Retaking FLs after a year

[westsidestoryz]

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What is the consensus on retaking FLs you have used a year ago?

I am currently studying again for the MCAT and took the NS FL #1 which I took almost a year ago. I recognize some of the passages but do not remember the answers.

March 31st 2017 NS FL 1
C/P: 128 (87%)
CARS: 125 (58%)
Bio: 127 (77%)
Psych: 127 (75%)
507

February 21st 2018 NS FL 1
C/P: 128 (87%)
CARS: 127 (81%)
Bio: 128 (77%)
Psych: 127 (75%)
510

Kind of sad that I only improved 3 points (especially disappointed in the Psych section) but I only began studying a month ago after an 8-month break from all MCAT materials. Still...And I understand that the percentiles are a bit inflated because this was the FREE FL, which means people who just began studying took these...which makes my score even sadder lol

Anyways, I'm only asking this because I also wanted to use the AAMC FL 1 and 2 again but I have taken those as well. I definitely will buy new FLs from NS and EK, but what do you guys think about reusing old FLs?

 

[MCAT Self Prep]

In my opinion, reusing old full-lengths is fine as long as it's been over 6 months since the last time you took the practice test. I highly recommend retaking the AAMC materials because they are the best practice materials out there (written by the writers of the actual MCAT).

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

Hi @Ixacex -

Yes, by all means reuse all of the AAMC material. There's a chance that you might remember something subconsciously, but that would just result in fluctuations in terms of how predictive the exams are -- but it changes nothing about how much you can learn from them. The magic really happens by reviewing the FLs carefully and drawing lessons from them that you can take with you for the next practice test and the real thing, so I definitely would recommend going through all of the AAMC materials with a fine-tooth comb to understand what they're testing and how they're testing it, and to get "inside their heads" (so to speak) in terms of the logic of their questions. Due to the possibility of being familiar with some of the passages, I wouldn't recommend redoing tests as a way to practice your timing, but there's still a lot to learn from them.

Hope this helps, & best of luck as you study!! You got it this time 🙂.

 

[Gilakend]

I used AAMC FL2 twice and the SBs twice and I think they were *fairly* accurate. Both about after 6 months. Maybe inflated very slightly but I think at the most maybe 2 points.

Barring you don't have some super human memory.

 

[nomdeplume1234]

It's good practice but most companies set some kind of time limit on their FLs so be aware of that.

 

[westsidestoryz]

It's good practice but most companies set some kind of time limit on their FLs so be aware of that.

I’m a bit confused on what you mean by time limit. Do you mean they spew out brand new exams for each FL after a certain year?

 

[westsidestoryz]

So the consensus I’m getting here is that, it’s okay to reuse the AAMC material I have used already (due to memory decay). But use new exams for timing? ( I did have 45 mins remaining on my psych section, maybe that’s why I scored so low because I did it quickly).

 

[nomdeplume1234]

I’m a bit confused on what you mean by time limit. Do you mean they spew out brand new exams for each FL after a certain year?

For example, you purchase a full lengh exam but only have access to it for 6 months. Then your login no longer works unless you pay again.

 

[westsidestoryz]

For example, you purchase a full lengh exam but only have access to it for 6 months. Then your login no longer works unless you pay again.

Ahh I see. Yeah all the resources will be still available before my MCAT (4/21)