I know they are separate but it's a possible explanation why MD schools can justify their decision to average the MCAT retakes. I don't know why DO schools like Goro's would average multiple scores but are okay with grade replacement. That is self-contradictory in many ways, but in the end, it's really to the adcom policy and ultimate decisions, which is all done behind close doors.
The logic described here might be OK for
LizzyM's school, but it's actually a very pernicious one. People who retake a perfectly good, competitive score because they "think they can do better":
a) usually don't
b) are perfectionists, who will:
b1) be in office arguing over why their 96 exam score should really be a 97
OR
b2) attempt to learn everything, and end up learning nothing.
b3) tend not to trust their classmates or team members.
c) don't impress many Adcom members with ths logic, because they expect you to do better the first time around.
d) everyone thinks they're above average, and magic will happen to them.
A lot of people here are being asses to the OP :/ Getting up in arms about how OP chose to retake a 32? If you think you can do better, you retake the test. You don't choose not to retake it just because the average test-taker doesn't improve much from a 32, if at all. The "average" doesn't apply to you if you are not average (as can be determined based off of practice tests, etc.).
