so apr2006's mean was 25.6, what about the means for previous tests?

[coralfangs]

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what about aug2005, apr2005, etc?

 

[StrikeFreedom]

you mean this?

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/pubs.htm

 

[braluk]

Wow looks like this round of test takers were generally better then test takers of the last 3 years in which the MCAT is still valid seeing that the national average is .6 higher then the second highest score. I guess it was the SDN posters that brought the average up 😉

 

[coralfangs]

oh man,

does that mean we had an easy curve?

 

[braluk]

either that or we just had really smart test takers this time around

 

[hope12]

If you compare the score/percentile tables of the April 2006 administration and the combined 2005 administrations, it looks like all the scores have been inflated by ~1 point this year (e.g., a 38 was 98.7 to 99.2 in 2005, while a 39 has the same percentile ranking in 2006). There are also some more striking changes if you look closely at the score tables... for example, over twice as many people scored in the 14-15 range in PS this year as did in 2005.

This means that a given numerical score awarded in 2006 actually represents a lower performance than it did in 2005. I sincerely doubt that the number of people acing the PS section would just double in one year... rather, it seems that AAMC has adjusted the curve slightly so that the highest scores (44-45) might actually become attainable.

Although this doesn't really affect anyone who took the 2006 MCAT (since everyone had the benefit of the minor curve-change), what about the people who are applying with 2005 scores? Since AMCAS applications don't list the percentile next to your MCAT score, does this mean the adcoms will have to scrutinize the particular year the exam was taken when they are reviewing applications?

They DO 🙂
http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/advisors/2x_verified_app.pdf

 

[happydays]

If you compare the score/percentile tables of the April 2006 administration and the combined 2005 administrations, it looks like all the scores have been inflated by ~1 point this year (e.g., a 38 was 98.7 to 99.2 in 2005, while a 39 has the same percentile ranking in 2006). There are also some more striking changes if you look closely at the score tables... for example, over twice as many people scored in the 14-15 range in PS this year as did in 2005.

This means that a given numerical score awarded in 2006 actually represents a lower performance than it did in 2005. I sincerely doubt that the number of people acing the PS section would just double in one year... rather, it seems that AAMC has adjusted the curve slightly so that the highest scores (44-45) might actually become attainable.

Although this doesn't really affect anyone who took the 2006 MCAT (since everyone had the benefit of the minor curve-change), what about the people who are applying with 2005 scores? Since AMCAS applications don't list the percentile next to your MCAT score, does this mean the adcoms will have to scrutinize the particular year the exam was taken when they are reviewing applications?

premeds are slowly beating the system.

 

[coralfangs]

well, 1pt overall aint gonna break or make anyone

 

[braluk]

well, 1pt overall aint gonna break or make anyone

it might if the curve puts the mcat taker at an advantage over students who had a harder curve

 

[coralfangs]

true eh

man, the easy curve makes me feel bad and cheated
>_<