Taking AAMC 3-10 and still unprepared?

[shiite7]

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Hi,

I was wondering whether anyone here did all 8 of the AAMC tests (3-10), or almost all of them, yet was still "unprepared" for the rigor of the real thing/was surprised by difficulty/content of the real exam?

Also, it would seem that by taking all 8, you get a pretty good/more accurate indication of what your natural ability is (i.e. outliers are diffused). I know some threads have posted people's AAMC practice tests vs. Real MCAT score, but it doesn't always indicate how many AAMC tests people took. So for those who did take ALL (or nearly all) of the AAMC tests, did you guys feel prepared for the content/difficulty of the real MCAT, and did your real score generally match your AAMC test averages. My hypothesis is that your real MCAT score is more likely to match or exceed your AAMC average scores the MORE AAMC tests you take (e.g. if you only take two AAMC tests, you are more likely to score worse on the real thing).

I have taken AAMC 3-5, got PS 11 (45/52), VR 10, BS 9 [30] on #3, PS 12 (46/52), VR 10, BS 9 [31] on #4, and BS 13 (47/52), VR 10, BS 9 [32] on #5. I've also taken the 5 BR CBTs (range 25-30...AAMC seems so easy/straightforward in comparison), as well as some PR (hard) and Kaplan (easy) MCAT FLs online/in books (for a total of 15 FLs so far).

I have ten days 'til my exam, am going to try squeeze in #6-10. I need to bump up my BS score; I'm hoping that my scores will keep improving! If I maintain my trend, I'll be at a 37 at #10, 😀

 

[sphun65]

Hi,

I was wondering whether anyone here did all 8 of the AAMC tests (3-10), or almost all of them, yet was still "unprepared" for the rigor of the real thing/was surprised by difficulty/content of the real exam?

Also, it would seem that by taking all 8, you get a pretty good/more accurate indication of what your natural ability is (i.e. outliers are diffused). I know some threads have posted people's AAMC practice tests vs. Real MCAT score, but it doesn't always indicate how many AAMC tests people took. So for those who did take ALL (or nearly all) of the AAMC tests, did you guys feel prepared for the content/difficulty of the real MCAT, and did your real score generally match your AAMC test averages. My hypothesis is that your real MCAT score is more likely to match or exceed your AAMC average scores the MORE AAMC tests you take (e.g. if you only take two AAMC tests, you are more likely to score worse on the real thing).

I have taken AAMC 3-5, got PS 11 (45/52), VR 10, BS 9 [30] on #3, PS 12 (46/52), VR 10, BS 9 [31] on #4, and BS 13 (47/52), VR 10, BS 9 [32] on #5. I've also taken the 5 BR CBTs (range 25-30...AAMC seems so easy/straightforward in comparison), as well as some PR (hard) and Kaplan (easy) MCAT FLs online/in books (for a total of 15 FLs so far).

I have ten days 'til my exam, am going to try squeeze in #6-10. I need to bump up my BS score; I'm hoping that my scores will keep improving! If I maintain my trend, I'll be at a 37 at #10, 😀

It is an accurate predictor if:

• You take the practice tests in almost exact actual conditions (this means no extended breaks, no skipping the writing section, no facebook checking, at the same time as your actual test, etc)
• You don't cheat or forgive yourself for stupid mistakes
• You take the AAMC online CBT's (any others, ie Kaplan, do not predict scores reliably)
• Your practice test section scores (PS, VR, BS) don't fluctuate greatly. That is, you don't average a 10 by scoring a few 5's and a few 15's.
• Your approach and mentality stays the same during practice and during the real test

A lot of people take the actual test and can't overcome the anxiety of the real thing. They treat the entire exam differently and therefore deviate from their desired strategies, whether or not they had studied for 10,000 hours. A good piece of advice is to treat the real thing like a practice test, and to use that extra excitement to your advantage. That is, you should gain focus, not lose it.