The Mcat is Harder in the summer

[listener23]

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My logic is since the test is graded on a curve then summer test dates like July and August would have much more prepared test takers since they been out of school for 2 months. Thoughts?

 

[Euxox]

My logic is since the test is graded on a curve then summer test dates like July and August would have much more prepared test takers since they been out of school for 2 months. Thoughts?

The MCAT is not curved, but scaled according to a predefined scaling. The test writers fine tune the scaling for each exam based on how difficult they believe the exam to be. The exact methods for determining the scaling are a secret, but the important thing is that they decide what number of correct questions in PS will scale to a 10, what number of correct questions in VR will scale to an 11, and so on before anyone takes the test. This means that your score does not depend on the how well other test takers on your date do. In theory, everyone on a particular day could get a 45.

The AAMC FAQ on MCAT scores says essentially what I just did.

Some general advice on the MCAT: When you take it, where you take it, whether or not Venus and Mars are in alignment when you press the "begin section" button -- none of it matters as much as how you study.

 

[darklabel]

I will say that there is a level of luck to the exam. If on a particular test, you're tested heavily on Orgo but you didn't really study it or if lenses are more your thing and it shows up, then it will reflect on the exam.

But the best way to minimize this is to study everything thoroughly for this test, or at least the best that you can.

 

[kmp0410]

I will say that there is a level of luck to the exam. If on a particular test, you're tested heavily on Orgo but you didn't really study it or if lenses are more your thing and it shows up, then it will reflect on the exam.

But the best way to minimize this is to study everything thoroughly for this test, or at least the best that you can.

This is definitely true. The number of things I spent so much time studying that were not on my exam...had me shaking my head afterwards.

But even with this, its amazing how consistent your scores are. My practice tests were all right about the same and my actual test was right there as well.

 

[Temerit]

But even with this, its amazing how consistent your scores are. My practice tests were all right about the same and my actual test was right there as well.

It is interesting isn't it? I had the same experience, with all my AAMC practice tests and the actual being very consistent. But the content does vary quite a bit from test to test, so it's impressive that it still ends up that way. My actual score ended up being the median and mode of my practice tests.

 

[BamaNicole]

This story is totally a n=1 example but I took the MCAT in May and again in July. I feel that my May test was way easier than my July test. I made some stupid mistakes which made me want to retake the test. My July test I felt was killer....but I did way better on it.

Again...its n=1 though.

 

[Ismet]

My logic is since the test is graded on a curve then summer test dates like July and August would have much more prepared test takers since they been out of school for 2 months. Thoughts?

Nothing about this is true.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I took my MCAT over the summer. It wasnt hard.

 

[ace12345]

There is no problem with luck if you study all the material. Study everything, a lot, and you will do very well