Kaplan MCAT Practice Tests
by Kaplan
Challenging practice tests ideal for content review
✓Pros
- ✓Content-heavy questions help identify knowledge gaps
- ✓Thorough answer explanations for each question
- ✓Interface closely resembles the real MCAT
- ✓Builds stamina with challenging difficulty level
✗Cons
- ✗Practice tests are harder than actual MCAT
- ✗Experimental passages could be better
- ✗More content-based than AAMC-style questions
Highlights
- ✓3 full-length practice exams (bundle)
- ✓6-month access period
- ✓Free practice test available
- ✓Performance analytics by section
- ✓MCAT-like test interface
Price
$129
What Students Are Saying
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Kaplan MCAT practice tests are among the most widely used third-party practice exams for MCAT preparation. But are they actually helpful, or will they just discourage you with deflated scores?
In this review, we'll break down everything you need to know about Kaplan's MCAT practice tests.
Summary Table
| Feature | Kaplan MCAT Practice Tests |
|---|---|
| Price | $129 (bundle) |
| Access Period | 6 Months |
| Full-Length Practice Tests | 3 (in bundle) |
| Score Predictivity | Deflated by 7-9 Points |
| Free Practice Test? | Yes |
| Diagnostic Test? | No |
| Detailed Analytics? | Yes |
Kaplan MCAT Practice Tests Overview
Accuracy & Score Prediction
On average, students report scoring about 8 points higher on the real MCAT than they did on Kaplan practice tests.
Rather than getting discouraged by the difficulty of these exams, use them as a tool to gauge your knowledge and understanding of the various topics and subjects. Ultimately, if you can get through Kaplan tests with a decent score, then you will be just fine on the real exam.
Material Tested
Kaplan's tests tend to be much more content-based than the AAMC practice tests, which are more similarly styled to the actual exam.
With Kaplan, the tests are highly based on detailed concepts testing more content knowledge by focusing on the minutiae that aren't necessarily tested on the real exam.
Kaplan rewards detailed content knowledge, whereas the MCAT rewards your ability to apply fundamental content knowledge to complex, novel situations.
For these reasons, Kaplan's tests are best used as a content review resource to help you identify your knowledge gaps.
Experimental Passages
Kaplan doesn't have very good experimental passages. You will find that most passages are information-based, whereby you have long, wordy passages, as opposed to containing more experiments as the AAMC prescribes.
The real MCAT has moved increasingly toward experiment-based passages, so this is one area where Kaplan falls short.
Discrete Questions
Kaplan's discrete questions are pretty tough, with some requiring very tough mental math and having obscure and complicated formulas that you will not likely need to know.
The good news is that the AAMC questions aren't nearly as tough as what you will encounter in the Kaplan practice tests. As such, these questions will prove to offer excellent practice in building your stamina and working on your timing in preparation for the real exam.
Answer Explanations
Kaplan offers pretty decent, in-depth answer explanations for each question, not only explaining the correct answer, but more often than not, they will also highlight why the other answer choices are wrong.
This is valuable for learning from your mistakes and understanding the reasoning behind each question.
Online Interface
Kaplan's interface is straightforward to use and navigate. At the same time, it has been designed to imitate the real test interface as much as possible, so students can familiarize themselves with the look and feel of the actual exam even while taking practice tests.
How To Use Kaplan Practice Tests Effectively
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Use them for content review: Since Kaplan tests are content-heavy, use your performance to identify areas where you need more study.
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Don't obsess over scores: Expect your scores to be deflated. Focus on learning from mistakes rather than the number.
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Build stamina: The length and difficulty make Kaplan tests excellent for building test-taking endurance.
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Supplement with AAMC materials: Use Kaplan for content review, but make sure to also practice with official AAMC tests closer to your exam date.
Kaplan MCAT Practice Tests Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great tool for content review
- Answer explanations are thorough and helpful
- Test interface closely resembles the real MCAT
- Builds stamina for the actual exam
- Good for identifying knowledge gaps
Cons
- Practice tests are harder than actual MCAT
- Experimental passages could be better
- More content-based than AAMC-style questions
- Can be discouraging if you focus on scores
Verdict
Kaplan MCAT practice tests serve a specific purpose in your MCAT prep strategy: content review and stamina building.
We recommend using Kaplan practice tests earlier in your study period for content review, then transitioning to AAMC materials as you get closer to your test date for more accurate score prediction and AAMC-style question practice.
Kaplan MCAT Practice Tests FAQs
Are Kaplan Practice Tests Harder Than The Real MCAT?
Yes, Kaplan practice tests are significantly harder than the actual MCAT. Students typically score 7-9 points higher on the real exam.
How Many Kaplan Practice Tests Should I Take?
We recommend taking at least 3-4 Kaplan practice tests during your prep, spread throughout your study period. Save AAMC tests for closer to your exam date.
Is There A Free Kaplan MCAT Practice Test?
Yes, Kaplan offers a free full-length MCAT practice test that you can access on their website.
Should I Use Kaplan Or AAMC Practice Tests?
Use both. Kaplan tests are great for content review and building stamina, while AAMC tests are essential for accurate score prediction and understanding the actual test format.