Practice MCAT scores

[Angeltel27]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I'm having trouble gauging how I will perform on the real MCAT based upon my practice scores...

I have been scoring really well on the practice exams but have typically heard that you can expect about a 5 point discrepency in your actual scores. Most people I've talked to said they did great on the practice exams and bombed the actual test. However, some people have said that they were really bummed because they did poorly on the practice exams and slammed the actual test.

Anybody have any experiences/thoughts?

 

[NeuroMaster316]

I did really well on practice exams, and even better on the MCAT. The key is to use the practice exams as a learning tool and not think of them as your inescapable destiny. As long as you have studied well, you'll do well. Just keep calm and think.

 

[Doug Underhill]

Where have you heard that there was a 5-point discrepancy between the practice exams and the real MCAT? Which practice exams?

We have a guy here who tabulated the results of a large number of SDNers who took the MCAT on a given day and he said most applicants scored +/- 1.88 points from their AAMC full-length practice exam average. 5-point drops (or gains) were rare. The poll relied on self-reporting and had something like a 55% response rate, which are a few caveats, but the general rule of thumb is that the AAMC practice tests are a pretty good predictor of your actual score.

 

[Saxappeal1]

Doug is right OP. Most people only increase by +/- 2 points. There are some outliers but not many

 

[Overanxious]

5 points seems drastic... I've only ever heard the above mentioned.

DEFINITELY use them as a study aid in identifying weaknesses and getting your timing right. DONT use them to gauge your actual score... that may add undue stress or result in over confidence. Both of which are bad for scoring well on the actual exam.

 

[Glandzburg]

+/- 2 points seems to be a good guide to follow. People do obviously score outside this range, but it is important to use the practice exams to gauge your preparedness for the real thing. The worst thing you could do is take the MCAT before you are prepared with the hopes that you will "beat the odds."

 

[justadream]

Unless you have severe test anxiety (or some other issue), I think it's safe to say you will most likely score within 2-3 points of your AAMC average.