Will the last old MCAT be easier?

[IWTBAD]

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As unprepared premeds flock to take the test before the new one is administered?

 

[Ismet]

No. There's really no such thing as the "last" MCAT. There are many forms of the exam administered on each test date, such that it's probable that the people taking it on the same day in the same testing center as you have a different test than you. Also, even if the questions were generally easier, the score is standardized beforehand based on performance of people who had those questions before you, not at the same time as you, so you almost don't want an easier exam.

 

[Narmerguy]

No. There's really no such thing as the "last" MCAT. There are many forms of the exam administered on each test date, such that it's probable that the people taking it on the same day in the same testing center as you have a different test than you. Also, even if the questions were generally easier, the score is standardized beforehand based on performance of people who had those questions before you, not at the same time as you, so you almost don't want an easier exam.

I think what he means is, will the curve be easier because of an influx of students rushing to avoid the 2015 MCAT. But Ismet is right, the curve is actually determined beforehand such that your result on the test (except in exceptional circumstances) is completely unaffected by the performance of those taking your same test. Even if it wasn't, there would also be an influx of "super motivated" students trying to take advantage of the abundance of study materials available for the current MCAT to avoid the uncertainty of the new one.

 

[pbrocks15]

Will the curve change if you take it with those "super motivated" people taking them and doing well? Or will the curve stay the same?

 

[phunky]

From what I understand, the curve for the MCAT is already decided prior to the test being given. You are not being compared against your peers. There are easier and harder tests, but that is determined prior to the test being given.

 

[masaraksh]

 

[IWTBAD]

Thanks for informing me. I haven't even thought about the MCAT yet.

 

[IWTBAD]

I think this is similar to college science classes. My professor mentioned something about curving to last year's grades which doesn't seem as accurate as curving based on this year's grades...

 

[DokterMom]

Now this is a hyper-analytic neurotic pre-med SDN post -- Well Done OP!

 

[Ismet]

Every MCAT exam has "experimental" questions that do not count for your score. They are mixed in and you don't know whether a certain question is experimental or not. They use the performance statistics from those questions when the questions are use in future exams. I'm pretty sure they also reuse questions or passages, hence why you are not allowed to discuss anything remotely specific about the exam you take. The MCAT you take is essentially an amalgamation of questions that were previously experimental questions on previous tests.

 

[repititionition]

Every MCAT exam has "experimental" questions that do not count for your score. They are mixed in and you don't know whether a certain question is experimental or not. They use the performance statistics from those questions when the questions are use in future exams. I'm pretty sure they also reuse questions or passages, hence why you are not allowed to discuss anything remotely specific about the exam you take. The MCAT you take is essentially an amalgamation of questions that were previously experimental questions on previous tests.

My god, you have the patience of a saint to answer stuff like this so politely.

 

[Ismet]

My god, you have the patience of a saint to answer stuff like this so politely.

Well I do have a lot of time to kill this week. Clerkship orientation = sitting in a lecture hall for 8 hours a day while people talk at us about washing our hands and stuff 😛

 

[PlOkmIjn]

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[Ismet]

This might be a bit off-topic, but I've always wondered why they don't just return the score of the MCAT right away, like they do for the GRE. It's all computerized now and the scores are standardized beforehand, so why the month long delay?

Because it's fun to torture pre-meds? 😀

I don't have an answer for that. I'm sure it's for some kind of statistical analysis or alterations (like removing bad questions), as what would be reported immediately would just be a raw score and might send people into a panic.

You have to wait 3-4 weeks for Step scores too.

 

[gettheleadout]

Because it's fun to torture pre-meds? 😀

I don't have an answer for that. I'm sure it's for some kind of statistical analysis or alterations (like removing bad questions), as what would be reported immediately would just be a raw score and might send people into a panic.

You have to wait 3-4 weeks for Step scores too.

There shouldn't be any "bad questions" as all items that contribute to score have been vetted before. It seems sensible that the 30-35 day period is to allow for reporting and investigation of alleged test security violations and things of that sort.

 

[Jericho91]

I know a PhD student who helped write a few sections for the Sociology sections that are administered in the experimental sections on the MCAT current MCAT and he said they are much easier for people who read the humanities (intuitive); with that being said he said he expects those super nerdy scientific genius 'Good Will Hunting" prodigies to be exposed while those Double Major Anthro/Biochem majors score exceptionally well.

With preparation anybody can do well but it will be a completely new ball game compared to the current Test

 

[Narmerguy]

There shouldn't be any "bad questions" as all items that contribute to score have been vetted before. It seems sensible that the 30-35 day period is to allow for reporting and investigation of alleged test security violations and things of that sort.

Agreed, plus it gives them a chance to vet any aberrations (for example an outlier question that people miss more frequently than predicted by past testers). Still, none of this would stop them from giving applicants a score range (i.e. telling an applicant their score is between 30-35).

 

[Ismet]

Agreed, plus it gives them a chance to vet any aberrations (for example an outlier question that people miss more frequently than predicted by past testers).

That's what I meant by a "bad question." Maybe "bad" is a poor word choice, but I meant a question that requires further review or something. I dunno!