Why this August MCAT is going to screw us:

[russiandoc]

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My Kaplan instructor, who seems like an intelligent guy (scored a 38), told me that because this August there is a record number of people taking the test, and many of them may not be as well prepared but are just taking it to get a last stab at the paper and pencil version (sophmores) the average scores will be lower than usual. Therefore the bell curve, which tries to put most people at an average of 8.2/section will be very high(lots of people will fall into the category) and the extremely high scores 35+ will be harder to attain, meaning you will need to get more questions right than normal. What do you guys think of this. Kind of doesn't make sense to me. I would think the oppositte, but I'm not a statistician. What do you guys think?

 

[shnjb]

That's ******ed.

If average test taker scores lower, then it will be EASIER not HARDER to attain a score that is above 35.

Remember. KAPLAN teachers are not necessarily all that reliable.
You just have to score 33 or above to teach there, which even an idiot could do with the right amount of effort and time.

 

[TPROrgoTutor]

Yea, if the average score is lower it will be much EASIER to recieve those high grades. Not harder. I guess the intelligent guy didn't take statistics?

 

[braluk]

eh i wouldnt base intelligence on mcat scores. he might be a good test taker, but just a blithering idiot after all

 

[heeseop]

i wouldn't think there will be a signficant difference in the number of august test takers compared to last yr's (the registration for aug mcat hasn't even been open for long so i doubt there is a recordbreaking number of people already as ur mcat instructor's comment suggests).

i doubt many ppl would take it just to get a feel for pencil mcat because
first, it's not like SATs, it stays on ur record.
second, why would they want to get a feel for pencil mcat if aamc is getting rid of it.

don't be scared of what others do/say. just give ur best and ull be fine.

 

[braluk]

what i think more of hte case is, students who messed up on the april exam, and have to retake it, will take it in august to submit their app by deadline. other students taking it in august are those who want the early MCAT so they can have their AMCAS completely ready by the time the new AMCAS is released. that gives two huge groups of students, from two different application cycles, all taking it in august. Thus the number of students taking it should increase. That's not to say, however, that the average score will drop, becuase all mcat takers then will probably be just as prepared, if not more (more students have an entire summer to study for august- which might even raise the average MCAT score) who knows just do your best

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

My Kaplan instructor, who seems like an intelligent guy (scored a 38), told me that because this August there is a record number of people taking the test, and many of them may not be as well prepared but are just taking it to get a last stab at the paper and pencil version (sophmores) the average scores will be lower than usual. Therefore the bell curve, which tries to put most people at an average of 8.2/section will be very high(lots of people will fall into the category) and the extremely high scores 35+ will be harder to attain, meaning you will need to get more questions right than normal. What do you guys think of this. Kind of doesn't make sense to me. I would think the oppositte, but I'm not a statistician. What do you guys think?

i'm not trying to burst your bubble, but I would't expect too many changes from past tests. There might be a few people who "take a stab," but thats also the case at every test. Most people simply realize that $200 is worth something, and if you haven't studied for the MCAT, unless you are reeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaly smart, your going to get owned.

also, you have to consider many students will take the august computer test because it's shorter, and many who see that January computer test in the not to distant future and are really excited about a shorter test with faster results as well

i'm not sure everyone just decides to fail the mcat once just to "take a stab" but what do I know i'm 3 days from my score and don't necessarily have it all together myself

 

[Anastasis]

eh i wouldnt base intelligence on mcat scores. he might be a good test taker, but just a blithering idiot after all

👍 👍

Your Kaplan instructor is an idiot. The bell curve is based on percentages not overall numbers. Add to that a huge number of unprepared people taking the exam and it should be easier. Though I don't accept the premise that there will be more unprepared people in August, sorry.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

also, you have to consider many students will take the august computer test because it's shorter, and many who see that January computer test in the not to distant future and are really excited about a shorter test with faster results as well

Incorrect; the current computer-version of the MCAT given this year is exactly like the written test (same number of questions, etc), but given on the computer. The new computer-version of the MCAT given in January 2007 and later will be shorter, only one essay, etc.

i'm not sure everyone just decides to fail the mcat once just to "take a stab" but what do I know i'm 3 days from my score and don't necessarily have it all together myself

Just hope people do that to improve the curve for those that did study! 😀

The August MCAT is more likely to "screw you" because it puts you later in the game of applying to medical school than those that took it in April (or prior years).

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

Incorrect; the current computer-version of the MCAT given this year is exactly like the written test (same number of questions, etc), but given on the computer. The new computer-version of the MCAT given in January 2007 and later will be shorter, only one essay, etc.


Just hope people do that to improve the curve for those that did study! 😀

The August MCAT is more likely to "screw you" because it puts you later in the game of applying to medical school than those that took it in April (or prior years).

wow! the august cbt is just as long, same test??? You have to be a complete IDIOT to take that!!!

 

[LifetimeDoc]

wow! the august cbt is just as long, same test??? You have to be a complete IDIOT to take that!!!

I think it might be only shorter in that you can choose how long your breaks are, but the actual test itself is identical this year. I was afraid to take the electronic one (even though I'm a computer programmer and computer geek), but after taking the paper MCAT for the third time, I'd prefer typing the essays with my bad handwriting!

 

[Schaden Freud]

My Kaplan instructor, who seems like an intelligent guy (scored a 38), told me that because this August there is a record number of people taking the test, and many of them may not be as well prepared but are just taking it to get a last stab at the paper and pencil version (sophmores) the average scores will be lower than usual. Therefore the bell curve, which tries to put most people at an average of 8.2/section will be very high(lots of people will fall into the category) and the extremely high scores 35+ will be harder to attain, meaning you will need to get more questions right than normal. What do you guys think of this. Kind of doesn't make sense to me. I would think the oppositte, but I'm not a statistician. What do you guys think?

That's absolutely ******ed logic on many levels. I worry that this person will eventually be a physician. How did he get a 38?

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

That's absolutely ******ed logic on many levels. I worry that this person will eventually be a physician. How did he get a 38?

i really think he is just messing with them

 

[MJB]

wow! the august cbt is just as long, same test??? You have to be a complete IDIOT to take that!!!

Idiot or not, I didn't have any desire to drive over an hour to take it on paper when it's on CBT 5 blocks from my house....and then after driving an hour, wait on proctors, other test takers, etc....ALL DAY LONG..

I look forward to being able to do it on MY time...nothing drives me more crazy than sitting around and waiting, and it sounds like you do a ton of that at the paper based administrations.

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

That's absolutely ******ed logic on many levels. I worry that this person will eventually be a physician. How did he get a 38?

This is exactly why I have a beef with standardized tests to begin with...any jacka$$ can do well on it if he/she is a good test taker or prepares enough for that specific exam! I don't care what the statistics say about correlation btwn the MCAT and medical school / board success!

 

[MiesVanDerMom]

could we stop using the phrase "******ed"? that cutey in my avatar is "******ed" and he takes offense at being compared to kaplan instructors. and seriously, we're going to be doctors and we should be a little more considerate of people with disabilities/illness.

and after what TPR told us about june 7, i don't believe anything from test prep!

 

[LifetimeDoc]

This is exactly why I have a beef with standardized tests to begin with...any jacka$$ can do well on it if he/she is a good test taker or prepares enough for that specific exam! I don't care what the statistics say about correlation btwn the MCAT and medical school / board success!

But that's the point. Medical school is designed to prepare you for the boards, which are standardized tests!

Now, a better question would be...Do medical schools turn out the best doctors, or the best people to pass the boards? 😕

 

[Anastasis]

could we stop using the phrase "******ed"? that cutey in my avatar is "******ed" and he takes offense at being compared to kaplan instructors. and seriously, we're going to be doctors and we should be a little more considerate of people with disabilities/illness.

and after what TPR told us about june 7, i don't believe anything from test prep!

that first line or two was hilarious. BTW, I hate the use of that word too but old habits break hard and I still slip every once in awhile.

 

[75969]

Perhaps the Kaplan instructor is using that story to 'scare' the students into studying more?!?

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

But that's the point. Medical school is designed to prepare you for the boards, which are standardized tests!

I would hate to think that this is truly what medical school is designed to do. I understand that you need that knowledge base to pass the boards, but if medical school is only designed to prepare someone for the boards...we really are in the hurt locker! I am confident that anyone with reasonable learning skills and determination could take a test prep course and pass the boards!

I would agree that the first two years of medical school is about building that knowledge base and developing the strong analytical skills necessary to pass the boards. But the 3rd and 4th year clinical rotations are about so much more. You're interacting with patients and attendings, developing your "bedside manner," finding out what your true passion is...there's just so much more to med school than preparation for standardized tests!

I may be opening Pandora's Box here...but so be it!

 

[MollyMalone]

I would hate to think that this is truly what medical school is designed to do. I understand that you need that knowledge base to pass the boards, but if medical school is only designed to prepare someone for the boards...we really are in the hurt locker! I am confident that anyone with reasonable learning skills and determination could take a test prep course and pass the boards!

I would agree that the first two years of medical school is about building that knowledge base and developing the strong analytical skills necessary to pass the boards. But the 3rd and 4th year clinical rotations are about so much more. You're interacting with patients and attendings, developing your "bedside manner," finding out what your true passion is...there's just so much more to med school than preparation for standardized tests!

I may be opening Pandora's Box here...but so be it!

👍

 

[LifetimeDoc]

I would hate to think that this is truly what medical school is designed to do. I understand that you need that knowledge base to pass the boards, but if medical school is only designed to prepare someone for the boards...we really are in the hurt locker! I am confident that anyone with reasonable learning skills and determination could take a test prep course and pass the boards!

I would agree that the first two years of medical school is about building that knowledge base and developing the strong analytical skills necessary to pass the boards. But the 3rd and 4th year clinical rotations are about so much more. You're interacting with patients and attendings, developing your "bedside manner," finding out what your true passion is...there's just so much more to med school than preparation for standardized tests!

I may be opening Pandora's Box here...but so be it!

Oh, I agree. One would hope that adcoms choose folks to attend their college based upon whether they would make good doctors. I do believe medical schools do more than just act like a Kaplan review for the boards, they provide much more. However, many folks would make wonderful doctors, but there are fewer slots for the number that exist. Therefore, I believe adcoms choose from that pool of applicants those that will do the best on the standardized tests so that they can boost the overall board scores for their university. It's a cynical viewpoint, but it's hard not to be that way during the medical school application process.

 

[Schaden Freud]

could we stop using the phrase "******ed"? that cutey in my avatar is "******ed" and he takes offense at being compared to kaplan instructors. and seriously, we're going to be doctors and we should be a little more considerate of people with disabilities/illness.

and after what TPR told us about june 7, i don't believe anything from test prep!

Could we please stop policing other people's language? We are all grown-ups here and can choose the words we use.

 

[abcxyz0123]

Could we please stop policing other people's language? We are all grown-ups here and can choose the words we use.

haha, agreed.

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

It's a cynical viewpoint, but it's hard not to be that way during the medical school application process.

Completely understand. It is hard not to get cynical at times throughout this process. Unfortunately, that will not change once you are admitted to med school. Trust me, having dealt with residents on a daily basis for the past three years, there is much more cynicism to come! We need to keep things in perspective as best we can...it's all about the patient!

 

[Brickhouse]

You just have to score 33 or above to teach there, which even an idiot could do with the right amount of effort and time.

well there are a ton of idiots out there, why aren't there more 33? If it's so easy to do. And you're wrong about the min. Kaplan score, by the way.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

well there are a ton of idiots out there, why aren't there more 33? If it's so easy to do. And you're wrong about the min. Kaplan score, by the way.

33 is easy? I must be a sub-idiot then. 😱 🙁 🙄

 

[Brickhouse]

I would hate to think that this is truly what medical school is designed to do. I understand that you need that knowledge base to pass the boards, but if medical school is only designed to prepare someone for the boards...we really are in the hurt locker! I am confident that anyone with reasonable learning skills and determination could take a test prep course and pass the boards!

I would agree that the first two years of medical school is about building that knowledge base and developing the strong analytical skills necessary to pass the boards. But the 3rd and 4th year clinical rotations are about so much more. You're interacting with patients and attendings, developing your "bedside manner," finding out what your true passion is...there's just so much more to med school than preparation for standardized tests!

I may be opening Pandora's Box here...but so be it!

IS that Doc Hollywood in your avatar??
I wasn't even thinking about my "standarized test" aka step 1 during the first two years of med school. Once I get my score back, I'll let you know how that worked out.

 

[mj1878]

My Kaplan instructor, who seems like an intelligent guy (scored a 38), told me that because this August there is a record number of people taking the test, and many of them may not be as well prepared but are just taking it to get a last stab at the paper and pencil version (sophmores) the average scores will be lower than usual. Therefore the bell curve, which tries to put most people at an average of 8.2/section will be very high(lots of people will fall into the category) and the extremely high scores 35+ will be harder to attain, meaning you will need to get more questions right than normal. What do you guys think of this. Kind of doesn't make sense to me. I would think the oppositte, but I'm not a statistician. What do you guys think?

This August's MCAT will be NO DIFFERENT than every other August MCAT that's ever been given. Every year the August takers worry to death that TOO many people are taking it, and that their scores will suffer as a result.

Here's the long and short of it:

If you have prepared, then you will score well. Stop feeling like what score you're able to get is somehow dependent upon the number of test takers, your test site, and whether or not you used a mechanical pencil. Don't try to blame your negative feelings of your own preparedness on "record numbers", and the hearsay of one Kaplan instructor. If you're ready, then you're ready, and nothing can get in the way of that. If you're not ready, then you'll find something to blame it on when your scores aren't what you desired(like "record numbers" of test takers). Stop worrying and study. Study like your professional life kind of depended on it. In the end, then, you have only yourself to blame or praise for your scores.

 

[TomWestmanRules]

Remember. KAPLAN teachers are not necessarily all that reliable.
You just have to score 33 or above to teach there, which even an idiot could do with the right amount of effort and time.

👎 👎 👎

Wow, you must have a lot of friends if that's how you talk to people.

 

[shnjb]

Sorry if I offended people, but I truly feel that MCAT is not a measure of intelligence, which means even idiots can get it after a lot of practice and studying.

Also, I've talked to KAPLAN about teaching there and apparently, for all the tests, including SAT, MCAT, DAT, etc, the prerequisite for teaching is that you have to score within the top 10% in the nation, which would be 33 on the MCAT in most cases.