2021-2022 MCAT Timing

[sw00sh.1b1s]

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Do you guys think the AAMC is gonna keep the 5 hour format for 2021 if the pandemic persists? I am attempting to retake a 511 but September is too soon and I don't know what timing formats I should be using for practice tests.

 

[JimKimSlim]

Any specific reason for retaking a 511? That’s too risky!

 

[sw00sh.1b1s]

I had a pretty unbalanced score (126/128/126/131) only seriously retaking if I can pass a 513 on practice exams. I also had a 4 point increase on my actual mcat and never got above a 508 on practice tests, just want to try to do better as a re-applicant.

 

[JimKimSlim]

They're all above 125. I recommend not retaking the test and focus on improving other aspects of your application (clinical experience, community service, secondaries, interview prep, etc). A lot of students who retake study for several months and barely see 2-3 points improvement. If your FL average was 515 but you got 4 points lower, then I would definitely recommend retaking. However, your FL average was 507 and you saw a 4-point increase. It's too risky to retake. There is a reason why people say trust your FL average. If you retake, it might work against you.

 

[sw00sh.1b1s]

They're all above 125. I recommend not retaking the test and focus on improving other aspects of your application (clinical experience, community service, secondaries, interview prep, etc). A lot of students who retake study for several months and barely see 2-3 points improvement. If your FL average was 515 but you got 4 points lower, then I would definitely recommend retaking. However, your FL average was 507 and you saw a 4-point increase. It's too risky to retake. There is a reason why people say trust your FL average. If you retake, it might work against you.

I appreciate the advice but I'm just trying to improve my application on all fronts. My previous FL average was a 507-508 but I also dealing with immense stress during that time. I have enough time to dedicate to the MCAT and other aspects of my app. It's not risky to retake if I put the work in. I don't intend to retake unless I feel confident that I will have a substantial increase on my FL average.

The only question I had was whether the MCAT would stick to the 5 hour timing next year.

 

[KnightDoc]

I appreciate the advice but I'm just trying to improve my application on all fronts. My previous FL average was a 507-508 but I also dealing with immense stress during that time. I have enough time to dedicate to the MCAT and other aspects of my app. It's not risky to retake if I put the work in. I don't intend to retake unless I feel confident that I will have a substantial increase on my FL average.

The only question I had was whether the MCAT would stick to the 5 hour timing next year.

There is no indication that they intend to do so. It was a last minute accommodation in order to squeeze more tests into a limited time frame, given social distancing requirements.

It is likely that for the next cycle, things will either go back to normal if the pandemic fades away, or they will add more dates with a standard length exam. Starting exams at 6:30 a.m., or ending them at midnight, is not by design. In addition, they really do need to add field test questions back to the exam in order to prepare for future exams.

Bottom line, though, is that nobody knows for sure, and we won't know until they open up registration for the next cycle in October.