Re-taking AAMC practice tests

[kperry]

I last took the majority of the AAMC practice exams that are listed on the AAMC website that was complementary of my kaplan online program. The last time I took these was back in september and wanted to get peoples opinion on if it is worth re-doing these to practice for my June 20th exam.

I certainly understand that my score may be a little inflated if I am able to recall certain questions/passages/answers.

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[eDITN]

I think the general consensus is that retaking practice exams is not recommended.

 

[Qester]

I personally highly recommend this.

The consensus is that it looses its predictive validity, which is true, however getting additional practice and mastering the content of previous AAMC can not hurt.

 

[stargate16]

I would like to know this as well, I am retaking and will use the AAMC's again for practice, but TBR CBT's for new FL's. I am also retaking the AAMC self assessments, but it will have been several months since I did them the first time.

 

[yerawizardharry]

I re-took the test and redid AAMC practice tests. I think it was hugely helpful in getting the score I did.

Here's how I feel about retaking tests:
1. There will be mad score inflation. This will not be your actual score, so don't entertain even the slightest hope.
2. I wanted to play the guessing game of how much my score had improved. Okay, I know I wouldn't actually get score [X]....but maybe I'll get X-5? X-3? In the end, it's impossible to tell. Don't waste your time trying to guess. The tests lose all predictive power.
3. So you're not worrying about the score....all you're worrying about is understanding how the MCAT works. It's a standardized test meaning it's....standardized. Meaning that they use the same kinds of reasoning over and over, that you will need to answer questions right. All you're doing by redoing practice tests is getting that kind of reasoning/thinking skills ingrained in your head. You're getting used to how the MCAT asks questions on subjects; you're getting used to how they take basic science concepts and tests on them.
4. Redoing verbal section is the only one that was not terribly helpful because I remembered it too well.
5. You've taken them before, and it's a practice test. It'll be easy to not treat them like the real thing, to take them lightly. Do your best not to feel like that.

That's about it. I personally attest to retaking tests--your mileage may vary. But those are my thoughts.

 

[slz1900]

Retaking them won't hurt you, but the scores are truly meaningless, so don't factor them into your score prediction or your decision on whether or not to postpone.

 

[fritolays08]

By how much will the scores be inflated? Since retakers have exhausted aamc material, how do we know when we are really ready without a "predictor" anymore? I know there are other good tests out there by different companies but it seems as if they aren't as accurate in terms of score predictions.

 

[Newlanders]

By how much will the scores be inflated? Since retakers have exhausted aamc material, how do we know when we are really ready without a "predictor" anymore? I know there are other good tests out there by different companies but it seems as if they aren't as accurate in terms of score predictions.

Im guessing that would depend on a combination of your memory and how thoroughly you reviewed after taking it the first time.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

By how much will the scores be inflated? Since retakers have exhausted aamc material, how do we know when we are really ready without a "predictor" anymore? I know there are other good tests out there by different companies but it seems as if they aren't as accurate in terms of score predictions.

They're not as accurate, true, but they're good enough to give you an idea, and usually underestimate your score rather than overestimate it. My advice would be to use third party practice tests like TBR instead of reusing the AAMC tests.

 

[Meredith92]

By how much will the scores be inflated? Since retakers have exhausted aamc material, how do we know when we are really ready without a "predictor" anymore? I know there are other good tests out there by different companies but it seems as if they aren't as accurate in terms of score predictions.

I didnt take them as necessarily good predictors (unfortunately that may be hard to find when all AAMCs are used up), but i took them as a way to get used to AAMC's way of asking questions/ their passages. This was essential, and why i recommend retaking them. you should definitely mix them up with a few berkeley review or princeton review exams to get some other types of scores, which may give you a better idea.

( this may have been luck, but my actual score ended up being multiple points above my average retake score. .. and my section scores were very similar to my actual test score, but i randomly did extra well on PS- owe that to TBR)

 

[brood910]

If you didnt do the R versions. Get them.
They have 4 more passages per section.

 

[lastdrop]

Although I retook the MCAT over a year later, I reused the AAMC practice tests and find them hugely helpful. I vaguely remembered a few passages here and there but the practice, format and timing were all still very useful in studying.