Yes, Kaplan mocks are generally considered more challenging than the actual exams, including the CFA and MCAT. They often feature trickier, more complex, and more detailed questions designed to over-prepare candidates, creating a "harder than the real thing" experience.
Lots of you might have heard that 'GCSE mocks are harder than the real thing. ' But in reality, the answer is no! Mock tests are based on past papers from your relevant exam board and are set by your school teachers.
Mock tests do sometimes feel more difficult than the actual exam, and there are solid reasons for this. First, there's the psychological factor. When you take a mock test at home or in a classroom setting, your focus is entirely on performing well. This concentrated pressure can make the test feel more intense.
Yes, Kaplan practice tests are generally considered hard, often intentionally designed to be more challenging than the actual exam to thoroughly prepare you, with some test-takers finding them difficult due to complex wording or deeper concepts, while others find the real tests harder due to unique wording or anxiety. They serve as a strong indicator of readiness, and performing well on Kaplan simulations (e.g., scoring consistently in the high 70s or 80s) suggests you're well-prepared for the actual exam, which might feel less daunting.
Are Kaplan MCAT Tests Accurate? The general trend for Kaplan practice exams is that they are based heavily on content and may present as much more difficult than the real MCAT. Many students claim that Kaplan practice tests are not accurate or representative of the official MCAT exam.
If you fail the exam, you must make the same proctoring arrangements to retake your exam. If you do not receive a passing score after two attempts, you will need to repeat the course prior to attempting the exam again.
Recently, Test Prep Insight rated Kaplan the “Best Overall MCAT Prep Course‡:” “We firmly believe they now offer the best MCAT prep course on the market, hands down. … Bottom line, Kaplan just provides an extremely solid, all-around MCAT prep course that gets the job done.”
To score above 650, you need to answer around 162–165 questions correctly out of 180, assuming minimal or no negative marking. That breaks down to about 90+ correct in Biology, 40+ in Chemistry, and 35–40 in Physics. It's all about accuracy and avoiding silly mistakes.
It's easy to see a failed mock as proof you're not good enough, but it's actually a stepping stone to the future and best version of you. The students who improve the most between mocks and the real exams are usually the ones who learn from their mistakes instead of dwelling on them.
Top 10 Toughest Exams in the United States
For example, a student who scores 90% or higher may receive an A*, while a student who scores between 70% and 79% may receive a B grade.
Mock exams are a reality check, and let's be honest—sometimes they don't go to plan. But if you failed your mocks, here's the truth: failing a mock doesn't mean failing the real exam. In fact, it's one of the most valuable learning experiences you can have.
How to Prepare For Mock Exams
Yes, Kaplan practice tests are hard because they are intended to prepare you for the real exam. If you found a Kaplan practice test harder than you thought it would be, then you should take that as a sign to spend extra time understanding what topics or question types you struggled with.
Generally, no, examiners are not informed as standard. But if you have the same examiner or go to the same test centre multiple times, they might know you've been before. But this will not affect your chances this time around.
With nearly three times as many practice questions as competitors (including Kaplan), Pass Perfect offers an extensive range of opportunities for learners to master the material (similar to Achievable). It's an excellent resource for practice-oriented learners who thrive on repetition and in-depth question review.
Good signs you passed the NCLEX include the Pearson VUE trick (getting the "good pop-up" saying you can't schedule another test), the test shutting off at the minimum number of questions (like 75 for RN), getting consistently harder questions, seeing a "Nurse of the Future" label on your state board's license, and the official notification from your board of nursing, though the latter is the only definitive confirmation.
For acceptance at top medical schools in the U.S., MCAT scores typically fall within a highly competitive range. Accepted students often have MCAT scores between 510 and 528, with median scores usually around 518 to 520. These high scores reflect the rigorous standards and competitiveness of top institutions.
Getting 70% correct on the MCAT is roughly a scaled score in the low 500s (around 500-505), placing you near the 50th-60th percentile, but it varies; a 70th percentile score typically falls around 507-508, which isn't 70% correct but means you scored better than 70% of test-takers. The MCAT uses scaled scores (472-528), not direct percentage conversion, so 70% accuracy (more questions answered correctly) would translate to a good percentile rank, potentially even hitting that 70th percentile mark.