The Official June 21, 2014 MCAT thread

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xoxx said:
No the scale isn't "pre-set" per say.
The AAMC is chosen to make the MCAT because of their consistent predictability.
They set all scores so that they follow the EXACT same bell curve with the EXACT same tails and mean each and every single time.
The curve will be done by a computer so that if the data is skewed one direction or another, it will be corrected to match the pre-determined bell curve.
AKA they aim to make everything approximately normally distributed. Now for who decides what data set the bell curve is chosen from? That is up for debate.
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Source? Judging from AAMC's statement, it does not seem that the actual performance would be factored into the score determination. and the rational would be that if the students happen to do better as a group on a specific day, then they are not punished by the curve. I could be wrong. Which is why I'd like to know from where you have the information that the computer will adjust the curve in cases of skewing?
 
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Friendly_female_house said:
Source? Judging from AAMC's statement, it does not seem that the actual performance would be factored into the score determination. and the rational would be that if the students happen to do better as a group on a specific day, then they are not punished by the curve. I could be wrong. Which is why I'd like to know from where you have the information that the computer will adjust the curve in cases of skewing?
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To be completely honest, who really knows how it happens. AAMC says the curve is preset, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do some tweaking during these 30 days.
 
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Saxappeal1 said:
I don't know what BS section you took femalefriendly house but there were about 1.5 passages on mine that almost seemed unreasonable.
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I took the same one as you did. I did not report just my personal anecdotal. I knew tons of people taking it that day. I knew six in my testing center on the same floor with me. Many agree that despite the format SEEMED unreasonable, the questions aren't bad--although in no ways this opinion reflect how well me and my friends did. It was just an objective opinion regarding the test alone.The key word here is "seemed". If you ever retake the MCAT, you might want to remember that most of the MCAT questions is covered with a thin layer of "seemingly confusing information". Don't panic when you are disoriented and believe in the fact that most MCAT questions aren't hard and try to find THE angle. You know, ultimately I really wish you are right and I'm wrong and that we all get great scores. I wish you good luck.

EDIT: Actually the format seemed so unreasonable, I left behind after the test and typed a long report, with the outdate keyboard provided to me by the testing center, to AAMC telling them that I had an issue with the format being too de novo and even though I felt like I still got all the questions, but it wasn't a fair game. There wasn't any materials that AAMC gave us that remotely resemble the Orgo tests we got, so it's not cool for them just to throw that onto the exam. Were I took it 3 years ago without having solid Ochem education backing me up, I'd be dead.
 
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Friendly_female_house said:
I took the same one as you did. I did not report just my personal anecdotal. I knew tons of people taking it that day. I knew six in my testing center on the same floor with me. Many agree that despite the format SEEMED unreasonable, the questions aren't bad--although in no ways this opinion reflect how well me and my friends did. It was just an objective opinion regarding the test alone.The key word here is "seemed". If you ever retake the MCAT, you might want to remember that most of the MCAT questions is covered with a thin layer of "seemingly confusing information". Don't panic when you are disoriented and believe in the fact that most MCAT questions aren't hard and try to find THE angle. You know, ultimately I really wish you are right and I'm wrong and that we all get great scores. I wish you good luck.

EDIT: Actually the format seemed so unreasonable, I left behind after the test and typed a long report, with the outdate keyboard provided to me by the testing center, to AAMC telling them that I had an issue with the format being too de novo and even though I felt like I still got all the questions, but it wasn't a fair game. There wasn't any materials that AAMC gave us that remotely resemble the Orgo tests we got, so it's not cool for them just to throw that onto the exam. Were I took it 3 years ago without having solid Ochem education backing me up, I'd be dead.
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Coming from someone who /hasn't/ taken orgo, I actually thought the two passages were manageable (thought obviously I don't have my score yet). They just seemed like they used basic orgo knowledge + some common sense.
 
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serenade said:
To be completely honest, who really knows how it happens. AAMC says the curve is preset, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do some tweaking during these 30 days.
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That's what I'm saying we will never know how this test is truly scored which is kind of BS in my opinion
 
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Spriteling said:
Coming from someone who /hasn't/ taken orgo, I actually thought the two passages were manageable (thought obviously I don't have my score yet). They just seemed like they used basic orgo knowledge + some common sense.
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I think they were just in all honesty very convoluted, many of the passages on the BS section were very convoluted and in my opinion beyond the scope of the test. That being said, I personally nearly started having a panic attack half way through that section ( As did arguably the majority of test takers) so for most it is debatable and it is difficult to really make a strong assumption how they did.
 
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Honestly there are some people on here (maybe the same person but i don't keep account of user names) who say the most unreasonable things that makes it look like the people who found it difficult or are struggling either lack common sense or are just plain stupid. Which should not be the case since no one has received their scores yet and humility is one of the most important attribute of being a good physician. I pray we all do well but I also pray that some people should try and humble themselves before uncontrollable situations humble them. Obviously the exam should not be a cake walk but do not downplay anyones difficult experience both subliminally and explicitly.
 
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Yes I like that proposal. I lurk on here frequently to get some encouragement. But I just couldn't hold my tongue any longer on that topic. I dislike arrogant gloats. On a lighter note!! My fellow future physicians. I would make a joke but I suck at jokes lol

Video above is hilarious.. cute stubborn kid
 
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Raincouver said:
May I propose that we stop arguing and help each other relax instead? Good jokes? Funny youtube videos anyone?
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Temple Run 2. I have an addiction and I can't stop playing. Also r/aww on reddit. If you have Netflix, a Mythbusters marathon is always the way to go. (It's what I've done all weekend).
 
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serenade said:
I think they were just in all honesty very convoluted, many of the passages on the BS section were very convoluted and in my opinion beyond the scope of the test. That being said, I personally nearly started having a panic attack half way through that section ( As did arguably the majority of test takers) so for most it is debatable and it is difficult to really make a strong assumption how they did.
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Oh, I totally agree. I have no idea how I did, and I think that's it's as likely that I did badly as that I did well. And things definitely were convoluted. I have an advantage in that I read really quickly, so I think that I was able to spend more time reading individual passages and working through what they meant. I also didn't take very many AAMC practice exams (I mostly stuck with the Kaplan tests that I had), so I don't feel as though I any idea of a 'typical' exam going in, if you know what I mean. I think that probably worked to my advantage in this case, because I was able to stay pretty calm on the crazy passages, since they felt similar to the Kaplan stuff I'd done.
 
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whoadere said:
Honestly there are some people on here (maybe the same person but i don't keep account of user names) who say the most unreasonable things that makes it look like the people who found it difficult or are struggling either lack common sense or are just plain stupid. Which should not be the case since no one has received their scores yet and humility is one of the most important attribute of being a good physician. I pray we all do well but I also pray that some people should try and humble themselves before uncontrollable situations humble them. Obviously the exam should not be a cake walk but do not downplay anyones difficult experience both subliminally and explicitly.
Click to expand...
There is a big difference between "if you don't get this, then you are stupid" vs. "I felt that the tests were fine". Granted, it's a fine line. But people aren't coming here to just get cheered up, SDN is a place where you listen to what other people say. If all information is sugar coated to consider people's feeling, that's be doing more harm than good. I mean, are you literally want only such replies
OMG, it's so hard!!!" "yes!!!! so hard, I agree!!!!!"
and no alternative opinions being expressed? "

A good physician, is a practical physician, who can considers all information, no matter how scary/uncomfortable/different/painful it might sound like.
 
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Friendly_female_house said:
There is a big difference between "if you don't get this, then you are stupid" vs. "I felt that the tests were fine". Granted, it's a fine line. But people aren't coming here to just get cheered up, SDN is a place where you listen to what other people say. If all information is sugar coated to consider people's feeling, that's be doing more harm than good. I mean, are you literally want only such replies
OMG, it's so hard!!!" "yes!!!! so hard, I agree!!!!!"
and no alternative opinions being expressed? "

A good physician, is a practical physician, who can considers all information, no matter how scary/uncomfortable/different/painful it might sound like.
Click to expand...

One thing I will not do with you is go back and forth. I have met "realist" like you and it would be an utter waste of positive energy reasoning with you. I am not telling you or anyone else not to share their opinion but in everything use common sense and be mindful of others. Its a very thin line and you can shift it whichever way you want. Whatever floats your boat.

Wish you the best and hope you do wonderful. I will strongly suggest we go back to the idea of easing the mood and make jokes
 
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Friendly_female_house said:
There is a big difference between "if you don't get this, then you are stupid" vs. "I felt that the tests were fine". Granted, it's a fine line. But people aren't coming here to just get cheered up, SDN is a place where you listen to what other people say. If all information is sugar coated to consider people's feeling, that's be doing more harm than good. I mean, are you literally want only such replies
OMG, it's so hard!!!" "yes!!!! so hard, I agree!!!!!"
and no alternative opinions being expressed? "

A good physician, is a practical physician, who can considers all information, no matter how scary/uncomfortable/different/painful it might sound like.
Click to expand...


You've got to be kidding me right now. I agree with you that this is a place to be realistic and connect with future colleagues but the types of arguments you guys have been having today serve absolutely no purpose other than to needlessly upset people because:

A) There is nothing we can do about an exam we already wrote
B) AAMC is not going to come on here and officially declare their procedure for scaling
C) No one is gonna "win" anything for being right or the best commenter or whatever.

If you don't want to relax, then yes talk about applications and other pre-med related things but don't argue and state opinions that are just of no value at this point.
 
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whoadere said:
One thing I will not do with you is go back and forth. I have met "realist" like you and it would be an utter waste of positive energy reasoning with you. I am not telling you or anyone else not to share their opinion but in everything use common sense and be mindful of others. Its a very thin line and you can shift it whichever way you want. Whatever floats your boat.

Wish you the best and hope you do wonderful. I will strongly suggest we go back to the idea of easing the mood and make jokes
Click to expand...
so passive aggro, why you so mad?
 
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Raincouver said:
You've got to be kidding me right now. I agree with you that this is a place to be realistic and connect with future colleagues but the types of arguments you guys have been having today serve absolutely no purpose other than to needlessly upset people because:

A) There is nothing we can do about an exam we already wrote
B) AAMC is not going to come on here and officially declare their procedure for scaling
C) No one is gonna "win" anything for being right or the best commenter or whatever.

If you don't want to relax, then yes talk about applications and other pre-med related things but don't argue and state opinions that are just of no value at this point.
Click to expand...

1. I thought this thread's persistent popularity after the MCAT ended was precisely because it provide people a place to talk about the exam that already happened. Application and other related things have their own threads.
2. I disagree as to there isn't any function regarding talking about the difficulty of the tests. I mean, people are depending on such information to make a lot of decisions here.
 
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Friendly_female_house said:
1. I thought this thread's persistent popularity after the MCAT ended was precisely because it provide people a place to talk about the exam that we already wrote. Application and other related things have their own threads.
2. I disagree as to there isn't any function regarding talking about the difficulty of the tests. I mean, people are depending on such information to make a lot of decisions here.
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Right. There are many wonderful people here who have been commenting on how difficult or fair the exam was. Future exam takers have also asked for advice and people on this thread have helped. No one opposed them so far. Given that others share my aversion to SOME of the comments you make, it is plausible to presume that perhaps you're simply not aware of your condescending tone.
 
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Spriteling said:
Oh, I totally agree. I have no idea how I did, and I think that's it's as likely that I did badly as that I did well. And things definitely were convoluted. I have an advantage in that I read really quickly, so I think that I was able to spend more time reading individual passages and working through what they meant. I also didn't take very many AAMC practice exams (I mostly stuck with the Kaplan tests that I had), so I don't feel as though I any idea of a 'typical' exam going in, if you know what I mean. I think that probably worked to my advantage in this case, because I was able to stay pretty calm on the crazy passages, since they felt similar to the Kaplan stuff I'd done.
Click to expand...


Who knows, I called the test a fluke because well.. I lost my nerve
 
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Raincouver said:
Right. There are many wonderful people here who have been commenting on how difficult or fair the exam was. Future exam takers have also asked for advice and people on this thread have helped. No one opposed them so far. Given that others share my aversion to SOME of the comments you make, it is plausible to presume that perhaps you're simply not aware of your condescending tone.
Click to expand...
I have made comments regarding how, in my view, the MCAT exam questions can be deciphered and I did that with the intention to share some exam taking strategy/attitude. Those worked wonder for me for lifting my science session score significantly and quickly.
I am sorry that might came across as arrogant simply by the fact that I positioned myself as advice giver. because it certainly carry an assumption that I am better than others. I am not better and I'll watch out from now on.
Like everybody here, I share the same deep fear, that somehow all of our efforts were wasted and that we fail to meet each of our own expectations.
Now everybody relax and have a drink on me.
 
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Friendly_female_house said:
I have made comments regarding how, in my view, the MCAT exam questions can be deciphered and I did that with the intention to share some exam taking strategy/attitude. Those worked wonder for me for lifting my science session score significantly and quickly.
I am sorry that might came across as arrogant simply by the fact that I positioned myself as advice giver. because it certainly carry an assumption that I am better than others. I am not better and I'll watch out from now on.
Like everybody here, I share the same deep fear, that somehow all of our efforts were wasted and that we fail to meet each of our own expectations.
Now everybody relax and have a drink on me.
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Cheers my friend! Best of luck. I'm sure you killed it. It's a tough time for us all, these years of trying to get through the gates. Sending everyone lots of love!
 
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Guys ever try a shower beer? I've heard it's great, I may do it on Tuesday morning.

In terms of awesomeness, the hierarchy goes like this apparently:

Beach beer > hot tub beer > shower beer > after work beer > all the others

Since I had a hot tub beer before, the shower beer can't be too shabby! Just make sure the beer is ice cold and the shower is nice and steamy!
 
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idk about anyone else but i walked out of that exam telling myself that my score wouldnt change if i panicked in the 4 weeks following it. after i pressed "score" just over 4 weeks ago, there's nothing i can do to change my grade. i would go crazy if i stressed about it like some of you seem to be (no offense)
control your controllables folks
 
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Sashka1 is right. I don't feel bad or nervous, it is gone, all we need to do now is celebrate or plan accordingly tomorrow at 3:15.
 
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sashka1 said:
idk about anyone else but i walked out of that exam telling myself that my score wouldnt change if i panicked in the 4 weeks following it. after i pressed "score" just over 4 weeks ago, there's nothing i can do to change my grade. i would go crazy if i stressed about it like some of you seem to be (no offense)
control your controllables folks
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Stress is my middle name. 😛 I worry about literally everything, from the weather to grades to how much my cats eat!
 
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Did the June 13th MCAT score get released like 12:55 pm EST? I feel like that is what I saw on the AAMC Twitter account but I could just be making that up...

Maybe that means we can get our scores even earlier than 3:15?!
 
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