Paper or CBT AAMC practice tests

[anbuitachi]

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My school has 1-8 paper based in the library. I'm definitely getting 9 and 10 CBT but should i take 1-8 paper based or do you guys recommend I spend the $$ to buy some of them CBT? If so which one? Or should I just take the paper versions and use the money to buy others? ie berkeley review

Thanks

 

[CentralPerKam]

I'd buy the CBTs because the format is nearly identical to the real MCAT.

 

[chickpea9]

I'd definitely recommend that you spend money for the CBT's, if only to get you comfortable with the format. Intellectually, it might not seem like a big jump to go from paper to computer (especially since we are trained to use both seamlessly for school) but it DOES make a huge difference when taking the tests. I practiced almost exclusively on CBT and took an EK paper based test one day and it really threw me off (I got way more answers wrong just because I marked wrong)...
As for which one, there are other threads discussing the merits of AAMC's 3-10

 

[CentralPerKam]

I'd buy the CBTs because the format is nearly identical to the real MCAT. Taking the real MCAT felt exactly like taking a CBT AAMC practice test ... except the real thing was harder.

 

[anbuitachi]

okay maybe i'll just order them =(. going broke haha

 

[samuraiR]

I disagree... Save yourself the money and take what you get for free. The whole process is unbelievably expensive (applications, travel, mcat registration, etc) that if you can save on aamc 3-8 thats a huge savings. Use that money to buy really good practice material (BR/EK etc).

Yes the format is the same as the CBT, but is it worth the extra money that could be used towards getting awesome prep material? I dont think so.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

My school has 1-8 paper based in the library. I'm definitely getting 9 and 10 CBT but should i take 1-8 paper based or do you guys recommend I spend the $$ to buy some of them CBT? If so which one? Or should I just take the paper versions and use the money to buy others? ie berkeley review

Thanks

The good thing about the paper versions is that you get extra passages and questions (they are 77-60-77) compared to the CBTs, so you get more practice. I agree in general that CBTs are better than paper when preparing for a CBT, but if you can do about five to seven CBTs (counting the two AAMC exams) not doing 3-8, then getting that many AAMC questions [(77 + 60 + 77) x 8 = 1712 questions and 232 passages] is worth using paper and losing some realism.

 

[SN2ed]

You could use a mix of paper and CBT. Maybe take AAMC 3-6 paper and AAMC 7-10 CBT. You definitely want to take some CBTs. Also, instead of writing on the paper tests, get a white board or some scratch paper. Do NOT write on the paper tests (well your library would probably not want you to write on them either 😛 ).