Forum Members Official "Should I Retake?" Thread

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QofQuimica

QofQuimica

Seriously, dude, I think you're overreacting....
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EDIT 12/21/18: This thread is being retired, as the majority of posts (>80 pages) pertain to the old MCAT that is no longer relevant to current applicants. You can find the current "Should I Retake" thread here: Forum Members - Should I Retake the MCAT?

For those of you who are trying to figure out whether you should re-take, this is the thread for you. Post your dilemma here if you want advice from other SDN folks. Please note that you should take the opinions you get from SDN as one source of advice; you would be wise to also consult your premed advisor before making this decision. Here is my personal advice for those considering whether to re-take:

Definitely DO retake:
-if you scored below a 24. Some allopathic schools will screen out students with scores lower than 24, which is about the mean score for all test-takers.
-if you had some kind of major problem during the test that affected your performance (ex. you started puking or running a 102 degree temperature)
-if you took the test without completing the four pre-reqs (one year each of biology, chemistry, physics, and organic) and/or without studying for it
-if you left large numbers of questions blank​

Definitely do NOT retake:
-if you scored a 30 or better, especially if all of your individual section scores were an 8 or better
-if your section subscores (the numerical ones) are all good, but you didn't perform well on the writing section (the letter score)

​

Gray area-it's not obvious what to do:
-if you scored 30+ but with one section below an 8
-if you had some minor nuisances (ex. a noisy test room) during the test and you're not sure if it affected your performance
-if you studied thoroughly for the test and you scored within the range of your practice exams, but your score is in the middle range (24-29)​
 
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So I've been receiving a lot of input on this but haven't made up my mind on whether to retake. I'm a MN resident. Would like to go allopathic.

29O MCAT. 10 PS 10 VR 9 BS. so close to a 30 I could smell it 🙁

3.85 cGPA, 3.7sGPA

good ECs and LORs.

Based on this, what do you guys and gals think? Retake?
 
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MrsDewey said:
I got a 21M on my MCAT today. VR:7 PS:7 WS:M BS:7. I know this isn't a great score, but it is well balanced and I am not looking to get into any highly competitive schools. I just want to be excepted any to ANY medical school. My gpa is currently a 3.1 but I still have a year left of undergrad and plan on increasing it during that time. I also have volunteer hours and will have 120 hours (or more) of job shadowing by the time I make it to medical school. Should I retake?
Click to expand...


I'm no expert but I would say you should highly consider retaking, especially with a 3.1 GPA and a year of undergrad left. I think allopathic schools are out of the question and 21 is low even for osteopathic schools. Being well balanced with 8s or 9s is one thing, but I think 7s are a bit too low.


Here is a chart of cGPA/MCAT score and success rates in case you haven't seen it.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=12107997#post12107997


Best of luck to you!
 
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26 O, Balanced breakdown: 9PS 9BS 8VR

Florida Resident; applying to FSU and Rosalind Franklin

Should I retake?


Also, I have a 3.9 GPA if that helps.
 
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QuantumFlame said:
I have a friend, who asked me for advice, his situation is the following (yes...i realize how cliched this sounds, and yes, I asked his permission to post his scores here...don't troll this please.)

8/10/12 MCAT: 31 (13PS - 6VR - 12BS)
GPA: 4.00
No research, average to below average EC

He has not submitted his primary yet, and is shooting for low-mid tier state schools mainly in the southeast. Should he retake? Take a gap year? Still apply?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
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From what I see, he should definitely take a gap year (he should not do any classes in this year since his GPA is 4.0). He should try to take a research position or work in a hospital and take the MCAT again. If his scores are good, he should apply early.

A lot of MD schools will screen out applicants with below an 8 on any section. With his 4.0 GPA, I don't see why he should set his standards so low. He has a shot in top tier schools and the only thing holding him back is the VR. He should work on his VR and ECs. Do the gap year!
 
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29M
bio-12
ph-11
V-6

3.56 gpa
how do you guys get so high on the verbal? seriously, its by far the hardest section of the mcat. i dont care whatsoever where i go as long as i get my MD. should i retake?
 
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25O: 9PS, 7VR, 9BS

Decent ECs and LORs

3.64 GPA 3.43 sGPA.

Applying DO next year's cycle. Should I retake?
 
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phama91 said:
29M
bio-12
ph-11
V-6

3.56 gpa
how do you guys get so high on the verbal? seriously, its by far the hardest section of the mcat. i dont care whatsoever where i go as long as i get my MD. should i retake?
Click to expand...

You need to retake verbal should be at least an 8
 
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Here are my two cents.


TheThirdLevel said:
32Q - 10 PS 9 VR 13 BS
3.75 cGPA
MI resident

Is that single digit verbal score going to hold me back?
Click to expand...

Might hold you back for top-tiers, but for other MD schools (mid and low tiers), I don't think so and you should be good. Make sure other parts of apps are solid.


DocBoy3000 said:
So I've been receiving a lot of input on this but haven't made up my mind on whether to retake. I'm a MN resident. Would like to go allopathic.

29O MCAT. 10 PS 10 VR 9 BS. so close to a 30 I could smell it 🙁

3.85 cGPA, 3.7sGPA

good ECs and LORs.

Based on this, what do you guys and gals think? Retake?
Click to expand...


My GPAs are similar to yours. I myself got 8 on my BS (Idk what happened, and I know what you mean about smelling 30), and from what I heard, it is reasonable to expect several interview invites from low-mid tier MD schools. I am studying for MCAT just in case I need a plan B.

Apply broadly (low and mid tier heavy) but study MCAT as a plan B just in case nothing works out (applying next cycle is inevitable), so that you don't freak out next year and have to study the materials you learned a year before.


h0trice said:
34N (13 physical, 7 verbal, 14 biological)
i really screwed up verbal/writing, but idk if its worth the risk to my other two sections by retaking.

please help 🙁

EDIT: also i'm at about a 3.35 for my gpa (both sGPA and cGPA), hoping to get up to a 3.45 by the end of this year (senior year)
Click to expand...


Work on your GPA for sure. Aim for 3.6-3.7 whenever possible, and other people might even suggest post-bacc.

I would retake because of 7 verbal. It's stable to get 9+ if you are aiming for average MD schools. Get TPRH Verbal or EK Verbal for practice. Read The Economist and others to get used to more reading.

Keep up also with PS and BS, and hopefully they don't go below 11 or 12. If you get the verbal 10+, you can legitimately aim for top-tiers so long as your ECs and others are solid.


hemlocktree said:
26 O, Balanced breakdown: 9PS 9BS 8VR

Florida Resident; applying to FSU and Rosalind Franklin

Should I retake?


Also, I have a 3.9 GPA if that helps.
Click to expand...


Check the MSAR. You might be at the lower side/average for their MCAT ranges. If so, you should be fine and improve other parts of your app.

However, I personally would study more and retake it, just so that you are dead certain you are solid for those two schools as well as others.
 
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MCATChallenger said:
Hi all,

Here are my scores,

First attempt: 29 M (PS 10 VR 9 BS 10)
Second attempt: 25M (PS 10 VR 6 BS 9)
Third attempt: 29Q (PS 11 VR 9 BS 9)

My overall GPA is 3.80 and my science GPA is 3.75

Texas Resident. Worked for 3 years in research, have a few publications and posters to my name.

Should I be worried about re-taking the MCAT again? I am not sure how else to improve my application. I have not yet heard from any of the TX schools I have applied to.
Click to expand...


I don't know much about how TX schools operate, but from what I know, I would just apply broadly for this cycle.

However, for the time being, I would start reading the Economist and scientific journals to improve your verbal, just in case you find out later you need to retake MCAT and re-apply next year.

If you don't hear back from those schools until December/January, start practicing your verbal and refresh your PS and BS, even aiming for 12+ for science sections.
 
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hmm not really sure if this is the right thread, b/c this is not really a "should I retake" question but more like "I willl retake what is the best way to tackle?"

A few threads I saw were not too helpful for me, because when I studied, I didn't have any classes/ECs/distractions. My avg for the practice test was like 31 (generally 10/9/12 for my practice test avgs) but the real thing was way offf, it was like 9/7/11 for a whopping 27. Which is btw, lower than any practice test I've taken except the first 2 tests.

Additionally, I've exhausted most of TBR (Physcis and GChem) and I have the TPRH Science Workbook so should I jump ship there? My VR source is pretty depleted too.....I did TPRH and EK101 already adn some TBR VR. And I am an avid reader but I guess that didn't work for me....I consistently read editorials, articles from Economist/New Yorker/WSJ, and so not really sure how to go from here.

Any advice would be appreciated, sorry if this is the wrong thread.
 
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argama said:
hmm not really sure if this is the right thread, b/c this is not really a "should I retake" question but more like "I willl retake what is the best way to tackle?"

A few threads I saw were not too helpful for me, because when I studied, I didn't have any classes/ECs/distractions. My avg for the practice test was like 31 (generally 10/9/12 for my practice test avgs) but the real thing was way offf, it was like 9/7/11 for a whopping 27. Which is btw, lower than any practice test I've taken except the first 2 tests.

Additionally, I've exhausted most of TBR (Physcis and GChem) and I have the TPRH Science Workbook so should I jump ship there? My VR source is pretty depleted too.....I did TPRH and EK101 already adn some TBR VR. And I am an avid reader but I guess that didn't work for me....I consistently read editorials, articles from Economist/New Yorker/WSJ, and so not really sure how to go from here.

Any advice would be appreciated, sorry if this is the wrong thread.
Click to expand...


I think it should go to the MCAT discussion page. I think they have more helpful advices available than this thread..

Some things to consider:

1) Did you freak out, rush, or feel extremely nervous during the test day? When you practice in the future, perhaps you just have to make your setting closer to how you felt during the test day.

2) Did you review "enough" for your mistakes? If you are not reviewing your mistakes 2-3 hours at least for every 60-70 min practice sections, you aren't reviewing enough. Do you know what could have gone wrong on the real test?

3) What passages in verbal (since you got 2 points lower) you felt the most challenging?
 
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msj6403 said:
I think it should go to the MCAT discussion page. I think they have more helpful advices available than this thread..

Some things to consider:

1) Did you freak out, rush, or feel extremely nervous during the test day? When you practice in the future, perhaps you just have to make your setting closer to how you felt during the test day.

2) Did you review "enough" for your mistakes? If you are not reviewing your mistakes 2-3 hours at least for every 60-70 min practice sections, you aren't reviewing enough. Do you know what could have gone wrong on the real test?

3) What passages in verbal (since you got 2 points lower) you felt the most challenging?
Click to expand...

Well the thing is, I didn't feel any nervousness and was just like focused and relaxed on test day. Which sort of was scary in its own right. Tbh, my setting was noisier when I studied than my test setting but I didn't think that botherd me.

I did a thorough review of every mistake and i have 2 1.5 in binders of pages filled with notes of my mistakes and even of those that I did not get wrong. Obviously, I was not feeling as ready as test day came but my avg was consistent and the test subjects hit my strong points so I decided to score instead of void.

In verbal, my weakest are philosophy, art history, and literature. None appeared on my real test 🙁 I was hoping for like a 10/11 on VR since it hit my stronger subjects like politics, history, and science. >_____<

Thanks, I guess I should move this to the MCAT discussion.
 
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VR-11
BS-9
PS-7:cry:

I am really disappointed in the PS score, had I gotten an 8 or above, I may have just accepted it. I think having a 7 will screen me out at many schools, no? I was really nervous starting the test and barely finished, whereas I had about 5-10 mins left at the end of the practice exams and PS was actually my strongest section(10-11 consistently). Thinking about taking a class this time(self studied this past summer) for a test in April. Also never took orgo but self taught it, and will be taking orgo 1 this spring so that should help the BS score a bit. I am right to want to retake this, right? I am looking at lower tier schools, but am worried that a 27 is too low, especially with just an average GPA.

Thanks,
 
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I was hoping to post in the 30+ thread but that's not happening. I got 9/9/9 R. I know I meet the requirements for UofT and Mac but a retake is for sure I would say? Especially if my aamc avg was around 30?

Would you recommend a prep course? I self-studied for about 2 months this summer but could have used my time more wisely I think. Dreading redoing this again.
 
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I got a 32 (11 PS, 10 VR, 11 BS) . my gpa is about 3.75 and sGPA about 3.83. I really want to go to a decent med school. Should I retake guys?

PS i know the original post said do not retake if you have 30+ but the fact is that the low 30s isnt that competitive anymore. Thanks guys
 
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Got a 33L (11,8,14). Averaged 10.5 on my AAMC verbals. However, my bio was abnormally high, so I am hesitant to retake. My GPA is good >3.9. I have decent ECs, but I plan on bulking them up if I dont have to study for retake.
 
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rkmauria said:
I got a 32 (11 PS, 10 VR, 11 BS) . my gpa is about 3.75 and sGPA about 3.83. I really want to go to a decent med school. Should I retake guys?

PS i know the original post said do not retake if you have 30+ but the fact is that the low 30s isnt that competitive anymore. Thanks guys
Click to expand...

What is your definition of "decent?" It's still solid, but your chanced for top 20 are lower than with a higher MCAT. It's not going to hinder you at most places.
 
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craftyconqueror said:
What is your definition of "decent?" It's still solid, but your chanced for top 20 are lower than with a higher MCAT. It's not going to hinder you at most places.
Click to expand...

I guess decent as in schools like Medical college of Georgia and George Washington. Haha yea i know that Top 20 won't even consider me, which kind of sucks.

Would you retake?
 
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rkmauria said:
I guess decent as in schools like Medical college of Georgia and George Washington. Haha yea i know that Top 20 won't even consider me, which kind of sucks.

Would you retake?
Click to expand...

No, I wouldn't. I also have a balanced 32 with a GPA that's over a point less than yours (cumulative; sGPA is way less). So far, I have 4 interviews, and I'm small pooled at several schools. Not a bad start to interview season.

Don't know about GA schools, but GWU is a crapshoot as you may have heard. Your stats are just fine for GW, but they get many many applicants and so reject a lot.

I think you'd be fine as long as you follow the wisdom of applying broadly and early. (This of course depends heavily on your ECs. If you poke around on the school specific threads a little, you will see that numbers are by no means the whole package.)
 
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29R P-11, V-9, B-9. Decent GPA 3.7-3.8 (had mono fall of sophomore year, only semester I've had below 3.8, have had 3 semesters at 4.0 quality). Science GPA 3.8 something. MI resident. Decent (300-400ish hrs) volunteering, about 120 in research, + extra curriculars too (clubs, jobs, grant writing).

Not sure if I should retest, I feel I could score slightly better (average of AAMC practices was at a 30) because I know the 29->30 bump is major. However, I'm afraid about scoring lower too. I understand my stats don't warrant top 30 schools however, I would like to be able to get into a good school and was wondering if the 29 would hold me back.
 
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craftyconqueror said:
No, I wouldn't. I also have a balanced 32 with a GPA that's over a point less than yours (cumulative; sGPA is way less). So far, I have 4 interviews, and I'm small pooled at several schools. Not a bad start to interview season.

Don't know about GA schools, but GWU is a crapshoot as you may have heard. Your stats are just fine for GW, but they get many many applicants and so reject a lot.

I think you'd be fine as long as you follow the wisdom of applying broadly and early. (This of course depends heavily on your ECs. If you poke around on the school specific threads a little, you will see that numbers are by no means the whole package.)
Click to expand...

ok. thanks so much for your reply!
 
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I am in need of a brutally honest (no sugarcoating) feedback:help:

8/23/2012 MCAT = 16M (My sister's words when we logged onto MCAT Thx (She was there for moral support): God be with you. With a score like that, you are not medical school material. Not even the Caribbean schools will take you)

PS: 5
VS: 5
WS: M
BS: 6

I made the foolish decision to take the MCAT after taking a Kaplan prep course from May - June, and self studying from July to August :bang:. I should've listened to the warnings of my pre-health advisor and a fellow classmate "This mistake will haunt you in your application year, Bad, bad idea. For your own good, don't do it":nono:. Looking at the scores of my practice test and the result of the real thing, I wish I can go back in time and slap sense into myself a month ago and yell " WTF ARE YOU THINKING? CANCEL/RESCHEDULE YOUR TEST. IF ITS TOO LATE TO DO THAT, THEN VOID":slap:. Unfortunately, this is reality and fantasy is nonexistent (Not always true in some cases). I definitely plan to retake this exam next year. This time around, I will focus strongly on content review before even thinking of taking practice tests while studying on my own.

I also have another dilemma. I am a recent college graduate with a low cGPA and sGPA (3.062, 2.852). I've decided to apply to post-bacc/SMP programs for the fall of 2013. These are the schools I have in mind.

Eastern Virginia Medical School MS in Biological Sciences
Georgetown SMP
New york Medical College Accelerated Medical Sciences Interdisciplinary Program
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Graduate School, Master Biological Sciences
Temple University Advanced Core in Medical Sciences Program
Mount Sinai SOM MS Biological Sciences
Drexel IMS, MSP, Pathway to Medical School Program
VCU Graduate Pre-medical Certificate Program

Most of the deadlines are between the months of April-July, but I plan to apply early. My MCAT score + GPA ensures I have no shot of a masters or medical school as of right now.

Does it make sense for me to retake the MCAT in April or May (6-8 month study schedule) while applying for masters at the same time? I'm thinking of informing the admissions office of the following schools above, but I'm afraid of being screened out automatically before the application process even starts (I heard that applicants with MCAT scores of less than 27 are automatically screened out:scared:).

Also, does it make sense to (A) either apply for medical school (MD/DO) after I complete the SMP (If I get into one) for 2015 matriculation? Or (B) go ahead and plan to apply for 2014 matriculation (I'm rooting for A seeing my situation, because now is the time to be brutally honest with myself and learn from my mistakes in order for my setback to become a comeback 👎 ----> 👍).
 
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ET5412 said:
I am in need of a brutally honest (no sugarcoating) feedback:help:

8/23/2012 MCAT = 16M (My sister's words when we logged onto MCAT Thx (She was there for moral support): God be with you. With a score like that, you are not medical school material. Not even the Caribbean schools will take you)

PS: 5
VS: 5
WS: M
BS: 6

I made the foolish decision to take the MCAT after taking a Kaplan prep course from May - June, and self studying from July to August :bang:. I should've listened to the warnings of my pre-health advisor and a fellow classmate "This mistake will haunt you in your application year, Bad, bad idea. For your own good, don't do it":nono:. Looking at the scores of my practice test and the result of the real thing, I wish I can go back in time and slap sense into myself a month ago and yell " WTF ARE YOU THINKING? CANCEL/RESCHEDULE YOUR TEST. IF ITS TOO LATE TO DO THAT, THEN VOID":slap:. Unfortunately, this is reality and fantasy is nonexistent (Not always true in some cases). I definitely plan to retake this exam next year. This time around, I will focus strongly on content review before even thinking of taking practice tests while studying on my own.

I also have another dilemma. I am a recent college graduate with a low cGPA and sGPA (3.062, 2.852). I've decided to apply to post-bacc/SMP programs for the fall of 2013. These are the schools I have in mind.

Eastern Virginia Medical School MS in Biological Sciences
Georgetown SMP
New york Medical College Accelerated Medical Sciences Interdisciplinary Program
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Graduate School, Master Biological Sciences
Temple University Advanced Core in Medical Sciences Program
Mount Sinai SOM MS Biological Sciences
Drexel IMS, MSP, Pathway to Medical School Program
VCU Graduate Pre-medical Certificate Program

Most of the deadlines are between the months of April-July, but I plan to apply early. My MCAT score + GPA ensures I have no shot of a masters or medical school as of right now.

Does it make sense for me to retake the MCAT in April or May (6-8 month study schedule) while applying for masters at the same time? I'm thinking of informing the admissions office of the following schools above, but I'm afraid of being screened out automatically before the application process even starts (I heard that applicants with MCAT scores of less than 27 are automatically screened out:scared:).

Also, does it make sense to (A) either apply for medical school (MD/DO) after I complete the SMP (If I get into one) for 2015 matriculation? Or (B) go ahead and plan to apply for 2014 matriculation (I'm rooting for A seeing my situation, because now is the time to be brutally honest with myself and learn from my mistakes in order for my setback to become a comeback 👎 ----> 👍).
Click to expand...

Search SDN for Noshie. She also has an MDapps page. She is currently a medical student, and has a very inspiring story moving from a 16 to acceptance.

Best of luck.
 
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NYbound21 said:
I got a 30R: 9V, 10PS, 11BS ..... Should I retake? My GPA is around a 3.57 with 2 years to go and I have one 2nd authorship that's going to be published soon, another 2nd authorship going to review, and working on a co-first authorship paper now. My practice test average was around a 30, so I'm skeptical going to retake...

EDIT: Also 9 was my highest Verbal, and I usually averaged 8's on verbal. I have good volunteering (2 years and counting), shadowing (currently shadowing 3hr/week), and research experience (since freshman year). I'm going to apply next round before my senior year. I should have pretty good LOR by end of this year.
Click to expand...
Can anyone give me a little advice?
 
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Hi I was just wondering if I could get some advice on this...I am currently in No Man's Land...because MCAT score.....

Stats:
3.98GPA,
Have extensive volunteering, shadowing, research and work experience.
MCAT: 12PS 7V 12BS = 31R

Plans:
Will take a gap year- but will graduate in Spring 2013 and will apply that summer
Hoping to get into Top 20 Med Schools and State School

-Also, should I retake in March 2013?
 
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GPA: 4.00

31Q

BS: 11
V: 8
PS: 12

Will that 8 in verbal hold me back in applying to MD schools like Drexel and UMDNJ- RWJ or UMDNJ - NJMS?

Thank you for your help 🙂
 
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I was able to score well on the MCAT (35) but didn't do so well on the writing (M)... Not going to retake, but how much does the writing portion actually matter? Thanks!
 
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DoctorForLifeMD said:
Hi I was just wondering if I could get some advice on this...I am currently in No Man's Land...because MCAT score.....

Stats:
3.98GPA,
Have extensive volunteering, shadowing, research and work experience.
MCAT: 12PS 7V 12BS = 31R

Plans:
Will take a gap year- but will graduate in Spring 2013 and will apply that summer
Hoping to get into Top 20 Med Schools and State School

-Also, should I retake in March 2013?
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on how much work you think you can put in before taking the test in March. If you want top 20 schools (not sure which state you are from so I can't speak about the state school) then you will have to get that verbal score up at least into the double digits.

If you have a couple months before the test where you can do 2-3 verbal passages a day out of EK or Princeton Review, then you definitely have a shot. You can most certainly improve your verbal score but it takes devotion and TIME. If you don't have the time, then it may not be worth it. In that case, I wouldn't focus on top 20 schools and apply broadly - that VR 7 may hurt you.

I think anyone who is thinking about retesting should answer two questions. Do you have the time? And what are you going to do differently from last time?
 
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31P (10/10/11)
3.8 GPA
Currently in Masters program

Should I retake? I have hit 12s on BS and PS, and 11s on VR in the AAMCs. Admittedly, I was also nervous as **** (whatever you think the word is) on test day and there were a couple of surprises. In particular, my computer had to be restarted because my mouse did not work.

I'm leaning towards a retake. Anyone been in a similar situation before? I would like responses from people who disclose that they improved from a similar score please.
 
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31R (11, 10, 10). 3.52 GPA. Applying this cycle.

EC's: 100+ hours of shadowing over 4 years, 4 years of hospital volunteering, did medical aid work in peru last summer, on the ed board of a global health journal. Worked in a prominent lab. PI is writing my reference letter, so are my physiology prof and premed advisor. Have a lot of writing experience. Wrote a play that was performed at my college to a huge audience. I also have a publication.

Retake?
 
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10 VR 10 PS 14 BS QWR (3.7 cGPA in my 3rd year now)... its not a well rounded score 🙁 Do you think I should rewrite if I'm trying to get into a med-school in Ontario (Canada)?
Thanks in advance
 
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durfys12 said:
10 VR 10 PS 14 BS QWR (3.7 cGPA in my 3rd year now)... its not a well rounded score 🙁 Do you think I should rewrite if I'm trying to get into a med-school in Ontario (Canada)?
Thanks in advance
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34 was my goal. It is "not well-rounded," but as long as you have double-digits in all sections, it's hard to categorize you as "not well-rounded." In your case, it means you are very proficient at BS, rather than you have weaknesses elsewhere. Hope this makes sense. Reading these forums, being well-rounded means you don't get screened b/c you bombed one particular section. Personally, I think you are fine.
 
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durfys12 said:
10 VR 10 PS 14 BS QWR (3.7 cGPA in my 3rd year now)... its not a well rounded score 🙁 Do you think I should rewrite if I'm trying to get into a med-school in Ontario (Canada)?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
You're above 10 in everything, with your GPA. It would be silly to retake..
 
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AAMC 3: 34 (First time, I didn't really know what to expect and screwed up a little.
AAMC 4: 40
AAMC 5: 37
AAMC 7: 41
AAMC 8: 40
AAMC 9: 39
AAMC 10: 37
AAMC 11: 39
AAMC Average: 38.4
Average (w/o AAMC 3): 39

Actual MCAT (9/6/12): 36R (12/12/12)

GPA (both science and non-science actually): 3.93

So basically, I hate to be that guy who is unhappy with a 36, but all of my AAMCs were higher (ignoring 3). And I have another year until I am applying. And most importantly, I want to go to a very high-end research university and focus on Neurology/Neurosurgery research and medicine (not MD/PhD though).

Thanks in advance for any advice, I am really torn right now. I had decided that anything >38 was perfect, and anything <35 was a retake, but ended up with a 36. :/
 
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So I get a 12/8/10 (PS/VR/BS), and an R, for a 30R total.

I did not prepare for the VR section at all. I did no practice reading, no practice testing, no nothing.

The 8 is definitely not reflective of my reading ability/comprehension, and the R in writing should at least attest to that, in some way.

The retake guidelines listed by Quimica state that you shouldn't retake when you score 30 or above, with at least 8 in each section, which I did.

What say you?
 
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29Q
12 PS - 7 VR - 10 BS

Should I retake? I came out of the test feeling like a 15 on VR :/
I'm afraid that I'll be weeded out immediately by minimum VR requirements, is this true?
My gut feeling is that retaking it won't guarantee I'll do better...I'm really not sure which way to go.
 
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Amirr said:
29Q
12 PS - 7 VR - 10 BS

Should I retake? I came out of the test feeling like a 15 on VR :/
I'm afraid that I'll be weeded out immediately by minimum VR requirements, is this true?
My gut feeling is that retaking it won't guarantee I'll do better...I'm really not sure which way to go.
Click to expand...

You and I took the same test, and walked out of the verbal section feeling the same way.

You got a 7, I got an 8.

We also got identical PS and BS scores.

Dude, where's my car? What should we do?
 
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OMG i felt the same way about verbal!!! and damnnnn i was wrongggg.

i got 11/7/10. damn verbal!!!!

are you guys thinking of re-using the FLs or getting new tests??
 
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27R

3.4c 3.1s

Solid ECs,
md & do letters

Understand this isn't likely to be competitive for MD but what about DO? I really don't want to take it again if I will be competitive for Osteopathic schools as I already had high interest in them anyways.

Help me decide! 😕
 
Last edited:
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I already posted this on our 9/6 thread, but this place seems most appropriate for my question!

I got

P: 10
V: 11
B: 11

32N

Should I retake? I wonder if I would be able to score higher if I do. For preparation, I used Kaplan as well as AAMC practice tests. If I'm retaking in 2013, will AAMC have enough of the new study materials (like practice tests, assessments, etc.) up on their site? I took all the practice tests for this one so if they only upload 1 or 2 more new ones, I wouldn't get too much online practice before the 2013. Does anyone have idea?
 
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