3rd MCAT retake. Worth it or not?

[KJOD1N812]

I got a 501 on my first try and took it the second time with studying only for a month before and scored a 503. This was during the last cycle. I'm reapplying this cycle and would really like to go to MCG (they have a 510 MCAT average). I've been studying for the third re-take for 2 months now with an emphasis on improving my CARS and C/P score. I recently took the AAMC FL 1 and got a 510 (I last took that test in August 2017) so I know that score may be inflated (127,128,128,127)

My C/P Section Bank score was 78%, Bio Section Bank was 75% and Psych was 69%.

I took the AAMC sample test and got (61%, 85%, 74%, 75%)

I haven't taken the AAMC FL 2 yet but I have taken it previously

I just took the AAMC FL 3 today since I've never taken that before and scored a 504 (127,124,126,127).

My CARS dropped significantly in this test compared to my question packs, sample test, FL 1 and khan academy passages. I'm content with my C/P score but my Bio score is fluctuating like crazy (got a 128 on it on my last two attempts) but I know I can improve it by a couple points more.

I was initially planning on taking it June 30th but today is the last day to register for it without a fee increase. Should I go ahead and register for the 30th with 15 days left to improve my CARS by 2-3 points and my Bio score my 1-2 points while maintaining my other sections? or should I wait and take it on July 7th and risk making my application even later and buying myself a little more time? My application for both AAMC and AACOMAS have already been verified for this cycle so it's just a matter of secondaries and this MCAT.

3.86 GPA, but 501, 503 MCAT. 1500+ shadowing hours and currently working as a scribe and medical assistant. 2 years of research experience and solid LORs.

I'm going for at least a 508 on this try. Is it worth taking it the 3rd time or should I just leave it be? Is a 503 to 508 increase even worth it or would I need to be scoring 510+ to justify me taking it for the third time? I would really prefer to go to an MD school. I'm a female ORM.

Sorry I bombarded you with a lot of info

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[KJOD1N812]

It seems like you didn't study fully for your first attempt. The MCAT exam requires studying and practicing and many many people are studying for 3-6 months for 300-500 hours - so I would recommend this kind of work before your third attempt. As an ORM with a goal to go to a MD school - aim to achieve 512+ this time around.

My problem has never been content with the MCAT because it's always reasoning or data based questions that I struggle with and I know the best way to overcome that is practice but I've exhausted all of my resources. I've done all the AAMC material already and that's where the problem lies. Do you have any recommendations for extra practice material?

 

[Chase K 13]

I was/still currently in basically the same boat you are. Except I had a lower GPA due to some health issues my senior year ~ 3.65. Took it the first time the new MCAT was ever offered and got a 504 (127/123/128/126), took it a second time a year later 505(126/124/126/129), I just took it for my third time today aiming for 512+. I was in a similar predicament with running out of AAMC material close to test time. I had taken AAMC practice FL and FL 1 the first attempt, used FL 2 during preparations for my second attempt in addition to FL 1 and practice FL, and then used all of those in addition to FL 3 this time. FL 3 is without a doubt the best representation of what you should expect on test day. When I took all of the AAMC FLs this time around, I hadn't seen them in approximately 15 months and felt like my scores were inflated 2-3 points. I compiled my practice test scores and actual test scores:

First MCAT 2/3/2016
FL 1 (1/22/16) 498 124 127 122 125
Sample (1/28/16) 67.83% 59% 83% 58% 73%
Actual (2/3/16) 504 127 123 128 126

Second MCAT 3/31/2017
FL 1 (3/8/17) 505 127 125 126 127
FL 2 (3/20/17) 505 127 126 125 127
Sample (3/27/17) 77.83% 75% 83% 71% 83%
Actual (3/31/17) 505 126 124 126 129

Third MCAT 6/16/2018
FL 2 (6/1/18) 511 130 126 128 127
FL 1 (6/5/18) 515 130 127 130 128
Sample (6/8/18) 80.43% /510-511 75%/127/128 77%/126 85%/128/129 85%/128
FL 3 (6/11/18) 508 127 125 128 128

For CARs practice I highly recommend EK 101 passages for verbal reasoning. Despite it being purposed for the old MCAT, their explanations really resonated with me. I think the passages are very representative too. If you haven't developed a solid strategy, whatever it might be, definitely do that and then tinker with what you feel comfortable with. Next Step FLs 1-4 I thought were the next best thing to AAMC. I think you should ask yourself if you're set on MD because a 503 is in the ballpark for DO school. If you want to give yourself a shot at MD then you need to make sure you improve significantly (510-512+), as @MCATKINGS said, to make a retake worthwhile. If I was in your shoes, I would bump it back to July, take those NS FLs, and power through every passage in the EK book. Though, getting your score back in early/mid August might limit the benefits you could potentially reap with that being later in the cycle. Might give some thought to postponing on applying to the next cycle if you're set on MD. Just my two cents, take it for what its worth. Best of luck!

 

[KJOD1N812]

I was/still currently in basically the same boat you are. Except I had a lower GPA due to some health issues my senior year ~ 3.65. Took it the first time the new MCAT was ever offered and got a 504 (127/123/128/126), took it a second time a year later 505(126/124/126/129), I just took it for my third time today aiming for 512+. I was in a similar predicament with running out of AAMC material close to test time. I had taken AAMC practice FL and FL 1 the first attempt, used FL 2 during preparations for my second attempt in addition to FL 1 and practice FL, and then used all of those in addition to FL 3 this time. FL 3 is without a doubt the best representation of what you should expect on test day. When I took all of the AAMC FLs this time around, I hadn't seen them in approximately 15 months and felt like my scores were inflated 2-3 points. I compiled my practice test scores and actual test scores:

First MCAT 2/3/2016
FL 1 (1/22/16) 498 124 127 122 125
Sample (1/28/16) 67.83% 59% 83% 58% 73%
Actual (2/3/16) 504 127 123 128 126

Second MCAT 3/31/2017
FL 1 (3/8/17) 505 127 125 126 127
FL 2 (3/20/17) 505 127 126 125 127
Sample (3/27/17) 77.83% 75% 83% 71% 83%
Actual (3/31/17) 505 126 124 126 129

Third MCAT 6/16/2018
FL 2 (6/1/18) 511 130 126 128 127
FL 1 (6/5/18) 515 130 127 130 128
Sample (6/8/18) 80.43% /510-511 75%/127/128 77%/126 85%/128/129 85%/128
FL 3 (6/11/18) 508 127 125 128 128

For CARs practice I highly recommend EK 101 passages for verbal reasoning. Despite it being purposed for the old MCAT, their explanations really resonated with me. I think the passages are very representative too. If you haven't developed a solid strategy, whatever it might be, definitely do that and then tinker with what you feel comfortable with. Next Step FLs 1-4 I thought were the next best thing to AAMC. I think you should ask yourself if you're set on MD because a 503 is in the ballpark for DO school. If you want to give yourself a shot at MD then you need to make sure you improve significantly (510-512+), as @MCATKINGS said, to make a retake worthwhile. If I was in your shoes, I would bump it back to July, take those NS FLs, and power through every passage in the EK book. Though, getting your score back in early/mid August might limit the benefits you could potentially reap with that being later in the cycle. Might give some thought to postponing on applying to the next cycle if you're set on MD. Just my two cents, take it for what its worth. Best of luck!

Thanks! I'll get on to practicing with EK and NS material and then retake FL 3 closer to my test date since I never went over the test.

 

[Blanky]

505 is obtainable with just content mastery, assuming a decent CARS 124-126.

 

[trobinsonmd]

I would recommend the NextStep series, as their explanations are very helpful wrt strategy... I think retaking it with the goal of getting a 508 is worth it... your GPA is pretty solid and a 508 (especially after 2 tries) won't get you many interviews, but if you apply broadly and also apply DO, you will get some interviews... not to be rude, but what you are doing right now for studying is clearly not working. I would identify what methods are working and what methods are not working and try to implement new study methods that you will be able to get more benefit from. If something is not working, don't keep doing it... if you don't know what to do, PM me and I'll share some common study methods that i share with my students

 

[PlsLetMeIn21]

My problem has never been content with the MCAT because it's always reasoning or data based questions that I struggle with and I know the best way to overcome that is practice but I've exhausted all of my resources. I've done all the AAMC material already and that's where the problem lies. Do you have any recommendations for extra practice material?

It sounds like TBR sciences are exactly what you need. There are a zillion passages in their books and what they do better than anyone else is teach you strategies how to shave time off certain types of questions, how to think clearly about other types of questions, and how to navigate the head-scratcher questions. I don't recommend them for CARS or P/S, but they are absolute gold in the sciences. I agree with the post above that EK is exceptional for CARS. TPR CARS has been helpful too. It looks like CARS is where you need to go up the most.

 

[TheRealCookieMonster]

If you're retaking that test for the third time you better bury it in the ground... not 512+... like 515+. a 510 on your third test is a waste of your time IMO <-- premed
Think about this from the admissions side of things. Three tests is a big red flag.

 

[AM786]

If you can increase your score, I'd see it as you didn't prepare completely the first time. Recommend retake if your confident you can increase