The Official June 2015 MCAT Thread

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Took AAMC full length yesterday:
CP - 78%
CARS - 85%
B - 90%
PS - 81%
83% overall

So far completed:

TPR FL 1: 509
CP - 127 80%
CARS - 126 72%
B - 129 85%
PS - 127 74.5%

TPR FL 2: 507
CP - 127 80%
CARS - 124 60.3%
B - 129 88%
PS - 127 73%

AAMC Official Guide:
CP - 80%
CARS - 87%
B - 79%
PS - 67%

AAMC BIO 1: 87%
AAMC BIO 2: 91%
AAMC CHEM: 84%
AAMC PHYSICS: 84%
AAMC CARS 1: 89%
AAMC CARS 2: 80%

Plan for last two weeks:
Address some Biochem memorization, molecules, etc.
Keep reviewing note cards for all chem/physics equations, and amino acids.
Memorize Psych Soc terms, note cards.
Do about 5 passages in each subject (Bio, chem, physics, psych soc) in the TPR Science work books each day. Want to get another 2000 problems completed and reviewed.
3 TPR CARS passages each day, timed. Do 2 passage 10 minute drills every few days.
Take 2 more full lengths.
Have no life.

F**K
 
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So I just finished my AAMC full length and here are my percentages:
Chem/Phys- 75%
CARS- 89%
Bio- 73%
Psyc- 88%
And I guess overall that's 81.25%?

Am I in okay shape for getting a good score? I'm not gonna stop studying obviously, but I so want to be in the 90+ percentile.
 
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maybedeadcat said:
So I just finished my AAMC full length and here are my percentages:
Chem/Phys- 75%
CARS- 89%
Bio- 73%
Psyc- 88%
And I guess overall that's 81.25%?

Am I in okay shape for getting a good score? I'm not gonna stop studying obviously, but I so want to be in the 90+ percentile.
Click to expand...

I would work on bringing up Bio. What were you getting wrong? I think 80% is a marker for a good score, but who really knows right now. The actual exam will be harder. The consensus is that the bio on the actual exam is pretty comparable to the sample test, Chem/physics might be a little easier on the actual exam, CARS is about the same, a little harder with a little bit longer passages, and psych/soc is considerably harder on the actual test. If you can bring up your bio then I would feel more comfortable about it.


How have you been doing on other practice tests?
 
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piii said:
I would work on bringing up Bio. What were you getting wrong? I think 80% is a marker for a good score, but who really knows right now. The actual exam will be harder. The consensus is that the bio on the actual exam is pretty comparable to the sample test, Chem/physics might be a little easier on the actual exam, CARS is about the same, a little harder with a little bit longer passages, and psych/soc is considerably harder on the actual test. If you can bring up your bio then I would feel more comfortable about it.


How have you been doing on other practice tests?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply! It was weird that bio was my worst section because it's usually by 2nd best (right under CARS). I think all the research jargon tripped me up. I see you did great in that section, any tips?

I'm taking Kaplan and have been scoring around a 505, which is clearly a bad score, but I don't trust it. You said 80%+ is probably a marker for a good score, but what exactly is a good score?
 
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maybedeadcat said:
Thanks for the reply! It was weird that bio was my worst section because it's usually by 2nd best (right under CARS). I think all the research jargon tripped me up. I see you did great in that section, any tips?

I'm taking Kaplan and have been scoring around a 505, which is clearly a bad score, but I don't trust it. You said 80%+ is probably a marker for a good score, but what exactly is a good score?
Click to expand...

This late, I would recommend doing a ton of bio passages. For my case, I think I have an advantage in bio because I've had 6 years of research experience and a year SMP masters program that was the first year curriculum of med school. I also got a 14 on bio on an mcat 3 years ago.

Don't even pay attention to the score they give you on any non AAMC FL. It literally means nothing, since they have no way to correlate test difficulty and bell curve to the new MCAT. I would base yourself on percentage you are getting right in each section, consistently. From what I hear, the TPR and Kaplan exams are harder than the new MCAT, so don't worry too much. However, keep in mind the actual MCAT and AAMC has different logic structure than any test company can truly represent. I would feel most encouraged by your AAMC sample test and official guide, as well as the AAMC packs. Based on the old AAMC tests and keys, a 30 (80th percentile) was about 70-75% correct answers.
 
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Have any of you used next step strategy books?

I just took the first section of their PS section and it was literally the lowest score I have received to date... some of their questions and rationals seem ridiculous.
 
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After taking 2 of their full lengths... I can say ps is def my lowest score.. I was able to improve in the other sections but not this one. I also heard overall NS full lengths are more difficult...
 
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Holy sweet mother of God I did Kaplan FL1 today and it was ridiculous.

Also, it didn't help that the internet went out twice where I was out and I was so ridiculously tired by the time I got to psych :\

AAMC this weekend though. STILL PUMPED WOOO GO MCAT
 
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Just took my first FL from TPR Practice test 1 and received:

503
124 in Chemistry/Physics
124 in CARS
129 in Bio
126 in Behavioral Sciences

I really don't know what to make of these scores...anyone know what this converts to on the old scale?
 
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Halfway through the first AAMC CARS pack.. I probably shouldn't have done VR so late after being exausted. I still managed to get 73% but the first two passages were a complete blur.
Now I get to finish my days studies with the nice soothing voices on Khan Academy...haha
 
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There are "conversions" to old scale numbers, but the comparison between the two is a moot point. The old test is much much different the resulting scores and percentiles are resultantly much different as well.

No one officially knows where we stand, but to answer your question,
Old - New
---------
03 -- 472
06 -- 476
09 -- 480
12 -- 484
15 -- 488
18 -- 492
21 -- 496
24 -- 500
27 -- 504
30 -- 508
33 -- 512
36 -- 516
39 -- 520
42 -- 524
45 -- 528
For a single section:
Old - New
---------
01 -- 118
02 -- 119
03 -- 120
04 -- 121
05 -- 122
06 -- 123
07 -- 124
08 -- 125 * "Average"
09 -- 126
10 -- 127
11 -- 128
12 -- 129
13 -- 130
14 -- 131
15 -- 132


Don't get yourself down though. The new practice test are really hard, quite unrealistic, and honestly, TPR's projection of what a 503 is based on no actual experience. Their assignment is completely arbitrary. Best method of practice would be to record the percentage of questions you get wrong, mark the areas you need to work on, and study those!
 
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Caffein3 said:
There are "conversions" to old scale numbers, but the comparison between the two is a moot point. The old test is much much different the resulting scores and percentiles are resultantly much different as well.

No one officially knows where we stand, but to answer your question,
Old - New
---------
03 -- 472
06 -- 476
09 -- 480
12 -- 484
15 -- 488
18 -- 492
21 -- 496
24 -- 500
27 -- 504
30 -- 508
33 -- 512
36 -- 516
39 -- 520
42 -- 524
45 -- 528
For a single section:
Old - New
---------
01 -- 118
02 -- 119
03 -- 120
04 -- 121
05 -- 122
06 -- 123
07 -- 124
08 -- 125 * "Average"
09 -- 126
10 -- 127
11 -- 128
12 -- 129
13 -- 130
14 -- 131
15 -- 132


Don't get yourself down though. The new practice test are really hard, quite unrealistic, and honestly, TPR's projection of what a 503 is based on no actual experience. Their assignment is completely arbitrary. Best method of practice would be to record the percentage of questions you get wrong, mark the areas you need to work on, and study those!
Click to expand...

Alright will do!
 
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Keep in mind there were several people from the April MCAT thread who had preliminaries greater than 80%, with TPR/Kaplan scores of 500's..

In all honesty we're screwed when in comes to determine how 'ready" we are. All we have to go off of is consistently scoring high across multiple FL's from multiple companies... and thats a rather broad thing to quantify.
 
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Is anyone memorizing certain mechanisms in detail (like the Chymotrypsin Mechanism) for last minute content review? I don't see the Chymotrypsin Mechanism specifically in the aamc outline.. tbr is making me go crazy.
 
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Caffein3 said:
There are "conversions" to old scale numbers, but the comparison between the two is a moot point. The old test is much much different the resulting scores and percentiles are resultantly much different as well.

No one officially knows where we stand, but to answer your question,
Old - New
---------
03 -- 472
06 -- 476
09 -- 480
12 -- 484
15 -- 488
18 -- 492
21 -- 496
24 -- 500
27 -- 504
30 -- 508
33 -- 512
36 -- 516
39 -- 520
42 -- 524
45 -- 528
For a single section:
Old - New
---------
01 -- 118
02 -- 119
03 -- 120
04 -- 121
05 -- 122
06 -- 123
07 -- 124
08 -- 125 * "Average"
09 -- 126
10 -- 127
11 -- 128
12 -- 129
13 -- 130
14 -- 131
15 -- 132


Don't get yourself down though. The new practice test are really hard, quite unrealistic, and honestly, TPR's projection of what a 503 is based on no actual experience. Their assignment is completely arbitrary. Best method of practice would be to record the percentage of questions you get wrong, mark the areas you need to work on, and study those!
Click to expand...

Ah, the classic 118 to 132 scale. Makes more sense than a 1-100 scale.

Btw, just dropping to say hi! You guys can do it - just focus and make sure you take the day off before the test!
 
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newbeginnings said:
Is anyone memorizing certain mechanisms in detail (like the Chymotrypsin Mechanism) for last minute content review? I don't see the Chymotrypsin Mechanism specifically in the aamc outline.. tbr is making me go crazy.
Click to expand...
I'm not memorizing any specific pathways. (Other than ones I already know from Biochem class) AAMC doesn't seem to test super specific detail. For each pathway I'm devoting to memory the major enzymes, especially the ones with large delta G, and the general purpose of the pathway.
 
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Caffein3 said:
There are "conversions" to old scale numbers, but the comparison between the two is a moot point. The old test is much much different the resulting scores and percentiles are resultantly much different as well.

No one officially knows where we stand, but to answer your question,
Old - New
---------
03 -- 472
06 -- 476
09 -- 480
12 -- 484
15 -- 488
18 -- 492
21 -- 496
24 -- 500
27 -- 504
30 -- 508
33 -- 512
36 -- 516
39 -- 520
42 -- 524
45 -- 528
For a single section:
Old - New
---------
01 -- 118
02 -- 119
03 -- 120
04 -- 121
05 -- 122
06 -- 123
07 -- 124
08 -- 125 * "Average"
09 -- 126
10 -- 127
11 -- 128
12 -- 129
13 -- 130
14 -- 131
15 -- 132


Don't get yourself down though. The new practice test are really hard, quite unrealistic, and honestly, TPR's projection of what a 503 is based on no actual experience. Their assignment is completely arbitrary. Best method of practice would be to record the percentage of questions you get wrong, mark the areas you need to work on, and study those!
Click to expand...

Crazy how I know someone who was averaging what a "22-23" is on the old MCAT scale and his prelim in April was on par with a "31-33" on the old MCAT. I kind of disagree with this scale but oh well. 50% percentile on the old MCAT was a 25.5 not a 24.
 
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They aren't comparable though. In any way shape or form. I know its comforting to try to equate your new score to an old one, but in reality its pointless. Later years of test takers will have an accurate scale to go off but this is the best we can do.

Any for specific mechanisms I just know which amino acids are involved, which ones can be good nucleophiles, makes a tetrahedral intermediate...blah blah same old same old 😉 haha
 
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So if we can't really equate new scores to old ones, does anyone have any idea how medical schools will be evaluating our scores? Do you think there will be more emphasis on GPA this cycle?
 
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stressingout said:
So if we can't really equate new scores to old ones, does anyone have any idea how medical schools will be evaluating our scores? Do you think there will be more emphasis on GPA this cycle?
Click to expand...
They're probably going to look at percentiles in lieu of the MCAT. I imagine they'll put less weight in the MCAT than normally, but probably not by much... I don't think anyone has a clue TBH.
 
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Does anyone know the difference between cognitive dissonance and drive reduction? For example this problem:

A woman is on a diet but she experienced a moment of weakness and a ate a doughnut. She feels guilty about "breaking" her deit, so she decides to spend an extra 30 minutes at the gym. Her behavior can be attributed to which of the following processes?

A. Cognitive Dissonance
B. Drive Reduction
C. Social Loafing
D. Classical Conditioning

I thought Drive Reduction was an internal discomfort, is feeling guilty not an internal discomfort, why? What is the fine line between these two terms?

Any help would be appreciated, please and thank you.
 
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steelersfan1243 said:
Does anyone know the difference between cognitive dissonance and drive reduction? For example this problem:

A woman is on a diet but she experienced a moment of weakness and a ate a doughnut. She feels guilty about "breaking" her deit, so she decides to spend an extra 30 minutes at the gym. Her behavior can be attributed to which of the following processes?

A. Cognitive Dissonance
B. Drive Reduction
C. Social Loafing
D. Classical Conditioning

I thought Drive Reduction was an internal discomfort, is feeling guilty not an internal discomfort, why? What is the fine line between these two terms?

Any help would be appreciated, please and thank you.
Click to expand...
POE?
 
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steelersfan1243 said:
Does anyone know the difference between cognitive dissonance and drive reduction? For example this problem:

A woman is on a diet but she experienced a moment of weakness and a ate a doughnut. She feels guilty about "breaking" her deit, so she decides to spend an extra 30 minutes at the gym. Her behavior can be attributed to which of the following processes?

A. Cognitive Dissonance
B. Drive Reduction
C. Social Loafing
D. Classical Conditioning

I thought Drive Reduction was an internal discomfort, is feeling guilty not an internal discomfort, why? What is the fine line between these two terms?

Any help would be appreciated, please and thank you.
Click to expand...

Drive reduction theory deals with reducing or eliminating internal tension states, but these tension states are the result of biological needs, not wants.
 
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She wanted the donut because she likes them, and she didn't want the donut because of her diet. Holding two obviously conflicting view, and acting upon both. Basically the definition of cognitive dissonance.

I'm with you though, so many of the Psych/Soc passages are very vague and misleading. It's a BS section if you ask me.....
 
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piii said:
Took AAMC full length yesterday:
CP - 78%
CARS - 85%
B - 90%
PS - 81%
83% overall

So far completed:

TPR FL 1: 509
CP - 127 80%
CARS - 126 72%
B - 129 85%
PS - 127 74.5%

TPR FL 2: 507
CP - 127 80%
CARS - 124 60.3%
B - 129 88%
PS - 127 73%

AAMC Official Guide:
CP - 80%
CARS - 87%
B - 79%
PS - 67%

AAMC BIO 1: 87%
AAMC BIO 2: 91%
AAMC CHEM: 84%
AAMC PHYSICS: 84%
AAMC CARS 1: 89%
AAMC CARS 2: 80%

Plan for last two weeks:
Address some Biochem memorization, molecules, etc.
Keep reviewing note cards for all chem/physics equations, and amino acids.
Memorize Psych Soc terms, note cards.
Do about 5 passages in each subject (Bio, chem, physics, psych soc) in the TPR Science work books each day. Want to get another 2000 problems completed and reviewed.
3 TPR CARS passages each day, timed. Do 2 passage 10 minute drills every few days.
Take 2 more full lengths.
Have no life.

F**K
Click to expand...

sounds like you're well on your way to a great score!!
 
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Hey guys, can someone guide me to the FL AAMC practice exam? I have purchased it, but I can't find it on the website. I plan on taking it either this weekend or next. Probably next, considering I have one more FL ExamKrackers left to take. Thanks!!
 
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steelersfan1243 said:
Does anyone know the difference between cognitive dissonance and drive reduction? For example this problem:

A woman is on a diet but she experienced a moment of weakness and a ate a doughnut. She feels guilty about "breaking" her deit, so she decides to spend an extra 30 minutes at the gym. Her behavior can be attributed to which of the following processes?

A. Cognitive Dissonance
B. Drive Reduction
C. Social Loafing
D. Classical Conditioning

I thought Drive Reduction was an internal discomfort, is feeling guilty not an internal discomfort, why? What is the fine line between these two terms?

Any help would be appreciated, please and thank you.
Click to expand...
The BEST answer would be cognitive dissonance because her actions in eating a donut contradicted her inner beliefs (that donuts are bad) which gave rise to a mental stress or discomfort (feeling guilty). The reason it is not a drive is because the discomfort was merely guilt as a result of her actions, not a result of a biological/basic need. Although you could say the act of eating a donut could be attributed to drive reduction, but cognitive dissonance is clearly the better answer.
 
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JohnDoe12 said:
Hey guys, can someone guide me to the FL AAMC practice exam? I have purchased it, but I can't find it on the website. I plan on taking it either this weekend or next. Probably next, considering I have one more FL ExamKrackers left to take. Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Go to e-mcat.com and log in with the credentials you received after purchasing the test. You will see it as an available test to take on the right hand side
 
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Just took the 120 official guide under timed conditions (45 min/section), I didn't do the VR because I've pounded out an hour and forty mins of CARS already... anyways my scores were as follows

Bio: 70%
PS 87%
Psych 84%

I'm quite upset at the Bio score, especially as it has been my highest scoring section lately... however I'm very pleased with the PS score as I've been working hard the last few weeks to increase my Physics and chemistry knowledge.
I took the FL at the beginning of my prep and my Bio score then was a 73%. Not really sure what to make of this
 
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Venous Returnus said:
Drive reduction theory deals with reducing or eliminating internal tension states, but these tension states are the result of biological needs, not wants.
Click to expand...
Sir.SavaLottaLife said:
The BEST answer would be cognitive dissonance because her actions in eating a donut contradicted her inner beliefs (that donuts are bad) which gave rise to a mental stress or discomfort (feeling guilty). The reason it is not a drive is because the discomfort was merely guilt as a result of her actions, not a result of a biological/basic need. Although you could say the act of eating a donut could be attributed to drive reduction, but cognitive dissonance is clearly the better answer.
Click to expand...
Thank you guys! It seems I had a loose definition of what a "drive" was, this helped clarify it!
 
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mikil100 said:
Just took the 120 official guide under timed conditions (45 min/section), I didn't do the VR because I've pounded out an hour and forty mins of CARS already... anyways my scores were as follows

Bio: 70%
PS 87%
Psych 84%

I'm quite upset at the Bio score, especially as it has been my highest scoring section lately... however I'm very pleased with the PS score as I've been working hard the last few weeks to increase my Physics and chemistry knowledge.
I took the FL at the beginning of my prep and my Bio score then was a 73%. Not really sure what to make of this
Click to expand...

I wouldn't sweat it too much. The bio on the official guide seemed more difficult than usual. I'd say to just review the concepts behind the questions you missed and try not to let the actual score stress you out. Regardless though, 70% isn't bad at all! 🙂
 
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Caffein3 said:
Just got verified!! So weird to think this whole process is actually happening. We all grow up so fast ! :laugh:
Click to expand...

Great news! Yeah after that point it gets very surreal. Out of curiosity though, for the people in this thread, it's somewhat of a risk getting verified before even taking the MCAT correct?
 
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Took the 2nd EK today. Slight improvement from the first one, but still not where I'd like to be at. Still making some stupid mistakes, along with the occasional gap in content knowledge. Went from 77% overall in the first one (42/59, 40/53, 46/59, 49/59) to 83% overall (46/59, 42/53, 50/59, 53/59). Still so hard to sit and focus for over 6 hours, despite this being the 4th or 5th time I've written a FL exam. Hopefully will improve in the 3rd EK exam, although I seem to recall some people saying the 2nd was easier. How's everyone else doing as we get closer? Anyone else feeling super burnt out? 🙁 I feel like I'm getting to that point, but trying to push through since we're only 2 weeks away!
 
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soccergurl1987 said:
Took the 2nd EK today. Slight improvement from the first one, but still not where I'd like to be at. Still making some stupid mistakes, along with the occasional gap in content knowledge. Went from 77% overall in the first one (42/59, 40/53, 46/59, 49/59) to 83% overall (46/59, 42/53, 50/59, 53/59). Still so hard to sit and focus for over 6 hours, despite this being the 4th or 5th time I've written a FL exam. Hopefully will improve in the 3rd EK exam, although I seem to recall some people saying the 2nd was easier. How's everyone else doing as we get closer? Anyone else feeling super burnt out? 🙁 I feel like I'm getting to that point, but trying to push through since we're only 2 weeks away!
Click to expand...
Those scores are very good for an EK exam!

stressingout said:
I wouldn't sweat it too much. The bio on the official guide seemed more difficult than usual. I'd say to just review the concepts behind the questions you missed and try not to let the actual score stress you out. Regardless though, 70% isn't bad at all! 🙂
Click to expand...
Thanks! Yeah I'm not super concerned, I don't think its a gap in knowledge because on the two bio packs of 120 questions each I scored 93% for each. When I looked back I made 3 stupid errors that I really shouldn't have, one of which was accidentally selecting the wrong option...needless to say I was relieve and mad at myself. Those kinds of mistakes can't be made on the real thing!

DocMarz47 said:
Great news! Yeah after that point it gets very surreal. Out of curiosity though, for the people in this thread, it's somewhat of a risk getting verified before even taking the MCAT correct?
Click to expand...

Well, other than not having submitted mine because I haven't really worked on my PS :whistle:, I would NOT submit to the actual schools you want until you get an MCAT or at least preliminary. You can submit to a throw away school to get the verification process started, though.


I think the verification process takes about as long as it takes to get scores, so in theory if you have your ducks in a row and submit right after you take your MCAT it probably won't delay things much, or at all!
 
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mikil100 said:
Well, other than not having submitted mine because I haven't really worked on my PS :whistle:, I would NOT submit to the actual schools you want until you get an MCAT or at least preliminary. You can submit to a throw away school to get the verification process started, though.

I think the verification process takes about as long as it takes to get scores, so in theory if you have your ducks in a row and submit right after you take your MCAT it probably won't delay things much, or at all!
Click to expand...

Indeed these were my exact thoughts on the matter. Thanks.
 
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soccergurl1987 said:
Took the 2nd EK today. Slight improvement from the first one, but still not where I'd like to be at. Still making some stupid mistakes, along with the occasional gap in content knowledge. Went from 77% overall in the first one (42/59, 40/53, 46/59, 49/59) to 83% overall (46/59, 42/53, 50/59, 53/59). Still so hard to sit and focus for over 6 hours, despite this being the 4th or 5th time I've written a FL exam. Hopefully will improve in the 3rd EK exam, although I seem to recall some people saying the 2nd was easier. How's everyone else doing as we get closer? Anyone else feeling super burnt out? 🙁 I feel like I'm getting to that point, but trying to push through since we're only 2 weeks away!
Click to expand...
I have no doubt you're going to have a top 2%tile MCAT score. You can probably afford to take a week off if you're feeling burnt out
 
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mikil100 said:
Trying to make the curve a little easier are we? 😉
Click to expand...
That would be nice but I'm actually serious. Think about it someone who's scoring exceptionally well is not going to lose much if anything in a week. And then there will still be a week left for another FL and some last minute review. It's certainly what I would do if I was in that position (scoring <90% on the AAMC FL and <80% on EK/other TP companies).
 
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