Scared

[BigRedStress]

I'm an getting really scared right now with my current trend in Kaplan scores and the fact that there are only 10 days left....
2: 9 10 10 (29)
3: 7 10 12 (29)
4: 8 10 10 (28)

I have yet to take the AAMCs and yet to break 30! oh boy... really losing confidence in myself.

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[lyle]

Don't worry, you can get into med. school without a 30. I got into 2 with a 8V, 10P, 10B, S. Take the test and try your best. But definitely don't stress....easier said than done, i know! Good luck

 

[indigo23]

Don't stress too much... For what it's worth, my actual score on the MCATs was four points above the best I ever did on a Kaplan exam. I also had a little downward trend by the fifth practice exam but then shot way up on the actual test. I think the real thing is a lot easier than Kaplan's practice exams. Take some AAMC practice exams -- they're easier and closer to the real thing and might help you build some confidence. Good luck!

 

[ckent]

I was having trouble breaking 30 on the Kaplan practice tests too, I think that I only broke 30 once or twice and I barely broke it (32 highest practice test score, Kaplan test 1: 19 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> ). I ended up doing better on my MCAT too, just relax and try your best on the actual test day. Good luck.

 

[vinsanity]

I think those are great scores. I took Kaplan and really believe that the real thing was easier than the Kaplan tests. But other may not agree. I think you will be fine. Keep on studying and practicing, there is still time for improvement.

 

[brandonite]

I kept scoring 9's and 10's on the Kaplan VR sections, and pulled off a 13-15 on test day. I don't think they're too realistic...

 

[megkudos]

Many of my friends that took Kalan have said that the actual test was easier.

Most importantly though you are scoring consistently very decent, so I wouldn't worry. In my experience the best breakdown if you get around a 28/29 is to have your verbal score be a little lower and Bio and physical sciences higher. For instance my one friend got in on October 15th with an 8, 10, 10, and I have gotten in with a 9, 9, 10, my other friend got in on Oct. 15th with a 9, 9, 12. So don't worry just keep what you are doing now and do your best. My prediction is you will break 30, and even with a 28/29 you stand a good chance. Good luck

 

[darkmatter]

Try taking the latest AAMC test and make sure you simulate the actual test environment as much as possible. Take it in the most comfortable way you can. Then have it checked and see what you get. If you do as well as you'd like it to be, that will definitely improve your confidence.

 

[Zeffer]

My experience was very similar. On the Kaplan tests I was scoring 26-29. On AAMC 29-30 on the real thing My scores were 10V 11P 10B and writing is not relevant. I was offered an interview at 12 of the 16 schools I applied to, but only accepted 7 because of acceptances out of the 7. Just remember your MCAT and GPA will open the door, but the rest is up to you. Good luck on the test.

 

[BigRedStress]

thanks guys,.... hope this works out in the end.

 

[deva]

I have also heard that the Kaplans are more difficult than the real thing. One thing, though: I think it is best to relax during the days right before the test. For the three or four days before the test, try not to study for it too much, because you really don't want to feel burnt out while taking it. Good luck on the test.

go big red :wink:

 

[WantCali]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. They say you should add 2 points to your overall Kaplan test scores (not to each section, just overall).

I'd work on your verbal though anyway. Kaplan's verbal is usually fairly accurate... though it is a bit harder. They have a bunch of verbal practice tests.

good luck

 

[spacecadet]

Hey BigRedStress,

Like other people said, I also did better on the real thing than on the Kaplan tests. I scored 6 points higher on the MCAT than my highest Kaplan test. I found the AAMC tests to be much more indicative of my real score - especially AAMC V.

Good luck!

 

[Neuronix]

I scored a full 6 points higher on the actual MCAT one week after taking AAMC V. I was hovering around 30 in all my practice exams and got a 31 on the last practice exam (TPR, so it was AAMC V).

REMAIN CONFIDENT! Don't panic. I think a certain percentage of what the MCAT is really testing is your ability to handle stress and perform under pressure. Take a non-medical book with you on test day, take the day before off, and just try to relax while taking the test. Do like I did, stretch in the middle of VR. If something is funny in the passages, start laughing. Hey, what's 30 seconds - 1 minute for some sanity?

 

[TommyGunn04]

I second what many of the above posters have been saying. I never scored higher than a 31 on Kaplan's exams, and my scores actually went down a little as the real MCAT drew closer. But I ended up getting a 36 on the real thing! I think Kaplan tends to underestimate your score a little so that you'll look back and "realize" that it was all worth the $1400 :wink: