<p>How do the Kaplan MCAT scores compare to the actual test scores? How predictive are Kaplan MCAT scores?</p>
<p>Studentdoc.com did a study on the correlation b/w TPR, Kaplan, and AAMC practice test scores and the real test scores. The information was mainly solicited through their website so this isn't a rigorous study or something worthy of publication in an academic journal. But, what they found was that AAMC practice tests were the best predictors of actual performance, TPR practice tests also displayed excellent correlation with the actual score (but always 2 pts. lower, meaning TPR tests were too hard), and Kaplan practice tests displayed the least correlation.</p>
<p>This isn't so surprisingly since AAMC administers the MCAT. You would expect their practice tests to be the best (not to mention that their practice tests are slightly tweaked versions of actual MCATs administered in the past). Kaplan tests tend to be too hard. Kaplan then tries to compensate by using unusually generous curves. This is a case of two wrongs not making a right. I find Kaplan's scaling of scores to be ridiculously out of wack (on one Kaplan practice test, 26 wrong out of 77 questions equated to a 11, when in reality, an 11 equates to around 13 questions wrong).</p>
<p>Yeah, I had the same issue with Kaplan's exams. Way too hard, and way to generous a curve to have proper results. I guess my scores were more or less in line with AAMC's, but you just feel off when you're taking the exams.</p>
<p>AAMC's as good a representation as you can get, there's been a trend of making the Biological Sciences more like "Biological Verbal" though and the old AAMCs don't reflect that. But they're better than everything else.</p>
<p>In my experience with Kaplan, exactly the same as what Steeler and NCG said. My Kaplan average was 2-3 points higher than my actual score.</p>
<p>Thanks, folks! That's extremely helpful. My S is signed up for Kaplan Summer course 09... which runs for about $1699. Wants to take MCATs in late Aug/early Sept prior to starting Junior year.</p>
<p>I will advise him to try the AAMC tests for practice in addition then.</p>
<p>In my experience with Kaplan, I got the opposite of GoldShadow, Steeler, and NCG - my actual MCAT score was significantly higher than any of my practice tests. I didn't do any of the AAMC exams.</p>
<p>My actual score was in line with both the Kaplan and AAMC exams. I just felt off when taking Kaplan's, because they were made to be so much harder. Hard to really feel comfortable about your progress when you make in the high 30s, but have missed a ton of questions.</p>
<p>My friend told me that if I sign up for a Kaplan MCAT course via this website there is a coupon code where I can get a discount off the price of the course. How can I get this studentdoc discount and how do I use it?
I did a search with no luck.
Thanks</p>
<p>Sign up on Kaplan.com for MCAT course info. They email you $200 discount code which you can use when you sign up MCAT course.</p>
<p>what is the best series of books to use in studying for the mcat? i want ot avoid books with excessive details btu at the same time, i don't want a book that is TOO simple. which do you recommend?</p>
<p>also- does anyone know anything about the kaplan online course for the mcat? is it good?</p>
<p>I had a quick question about SAT verbal reasoning vs. MCAT verbal reasoning. I didnt do so well on SAT verbal reasoning does that mean i will do poor on the MCAT verbal reasoning? Or is there no correlation at all?</p>
<p>I am a junior and plan on applying for admission to medical school in the coming fall (fall 2009). Would taking the July 2nd administration of the MCATs be too late? And what is the latest date I should take the MCATs if I plan on applying for admission to med schools in the fall?</p>
<p>April, May would be pushing it.</p>
<p>Applying in "the fall" really means having your apps done no later than June with July as the latest if you are applying to any schools with rolling admissions. Take the MCAT in April if possible.</p>
<p>If you wait until "the fall" to start applying, many med school classes will be almost, if not already filled.</p>
<p>Yeah May is the latest you could safely do (with their pledge of having grades back within about 4 weeks) because you want to submit your primary application within the first few weeks of June.</p>
<p>My daughter has finished her pre-reqs and will take an MCAT review course this summer (end of her sophomore year). It works best with her schedule to do it this way, as she plays a spring sport and wouldn't be able to take a review class then. Is it too early to take the MCAT?</p>
<p>If she's taken the pre-reqs, there's no reason not to take it. I took mine summer after sophomore year and did pretty well. The summer also means not having to worry about classes and exams, which is a big plus.</p>
<p>3girls, with a diligently attended prep-course and all the pre-requisites taken there is no reason not to take it. My D's experience with a soph summer MCAT while working in her lab full-time and what she thought was diligent self-preparation? In retrospect probably a couple of points below where she could have been (but who knows for sure?). Spend the money and put in the hours. The timing itself is great, but a less than expected MCAT will limit their choices.</p>
<p>She is going to work in a lab this summer, but take a MCAT class a couple nights a week. I know what self-prep really means for my daughter :)</p>
<p>Is it bad to re-take the MCAT? What I mean is, will a medical school be able to see that you've taken the test multiple times and dock you for it? I know that is how it works with GPA and classes you get bad grades in. You may as well not even retake the class for a better grade because even if you do get one they will only look at your first grade.</p>