:
No, they are just there to be validated and provide a scale for future tests!
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So if we do those experimental questions, it's just a kind of wasting time, correct?
If we got those experimental questions right, but any other questions wrong, we still get a lower score than those who did other questions right and those experimental question wrong, right? I feel this is so unfair...
 
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:hijacked:
meddesire said:
So if we do those experimental questions, it's just a kind of wasting time, correct?
If we got those experimental questions right, but any other questions wrong, we still get a lower score than those who did other questions right and those experimental question wrong, right? I feel this is so unfair...
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From what I understand and please someone correct me if I am wrong, you are right. But thankfully the experimental questions are the harder ones since the MCAT is getting harder each year. This is from someone who has taken MCAT 3 times.
 
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meddesire said:
So if we do those experimental questions, it's just a kind of wasting time, correct?
If we got those experimental questions right, but any other questions wrong, we still get a lower score than those who did other questions right and those experimental question wrong, right? I feel this is so unfair...
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Well everyone gets experimental questions, and there is no way to know which are which. The experimental questions can be easy ones too it's not like they only make tests comprised of extremely difficult questions.


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born2run said:
So then are the questions we get on our exam ones that have ONLY been used as experimental questions on previous exams? Meaning that no scored questions are recycled?


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I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly. The scored portion of your test would only be questions that have been validated, which is how they made the scale. What I am assuming is that every test has some number of experimental questions so they can continue to grow the test pool and work on future scales.

The number of questions that are experimental (doesn't count toward your score) is anyone's guess. But it's likely a small percentage.

Before the new MCAT was implemented the experimental question for the 2015 were at the end of the exam I believe. I recall people talking about it asking you explicitly to complete some experimental question. A large number all at once was probably necessary for the radical changes happening. The year to year changes, likely don't need to be such a large number in one test.


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WhittyPsyche said:
I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly. The scored portion of your test would only be questions that have been validated, which is how they made the scale. What I am assuming is that every test has some number of experimental questions so they can continue to grow the test pool and work on future scales.

The number of questions that are experimental (doesn't count toward your score) is anyone's guess. But it's likely a small percentage.

Before the new MCAT was implemented the experimental question for the 2015 were at the end of the exam I believe. I recall people talking about it asking you explicitly to complete some experimental question. A large number all at once was probably necessary for the radical changes happening. The year to year changes, likely don't need to be such a large number in one test.


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I was referring to the questions on our test that were scored... The only other place they've shown up are as experimental questions on previous tests, right? Or will they recycle scored questions from previous tests too?


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GoCubsGo20 said:
Haha I agree 100%! I thought the same thing, just wanted to make sure other people did too! Honestly, who gives a flying ****. Whining and arguing about the scale literally does no one any good, just annoys the **** out of us.
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Exactly! there is no point of this debate. just a waste of time. if its like a competition and someone has to win. smh
 
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born2run said:
I was referring to the questions on our test that were scored... The only other place they've shown up are as experimental questions on previous tests, right? Or will they recycle scored questions from previous tests too?


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Given the strict secrecy and confidentiality agreements, they could recycle and I don't think it would do much harm. It's probably more a question of resources, and given how much of that they have, they probably don't have to, but could.

I agree with the other poster, if they did, it would probably be after a number of years.


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WhittyPsyche said:
I don't take my test until next week. I am not whining or arguing in the slightest. I am discussing. Like a PP I am actually interested in the process not just the product and discussing with people with interest in statistics and testing metrics is nice.

But I mean feel free to go back to the back and forth of "the wait is killing me". At least it's been a distraction for some haha.


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For sure dude! I'd rather relate to other worried people than have someone (who by definition isn't even part of this thread - you haven't taken the exam) annoy me.
 
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GoCubsGo20 said:
The only issue is you still posting stupid things about this topic.
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I didn't realize discussions become stupid if they aren't irrationally and emotionally charged. I'm not sure what you are hoping to get out of passive aggressiveness on the Internet, but I can assure you you're wasting your time.


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GoCubsGo20 said:
The only issue is you still posting stupid things about this topic.
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GoCubsGo20 said:
Honestly, who gives a flying ****. Whining and arguing about the scale literally does no one any good, just annoys the **** out of us.
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Damn.. what's wrong with you? People are having an MCAT-related discussion about a topic that's interesting and relevant to a lot of people in this thread. If it upsets you so much, feel free to not read those posts. I hope it's just the stress of MCAT scores and apps getting to you, because you've seemed like a pretty cool person up until now.

At least @MI2015 was respectful with his/her opposition to the discussion. Try to be more like him/her.
 
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walloobi said:
Damn.. what's wrong with you? People are having an MCAT-related discussion about a topic that's interesting and relevant to a lot of people in this thread. If it upsets you so much, feel free to not read those posts. I hope it's just the stress of MCAT scores and apps getting to you, because you've seemed like a pretty cool person up until now.

At least @MI2015 was respectful with his/her opposition to the discussion. Try to be more like him/her.
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Very fair statement. Just really sick of logging on here to read endless arguments.
 
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WhittyPsyche said:
Haha no worries! The pic leads to assumptions.


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Haha thanks for being understanding and calm. I'd like to apologize, too. I respect your opinions and definitely didn't want my words to go that far. Sometimes I forget how typed words can represent a total different attitude online. I'm actually a really calm dude and feel pretty bad for what I said. Definitely should've put myself in the readers situation first.
 
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GoCubsGo20 said:
Haha thanks for being understanding and calm. I'd like to apologize, too. I respect your opinions and definitely didn't want my words to go that far. Sometimes I forget how typed words can represent a total different attitude online. I'm actually a really calm dude and feel pretty bad for what I said. Definitely should've put myself in the readers situation first.
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The fact that you are willing to apologize on a forum (where no one has accountability) speaks magnitudes about you. I really appreciate it.


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Jean Luc said:
Actually it does make sense since in each test they have to accumulate statistical data and validate the same number of passages (10) for the next year tests. Even if they make 3-4 version of each test, there must be at least 3 out of 10 passages that are experimental. And don't forget, some of these passages may not survive the validation process and will be wasted.
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If one of the passages that is experimental is the one I think I totally bombed on my B/B I will feel so much more confident that I didn't fail.


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It seems the debate storms have passed just in time! Highly recommend going through the process of clicking "Get my scores" on AAMC's website, and logging in. I've been avoiding it like the plague and it definitely helps with the nerves/anxiety. I think I've done it 3 times now, haha. Managed to stay off SDN and not worry since the June 18 exam, but all those feelings are here again.
 
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TXhopeful said:
It seems the debate storms have passed just in time! Highly recommend going through the process of clicking "Get my scores" on AAMC's website, and logging in. I've been avoiding it like the plague and it definitely helps with the nerves/anxiety. I think I've done it 3 times now, haha. Managed to stay off SDN and not worry since the June 18 exam, but all those feelings are here again.
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Have you submitted your TMDSAS primary or are you waiting for your score first?
 
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I feel like a murderer who is gonna turn himself in on Tuesday. Enjoying my last few days of a sane life. I may take out a 35k loan and head to vegas. That way on Tuesday if I bomb it, who cares about my 35k loan, I'm a loser anyways. Conversely if I do well and have a 35k loan- I'm gonna be a doctor so screw it.

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bisonbison said:
Here's hoping that all of my C/P was experimental and that they'll just give us all 132s :laugh:
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This. I've seen it go both ways with these super hard sections. Either people ride the curve and they get 128+ or they bomb it and get 125 and below. I'm getting my mom to open the scores. The thought of doing it myself is too scary!
 
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MI2015 said:
This. I've seen it go both ways with these super hard sections. Either people ride the curve and they get 128+ or they bomb it and get 125 and below. I'm getting my mom to open the scores. The thought of doing it myself is too scary!
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That is a great plan!!!!
 
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MI2015 said:
This. I've seen it go both ways with these super hard sections. Either people ride the curve and they get 128+ or they bomb it and get 125 and below. I'm getting my mom to open the scores. The thought of doing it myself is too scary!
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I was thinking about having a stranger read the numbers to me!
 
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PNWisBest said:
I was thinking about having a stranger read the numbers to me!
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I would have my friends read it, but they would be like "490 wow you're so smart", cause they have no idea what a good score is. My dad is faculty at med school so he would know but he'll be out of town. My mom took the MCAT years ago, but I"m going to tell her what is good haha
ALSO: Anyone have ideas if I should do an SMP bc of my low gpa. Verified with a 3.7/3.4, doing a post bac this year, but should I apply to an SMP? Thanks!
 
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MI2015 said:
I would have my friends read it, but they would be like "490 wow you're so smart", cause they have no idea what a good score is. My dad is faculty at med school so he would know but he'll be out of town. My mom took the MCAT years ago, but I"m going to tell her what is good haha
ALSO: Anyone have ideas if I should do an SMP bc of my low gpa. Verified with a 3.7/3.4, doing a post bac this year, but should I apply to an SMP? Thanks!
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I thought about that. I would die if they said, "Hey! you got 490/500. What an amazing job!" I want an a completely impartial party to read it. haha.
 
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