Where do I stand with the MCAT based on current performance...

[yanks26dmb]

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So I've been taking some MCAT practice sections, timed, to see where I stand. I'm starting out with just BS and VR at the moment. I've completed my pre-reqs, although haven't opened an MCAT study book yet. I'm routinely nailing 70-80% of questions correctly on BS, and 85-90% on VR. Based on loose MCAT scales, this would appear I'm achieving roughly 10's on BS and 13's on VR.

I was set on law school a few years ago and did a lot of LSAT prep/Kaplan course, which I think is now benefiting me with my reading comprehension, as well as allowing me to make better sense of the passage based BS questions.

My question is - is there a rough ballpark you can give me, in terms of where I can expect to go from here..given I'll be doing 4-5 months of very serious MCAT study? I don't consider myself a genius, or even expecting to be top 10% of any medical school class...is getting above 90% a matter of innate ability, rather than a solid study plan? In other words, am I simply starting out closer to my nautural ceiling or are my early successes on MCAT practice tests an indication that I should be expecting a high score, i.e. 35+, with appropriate study. Thank you!

 

[organdonor]

I wouldn't read too much into it at this point. Take a couple full length practice MCAT's if you want to know what your score would be today. Just prepare like you plan to.

10-13 in each section is a pretty good start. 30 is a very acceptable score just under many MD schools average matriculants while 39 is stellar.

 

[zacharyw]

From my personal experience, and many would agree, BS and PS are the two sections you can cram a month or two before whereas VR is more of a slow and steady increase over the years involving tons of reading. So you're certainly in a pretty good shape... I was able to hit near perfect in PS and 95% in BS by the end of my studying from ~80% while in VR I saw maybe a 5% improvements. There are only so many topics in science, do enough questions and similar questions will start appearing and make your life SO much easier.

 

[yanks26dmb]

Thanks for the replies, and the personal ancedote. Would love to hear some more experiences if anyone else is willing to share.

Am I making a correct assumption here: In general, doing more tests/practice questions will make the BS and PS sections easier, and likely raise ones score? Is there any sort of correlation between X number of practice tests/problems and X score on a certain section?

 

[ace12345]

2 months, 2 hours per day, 6 days per week. At least 5 full length exams during that time, no more than 10. A few single subject tests a week depending on where you are scoring. Just taking tests isn't enough though, you need to study the material A LOT. If you follow this schedule diligently, you will do very, very well. PM me if you would like more specifics on what a schedule might look like.

 

[TreadLightly]

Take the average of all tests you've taken while studying.. I can almost guarantee that you will score within 2 points of that. Even if you were scoring lower before and are scoring higher now, you still need to take the average of all those tests.

That's the absolute best indicator of what your score will be. Anything else is just speculation.

If you haven't taken any practice tests, then start taking them once a week along with studying and you will be fine.

 

[zacharyw]

Thanks for the replies, and the personal ancedote. Would love to hear some more experiences if anyone else is willing to share.

Am I making a correct assumption here: In general, doing more tests/practice questions will make the BS and PS sections easier, and likely raise ones score? Is there any sort of correlation between X number of practice tests/problems and X score on a certain section?

It's not just doing it and forgetting about it. First go through over all the major topics on MCAT using PR, Kaplan, and maybe other books. Then do the exam. Anything you're uncertain about, circle it, go back (even if you got it right), and make sure to understand the concept, theory or formula behind it. Try to think of slightly different scenario yourself and try to answer the related question as well. I find these 'active' test practice techniques helped a lot during my study. Soon enough, same question will pop up again and answering them will be second nature to you.