September 2015 MCAT Thread

[DAF16]

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Registration for the September MCAT opens up soon, so I thought I would make the thread.
Who else will be taking the test in September?

 

[ivinadivina]

Spoiler alert: Khan academy Bio question
View attachment 196280

I picked the 3rd option, thinking that since nucleotides are being deleted, we must've had frameshift mutation as opposed to Point mutation..causing the protein translated to be faulty. But the right answer is the 1st option.
I feel like i'm missing something big here 😱

Frameshift mutations are ones that change the entire reading frame, so the "loss" of an a.a due to 3 nucleotides being deleted doesn't change the rest of the reading frame and can't be considered as such.

 

[torontopharm]

I'm a bit confused on aamc FL B/B #33: it asks "The info in the passage supports the hypothesis that which type of filament is involved in the transport of var genes from heterchromatin to the active var gene expression type?"

They said the answer is microfilaments because the passage discusses the role of actin and actin filaments are microfilaments. I chose "sarcomere thin filaments"
Can't actin also be used as sarcomere thin filaments as well? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Sarcomere is the functional unit of muscle that CONTAINS within it actin (thin) and myosin (thick) filament. "Sarcomere thin filaments" sounds like Sarcomere itself IS a thin filament or Sarcomere only contains thin filaments, which isn't true. So i went with Actin for my answer 🙂

 

[ljree1613]

Ohhh okay that makes sense-thanks guys!

 

[QuentinT88]

Hey everyone!

I have been following this thread and want to introduce myself as a fellow 9/23 test taker. My TPR scores have been consistently between 498-502 which has been very discouraging (6 in total). My friends all did significantly better on their real test than their TPR tests. At this point (in life in general), I will not be recommending TPR. I thought it was great until I saw what Khan Academy offers. I love Khan and just wish I had found it sooner!

I did better (I think? who knows?) on the official full length but also ran out of time for the first section. By a lot. I felt crunched on Bio too, but I finished CARS and P/S with 10-30 minutes left over. Very frustrating. Also --- no calculator !!!!!😵

I was so surprised and disappointed to see that they did not provide an actual score for the full length and it just reminded me again that we are coming at this at a unique time. No official tests to practice from that provide real scores? (Or am I missing something?) Did they not spend years preparing this new test? Many people say "don't take the test until you are ready." But this year, how are we supposed to know if we are ready?

Overall though I enjoyed the full length. It was the first time I saw just how different this test is from the last one.

While looking for research things to read, I found this: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25850120

"All permutations of MCAT scores (first, last, highest, average) were weakly associated with GPA, Step 2 clinical knowledge scores, and Step 3 scores. MCAT scores were weakly to moderately associated with Step 1 scores. MCAT scores were not significantly associated with Step 2 clinical skills Integrated Clinical Encounter and Communication and Interpersonal Skills subscores, Objective Structured Clinical Examination performance or PGY-1 PD evaluations."

I was shocked to read that. I really hope this new test does better. I think it will.
Mostly though, I just want to say thank you to everyone on here who has been so helpful and encouraging .

Thank you!

I like Khan for the experimental passages. TPR doesnt have nearly as many experimental based passages.

But I think the questions on Khan are much easier compared to TPR. Plus, the length of Khan passages are WAY shorter than what I'm expecting on the MCAT

 

[PagingOrtho]

Did you guys retake your AAMC OG or FL? I retook the OG and found it to be counterproductive since I kind of remember the correct answers. Now I'm debating whether to retake the FL tomorrow.

 

[QuentinT88]

Did you guys retake your AAMC OG or FL? I retook the OG and found it to be counterproductive since I kind of remember the correct answers. Now I'm debating whether to retake the FL tomorrow.

I'm retaking the FL on Sunday or Monday. I took it in early August so I doubt I will remember the answers.

Also, what is the AAMC OG? Are you referring to the official guide book with the 120 practice questions?

 

[PagingOrtho]

I'm retaking the FL on Sunday or Monday. I took it in early August so I doubt I will remember the answers.

Also, what is the AAMC OG? Are you referring to the official guide book with the 120 practice questions?

I took my OG and FL late May, but I still seem to retain the answers for some reason. And you are correct, OG = official guide. Will probably take the FL anyway tomorrow though.

 

[torontopharm]

Did you guys retake your AAMC OG or FL? I retook the OG and found it to be counterproductive since I kind of remember the correct answers. Now I'm debating whether to retake the FL tomorrow.

Yeah i was debating on whether or not i should retake my AAMC FL. But i took mine last week so i think i'll probably remember all the answers.
Haven't done the OG yet though. Saved it for Sunday or Monday.

 

[El-Rami]

Do not retake the FL if you took it recently. If you took it months ago and cannot remember anything, then it should be fine. Once you take it once, though, a subsequent retake will have some bias towards a higher score than if you never took it before.

 

[keepSwimmingNemo]

i follow you tubers and their vlogs like superwoman ,fouseytube, romanatwood and a couple others. their lives are so interesting. superwoman in her speech thanked her parents for being okay with her not becoming a doctor. and here we are studying for this MCAT. studying for the mcat puts you in this big bubble that you can't let your imagination run wild cause you need to focus all you energy into this MCAT. what is life seriously? is the MCAT everything???

 

[swollcat]

How's everyone doing? I just took the AAMC FL and got the following scores:

CP 81%
CARS 77%
BIOCHEM 77%
PS 80%

I'm lightweight confused because I felt like the AAMC OG and the AAMC FL flip flopped in the difficulty of their sections. For the AAMC OG, PSY/SOC was stupid hard for me (67%) and Bio felt easy (87%). On the other hand, Bio on the AAMC FL was way hard. I felt as if I guessed on every single question including the discretes, but still managed to somehow put together a 44/59. Anyone else feel this way?

Also, as for my AAMC FL scores, am I within striking distance for a 508? Thanks for the input.

 

[Gibbward]

Heyo! Coming in with my last "test condition" practice with my AAMC OG results.

CP - 83%
CARS - 90%
B/BC - 77%
P/S - 87%

That was definitely a lot more difficult than the AAMC FL. The passage content was more convoluted and more confusing, especially the B/BC section... I got destroyed in that one passage about E. coli 🙁 The C/P was more difficult since the answers weren't as obvious and there's definitely a lot more critical thinking involved to get to the right answer. Also pretty surprised with my CARS results too, because I thought the first 2 passages went horribly! Finally, P/S has always been my strongest section so the content here was nothing out of the ordinary.

Overall, pretty happy with these results!! I'm a bit more confident with my test taking skills, and I think I've done all I can to put myself in a position where I can do well on Wednesday. Just hoping that all the good vibes will translate into a 508 in the real thing

Last weekend of studying you guys!!!! You can do it!!!! Good luck!!!!

 

[torontopharm]

I'm ~30 passages into Khan's Bio passages..
# of times i got all 5 questions right? TWICE.

Probably heading towards a disastrous Bio score

 

[TheAnonymous]

I'm ~30 passages into Khan's Bio passages..
# of times i got all 5 questions right? TWICE.

Probably heading towards a disastrous Bio score

Use khan as a learning tool only

 

[Pediateix]

can someone explain q 15 from OG 1st section about tnbs
how do we know PE is a lipid

 

[deleted673832]

Hey guys! So I took the AAMC FL this thursday:

CP - 66%
CARS - 85%
B/BC - 69%
P/S - 78%
Overall: 74.5%

Please tell me that there is any hope of increasing the scores here.. I am shooting for at least 505+. Planning to take the OG and some of the question packs this weekend, and then do review the days before the exam.

Good luck to everyone studying!

 

[BluMist]

According to the score predictor, that equates to 510 (509-512) range, which is a solid score.

Hey guys! So I took the AAMC FL this thursday:

CP - 66%
CARS - 85%
B/BC - 69%
P/S - 78%
Overall: 74.5%

Please tell me that there is any hope of increasing the scores here.. I am shooting for at least 505+. Planning to take the OG and some of the question packs this weekend, and then do review the days before the exam.

Good luck to everyone studying!

 

[Gibbward]

I'm ~30 passages into Khan's Bio passages..
# of times i got all 5 questions right? TWICE.

Probably heading towards a disastrous Bio score

You're not alone friend! I've done almost half of the Khan passages and I'm pretty sure I've only gotten 5/5 a handful of times!

 

[PagingOrtho]

Just finished the AAMC FL, and I just want to say that I may or may not have photographic memory
Also, I just discovered these Khan passages that you guys have been mentioning.
My life from now until the exam will be doing all of them (hopefully).

 

[snow529]

for your listening pleasure over the next three days:

 

[sfkniner81]

just took EK 4 (last full length before wednesday) and didn't do too well. started off great but then plummeted lol.

P/C: 83% (highest I've scored 🙂)
CARS: 58% (usually I'm pretty solid in CARS)
B/BC: 61% (lowest on any exam I've done!)
P/S: 66%
total: 67%

gonna review tomorrow and hope that there isn't any content lacking and that I just made careless errors. It's a lil scary because since taking EK exams my P/C have improved but my Bio has decreased significantly. Really hoping for a 516+ on test day... this was my 12th full length! any tips to bring my bio / psych up? i know it's only a couple more days. :/

good luck to everyone studying!

 

[premed-molecule]

Just took the AAMC practice exam:

P/C: 44% (I definitely panicked here, but this is usually my lowest section)
CARS: 62% (seemed easier than Kaplan)
B/Bc: 54% (about the same difficulty as Kaplan)
P/S: 78% (didn't expect this, but I found AAMCs much easier than Kaplan)

How are you guys converting these percentages to predicted scores?

 

[lostnconfused]

Just took the AAMC practice exam:

P/C: 44% (I definitely panicked here, but this is usually my lowest section)
CARS: 62% (seemed easier than Kaplan)
B/Bc: 54% (about the same difficulty as Kaplan)
P/S: 78% (didn't expect this, but I found AAMCs much easier than Kaplan)

How are you guys converting these percentages to predicted scores?

I'd like to know that as well. Somebody mentioned a "score predictor?"

 

[BluMist]

That roughly translates to 499 (499-502).

@lostnconfused: the score predictor was based on self-reported scores of previous testers this year, their AAMC FL score vs. their real thing. @billeboi31 has posted the excel spreadsheet in another thread.

Just took the AAMC practice exam:

P/C: 44% (I definitely panicked here, but this is usually my lowest section)
CARS: 62% (seemed easier than Kaplan)
B/Bc: 54% (about the same difficulty as Kaplan)
P/S: 78% (didn't expect this, but I found AAMCs much easier than Kaplan)

How are you guys converting these percentages to predicted scores?

 

[torontopharm]

^To add to Blumist's comment, the data points in that predictor shows ~90% chance that you end up in your "narrow range"..according to Billeboi31.
It's a small sample size and isn't set in stone of course. But something for your peace of mind going into the test.

 

[Doctor Dream]

Just took the AAMC practice exam:

P/C: 44% (I definitely panicked here, but this is usually my lowest section)
CARS: 62% (seemed easier than Kaplan)
B/Bc: 54% (about the same difficulty as Kaplan)
P/S: 78% (didn't expect this, but I found AAMCs much easier than Kaplan)

How are you guys converting these percentages to predicted scores?

Use this to get a general idea of where your actual score will fall. Just enter in the % correct for each section. Note this is only based off of data from like 50 test takers, although among those test takers 90% of their scores fell within the "likely" range.

 

[eagle311]

Hi! I'm a Sep 23rd writer 🙂 I have been dreading this test for so long already..I just want to get it over with. I've only taken two Kaplan exams and scored a 494 on both. I've done most of the Q packs & the OG exam..

AAMC FL P/C 56% C/R 75% B/B 63% P/S 78%

I seem to do worse with understanding "hard science" passages. I have also heard that the actual MCAT is a lot harder? Are the passages more convoluted across all sections?.. I have used the score predictor and it says I will most likely get a 507 but....REALLY? Seems too good to be true here..I've already decided that i'm not going to void the exam. I feel like all I can do at this point is brush up on content.

I am planning applying only to DO schools this cycle actually. My gpa/ECs are pretty ok + URM if it even matters. I want at least a 505!! AHHHH this is terrifying. I just have to remember that this is only a fraction of my life. Good luck everyone!

 

[ivinadivina]

Anyone else feel like their CARS scores are hit or miss? I've ranged from 78% to 96% on the AAMC practice materials. I don't really have much strategy either. Tried TPR's recommendations, felt like I was wasting time and instead focused on reading the passage attentively, highlighting key terms from the passage for reference purposes and then answering the questions. Pretty basic strategy, but the huge range is because at times a passage questions feel so convoluted in relation to the passage that I end up getting a lot wrong of them wrong for that particular passage, while scoring near perfect on others. There has been no identifable trends either - not in content type, question style, passage placement, level of interest in passage, etc. I'm from Canada and 2 of the schools I'm aiming for put a huge emphasis on CARS so it's really important to do well in it and it seriously feels like it's the luck of the draw. Really the hardest section to "fix", although doings CARS practice has actually been quite enjoyable for me because I normally love reading.

 

[lostnconfused]

Use this to get a general idea of where your actual score will fall. Just enter in the % correct for each section. Note this is only based off of data from like 50 test takers, although among those test takers 90% of their scores fell within the "likely" range.

So would an 80% be equivalent to a 515 according to the graph?

 

[Doctor Dream]

So would an 80% be equivalent to a 515 according to the graph?

If you want to roughly convert your raw FL percentages to a score, it's better to use this I think, made courtesy of mcatjelly.
Just convert your raw percentages to an old MCAT score, then convert that old MCAT score to a new MCAT score. I forget what scale you use for the P/S...maybe the old verbal? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Gibbward]

If you want to roughly convert your raw FL percentages to a score, it's better to use this I think, made courtesy of mcatjelly.
Just convert your raw percentages to an old MCAT score, then convert that old MCAT score to a new MCAT score. I forget what scale you use for the P/S...maybe the old verbal? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I've seen others use the B/B scale for the P/S score.

 

[zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

Hello all,

I wrote on 9/12 and here are my AAMC FL scores. I'm scared out of my mind and I can't eat/sleep or even function properly. I'm so scared of my scores because I did horrendously on the AAMC FL (I didn't take it in one sitting but I did have endurance).

AAMC FL:

C/P: 49%
CARS: 85%
B/B: 68%
P/S: 90%

Total: 73%

I looked at FL vs. real thing converters and they all put me at 508-510 (I think). I can't believe it's predicted I'll get such a high score because my practice FL score was so bad. Is it true that if my scores are unbalanced that I won't get the predicted value and that I'll score even lower? Or is it more of an overall score thing (which is bad, but not embarrassingly low)?

I'm a nervous wreck. I'm aiming for a 508 and that's all I want! Please.

 

[Gibbward]

Since you already took the test, there's really no point in speculating on how you did based on your AAMC FL. The spread sheet is really more for those who haven't taken it yet so they can give themselves a sense of hope that everything will be okay (like me) 🙁

How did you feel after taking the real thing? Did the test cover content that you were particularly strong in? Did you feel like you were randomly guessing on a lot of questions or were you able to reason your way into an answer that could be correct? Focus more on your test day experience than the correlations we have here on SDN.

And lastly relax!! Harry Potter never seemed like he worried about test results, so you shouldn't either 😉

Hello all,

I wrote on 9/12 and here are my AAMC FL scores. I'm scared out of my mind and I can't eat/sleep or even function properly. I'm so scared of my scores because I did horrendously on the AAMC FL (I didn't take it in one sitting but I did have endurance).

AAMC FL:

C/P: 49%
CARS: 85%
B/B: 68%
P/S: 90%

Total: 73%

I looked at FL vs. real thing converters and they all put me at 508-510 (I think). I can't believe it's predicted I'll get such a high score because my practice FL score was so bad. Is it true that if my scores are unbalanced that I won't get the predicted value and that I'll score even lower? Or is it more of an overall score thing (which is bad, but not embarrassingly low)?

I'm a nervous wreck. I'm aiming for a 508 and that's all I want! Please.

 

[zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

I see what you mean! I'm sure everything will go well for you and you have me rooting for you.

I felt okay-good after the test but that slowly led to doubts later on (I really don't know why haha). I know C/P was my weakest section so I had a little difficulty there but I wasn't stumped for the entire section (just a few random guesses I think). The exam overall didn't go horribly at all (like I expected) and nothing really went wrong.

The whole thing was a blur to me to be honest! I didn't have many random guesses and the test went as smooth as it could have. Obviously there were some things I wish I studied more clearly but overall I felt satisfied with my performance. A challenging test indeed (with a few things I had no clue on), but not something catastrophic and I pride myself on not being the least bit nervous while taking the test (oh boy did I have the jitters before and during breaks haha).

And I see you noticed my emblem! Nothing like Harry Potter books to keep you busy waiting for scores. Good luck out there! You made me feel better 🙂

EDIT: For future test takers (I hope this helps): I used EK Full Lengths 1,2, and 4 along with a little gold standard. I also used all the EK books (I read through ~50-60% of Kaplan and couldn't keep up with the details so I switched to EK (after $900 in rescheduling fees). I also took the Kaplan course. I never took a full length in one sitting but was used to the endurance needed for the real thing. Best of luck to you all!

 

[Doctor Dream]

Since you already took the test, there's really no point in speculating on how you did based on your AAMC FL. The spread sheet is really more for those who haven't taken it yet so they can give themselves a sense of hope that everything will be okay (like me) 🙁

I still use that damn spreadsheet daily to tell myself everything will be okay

 

[zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

I still use that damn spreadsheet daily to tell myself everything will be okay

LOL. You aren't the only one. I do it multiple times a day even though I know what score it'll spit out. If only it were accurate (I really don't know if it is)!

 

[Doctor Dream]

LOL. You aren't the only one. I do it multiple times a day even though I know what score it'll spit out. If only it were accurate (I really don't know if it is)!

Supposedly 90% of people fell into the "likely" range based off of their practice FL, but I don't know.. I'll be happy if I score above 509, probably have a heart attack above 515, and die if I score above 520.

 

[zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

Supposedly 90% of people fell into the "likely" range based off of their practice FL, but I don't know.. I'll be happy if I score above 509, probably have a heart attack above 515, and die if I score above 520.

My range is 508-511. I will die at 508, reincarnate at 509, and will die again at 510.

 

[RaspberrySlushy]

I just got an automated email from AAMC going over all the points of the examinee agreement. This is getting real. It doesn't feel real. Three more days.

 

[torontopharm]

I just got an automated email from AAMC going over all the points of the examinee agreement. This is getting real. It doesn't feel real. Three more days.

I was about to snooze my alarm for the 3rd time before i read that e-mail.
And of course..i've been wide awake since then

 

[RaspberrySlushy]

Same here! Time to make the most of the day!

 

[Gibbward]

So the only thing we need to bring to test day is a photo id right? We don't need to bring anything like a confirmation number or receipt for the test or anything? Also, we can't bring a hoodie (outerwear?) and a watch into the test room? Is there usually a clock in the break room or something to keep track of how much time we have left for our breaks?

 

[Doctor Dream]

So the only thing we need to bring to test day is a photo id right? We don't need to bring anything like a confirmation number or receipt for the test or anything? Also, we can't bring a hoodie (outerwear?) and a watch into the test room? Is there usually a clock in the break room or something to keep track of how much time we have left for our breaks?

Yep, I just brought my wallet (which has my driver's license), some food and gum, and some ear plugs in a sealed container. No watches, wristbands etc. You can wear outerwear, but if it's a hoodie the hood has to be down, and if you take the outerwear off during the middle of a section you have to go put it away, which involves the whole check-out and check back in process. Don't do that lol. There was a clock in the break room and the lady proctoring my exam was nice enough to give me a heads up when my break time was close to done.

 

[sfkniner81]

the nerves are really starting to set in now

 

[sfkniner81]

anyone have suggestions for last minute bio and psych/soc studying?

 

[RaspberrySlushy]

I'm definitely bringing a hoodie or some other sweatshirt and wearing it in. I tend to have trouble concentrating when I'm cold and also, if I need to pee and I'm cold it makes the needing to pee so much worse.

 

[ivinadivina]

I literally go back and forth between being paralyzed with fear and thinking the actual exam will be easy. Can my mind please find a middle-ground so I can be productive these next 3 days. -_-

 

[Pediateix]

What are you all doing today? Reviewing. Passages?

 

[RaspberrySlushy]

I'm doing verbal in the mornings and science stuff for the rest of the day. Going to look over my notes as a whole and see what areas need some fine tuning and review a few I already know need work, like germ layers.

 

[TheAnonymous]

It's going to be easier than what you think guys - trust me 🙂