What's all the hype about AAMC 10 & 11?

[Temperature101]

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I must start by saying that I am not doing too good on my AAMC practice tests due to VR... On most of my AAMCs test, my PS and BS scores have been 10-11 and 9-10 respectively but my VR scores have been 5-9 (mostly 6)... Many here have been saying AAMC10 & 11 are significant different and harder than the earlier AAMC test. However, I just took AAMC 10 (though I did not do that well on it)... 11/6/10. I can't help but to notice that there are NO freaking differences between this test and the other that I took. My question is: why people have been saying that the later tests are hareder and so different from the earlier ones? I have yet to take 11-- maybe it will be completely different...

 

[SN12357]

I must start by saying that I am not doing too good on my AAMC practice tests due to VR... On most of my AAMCs test, my PS and BS scores have been 10-11 and 9-10 respectively but my VR scores have been 5-9 (mostly 6)... Many here have been saying AAMC10 & 11 are significant different and harder than the earlier AAMC test. However, I just took AAMC 10 (though I did not do that well on it)... 11/6/10. I can't help but to notice that there are NO freaking differences between this test and the other that I took. My question is: why people have been saying that the later tests are hareder and so different from the earlier ones? I have yet to take 11-- maybe it will be completely different...

I don't understand it either. All the AAMCs seemed the same to me. I was consistent in my scores on them and the actual test.

 

[Synapsis]

My friend said he thought the later AAMCs were the same, maybe easier. It could be the style of the BS that trips people up. I have yet to take them (AAMC 8 is next for me, tomorrow).

I can say that I know the curves are harder for them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the science ranges for 13-15 are 50-52 and for 13-15 for VR is 38-40. Oxelhs mentioned that, on AAMC 11, he got an 11 in VR with a 36/40. So if you are getting many wrong now, you will have to step it up or you may see your 10 and 11 scores suffer, regardless of their difficulty.

 

[oxelhs]

My friend said he thought the later AAMCs were the same, maybe easier. It could be the style of the BS that trips people up. I have yet to take them (AAMC 8 is next for me, tomorrow).

I can say that I know the curves are harder for them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the science ranges for 13-15 are 50-52 and for 13-15 for VR is 38-40. Oxelhs mentioned that, on AAMC 11, he got an 11 in VR with a 36/40. So if you are getting many wrong now, you will have to step it up or you may see your 10 and 11 scores suffer, regardless of their difficulty.

I got the 36/40 for AAMC 10 - the same score would get a 12 on AAMC #11. I'm not sure if this talk about later tests being "harder" is true. Certainly for me, I've been scoring higher and higher with the later tests - AAMC 3 remains my lowest mark at a 32. So take it all with a grain of salt.

 

[Roxas]

fwiw I feel like the curve on the real thing is much more forgiving, but I guess it depends on your test. I just know I lost concentration about halfway through VR and didn't understand any of the passages after that and still scraped by with an 8.

 

[Temperature101]

fwiw I feel like the curve on the real thing is much more forgiving, but I guess it depends on your test. I just know I lost concentration about halfway through VR and didn't understand any of the passages after that and still scraped by with an 8.

Many have said that they feel like VR on the real thing was easier than the practice tests... I am hoping that is the case because I have been crushed by VR on these practice tests... I hate the thought that VR might stop me from getting my professional dream accomplished....

 

[Roxas]

Many have said that they feel like VR on the real thing was easier than the practice tests... I am hoping that is the case because I have been crushed by VR on these practice tests... I hate the thought that VR might stop me from getting my professional dream accomplished....

Are you ESL? Can you pinpoint why you are having a hard time?

 

[Temperature101]

Are you ESL? Can you pinpoint why you are having a hard time?

Yeah I am ESL... My problem is not understanding the Humanity and Natural science passages very well....

 

[Synapsis]

I got the 36/40 for AAMC 10 - the same score would get a 12 on AAMC #11. I'm not sure if this talk about later tests being "harder" is true. Certainly for me, I've been scoring higher and higher with the later tests - AAMC 3 remains my lowest mark at a 32. So take it all with a grain of salt.

Ohh okay got it. Thought it was 10 for some reason. Fact remains that 36/40 is a great VR score, and personally I'd expect a scaled score of like 13 from that.

 

[Gauss44]

I must start by saying that I am not doing too good on my AAMC practice tests due to VR... On most of my AAMCs test, my PS and BS scores have been 10-11 and 9-10 respectively but my VR scores have been 5-9 (mostly 6)... Many here have been saying AAMC10 & 11 are significant different and harder than the earlier AAMC test. However, I just took AAMC 10 (though I did not do that well on it)... 11/6/10. I can't help but to notice that there are NO freaking differences between this test and the other that I took. My question is: why people have been saying that the later tests are hareder and so different from the earlier ones? I have yet to take 11-- maybe it will be completely different...

Relevant, but not to your question: AAMC 11 and 10 are the most recent AAMC practice tests and are most representative of the real thing.

Regarding your question: I found AAMC 3 to be more difficult in terms of VR than any of the other AAMC practice tests, and my score reflected that. In terms of VR, AAMC 10 and 11 were much easier than AAMC 3, judging by my score. That's all I can say with producing a spoiler. If you've already taken AAMC 3, 11, and 10 and want specifics, you can PM me.

My best guess is that those who say AAMC 10 and 11 are difficult are focusing on the sciences rather than verbal.

 

[Narmerguy]

I actually didn't notice any real difference in difficulty for those two either. In fact, they were my highest practice tests.

 

[Roxas]

Yeah I am ESL... My problem is not understanding the Humanity and Natural science passages very well....

First of all, I'm no VR expert so take everything I say with a hefty grain of salt. Are there any strategies that you currently use? Like the EK strategy seems to be what works most for people.

 

[Temperature101]

First of all, I'm no VR expert so take everything I say with a hefty grain of salt. Are there any strategies that you currently use? Like the EK strategy seems to be what works most for people.

Not using any particular strategy (ies)... Just read the passages and answer the questions. I have to go back to the passages most of the time...

 

[gettheleadout]

Ohh okay got it. Thought it was 10 for some reason. Fact remains that 36/40 is a great VR score, and personally I'd expect a scaled score of like 13 from that.

Dude, seriously. The scale in VR is crazy harsh because there's only 40 questions. Am I the only one who would prefer another two passages and 52 questions?

I actually didn't notice any real difference in difficulty for those two either. In fact, they were my highest practice tests.

That's awesomely encouraging! 😀

 

[orderofthescar]

Dude, seriously. The scale in VR is crazy harsh because there's only 40 questions. Am I the only one who would prefer another two passages and 52 questions?

Nope, you're not alone there. Once you hit the ~12 range in VR, doesn't the scale become roughly 1 question = 1 point? That's brutal.

 

[gettheleadout]

Nope, you're not alone there. Once you hit the ~12 range in VR, doesn't the scale become roughly 1 question = 1 point? That's brutal.

Yep, I've experienced as much so far haha.

 

[Gauss44]

Dude, seriously. The scale in VR is crazy harsh because there's only 40 questions. Am I the only one who would prefer another two passages and 52 questions?

Agreed.

Luck and chance play way too heavy of a role once you start scoring above 12, IMO.

(Some of these questions really are a matter of interpretation. As an example: If you take a good look at #75 on AAMC FL 10, you will see what I mean. If you don't, ask a few friends to repeat the question stem using different words, you will find that different people think they are asking a different question. Note that there are no spoilers here. Luckily, I got that one right, so no need for me to ask about it.)

 

[Roxas]

Not using any particular strategy (ies)... Just read the passages and answer the questions. I have to go back to the passages most of the time...

EK recommends reading and trying to grasp the main idea of the passage, as well as what you think the author thinks and feels about everything in the passage. This cuts down on going back to the passage quite a bit, since you can answer most of the questions just by knowing what the main idea is about. Obviously there are those random detail questions, but if you have to go back to the passage too often in will kill you. Also they say to try and extract as much information as you can from the question stems and answer choices. This means that often times a question will actually point out something very relevant in the passage, but it could be subtle. Also answer choices can give a lot away, like often you will see 2 answer choices saying basically the same thing, and you can eliminate those 2 right away.

 

[Temperature101]

EK recommends reading and trying to grasp the main idea of the passage, as well as what you think the author thinks and feels about everything in the passage. This cuts down on going back to the passage quite a bit, since you can answer most of the questions just by knowing what the main idea is about. Obviously there are those random detail questions, but if you have to go back to the passage too often in will kill you. Also they say to try and extract as much information as you can from the question stems and answer choices. This means that often times a question will actually point out something very relevant in the passage, but it could be subtle. Also answer choices can give a lot away, like often you will see 2 answer choices saying basically the same thing, and you can eliminate those 2 right away.

Thanks... I am praying that I can repeat the 9 that I got in AAMC 4 on the actual thing....

 

[Roxas]

Thanks... I am praying that I can repeat the 9 that I got in AAMC 4 on the actual thing....

I also got a 9 on AAMC #4, which I really hope wasn't just luck haha. Like I said, the real thing seemed to be easier. The passages were more interesting, and I know there is no way I would have scored an 8 in the curve wasn't pretty forgiving.

 

[Patassa]

I must start by saying that I am not doing too good on my AAMC practice tests due to VR... On most of my AAMCs test, my PS and BS scores have been 10-11 and 9-10 respectively but my VR scores have been 5-9 (mostly 6)... Many here have been saying AAMC10 & 11 are significant different and harder than the earlier AAMC test. However, I just took AAMC 10 (though I did not do that well on it)... 11/6/10. I can't help but to notice that there are NO freaking differences between this test and the other that I took. My question is: why people have been saying that the later tests are hareder and so different from the earlier ones? I have yet to take 11-- maybe it will be completely different...

I think they are talking about the science sections. VR was pretty much the same to me on every practice test, I either made a 10 or an 11 on every one and got a 10 on the real thing.

But when it comes to PS, only #11 was even close to helpful for the June 20th, 2pm test I had. The amount of math and equation manipulation put the fear of God in me and a lot of other people here.

 

[gettheleadout]

I think they are talking about the science sections. VR was pretty much the same to me on every practice test, I either made a 10 or an 11 on every one and got a 10 on the real thing.

But when it comes to PS, only #11 was even close to helpful for the June 20th, 2pm test I had. The amount of math and equation manipulation put the fear of God in me and a lot of other people here.

I truly can't imagine it being much worse than TBR's hardest Gen Chem and Physics questions.

 

[kehlsh]

if you are getting mostly 6, you will most likely get 6-7 in the real thing..

work on ur verbal !

 

[Temperature101]

]if you are getting mostly 6, you will most likely get 6-7 in the real thing..

work on ur verbal [/B]!

I know.... I am working on it...

 

[Patassa]

I truly can't imagine it being much worse than TBR's hardest Gen Chem and Physics questions.

In the review books or on the practice tests? I can say that they were harder than the problems in the review books, but I can't speak to the practice tests. Go read our June 20th mcat thread and see the horror, though it must have been curved to hell and back because several of us who had to christmas tree an entire passage just to finish still got 10+ on it. It's a strange test, I'm just glad it's over. Most miserable 5 weeks of studying and 4 weeks of waiting.

 

[Forkit]

I must start by saying that I am not doing too good on my AAMC practice tests due to VR... On most of my AAMCs test, my PS and BS scores have been 10-11 and 9-10 respectively but my VR scores have been 5-9 (mostly 6)... Many here have been saying AAMC10 & 11 are significant different and harder than the earlier AAMC test. However, I just took AAMC 10 (though I did not do that well on it)... 11/6/10. I can't help but to notice that there are NO freaking differences between this test and the other that I took. My question is: why people have been saying that the later tests are hareder and so different from the earlier ones? I have yet to take 11-- maybe it will be completely different...

There is NO difference in difficulty between AAMC 10 + 11 and the others practice AAMC tests IMO. I have two possible explanations for this phenomenon:

1.) Those discussing the level of difficulty of the respective AAMC tests have NOT actually yet completed those tests, and are blindly jumping on the hype train.

2.) Students are influenced by other factors, such as word of mouth here at SDN, or with the false pretense that the "later" AAMC tests are harder than the "earlier" AAMC tests, assuming one engages in these tests in numerical order. Some still believe the AAMC tests are the most representative of the actual MCAT, even though these are the same practice tests that were first released almost TWO decades ago (they were released in the mid-90s according to AAMC themselves)

You would be amazed at how many people here liberally share their (unfounded) opinions about prep material and practice tests of various companies, without actually reviewing the materials themselves first. Many are swayed by posts in the 30+ thread or SN2ed's suggestions and take it as the gospel truth. Even if there is a consensus about relative difficulty of AAMC tests, SDN represents only a small subgroup of pre-med students and MCAT test takers.

 

[gettheleadout]

There is NO difference in difficulty between AAMC 10 + 11 and the others practice AAMC tests IMO. I have two possible explanations for this phenomenon:

1.) Those discussing the level of difficulty of the respective AAMC tests have NOT actually yet completed those tests, and are blindly jumping on the hype train.

2.) Students are influenced by other factors, such as word of mouth here at SDN, or with the false pretense that the "later" AAMC tests are harder than the "earlier" AAMC tests, assuming one engages in these tests in numerical order. Some still believe the AAMC tests are the most representative of the actual MCAT, even though these are the same practice tests that were first released almost TWO decades ago (they were released in the mid-90s according to AAMC themselves)

You would be amazed at how many people here liberally share their (unfounded) opinions about prep material and practice tests of various companies, without actually reviewing the materials themselves first. Many are swayed by posts in the 30+ thread or SN2ed's suggestions and take it as the gospel truth. Even if there is a consensus about relative difficulty of AAMC tests, SDN represents only a small subgroup of pre-med students and MCAT test takers.

Source? I seem to recall AAMC 11 being released in the last several years.

 

[Temperature101]

There is NO difference in difficulty between AAMC 10 + 11 and the others practice AAMC tests IMO. I have two possible explanations for this phenomenon:

1.) Those discussing the level of difficulty of the respective AAMC tests have NOT actually yet completed those tests, and are blindly jumping on the hype train.

2.) Students are influenced by other factors, such as word of mouth here at SDN, or with the false pretense that the "later" AAMC tests are harder than the "earlier" AAMC tests, assuming one engages in these tests in numerical order. Some still believe the AAMC tests are the most representative of the actual MCAT, even though these are the same practice tests that were first released almost TWO decades ago (they were released in the mid-90s according to AAMC themselves)

You would be amazed at how many people here liberally share their (unfounded) opinions about prep material and practice tests of various companies, without actually reviewing the materials themselves first. Many are swayed by posts in the 30+ thread or SN2ed's suggestions and take it as the gospel truth. Even if there is a consensus about relative difficulty of AAMC tests, SDN represents only a small subgroup of pre-med students and MCAT test takers.

I have been guilty of that... I took AAMC 10 today and as I was finishing the PS section, I said to myself that I remember seeing many posts on SDN that say the later AAMC are way harder than... hmmm I probably bombed that stuff since I only marked about 5 questions that I was unsure about ... I said maybe they are talking about the BS section... And after I finish the BS section I said to myself maybe my test is different than what people talk about here... Over 50% of the BS questions require some knowledge-based to answer them... I just don't get why people keep saying the BS section in AAMC 10 is heavily experimental ... Sure these passages are experimental but they give 3-4 questions that have nothing to do with the experiment...