significance of different sections

[Megalofyia]

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What is the significance of the different scores in different sections? Which part of the MCAT do the med schools care the most about? Does doing well in the verbal and biology sections off set not doing as well in physical science and writing?

 

[STi555]

I think the general consensous is that VR, PS, and BS are all nearly of the same importance. Perhaps one section is slightly more important than another, but it is best to get a balanced score. The writing isn't so important as long as you don't get a really low score (J-L).

 

[aquaboy]

I have heard that VR is the most important because it shows the strongest correlation with success on USMLE step 1. Last year I had great science scores but a low verbal and got no love. I improved on verbal and the interviews are starting to roll in. VR is the most important and the hardest to improve on.🙁

 

[Dreamin]

They are all important!😱 Shoot for doing well in every section!

 

[STi555]

Originally posted by aquaboy
I have heard that VR is the most important because it shows the strongest correlation with success on USMLE step 1. Last year I had great science scores but a low verbal and got no love. I improved on verbal and the interviews are starting to roll in. VR is the most important and the hardest to improve on.🙁

I suppose the fact that VR is hard to improve on could also be a reason for the medical schools to value it more highly. VR could show more inate ability rather than how much science you learned studying. Someone once said if you do well on VR it shows that you can learn well and they can teach you the science. Just a random thought.

 

[AegisZero]

I have heard, but cant prove:

1. Verbal
2. Biological Sciences
3. Physical Sciences
4. Writing (if your score isnt really high or really low, its a nonfactor)

 

[Mudd]

Since 1992, the BS score has been the highest of the three for people matriculating to medical school.

• 
  1992 VR 9.2 PS 9.2 BS 9.3
  1993 VR 9.4 PS 9.3 BS 9.5
  1994 VR 9.4 PS 9.4 BS 9.6
  1995 VR 9.5 PS 9.7 BS 9.8
  1996 VR 9.6 PS 9.8 BS 10.0
  1997 VR 9.6 PS 9.8 BS 10.1
  1998 VR 9.5 PS 9.9 BS 10.2
  1999 VR 9.5 PS 10.0 BS 10.2
  2000 VR 9.5 PS 10.0 BS 10.2
  2001 VR 9.5 PS 10.0 BS 10.1

The AAMC numbers don't lie, but sales personel for prep courses do. The whole verbal myth can be traced back to some sales rep at some meeting saying "Verbal is most important." They know it's hardest to improve on, so they know that it's a great fear motivator to get students enrolled. The simple fact from the data is that BS is more important. A 8,10,10 and 10,8,10 will get in ahead of a 10,10,8, if it comes down to the MCAT.

All three sections must be important, or they'd change the exam, but for ad com people it clearly looks like BS is the anchor.

As for the USMLE score vs VR score correlation myth, if you look at all of the AAMC studies, not one ever lists any correlation between verbal and USMLE scores. No one ever cites it, they just keep passing on the story abotu some study. The biggest place that statement ever shows is when a sales reps for a big corporate company says it's true. I've had to sit through a couple of those MCAT prep company talkathons and it seems that they all play on fears and make it sound like they are experts on something they have no idea about.

 

[whitesoxfan]

I think and have heard that verbal is most important for the reasons already cited, but only like 5-10% more important. Actually, the data seems to suggest that verbal is more important. A 10 in verbal would help elevate you from the pack, whereas a 10 in bio is average. Regardless, a well balanced score is very crucial. Just my opinion.

 

[NE_Cornhusker1]

Looking through MCAT research papers it shows that a high BS score is associated with a strong performance on USMLE I; (yeah, still working on finding the link again.)


High VR scores tend to correlate with better performance in years 3 & 4. http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/research/bibliography/velos001.htm

Peace.

 

[AegisZero]

Originally posted by NE_Cornhusker1
Looking through MCAT research papers it shows that a high BS score is associated with a strong performance on USMLE I; (yeah, still working on finding the link again.)


High VR scores tend to correlate with better performance in years 3 & 4. http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/research/bibliography/velos001.htm

Peace.

LOL. So I guess PS and W are just a waste of time then.

 

[STi555]

Originally posted by AegisZero
LOL. So I guess PS and W are just a waste of time then.

Well I think that W is a waste of time. The schools will see how we write with our essays. The fact that the essay is timed doesn't seem important. I mean how often are you going to have to write an important paper on a topic you know nothing about in exactly 30 minutes.

 

[Mike59]

Originally posted by STi555
Well I think that W is a waste of time. The schools will see how we write with our essays. The fact that the essay is timed doesn't seem important. I mean how often are you going to have to write an important paper on a topic you know nothing about in exactly 30 minutes.

I disagree. Many medical situations involve quick decision making where you are forced to envision two sides of the coin. The writing section is a measure of how one can address a presented situation and its various possible outcomes in a short period of time. It is more of a thinking exercise than test of your writing mastery. The graders are looking for the development of your argument, a quality not always evident or applicable in a personal statement or secondary.

 

[AegisZero]

It just bothers me that most schools dont even report their average MCAT writing score.

 

[STi555]

Originally posted by Mike59
I disagree. Many medical situations involve quick decision making where you are forced to envision two sides of the coin. The writing section is a measure of how one can address a presented situation and its various possible outcomes in a short period of time. It is more of a thinking exercise than test of your writing mastery. The graders are looking for the development of your argument, a quality not always evident or applicable in a personal statement or secondary.

I still think the writing section is a waste of time and resources. Talking about the newer methods of education (or whatever you have to write on) and making a well formed arguement is not very like making a split second decidsion that relies on your years of study and experience. A medical decidsion is quite different and not all areas of medicine require quick decisions. Also, as AegisZero pointed out medical schools don't even report their average writing score.

 

[Samoa]

Yes, but in order to make a good medical decision, you also have to be able to understand the other options and defend why you didn't think any of them were correct.

 

[Megalofyia]

Originally posted by Mike59
I disagree. Many medical situations involve quick decision making where you are forced to envision two sides of the coin. The writing section is a measure of how one can address a presented situation and its various possible outcomes in a short period of time. It is more of a thinking exercise than test of your writing mastery. The graders are looking for the development of your argument, a quality not always evident or applicable in a personal statement or secondary.

I thought that part of the W section was based on your puntuation, grammar, spelling, etc.. which wouldn't really be in issue with a 30 min time limit in a real life situation.. Especially with the availability of Word on palm pilots which you can carry anywhere.

 

[AegisZero]

Originally posted by Megalofyia
I thought that part of the W section was based on your puntuation, grammar, spelling, etc.. which wouldn't really be in issue with a 30 min time limit in a real life situation.. Especially with the availability of Word on palm pilots which you can carry anywhere.

No, only part of the grade is based on grammar and spelling if I recall. A huge bulk of it is based on argument construction (and I think facets of argument are classified as grammar as well)

The writing sample should be pretty important, because it shows how well you can create an argument in a limited amount of time.

 

[Mudd]

Originally posted by NE_Cornhusker1
High VR scores tend to correlate with better performance in years 3 & 4. http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/research/bibliography/velos001.htm

Nice job finding that article. There is only one problem with your using it to support anything associated with the current MCAT. The study was done on students who entered Jefferson between 1968 and 1997. The MCAT switched to its current format in 1991, meaning that the earliest entering class using the new MCAT would be 1992. Only six of the thirty years of the study, represent the new MCAT.

This means that the point is that the old verbal exam is better than straight memorization of science at predicting scores on the later steps of the USMLE.