31 MCAT but didnt finish any of the sections...

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123rsg347

123rsg347

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I just got my MCAT score back and got a 31. I didn't finish any of the sections though (I blindly guessed on 1 passage per section). I'm retaking it on August 3rd and have been doing a lot of practice tests and think I have the timing down now. How much do you think I can expect to improve my score if I finish all the sections this time? I'm trying to figure out which schools to add to my list...
 
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I personally would not retake a 31. Did you go in there planning to guess on one passage per section or it just happened that way?
 
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gettheleadout said:
Quite a strong reaction without knowing anything about the OP's goals, prep, or practice test performance; one passage of guesses per section could be several points overall.
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If the OP is not applying MD/PhD, then yes he should keep a 31. If his GPA is good, having a 31 vs a 33 will not make much of a difference as long as the rest of his application is strong.

So yes, I re-emphasize, he should keep it.
 
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I went in expecting to be a little short on verbal but not as badly as I was. I usually finish BS early and right on time for PS but really messed up the timing on the real thing. I thought I was going to score in the mid to upper 20's after finishing the test which wasn't going to get me into the schools I wanted to apply to so a few days later I registered for the August 3rd test. I'm a CA resident and would really like to go to a UC (for a regular MD not MD/ PhD) but from what I have heard a 31 won't cut it, which is why I want to retake it. Do you think the UC's would give me a chance with a 31? I have a 3.93 cGPA and about a 3.90 sGPA and decent extracurriculars (research, non-clinical volunteering, tutoring, student government, physician shadowing in several departments of a hospital as well as in hospice as part of a healthcare ethics internship, D1 athlete)
 
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oh and my score breakdown was pretty good, 11/10/10 for PS/VR/BS but that was much lower than I usually score for the sciences on practice tests
 
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guessing on 3 passages is 15-18 questions overall. If you have improved your speed without losing efficiency, you should be able to pick up 11-12 extra questions. A question or two extra on a section could be an extra point overall. So 11-12 points on the enitre test would be a significant bump up in your score.

Take practice exams. If you are scoring 34+, it might be a good idea to take it again. If not, don't bother.
 
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OncoMD said:
If the OP is not applying MD/PhD, then yes he should keep a 31. If his GPA is good, having a 31 vs a 33 will not make much of a difference as long as the rest of his application is strong.

So yes, I re-emphasize, he should keep it.
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Yeah you know, who cares what the OP's goals are as far as school choices or anything. 1) Limiting his possible increase at 33 is total speculation and 2) even 33 and 31 are significantly different. Above 90th percentile vs low 80's.
 
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gettheleadout said:
Yeah you know, who cares what the OP's goals are as far as school choices or anything. 1) Limiting his possible increase at 33 is total speculation and 2) even 33 and 31 are significantly different. Above 90th percentile vs low 80's.
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First of all, I used 33 as a random number to make a general statement, not as an indication of his possible increase, so do not add extra inferences to my statement.

Secondly, you don't even know what his goals are yourself that you feel the need to contradict me.

Thirdly, right here on SDN there are threads which Mods (like yourself) encourage people to keep their 30+ unless its a VERY top school and/or MD/PhD. So if you feel that a person should be encouraged to retake a 31 without equally knowing their goals etc, then please follow up with your volunteer peers, not me. I'm simply being guided by the website you so much represent.

Lastly, Mr/Ms OP, I just called my friend who goes to the medical school of your choice (small world) and she told me that she got in with a 30 (10/10/10). She said you could retake for a substantially higher score but a 31 would suffice as long as you have a strong GPA.
 
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OncoMD said:
First of all, I used 33 as a random number to make a general statement, not as an indication of his possible increase, so do not add extra inferences to my statement.
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Specifically commenting on the difference (or lack thereof) does, however, speak to a possible increase.

Secondly, you don't even know what his goals are yourself that you feel the need to contradict me.
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I have made no attempt to give the OP advice, merely pointed out that yours was given without necessary background on the OP.

Thirdly, right here on SDN there are threads which Mods (like yourself) encourage people to keep their 30+ unless its a VERY top school and/or MD/PhD. So if you feel that a person should be encouraged to retake a 31 without equally knowing their goals etc, then please follow up with your volunteer peers, not me. I'm simply being guided by the website you so much represent.
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Yes, advice given with proper background information.

This is all very simple.
 
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gettheleadout said:
Specifically commenting on the difference (or lack thereof) does, however, speak to a possible increase.


I have made no attempt to give the OP advice, merely pointed out that yours was given without necessary background on the OP.


Yes, advice given with proper background information.

This is all very simple.
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ok then if you feel that way, then...I guess you just do! I shall waste my time no further with you. What matters is how OP feels about the advice that is given to him. Have a nice day 🙂 👍
 
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Personally OP, I would look at actual data for the UC's and see where a 31 puts you percentile-wise. A single anecdote is quite useless. See what you could estimate your chances as based on real information and then you can make a informed decision. Cali residency can be a big problem and a 31 isn't doing you any favors.
 
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OP, I went on my MSAR online and here is what I have for the UCs.

Keep in mind, the MCAT also looks high because its taking into account students who enrolled in MD/PhD programs.


UC, Davis

GPA Range: 3.37-3.95
MCAT Range: 27-37


UC, Irvine

GPA Range: 3.48-3.96
MCAT Range Range: 30-38


UCLA

GPA Range: 3.35-3.96
MCAT Range: 27-39
 
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