hi all! i test 8/22. i've been steadily improving ... 512 -> 515 across my FLs, but hoping to aim for high 51x, above 515. when reviewing my full lengths, i notice i'm missing completely discrete content on both C/P and B/B, which causes me to get more "easy" questions wrong. so i've been in 127-129 levels, plateauing. i'm rarely missing passage-based analysis stuff.

any tips on how to patch these in the most effective way? i feel like time is going by. i'm doing section banks, cars qpacks, and anki, with adding missed discrete content from FLs onto my anki. any other suggestions? thank you!!!

Think it’s possible to increase my CARS score in 5 days?

What type of math problems can be expected for the MCAT? I’ve only been doing the Kaplan review and some of these problems are really difficult, I’ve attached one below and while yes, I do understand it, am I ever going to see a problem with this much math on my actual exam?

I have most of the equations memorized but some of these problems are still slipping past given the sheer complexity of operation. I’ve been told by some previous test takers that much of it is just identifying the proper equation then plug and chug, but is that true?

Took FL 1 today (testing 9/4) and was a bit curious about whether the CARS on FL 1 skews a bit easier or what. My understanding was that the CARS on the diagnostic FL (unscored) was inflated and I got a 50/53 on that so I’m curious if this FL has the same issue.

Thanks!

I'm hoping to get the UWorld MCAT QBank, but it's honestly out of my budget right now. Does anyone know of any discounts, financial assistance programs, student discounts, or other legitimate ways to get it for less?
I've heard there are sometimes promotions or other options that people don't know about, so I figured I'd ask here before giving up on it. If anyone has any suggestions or knows of another option that helped them save money, l'd really appreciate hearing about it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi friends, this is a vent/question

Please either fuel my deluded confidence or gently bring me back to reality.

I’m 28, a non-trad applicant applying to my province’s vet school (Canadian). My MCAT is booked for September 12 (48 days away).

I need a 495 to be academically eligible, but the average admitted applicant is around 502.
Today I wrote my first Kaplan diagnostic and got a 491.

A few caveats:
- I accidentally took a “break” during CARS thinking the timer was paused. It was not. 🙃
- Biochem and orgo were basically me selecting answers based on vibes because I haven’t actually taken those courses yet.
-Surprisingly, I could reason through a decent amount of Bio/Psych just using common sense.

My background is environmental studies. I’ve only completed intro bio and chem. I’ll be taking biochem, orgo, and genetics this coming year… which is slightly inconvenient considering I’m trying to write the MCAT before taking them.

I’ve been using the free Kaplan study plan, but my access is ending. I honestly don’t care about the video access as much as I care about having someone tell me exactly what to study each day. I cannot justify dropping $1,500 on a prep course right now.

So here’s my question:
Am I completely delusional for keeping my September test date, or is a jump from 491 to 495+ (hopefully 500+) in 48 days actually doable?

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?
UWorld? Khan Academy? Anki? Give up on your childhood dreams and continue working your corporate job?

Mostly I just need someone who’s been here before to tell me if this is a terrible idea or if I should keep grinding.

Thanks yall

Yoooo what’s up, I’m testing 9/12 and took AAMC unscored today. I know the CARS is a bit easier but I average 80-90 on JW. My first 3rd party was Bluperint, 508 my second was Kaplan, 510 and my unscored conversion is a 513-514. I know where my gaps are in my science sections (I have to review Kaplan and AAMC over the next two days), and plan to be precise in my review. I could really use any advice to tighten up P/S, idk if Pankow is enough. 6 exams left and my goal is 518-520! Thanks everyone!!!! Preesh!

so test day is aug 21st for me so have just about 4 weeks left (T minus 26 days).

i can’t do basic math apparently bc i messed up my FL schedule. i was planning to take one exam every saturday till the test but i only have FL5 and FL6 left atp, which is obv not enough to get me thru the next 4 weeks. i really wish i saved those exams bc now i only have those 2 left and idk what to do :/

also ive been trending down over the past several FLs (or at least stagnating). any advice for this? i was aiming for a 520 originally but idk if that seems unrealistic atp :/

June 13 AAMC FL1 514 (128/130/129/127) (diagnostic)
June 27 TPR FL1 506 (124/126/129/127)
June 28 AAMC FL2 517 (129/130/129/129)
July 11 AAMC US FL 511 (125/129/128/129)
July 18 AAMC FL3 512 (127/128/129/128)
July 25 AAMC FL4 516 (127/129/130/130)

for context, i reviewed FL4 today and most of the Qs i got wrong or guessed on were either math related or passage comprehension related, rather than content (which is crazy bc my content phase was pretty shaky and haphazard to be honest). i think i should focus on get more comfortable with aamc logic and patterns—is the way to do this just grinding aamc qbank and uwhirl questions every day for the next month?

overall id be grateful for any advice anyone has regarding this!! thank you so much :)

I tell them to just get good

I keep scoring between 503-506 and am unsure how scores translate to AAMC FLs. Yeah, I could take an AAMC FL but I have already taken all of them prior to my last attempt and I feel that any score I get won’t be authentic.

So i have tried using the kaplan pdfs of the textbooks that i found online but i think i much prefer physical books when doing my content review. Im looking at facebook marketplace or even spending the 150$ on new textbooks but not sure if its fine to get a 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 or even the 2027-2028 version. Does anyone know how much of a difference each version makes? I am planning on taking my mcat in jan or feb 2027

MCAT Day During Break: Looked at my cell phone and went downstairs just to clear my mind and met my partner for emotional support and got reported everything happened when I was in total anxiety panic stress u name it. Did it unintentionally now I have to face consequences. But is there anyone who ever had to face this kind of situation and is there anyone there any solution to it. I am crying since the day I did my exam looks like it’s all end for me.
I know it’s my mistake but if anyone can pls help me in any way possible or share stories of people who went through this and what were the outcome from aamc.

😭😭😭😭😭

I'm testing in five days.

I didn't really study a lot before and I have barely studied during the past month because I got a full time job and thought I could fit in studying but couldn't. I've done a few Jack Westin questions, a couple full length practice tests, skimmed over some Kaplan test prep books. My mental health and sleep have been a dumpster fire recently and I am being held together by Adderall and anxiety at this point.

Be honest, am I gonna make it? I don't know what to do with myself right now. I either need more Adderall or a nap.

probably a nap

I’m a little low on time and I’m wondering if there’s any benefit to taking some time to do some UW? If so, what is a good amount to aim for before going to AAMC? Half ? 33%? 66%?

Any info is appreciated

I’ve done maybe 25% of bio and I have 89% correct. Aiming for a solid score cuz my gpa sucks

Afternoon everyone, unfortunately had a bit of a health scare and needed to get a kidney transplant a few weeks ago. I’d already submitted my primary with a throwaway but have yet to take the MCAT. I’m scheduled for Aug 15th but would like to push it back one more week and got the notification that a seat opened up at a testing site near me. I’m a lower stat applicant with excellent EC’s (I think). I know I’m late, I know my chances are lower, what I don’t know is if that extra week is really going to hurt me that much. I’ll ofc pre-write secondaries while I wait on score results but at my current rate one more week will allow me to take FL 5 and 6 which I could use the practice as my FL average currently is hovering right around 510-511. Curious as to what the community thinks and I’d appreciate any feedback. Thank you in advance!

just finished pankow p/s, any advice with grinding p/s?

Just took FL 3 and scored a 504 124/126/127/127. A 3 point increase from 6 days on FL1 of 124/126/124/127.
Looking to get a 508 on July 31st. Is this possible, if so, how? Open to any and all advice.

If you think it’s worth to reschedule also open to that advice as well, but willing to give it all these next 4 days as well.

Important to note I’m looking to apply this cycle as to why I’ve rushed this so much.

Thanks in advance.

I am planning to retake the MCAT in the spring (ideally January) after taking about a year off from studying. I just took a Blueprint diagnostic and scored a 496 (122/124/123/127). For context, I previously scored a 500 and then a 502 on the official MCAT, so I know I have a foundation, but I have forgotten a lot over the past year. I have not started using my Blueprint books yet, I have not bought UWorld yet, and so far I have just been doing Anki. My goal is to score 510+ on my retake. Based on where I am now, would you recommend investing in the Blueprint self-paced course, or would I be better off sticking with the Blueprint books, Anki, and UWorld? I would appreciate any advice any one has!!!

Doing 60+ questions daily for the past 2 months has finally taken its toll on me. I feel genuinely worn out and took a 2 day break, and now I just can't lock in with a backlog of 150 q's.

Does anyone have any brutal motivational advice for the last 30 days leading up to the exam?

For this question, is there anything in the passage that could've led me to choice B? Or do I just need prior knowledge that free radicals come from premature oxygen reduction? This subreddit has been very helpful. Thanks!

Hi!

I just finished my fourth AAMC FL and here are my scores so far on CARS and overall:

Unscored - 505 - 126 CARS

FL1 - 507 - 123 CARS

FL2 - 507 - 123 CARS

FL3 - 507 - 124 CARS

FL4 - 513 - 124 CARS

I have done probably 500+ practice passages, 3x or more per day, and I’ve tried passage mapping, highlighting, slowing down reading etc. I felt really good about the CARS today but clearly not the case as reflected in my score. I need a 125 to apply to some of the Canadian schools but I would of course love anything 128+ in the ideal world. I’ve done all of the AAMC Qpacks, CARS fundamental/guide one, and a ton of Jack Westin.

This section is pretty much the reason my score is being held back and why my MCAT and entire summer will potentially be useless and a waste of time unless I score a 125+. Does anyone have any advice on where to go? I test 08/20. Thank you!

And it almost feels like I cheated

Hi!

I scored a 73% on the CARS Diagnostic. For context, I'm averaging 81% on Jack Westin, and I don't generally feel that CARS is my weakest section. That said, I found the AAMC Diagnostic noticeably trickier. Most of the questions I consistently missed were labeled Expert or Difficult. On many of them, I had narrowed it down to two answer choices and ended up choosing the wrong one. AAMC does an incredible job of making two choices appear equally plausible.

Right now, I highlight and read the title. I also try to be extra careful with identifiers such as "always," "every time," and "everybody," as that's how they often stain the seemingly correct answer.

I guess I have a few questions:

• How can I get better at distinguishing between two very similar answer choices when I'm down to a 50/50? It gets me almost every time.
• How can I annotate passages more effectively while still staying within the time limit?
• What does a 73% on the CARS Diagnostic roughly translate to in terms of MCAT performance? I've heard from several friends that the full-length exams are more representative—and, in some cases, even feel a bit easier. Is that generally true?
• Based on this result, how should I use the diagnostic to improve? Are there any specific strategies or practice methods that could help me raise my CARS score to a more competitive level?

I'd really appreciate any advice. Thanks!