The Official August 2015 MCAT Thread

[vsantav]

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Registration opens up sometime today so I thought I'd go ahead and make this thread. Anyone else taking it in August?

 

[zzzetrigan]

I'm not 100% on this, but a lot of schools in Canada that look at the MCAT had an average score of 30-33, with schools that don't traditionally weight the MCAT heavily still having an average admitted MCAT score of 30+

What she said. U of C is weighing the MCAT this year at 10%, U of A is unclear but the previous estimations indication you probably need a score of 512 or higher to feel confident in your chances. U of S again is not clear but to be competitive you needed a 35 historically and Manitoba was 36 so 514 or 515, so if you are aiming for 515 - that`ll put you in a good place.

 

[zzzetrigan]

I feel like the test prep companies are making me worse at CARS... They teach you to think of the questions and answers this way, and then that way, and then make sure you separate your thoughts and common views of the world from the passage/author, etc. etc. when I feel like the AAMC questions are much more straight forward. I'm doing the verbals from the past AAMCs and am finding myself over-thinking everything and under-estimating the use of common logic.

I found the AAMC CARS QPACK and AAMC FL to be easier to do than the prep tests. And I think EK/TPR prep you for a different kind of thinking so you are ready for that kind of trickery but you are correct that AAMC generally tends to be a bit more straightforward but they do still throw some curveballs and on the actual test you may find the straightforward questions to be not as straightforward. I've written verbal 3 times and its always been more difficult than the QPACKS or FL but the range of difficulty has varied from slightly so to wth.

 

[mikil100]

MCAT questions aren't arbitrary?

I mean, as long as it didn't end up bumping you down like 10% or something. You got a 70, which correlates with doing pretty well.

@piii got a 70 - 91st percentile on the real thing. @KPtoDPT got around 70s, one at 67 - 98th percentile on the exam. @ProtuberantUmbilicus got a 71 average on EKs - 91st on the real thing. @mikil100 ~71, got 96th on the real thing. @drrao88 low 70s...87th on the real thing.

An interesting exception is @mcatjelly hovering around low 70s and getting 77th.

The outlook is good for anyone scoring like you do.

I hated the EK exams because they were difficult and asked tricky questions or had some ridiculous questions. That being said they were the closest you could get to the real MCAT.

 

[justlisten234]

Questions about AAMC FL, C/P:


27. Doesn't the formula for Doppler include frequencies of emitted/observed, sound of source/detector, and sound of speed? Why would you only need three things if you wanted to calculate the unknown?
46. Archimedes' principle says that the buoyant force equals the weight of the submerged object, right? How does that relate to the density of an object?

 

[doctorinthehouse_]

Just got a 72% on Chem AAMC Qpack. What does that translate to???

 

[moesman777]

Am I the only one who struggles to get through the Q packs? I already have a short attention span, and doing 120 questions all in one subject is sooo hard, even if I take frequent breaks

I treat every Q pack like two separate items and do only 60 questions in one sitting/day and then do the other half either the next day or later

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

I like subtle comedy but I'm also a nerd that likes explaining things, so you're in luck!

The score you received correlates with those that have done better than ~95% of people on the MCAT. The claim you were "wrecked" indicates to the reader that you received what would be considered a terrible score. Therefore, the use of the word "wrecked" is an exaggeration and consequently could be considered comical by those who find humor in gross hyperbole.

Now for your post-passage question:
@StudyLater would agree with which of the following?
a) @TheaterOfTheme is totally out of line with his statement and should seek therapy for anger management.
b) @TheaterOfTheme should take into better consideration who his/her audience is and as a result more coherently communicate what might be considered subjective terms.
c) @TheaterOfTheme should not ever use the word "wrecked" to describe getting lower than the 95th percentile on the MCAT.
d) @TheaterOfTheme should continue to pursue his goal of a high score on the MCAT.

Hmm I see what you mean. Sorry for being too gunny. I was trying to get advice from all the verbal guns!

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

Just got a 72% on Chem AAMC Qpack. What does that translate to???

In my opinion, it means that you have a good idea of what to review. Those questions are simple (and prove that the old MCAT is easier). All of the content is the same but will be presented in a different way. You'll see when you take the AAMC FL. So it's a great diagnostic I think! I don't think you can relate it to a score though.

 

[orangeblue]

Should I buy those AAMC question packages?

 

[NeuResurgens]

Questions about AAMC FL, C/P:


27. Doesn't the formula for Doppler include frequencies of emitted/observed, sound of source/detector, and sound of speed? Why would you only need three things if you wanted to calculate the unknown?
46. Archimedes' principle says that the buoyant force equals the weight of the submerged object, right? How does that relate to the density of an object?

To be frank, I still don't understand #27. I got 46 right but could you post the question it's asking? I think I solved it differently than what the answer explanation suggests

 

[NeuResurgens]

Should I buy those AAMC question packages?

They were a good source for me. Do you have limited funds/the AAMC FL? Buy the latter if you can only afford one or the other

 

[justlisten234]

To be frank, I still don't understand #27. I got 46 right but could you post the question it's asking? I think I solved it differently than what the answer explanation suggests

Here's #46:

 

[levelsands]

What she said. U of C is weighing the MCAT this year at 10%, U of A is unclear but the previous estimations indication you probably need a score of 512 or higher to feel confident in your chances. U of S again is not clear but to be competitive you needed a 35 historically and Manitoba was 36 so 514 or 515, so if you are aiming for 515 - that`ll put you in a good place.

Haha I'm actually a guy, guess the avatar is misleading. Yeah, canadian schools are ridiculous when it comes to the MCAT. On the bright side, we have schools like UofC, UofS, UOttawa, McMaster and McGill which don't look at your MCAT or only look at your CARS. Of course the caveat is that you need a 3.9+ GPA to even be considered

 

[NeuResurgens]

Here's #46:

Oh yeah, this was a strange question. So density = mass / volume. W(air) is similar to mass. The [W(air) - W(water)] I'm not so sure about, but I believe it has something to do with buoyant force, the fact that the buoyant force is proportional to the volume of the object submerged as well as the density of the object. So, if the body is submerged, the buoyant force acts against the force of gravity in an amount proportional to the volume submerged. Thus the difference between the weight in air and in water can be seen as a function of the volume of the object in question, giving the equation the necessary parameters to equal mass/volume.

Unfortunately, the explanation AAMC gives isn't terribly helpful since they basically just restate what the equation says, without going into the "why" of the concept.

Sorry it's not totally clear. Physics isn't my strong suit! Does anyone else have a better understanding of this question?

 

[Ad2b]

The density of the immersed object relative to the density of the fluid can easily be calculated without measuring any volumes: (water density is a known)

 

[james11]

@justlisten234 the buoyant force is the weight of the displaced water, not the submerged object. The object's density will determine how its weight compares to its buoyant force, which uses the density of the fluid.

Anyways, just scored 515 on NS 3, so as long as that test isn't way easier than the real deal, I feel pretty good. T minus 11 days...

 

[girlonfire101]

What is the best resource for passages? Pretty much finished TPR Workbook and Khan! Also what is a good resource for biochem? Taking aug 21

 

[mcatfox210]

Anyone else hoping that their bio section is composed of 59 "If a patient is hyperventilating..." questions?! That seems to be the only topic I am entirely conversant in

 

[mikil100]

Should I buy those AAMC question packages?

Yes. Buy everything AAMC offers.

What is the best resource for passages? Pretty much finished TPR Workbook and Khan! Also what is a good resource for biochem? Taking aug 21

IMO, EK>Khan>TPR.

AAMC material trumps everything, though.

 

[StudyLater]

@Profound
@StudyLater
I wanted to pick a character who could put the MCAT in its place 😉

She'd just burn the computer and threaten the proctor with death by incineration if she doesn't receive a 528.

Hmm I see what you mean. Sorry for being too gunny. I was trying to get advice from all the verbal guns!

No need to be sorry for having higher expectations of yourself than like 98% of people for this particular measurement of intelligence and future career capability. It looks to me like you'll be a top doc with top-level prestige going forward. That's a heavy burden to carry, but hey, if you really wanna be a leader that bad and it's your thing, we need guys/girls like you to carry the weight of being "director/chairman/CEO" of whatever the ****.

@mikil100 I promise I didn't mean to drag you into this thread. Was simply making a point. No need to waste your time with us mortals. 😉

 

[LakridsA]

Hey guys looking for some advice. My test date is 8/22 and I took the aamc FL today and got an 80% my breakdown is this:

45/59 for C/P
49/53 CARS
43/59 B/B
48/49 P/S

I am aiming for a 510+ and I'm worried I might need some more time to prepare especially considering how people are saying the aamc FL CARS is a lot easier than test day. Also I did find some lucky guesses in the C/P and P/S sections..and I need a solid MCAT to make up for my slightly below average GPA. Taking all that into consideration would you guys recommend I postpone a few weeks?

 

[FindingNismo]

Anybody else have thoughts on EK4? Got a 73% on it today, not too happy with that score. I thought the CARS section was brutal...

 

[podiatrytime]

For those of you using Kaplan, how'd you guys do on FL 9? I took the practice exam and did HORRIBLE (worst than my diagnostic)...like, wth? I've been averaging ~492 (with an upward trend) but got a 484 today. I'm so disappointed!!!

Kinda weird because I actually thought it was easy compared to the other FLs. Lol!

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

She'd just burn the computer and threaten the proctor with death by incineration if she doesn't receive a 528.



No need to be sorry for having higher expectations of yourself than like 98% of people for this particular measurement of intelligence and future career capability. It looks to me like you'll be a top doc with top-level prestige going forward. That's a heavy burden to carry, but hey, if you really wanna be a leader that bad and it's your thing, we need guys/girls like you to carry the weight of being "director/chairman/CEO" of whatever the ****.

@mikil100 I promise I didn't mean to drag you into this thread. Was simply making a point. No need to waste your time with us mortals. 😉

Yeah right! I want to be a psychiatrist. You can have the director bull**** 😉

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

Hey guys looking for some advice. My test date is 8/22 and I took the aamc FL today and got an 80% my breakdown is this:

45/59 for C/P
49/53 CARS
43/59 B/B
48/49 P/S

I am aiming for a 510+ and I'm worried I might need some more time to prepare especially considering how people are saying the aamc FL CARS is a lot easier than test day. Also I did find some lucky guesses in the C/P and P/S sections..and I need a solid MCAT to make up for my slightly below average GPA. Taking all that into consideration would you guys recommend I postpone a few weeks?

I got higher overall slightly, but why the hell would you be worried with such a pristine CARS score!? The other stuff was probably simple mistakes. I believe that score would translate to like a 512. Can anyone else back me up? Use this...https://www.reddit.com/r/Mcat/comments/3culxa/tentative_aamc_sample_fl_score_conversion/

 

[StudyLater]

Yeah right! I want to be a psychiatrist. You can have the director bull**** 😉

Well, the option's open for you, unlike some of us.

I got higher overall slightly, but why the hell would you be worried with such a pristine CARS score!? The other stuff was probably simple mistakes. I believe that score would translate to like a 512. Can anyone else back me up? Use this...https://www.reddit.com/r/Mcat/comments/3culxa/tentative_aamc_sample_fl_score_conversion/

Add 10 to get the percentile. That's the general conversion I use. It's often been more than that, sometimes less than that.

A very interesting discrepancy in one out of the 15-20 people there is GVS. 89% CARS on the FL and 58th on the real thing. Very strange.

 

[LakridsA]

I got higher overall slightly, but why the hell would you be worried with such a pristine CARS score!? The other stuff was probably simple mistakes. I believe that score would translate to like a 512. Can anyone else back me up? Use this...https://www.reddit.com/r/Mcat/comments/3culxa/tentative_aamc_sample_fl_score_conversion/

Today is the last day to postpone for my test date, what has me worried is the few lucky guesses I had on C/P. I'm not banking on that type of luck on test day haha. As for the CARS score, this was probably the easiest CARS section I've taken and am expecting much harder on test day.

I'm leaning towards just taking it on the 22nd and being done with it (hopefully)

 

[StudyLater]

I'm not banking on that type of luck on test day haha.

I'll think there's a good chance we could be pleasantly surprised. A lot of people so far have been.

 

[LakridsA]

I'll think there's a good chance we could be pleasantly surprised. A lot of people so far have been.

I hope we're all pleasantly surprised!

 

[LakridsA]

Soooo I tried converting my FL scores using the mcatjelly conversions and I'm getting a score of 514...did I screw up? is this real life?

45/59 -> 76%-> 127
49/53 -> 92%-> 132
43/59-> 72%->126
48/59->81%->129
Total:514

Is the scale inflated at all? I've been scoring 504's on my NS exams so this is kind of nice lol

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

Soooo I tried converting my FL scores using the mcatjelly conversions and I'm getting a score of 514...did I screw up? is this real life?

45/59 -> 76%-> 127
49/53 -> 92%-> 132
43/59-> 72%->126
48/59->81%->129
Total:514

Is the scale inflated at all? I've been scoring 504's on my NS exams so this is kind of nice lol

I hope it is! I would have had 519! I would literally kill a lion (not Cecil of course) for that score! But we should err on the side of caution and assume its like 4-5 points less.

 

[mcat_taker]

I hope it is! I would have had 519! I would literally kill a lion (not Cecil of course) for that score! But we should err on the side of caution and assume its like 4-5 points less.

I've looked at that conversion table by mcatjelly but it seems strange. Based on the table getting 80+% correct on a section is a 130? That seems a bit low (I would think you would need more than 80% right to score that high). I had 503 on TPR and then based on that mcatjelly table I would have 507-508 on the AAMC FL so idk.

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

I've looked at that conversion table by mcatjelly but it seems strange. Based on the table getting 80+% correct on a section is a 130? That seems a bit low (I would think you would need more than 80% right to score that high). I had 503 on TPR and then based on that mcatjelly table I would have 507-508 on the AAMC FL so idk.

That 80% does seem low. That's why I'm skeptical. However, they are based on the scale from the previous MCAT. So who knows...

 

[StudyLater]

Soooo I tried converting my FL scores using the mcatjelly conversions and I'm getting a score of 514...did I screw up? is this real life?

45/59 -> 76%-> 127
49/53 -> 92%-> 132
43/59-> 72%->126
48/59->81%->129
Total:514

Is the scale inflated at all? I've been scoring 504's on my NS exams so this is kind of nice lol

It's probably based on the actual scores. There's like 5-7 people that did 13 or greater in percentile than their overall % on the FL (one did >20 greater). Some did ~5-10 greater. One did about the same. Don't think anyone did worse on the overall score, including that GVS thing I mentioned (he just randomly bombed CARS). He's a reddit user, according to Xenith.

I've looked at that conversion table by mcatjelly but it seems strange. Based on the table getting 80+% correct on a section is a 130? That seems a bit low (I would think you would need more than 80% right to score that high). I had 503 on TPR and then based on that mcatjelly table I would have 507-508 on the AAMC FL so idk.

To point out the obvious, the MCAT is not easy. There's a lot of questions that might not exactly be considered fair by all parties. Getting 80% right is awesome given the way the test is constructed, not to mention I'd certainly agree there's a healthy dose of luck there. This **** is insane. As @Pusheen has already stated, you could get nailed or totally blessed by your passage set. That's just how it is.

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

Well, the option's open for you, unlike some of us.



Add 10 to get the percentile. That's the general conversion I use. It's often been more than that, sometimes less than that.

A very interesting discrepancy in one out of the 15-20 people there is GVS. 89% CARS on the FL and 58th on the real thing. Very strange.

In my experience, CARS is about mindset/how I feel. That is such a subjective section. I feel bad for them...
Haha I hope you're not making that first conclusion based on practice test scores. I'm a nonconformist and don't think that being in administration is a measure of one's success. However, don't discount yourself based on practice. Until this week I had barely been breaking 500 in TPR. Ive taken 10 practice tests and its finally coming together somewhat. This test is manageable! It is finite and we can all kill it! I just hope, that personally, I don't eff it up on the real day!

 

[StudyLater]

In my experience, CARS is about mindset/how I feel. That is such a subjective section. I feel bad for them...
Haha I hope you're not making that first conclusion based on practice test scores. I'm a nonconformist and don't think that being in administration is a measure of one's success. However, don't discount yourself based on practice. Until this week I had barely been breaking 500 in TPR. Ive taken 10 practice tests and its finally coming together somewhat. This test is manageable! It is finite and we can all kill it! I just hope, that personally, I don't eff it up on the real day!

Well 500 in TPR is 508+ on something normal and actually predictive. But still you did confirm improvement when you took the actually predictive one and did even better, despite however you may feel about getting "wrecked" by CARS. 😉

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

Well 500 in TPR is 508+ on something normal and actually predictive. But still you did confirm improvement when you took the actually predictive one and did even better, despite however you may feel about getting "wrecked" by CARS. 😉

TPR really dropped the ball. I couldn't help but think while I was taking the AAMC that it felt nothing like the TPR FLs. I would be tempted to call them trash but they really help with content. They DO NOT mimic the style of thinking of the new MCAT though. Except the psych section! I felt like the AAMC psych was almost just like TPR. This is likely because the recycled all their old **** for the first three sections while they made all the psych stuff.../endrant

 

[sfkniner81]

also feeling really nervous about my 8/22 test date! Haven't done as many
problems as I would've liked nor the AAMC material yet. Took Kaplan FL's 1-4 (496,498,502 (503 new scale), 502 (506 new scale). I think I might delay until 9/12, but I start UPenn SSP program on 8/26 🙁

 

[Pusheen]

Just finished AAMC FL

128/132/126/129 -515 by mcatjelly scale

Not too bad, I'd like to do better in the sciences. I got like a 69% in bio 😕
I keep getting nailed by those darn molecular and gene research passages. CARS is really the only thing driving my score up

 

[Pusheen]

Hey guys looking for some advice. My test date is 8/22 and I took the aamc FL today and got an 80% my breakdown is this:

45/59 for C/P
49/53 CARS
43/59 B/B
48/49 P/S

I am aiming for a 510+ and I'm worried I might need some more time to prepare especially considering how people are saying the aamc FL CARS is a lot easier than test day. Also I did find some lucky guesses in the C/P and P/S sections..and I need a solid MCAT to make up for my slightly below average GPA. Taking all that into consideration would you guys recommend I postpone a few weeks?

is this the FL? Dude, are we the same person?
I got 48/59, 49/53, 41/59, 48/59

 

[Aakash Trivedi]

Just finished AAMC FL

128/132/126/129 -515 by mcatjelly scale

Not too bad, I'd like to do better in the sciences. I got like a 69% in bio 😕
I keep getting nailed by those darn molecular and gene research passages. CARS is really the only thing driving my score up

How was it compared to the EK tests you've taken? I remember talking to you about EK 4 specifically haha

 

[blahblahpremeds]

@Pusheen-you did great! I have yet to take the AAMC FL, but I'm still scarred by EK4 from yesterday.

 

[moneyking]

Just finished AAMC FL

128/132/126/129 -515 by mcatjelly scale

Not too bad, I'd like to do better in the sciences. I got like a 69% in bio 😕
I keep getting nailed by those darn molecular and gene research passages. CARS is really the only thing driving my score up

Whats your strategy for CARS, and any advice to improve?

 

[Pusheen]

How was it compared to the EK tests you've taken? I remember talking to you about EK 4 specifically haha

It was more straighforward, esp CARS. CARS was super easy actually.The science passages were a little harder than I expected, as everyone was telling me how easy the FL was supposed to be.

 

[LakridsA]

is this the FL? Dude, are we the same person?
I got 48/59, 49/53, 41/59, 48/59

woah yeah that was the aamc FL! CARS has been my saving grace too lol. Let's beat this thing...

 

[blahblahpremeds]

@Aakash Trivedi - I felt EK4 to be decent in terms of experimental passages for the Sciences , but for CARS, it was definitely an overkill. Also, some of the answer choices were vague and required way too muc outside knowledge to be able to answer IMO. I really hope that's not "representative" of the real thing.

 

[TheaterOfTheme]

Just finished AAMC FL

128/132/126/129 -515 by mcatjelly scale

Not too bad, I'd like to do better in the sciences. I got like a 69% in bio 😕
I keep getting nailed by those darn molecular and gene research passages. CARS is really the only thing driving my score up

If only we could ban together. My bio was like your CARS! Why doesn't the AAMC value collaborative work?!
For me, I look at those passages and ignore all the ridiculous acronyms and focus on the questions only.

 

[Pusheen]

Whats your strategy for CARS, and any advice to improve?

The AAMC CARS was a lot easier than the other stuff out there, imo. Some of the questions were straight quotes from the text...I just read the text through and highlight and then go back and look for answers unless I am 100% sure of my answer. I'm a fast reader, so I think that helps a lot..

 

[sfkniner81]

any thoughts on whether it's advantageous or not to delay a few weeks? I can't tell if it's nerves making me feel unprepared or if I actually am. going off the spreadsheet comparing FL scores to real test scores I feel that I'm scoring well, but I don't want to put so much value into that

 

[Pusheen]

If only we could ban together. My bio was like your CARS! Why doesn't the AAMC value collaborative work?!
For me, I look at those passages and ignore all the ridiculous acronyms and focus on the questions only.

Oh gosh, we could totally get a 528. I don't know why I'm so dumb at bio, I feel ok about it as I'm taking it. I usually feel way worse about c/p.
I might have a content gap since I've taken very few bio classes. Any more tips for that section?