<p>Unrelated question: Kaplan just offered a free MCAT practice test this weekend at my school, and I scored pretty well. Are tests like this usually harder than or easier than actual AAMC tests, or is there no such trend?</p>
<p>Usually harder, actually. Kaplan has to offer you one of a series of refunds if you don't improve, so their incentive is to punish you on the diagnostic. Also, this might scare you into thinking you need the course. This is not just sensible, but is also my and my friends' anecdotal experience.</p>
<p>It seems impossible, but has anyone ever completed all Kaplan practice tests online? How much time it will take?</p>
<p>I know it depends on the individuals, but for those who have scored close to 40 or above, how did they achieve that? </p>
<p>Is it even possible to strive for a 40+, if one plans to finish all kaplan practice?</p>
<p>Thanks for any feedback!</p>
<p>Finishing all the practice exams in the world for years and years aren't a surefire method for to guarantee a 33 to everybody who tries it, much less a 40.</p>
<p>40+ is quite the goal... don't think it is a good idea to set your "standards" that high, odds are you will be disappointed. I'd say look at your median score after taking maybe 6 or 7 tests (i'd recommend the aamc ones...) and expect anywhere from -3 to +3 on the real thing...</p>
<p>Let's put it in terms of raw statistical odds. Something in the range of one out of every three hundred MCAT test takers will get a 40+. Trust me, most of those 300 studied pretty hard. More than one of them studied really, really hard. There's a lot of innate, unchangeable characteristics that go into a standardized test.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Most people who actually score 40+ are pretty shy about it.
[/quote]
Why do they feel the need to be shy about it?</p>
<p>Because prospective premeds might go nuts and badger them for study tips.</p>
<p>or theyre modest and dont feel the need to brag about it.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies!</p>
<p>Another quick question:</p>
<p>is there anyone still using 2002 edition examkracker verbal 101? Are the questions there outdated? I think they are harder than kaplan.</p>
<p>Also, for CBT, is there anyway we can mark message and search for words?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>what's the best MCAT prep books? and Kaplan or PR for review courses?</p>
<p>Several on this board have good experiences with Kaplan; Princeton Review also has a good reputation. They're pretty self-sufficient; ExamKrackers makes a good supplement.</p>
<p>Several on this board have good experiences with Kaplan; Princeton Review also has a good reputation. They're pretty self-sufficient; ExamKrackers makes a good supplement.</p>
<p>I participated in the Kaplan course (the 2k one or so...) and I have spent some hours with the Examkrackers books. In my opinion, I probably value the EK books over the ENTIRE Kaplan course + books. Again this is my opinion, but I am "recently experienced"... However, if you do go with buying the EK books be sure to buy many of the AAMC practice MCATS (35/test). You do get them free with the Kaplan course but if bought separately would only cost you ~300...</p>
<p>Hi Folks,</p>
<p>I friend of mine just mentioned that his DS scored in the 99th percentile in MCAT. How much would that amount to in terms of a total score?</p>
<p>This should help. <a href="http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/combined07.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/combined07.pdf</a> (38+)</p>
<p>Thanks much, Curmudgeon!</p>
<p>Maybe I was slightly harsh on Kaplan.... To be fair, their material on the course website (I believe it was kaptest.com...) was absolutely great. Very in depth and helpful. I was just turned off by the actual classroom portion of it...</p>
<p>You might have had a bad teacher. Mine was really great -- and of course, I'm sure BRM was always excellent. =)</p>
<p>However, I still think the EK books are the best review out there provided you have the proper background ie have taken the standard premed reqs.</p>