Should I take the MCAT cold?

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I would advise against it. The MCAT is more than just simply content. It is definitely helpful to understand and get a feel for how questions are worded, how passages are phrased, and little tips and tricks that will definitely help you.

Not to say that you won't do well taking it now, but MCAT scores are "permanent" and medical schools will be able to see all of your scores. I personally would NOT risk it. If you have money to burn, go ahead and take the exam and if you feel bad, void it. I would take at LEAST a few practice exams though. Who knows =)

Best of luck though!
 
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gettheleadout said:
Yes.

This is worst idea ever.
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Really? This makes my skin crawl when people do this. Shell out the $30 and get AAMC 9 or something. I know far too many people that take it blind and get like an 18 on it, when they could have seen they aren't ready by taking a practice test ... with zero implications.



Edit: Just saw the white text. You sly bastard.
 
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Do NOT take the MCAT cold. The knowledge you gain from doing well in your pre-reqs is an important first step to MCAT preparation, but not the only one. The MCAT requires you to use your knowledge in a way you probably are not used to utilizing.
 
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DRJAY2013 said:
I just finished my pre-reqs should I take the MCAT and just see how I do?
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Yeah, you might get a terrible score that would make my score look better...

Nah, take practice tests first. AAMC practice tests are your best estimate of how you will do on the real thing. Good luck!
 
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DRJAY2013 said:
I just finished my pre-reqs should I take the MCAT and just see how I do?
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The joke answer is 'sure.'

The real answer is that this is a stupid idea if you're in any way serious about going to medical school. Even if you have enough money for a retake, all scores get reported so a crappy first attempt sticks to you forever. At least take the free AAMC 3 - it's (supposedly) easier than the other ones (though I thought it was the hardest one).

The MCAT is largely content and some aptitude, but going in pure cold requires balls of steel. The style of questions, the sort of content reviewed (some of which may never have shown up much in your prereqs), and the usual tricks of the trade are all things you probably won't know vs. someone who bothered to invest a little bit of time into their education.

But hey, go ahead. I'm sure there are people who've gotten 40+ on a cold first attempt. Maybe that's you!
 
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Take AAMC 3. It's free. Then decide whether you can go into the real test without prep. Most likely you will have to study.
 
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Think about it, if you just learned something in class, are you ready to take the exam? No you still have to study so please do yourself a favor and take the time to do some content review and then lots of practice passages. This exam is no joke.
 
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I actually recommend taking a free diagnostic test provided by some test company and taking it cold

it really slaps you in the face and brings you to reality
 
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Taking the MCAT cold isn't that big a deal. But I'd advise you bring a jacket just to be safe.
 
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bmoredoc said:
Yes, you should. Please take it on August 22nd at 1 PM. I need you.
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As a PSA here, the MCAT isn't curved that way.

As a serious message to the OP and anyone else, don't waste AAMC 3 as a "diagnostic." If you really want to see what the MCAT is like and try your hand at it with no prep, take the free FL from Kaplan or something. Save the AAMC's.
 
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gettheleadout said:
As a PSA here, the MCAT isn't curved that way.

As a serious message to the OP and anyone else, don't waste AAMC 3 as a "diagnostic." If you really want to see what the MCAT is like and try your hand at it with no prep, take the free FL from Kaplan or something. Save the AAMC's.
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Meh. I would say AAMC 3 is a good first test to take--because the AAMCs in general are the MOST ACCURATE practice tests available. (Especially the VR section). If OP is truly considering 0 or 1 test before going into the real thing, they should probably get the best idea of where they stand right now.



@ the OP: go ahead and take one of the free tests first (which one is up to you). Then come back and let us know how you did.
 
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gettheleadout said:
As a PSA here, the MCAT isn't curved that way.

As a serious message to the OP and anyone else, don't waste AAMC 3 as a "diagnostic." If you really want to see what the MCAT is like and try your hand at it with no prep, take the free FL from Kaplan or something. Save the AAMC's.
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1) thanks for correcting the statement on how the mcat is scored. It's a real shame people don't understand how their test is weighed.

2) normally I'd agree with you, but with the substantial aamc resources available these days with the 8 full lengths and numerous sap passages, using up aamc 3 doesn't seem all that bad. It truly does feel way out of date compared to the real test, IMO. Most of them do, except for 10 and 11. Kaplans full lengths are light years off base.
 
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Mehd School said:
1) thanks for correcting the statement on how the mcat is scored. It's a real shame people don't understand how their test is weighed.
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gettheleadout said:
As a PSA here, the MCAT isn't curved that way.
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I didn't mean for this to be taken as a serious comment. However, the MCAT curve does take into account scores from both previous test-takers and students writing the exam that day. Although, the previous test-takers do have a much greater impact on the curve than those sitting for the exam. But yes I agree with you, it is a real shame that people don't understand how their test is weighed. Now go to the bathroom and wash your hands before you take your foot out your mouth. Read up!

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=517966

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=505032
 
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bmoredoc said:
I didn't mean for this to be taken as a serious comment. However, the MCAT curve does take into account scores from both previous test-takers and students writing the exam that day. Although, the previous test-takers do have a much greater impact on the curve than those sitting for the exam. But yes I agree with you, it is a real shame that people don't understand how their test is weighed. Now go to the bathroom and wash your hands before you take your foot out your mouth. Read up!

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=517966

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=505032
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I'm a bit short on time. I'm not going to click your links just yet, as I've already read the official statement on the Aamc's website on how the exams are scored. If you think they score them differently than how they state, then frankly I don't know what to tell you.
 
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bmoredoc said:
I didn't mean for this to be taken as a serious comment. However, the MCAT curve does take into account scores from both previous test-takers and students writing the exam that day. Although, the previous test-takers do have a much greater impact on the curve than those sitting for the exam. But yes I agree with you, it is a real shame that people don't understand how their test is weighed. Now go to the bathroom and wash your hands before you take your foot out your mouth. Read up!

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=517966

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=505032
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Regardless of what you think, all scored questions on a given exam have a pre-established scale, so your performance is not scored against test takers on the same day.
 
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Mehd School said:
I'm a bit short on time. I'm not going to click your links just yet, as I've already read the official statement on the Aamc's website on how the exams are scored. If you think they score them differently than how they state, then frankly I don't know what to tell you.
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👍

So annoying when people who don't know what they're talking about try to be smart with the rest of us.
 
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Honestly, if you are very rich, you could take the real MCAT midway through your studying just to get a feel for it, then void it at the end. I say midway because if you take it before you start studying you won't have any idea what you should take away from it, and if you take it after you finish studying, well, that's when everyone usually take it for real.
 
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no but id recommend taking the MCAT nude.

when i started taking the test nude my score rose by 5-6 points.
 
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This is the type of poor choice making that just kills medical careers.

You're talking about a high stakes, career-defining exam, and you think you're ready to take it without any prep? No self-study? No reviewing? No practice tests, at least?

DRJAY2013 said:
I just finished my pre-reqs should I take the MCAT and just see how I do?
Click to expand...
 
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gettheleadout said:
Yes.

This is worst idea ever.
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what-you-did-there-i-see-it.thumbnail.jpg
 
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