Whats the point of first day diagnostic test?(Kaplan)Waiving High Score Guarante

[RocketSurgeon]

So while signing up for the MCAT kaplan classroom course to access the online material you need to fill this form and pick one of the following...

I really do not want to take the diagnostic..I haven't even completed my content review of course my diagnostic score is going to suck...

Whats the point of a diagnostic without preparation anyway..? Its like giving car keys to a 14 yr old who hasn't ever driven a car and asking him to take a road test..and saying well by the end of your 20hrs of lessons I promise you'll perform better...than you did today...?


If I waive the higher score guarantee..(option 3) can I still retake the course if I do not get the score that I want on later full lengths..??


I am a first time Kaplan student for this course and I do not have a valid official test score, so I will use the Kaplan Diagnostic for my baseline score.
I am a first time Kaplan student for this course and I have an official test score.
I am not taking a proctored diagnostic so I will waive the Higher Score Guarantee. [For MCAT, GRE and GMAT students only, I am not taking a diagnostic prior to my second training session so I will waive the Higher Score Guarantee. For On Demand students only, I am not taking a self-proctored diagnostic so I will waive the Higher Score Guarantee.]
I am ineligible because I have previously taken a Kaplan course for the particular test for which I am studying OR I am not studying in an eligible country.

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[MilkIsGood]

So while signing up for the MCAT kaplan classroom course to access the online material you need to fill this form and pick one of the following...

I really do not want to take the diagnostic..I haven't even completed my content review of course my diagnostic score is going to suck...

Whats the point of a diagnostic without preparation anyway..? Its like giving car keys to a 14 yr old who hasn't ever driven a car and asking him to take a road test..and saying well by the end of your 20hrs of lessons I promise you'll perform better...than you did today...?


If I waive the higher score guarantee..(option 3) can I still retake the course if I do not get the score that I want on later full lengths..??


I am a first time Kaplan student for this course and I do not have a valid official test score, so I will use the Kaplan Diagnostic for my baseline score.
I am a first time Kaplan student for this course and I have an official test score.
I am not taking a proctored diagnostic so I will waive the Higher Score Guarantee. [For MCAT, GRE and GMAT students only, I am not taking a diagnostic prior to my second training session so I will waive the Higher Score Guarantee. For On Demand students only, I am not taking a self-proctored diagnostic so I will waive the Higher Score Guarantee.]
I am ineligible because I have previously taken a Kaplan course for the particular test for which I am studying OR I am not studying in an eligible country.

the way these test prep companies guarantee works is that if you dont beat your diagnostic score, you can retake the class or maybe even get a refund. most people get really low scores on the diagnostics, and it is designed that way. it's also a good way of seeing where you stand, and you're not really wasting a test since kaplan provides you with a ton

 

[FrkyBgStok]

from what i have heard (from no real reliable source) the diagnostic test in the beginning is supposed to be incredibly hard so they don't lose money. good marketing campaign actually.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

from what i have heard (from no real reliable source) the diagnostic test in the beginning is supposed to be incredibly hard so they don't lose money. good marketing campaign actually.

i have personally not found this to be the case

 

[apumic]

i have personally not found this to be the case

Does Kaplan use one of their 11 FLs as the diag? If so, you could actually game the system....

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Does Kaplan use one of their 11 FLs as the diag? If so, you could actually game the system....

no it's a separate exam as far as i'm aware.

 

[LaurenMCAT]

So while signing up for the MCAT kaplan classroom course to access the online material you need to fill this form and pick one of the following...

I really do not want to take the diagnostic..I haven't even completed my content review of course my diagnostic score is going to suck...

Whats the point of a diagnostic without preparation anyway..?

If I waive the higher score guarantee..(option 3) can I still retake the course if I do not get the score that I want on later full lengths..??

Hey RocketSurgeon

You bring up a much lamented issue: the Kaplan diagnostic exam!

You're in good company because a lot of students DON'T want to take the diagnostic - it's a bit of a confidence killer for some - but that's kind of the point! I can't tell you how many students overestimate their skills as applied to the MCAT. Even if you're a 4.0 kid, you can't automatically assume that you'll get a 40 on the MCAT without studying.

Here are a few factiods about the Kaplan Diagnostic Exam:

- it is NOT a full-length practice exam (it's abbreviated), so it is not one of the 11 Kaplan FL CBTs

- it is separate from the Science Assessment and Personal Profile (both which need to be completed fully)

- most students score in the teens and twenties (I can count on one or two hands the number of kids I've personally seen score a 30 or above - its very rare)

- it does not tell you how high or low your ACTUAL MCAT SCORE on Test Day will be (that depends on your study habits and determination)

- it is computer-based, no longer administered in the classroom by a proctor

- your results are available immediately

- whatever your score is, there is no reason to become despondent or lose confidence! think about this: the LOWER your score, the more reason you have to study hard and the BETTER you'll feel after achieving a great MCAT score on Test Day! a low diagnostic score = lots of room for improvement (telling people you improved 15 points is awesome!)

- you are correct - your diagnostic exam results absolutely play a part in your Higher Score Guarantee! think about every other science experiment you've ever done or read about - don't you NEED a baseline to measure the effects of the treatment? this exam IS your baseline!

- the sooner you take your diagnostic exam, the sooner you can begin prepping for the MCAT, specifically in the areas that you didn't test so well on the diagnostic!

- WARNING: those students who test highly on the diagnostic may become "cocky" or less-motivated about their MCAT prep and don't always fulfill their potential! some of my "cockiest" students in class were high scorers on their diagnostic and never took full advantage of classroom lessons...don't be that person. EVER.

- Moms, Dads, best friends, dogs, cats, etc. give great hugs - especially after the diagnostic. do it, get it done, don't dwell, move on.

Regarding the Kaplan Higher Score Guarantee, outlined in depth on the Kaplan website, I'm of the understanding that you cannot waive the HSG, yet invoke it later to extend your resources. Specifically...

"*You must be enrolled in a Kaplan full classroom, tutoring, or online course that began on or after August 11, 2003, and attend all required classes or make-up sessions, complete all required tests, and complete all of your required homework as outlined on your student homepage. If you feel that you are not ready to take the exam or are not satisfied with your score on the actual exam, you may repeat the full course for free for classroom and online students, and complete the full classroom course for free plus purchase additional tutoring hours at $75/hour for tutoring students. Your free repeat course must prepare you for a test date within the next 3 months, or the next available test date. If your total score is not higher on the actual exam than your earlier, official test score or your Kaplan diagnostic (if you did not take the actual test before), you may repeat the full program for free or get a full refund. To invoke the Higher Score Guarantee, you must notify Kaplan within 90 days after the date your course access ends. To be eligible for the refund, you must present a copy of your official score report, your diagnostic score results, and your course materials at the time you invoke the guarantee. The Higher Score Guarantee only applies to Kaplan courses taken and completed within the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and France. Courses completed in Puerto Rico do not qualify if they began before June 15, 2006."

Does that make sense? The HSG is pretty cool - it's not meant to trap you or take advantage of you! It's designed to support you in your goal to rock the MCAT and gain admission to medical school - which is awesome! We want you to know UP FRONT that there are great options for you if FOR ANY REASON you don't feel ready to take the exam on your intended Test Day, or if you score lower than your diagnostic!

Thanks, RocketSurgeon, for posting a good question that LOTS of other students have, but don't verbalize. 👍 Best of luck to you in your MCAT prep! Holler back if I can help with anything else 😀

 

[LaurenMCAT]

from what i have heard (from no real reliable source) the diagnostic test in the beginning is supposed to be incredibly hard so they don't lose money. good marketing campaign actually.

Hmmm...not the case, actually. Sorry! (But you're right - that would be a good marketing campaign - in the short run, only.)

We only make money when our students actually SUCCEED in rocking the exam and going on to medical school! In fact, "More people get into medical school with a Kaplan MCAT course than with any other major course." - Kaplan website

Sadly, I scored really high on the diagnostic exam and got a little cocky about my progress. I WISH I had scored lower and been given more motivation to study study study...especially VR!!!! It is NOT cool to say, "Well, yeah, I scored in the 90+ percentile, but I only improved 3 points from my diagnostic." I WISH I could say...I improved 15 points! How awesome would that be?!?!? (I'm one of those kids that doesn't really feel satisfied with their score unless I'm on the very very top...alas...)

IMHO...the diagnostic is much easier than the actual practice exams. But that's just me!