I thought I was an average student (on a scale 1 to 10), 10 being the smartest person. I really thought I was in between 6 to 7. But that mcat test make me feel like I am at a 4 now...I really dont get how a human being can possibly score a 36+ on such a test. However, I feel like if someone can get a 10 in VR, it is not impossible to get at least 30.
There are a lot of factors that go into a score that is above a 36. But like many posters here would say, I personally don't believe that it is completely luck. While there is a certain element of luck to any test, this is not going to account for even a large majority of the deviation.
I know that there are many motivational videos out there that say that you can do anything and all you have to do is want it bad enough. And while it might not be that simple, I think that its a real part of it scoring well. Human beings are extremely adaptable, you have children capable of ridiculous things not because they have innate capacity, but of how their upbringing has shaped them (think Japanese kids with the abbacus). I have been studying for the MCAT for about 6 months now and am taking the test on Saturday. My diagnostic score was a 30.
Now from what I've seen on SDN and this thread in general, apparently 30 is a good score. At the expense of scorn from the guys in this thread and others, I will say that I think it is a horrible score. Some of you might say that that's unreasonable. But that's what the MCAT is about, it's about having an unreasonable psychology. It's about demanding everything you possibly can from yourself. When you go to sleep, and when you wake up, all you think about is the MCAT. But thinking about it and worrying about it isn't enough to make you succeed. You have to sacrifice as much as you demand. This might seem like "gunner" talk, but I assure you that it isn't. I have no intention of trying to one up my classmates at everything, I want them to succeed along with me. I simply have my own goals that I chose not based on everyone else but on what I believe I am capable of. And my goal, as of right now is to get a 40+ on the MCAT.
The MCAT is a very difficult exam, but I think more than anything it tests how badly you want to get into medical school. Some people say that they want to get in so bad, but really, they just want to complain about how hard everything is and how the average is a 25 so there's no way you could get above a 36, and in that complaining, they use up all of their energy and have very little to give to real preparation it self.
So how badly do you want it? How badly do you want to get into medical school? Obviously the MCAT isn't the only factor but it's a fairly large portion of medical school considerations. And ask yourself, do you want a top score on the MCAT, or do you just want the MCAT to be over with? The limits that you set for yourself personally are extremely important. If you have the sheer will, dedication, sacrifice and desire, that bar can be as high as you want it to be.
P.S. Seriously guys, I'm really not trying to be condescending, I have no more knowledge or wisdom than any of you here. I'm just a kid in college trying to follow my dreams. This is just some wisdom that my father shared with me when I was a kid and continues to do so when I prepare for exams like this. I thought maybe I should share it. If it offends, I am sorry, that was not the intention.
I've always been an excellent test taker and I thought a full summer of study would allow me to score in the "oh yes, we'd love to give you an interview" range. Well, my AAMC average has hovered around 32 despite ridiculous hours of study and angst.
