Hey guys, anyone here taken the MCAT multiple times? If so, how many times? I know AAMC lets you take the test 3 times before they require special documentation (rejection letter or intent to pursue a medical education), I guess to discourage test-prep people from retaking it again and again for business purposes. I would really like one more go at it, but am worried about how it would look, my current highest score is 27S. Any comments are appreciated!

This is the second time i took the MCAT. The first time was april 2004...i scored a 30O. I was happy, but it wasn't enough to get me in. After much arguing with myself and my parents, I took it again and got a 32P. Better, so lets hope it gets me in somewhere this year

I took it 3 times and my hightest score is a 24 (Frist time I took it) this time a made a 22....what do you think I should do? give up or take again?

This is the second time i took the MCAT. The first time was april 2004...i scored a 30O. I was happy, but it wasn't enough to get me in. After much arguing with myself and my parents, I took it again and got a 32P. Better, so lets hope it gets me in somewhere this year

Congratulations w/ your score. I think 32P will get you somewhere. I thought 30O was very good, too. Just out of curiosity, what's your other stats (ie. major, gpa, work/volunteer, LORs etc...)

Again, congrats.

I took it 3 times and my hightest score is a 24 (Frist time I took it) this time a made a 22....what do you think I should do? give up or take again?

If you have been studying hard before the test, then:
I'm sorry if I sound offending, but I think you should consider other medically related careers like nursing or PA ect.. for now and try it later down the road. I think if you try hard enough, you'll make it. Even if you won't make it then, you still have a career.

If you have not, then you know what to do :laugh: and I don't think you'll have enough time to study for this August test.
Good luck

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Just a personal opinion. I'm not an expert.

My advice to anybody here is never give up. Do the MCAT again till you get the grade that you are hoping for. It is only a matter of time, you will get it at the end. The MCAT has a history with my family. My brother was the first person in the family to take the MCAT. He took the MCAT for 5 times until he scored 28 which got him in McGill. Next was my sister who did it for 2 times till she got her 29, which got her in McGill too. I took the MCAT for 3 times till I was able score 30 this year. So my point is, you will get the grade that you want no matter what, it is only a matter of time. Now the question is, does your current grade in MCAT allow you to apply anywhere? if yes, then give it a shot first before you re-do the MCAT again to save the time and the money necessary to take the MCAT
hope this helps

I took it 3 times and my hightest score is a 24 (Frist time I took it) this time a made a 22....what do you think I should do? give up or take again?

It depends on a variety of factors. I suggest moving forward with a positive plan of action rather than giving up. First, ask yourself some questions.

Did you go all out with the process of preparation? Did you do everything in your power to ensure success on the test?

Did you study diligently for at least three months using a recognized exam prep firms materials (kaplan, EK, TPR, etc.)? That means studying late into the night if that is what it takes. When I was pursuing a degree while working, I routinely studied until one in the morning and learned to live on 4 to 5 hours of sleep a night. That is the kind of devotion that may be required. It sucked but that was what was needed.

Did you do plenty of problems and then take at least seven or eight full length tests under realistic conditions to assess your state of preparation?

Did you continue to work to reinforce all of the weak areas revealed by the exams?

If you have made a good faith effort at getting the best possible score on the exam three times and a 24 truly represents your best, then you need to consider some alternatives. Your score is not likely to improve significantly after three attempts if you have truly given your all to preparing for the exam. With a 24, you are not competitive for many US allopathic schools but you do have some choices. They include applying to lesser ranked MD schools, applying to DO schools and applying to Carribean schools. I would try all three strategies since it will maximize your odds of success.

I studied the Carribean and DO schools at length since I applied to all possible choices prior to obtaining my MCAT scores and needed a decision on the last application cycle. I am an older non-trad who needed to make a change as soon as possible. If you would like some advice on the DO schools and the Carribean schools which would be your most likely points of entry to med school, then PM me and we can discuss.

I wish you success on the path you choose.

Congratulations w/ your score. I think 32P will get you somewhere. I thought 30O was very good, too. Just out of curiosity, what's your other stats (ie. major, gpa, work/volunteer, LORs etc...)

Again, congrats.


Thanks, I majored in bio with a 3.95 science GPA and an overall 3.90 GPA...i think AMCAS and TMDSAS calculated it as ~3.8 (i retook a course for a better grade). I've got a bunch of EC's, volunteered in the community and a little in the hospital. I applied last year, but i think i applied too late...thus i got screwed from many places...i got some interviews, but not as many as i had hoped.

But all has changed since then, I've volunteered more at the hospital, I've worked in a private medical clinical, currently working as a research assistant at UTMB-Galveston...got a better MCAT score, and planning on submitting my app either later today or tomorrow morn. I hope things go my way this year.

Thanks, I majored in bio with a 3.95 science GPA and an overall 3.90 GPA...i think AMCAS and TMDSAS calculated it as ~3.8 (i retook a course for a better grade). I've got a bunch of EC's, volunteered in the community and a little in the hospital. I applied last year, but i think i applied too late...thus i got screwed from many places...i got some interviews, but not as many as i had hoped.

But all has changed since then, I've volunteered more at the hospital, I've worked in a private medical clinical, currently working as a research assistant at UTMB-Galveston...got a better MCAT score, and planning on submitting my app either later today or tomorrow morn. I hope things go my way this year.
Way to keep at it :thumbup:

good luck to you