3rd MCAT

[dreamer84]

---

Members do not see this ad.

how do schools view the third MCAT?
How much does it hurt the overall application???

 

[medguy83]

depends on your previous scores, and this is the double edge of retaking mcats. If you scored say a 28 (10p 8v 10b) and decided to retake and scored a 31 (12p 7v 12b) although you improved your overall score, the admissions committee would get a glaringly good picture that your initial verbal score wasn't just a fluke. On the one hand, schools encourage you to get the best score, but I've heard that once you score anywhere near a 28-30 your chances of improving are drastically diminished. If your score is really low (i.e. < 26) I'd advise you to get into a good prep course and try again. Ideally, schools would like you to take it only once. Bare in mind, regardless if you score a 38, they'll always see your previous scores so it's up to you to determine wheter or not it's worth it to try another whack at it.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Just for the record. I took the MCAT 3 times.

1992, 1998, 1999

Improved each time. Never took an official course. Pounded out as many questions I could. Had a toddler and a newborn when I took it the third time. Spent most of my time at the playground with the kids doing questions. I am not a good test taker so I had to be sure that the rest of my application was well rounded and well written.

Just took COMLEX step III. The test taking never ends. Good luck.

 

[radi0headfan]

depends on your previous scores, and this is the double edge of retaking mcats. If you scored say a 28 (10p 8v 10b) and decided to retake and scored a 31 (12p 7v 12b) although you improved your overall score, the admissions committee would get a glaringly good picture that your initial verbal score wasn't just a fluke. On the one hand, schools encourage you to get the best score, but I've heard that once you score anywhere near a 28-30 your chances of improving are drastically diminished. If your score is really low (i.e. < 26) I'd advise you to get into a good prep course and try again. Ideally, schools would like you to take it only once. Bare in mind, regardless if you score a 38, they'll always see your previous scores so it's up to you to determine wheter or not it's worth it to try another whack at it.

However, if the OP does score a 38, I would bet that schools would write off their lower scores but possibly ask about it in an interview. It is true what medguy is saying about how the odds are against you as a retaker, because if you look at the percentiles on the AAMC website for retakers, the #'s are definitely not in your favor.

You should definitely ask yourself some questions before deciding to retake though. On the past 2 MCATs you took, did you complete every section w/ time to spare? There are some ppl on this forum that have gone from a 28 to a 35 or even a 27 to a 40, so it's definitely possible. If it's your reading speed, that is something can definitely be picked up by lots of practice. Do you think you were completely prepared for the content both times? How do your scores on practice tests compare to your actual scores?

 

[sga814]

if you can pull off a 30-31 for MD or 24-26 for DO, you're set. If you "have to" have a "bad" section, it should be verbal, better to get a 7 on verbal and 15 on bio than 15 verbal and 7 on bio. This is because bio scores are the best predictors of step 1 performance (I speak from experience).

peace

 

[AlberttheGator]

if you can pull off a 30-31 for MD or 24-26 for DO, you're set. If you "have to" have a "bad" section, it should be verbal, better to get a 7 on verbal and 15 on bio than 15 verbal and 7 on bio. This is because bio scores are the best predictors of step 1 performance (I speak from experience).

peace

I have read elsewhere in actual studies that verbal scores are the best predictors of USMLE step I performance.

 

[medstuddude]

I have read elsewhere in actual studies that verbal scores are the best predictors of USMLE step I performance.

actually, the study says the bio section. However, talking about this is all moot, since adcoms care more about verbal

 

[dsherida]

Best advice I can give you is if you don't think you will really bump up your score, don't take it again unless you do so in April. One of the most crucial things for getting into school is to apply EARLY...within the first few weeks of when AMCAS opens. Whoever tells you that timing doesn't matter is either full of it or doesn't know anything. I know the first time around the only reason I didn't get accepted at one school was because my app. was finalized too late (it was in far before their deadline though!). I reapplied to this school and got in the next year because my app. was in right away! I made the mistake of retaking the MCAT in August the first time around and really regretted it. My advice would be to roll with your score and apply early if the score isn't dreadful!

 

[catnip7]

I mean, how dreadful is dreadful? I have a 27 and a 26.

 

[scowdeva]

I had a 28 the first time I took it, but with a 7 in physics. So I was advised to retake, and ended up with a 26 (but I did raise my physics to an 8, but lost two points on my really high verbal). Now I am def going to wait out this cycle to see if I get in, but should I go for a third time?? I studied waaaay more for the second test and got a lower score, so I'm not sure what to do??

 

[catnip7]

I totally agree with you there. I studied way harder for the second one and did worse all around except for verbal (I know, what gives?)

What are we supposed to do?

 

[scowdeva]

catnip, did you take the first one on paper and then a computer based?? I have decided that I will kind of wait this cycle out, and if I have to I will retake a third time early next spring to be ready for June apps. I am consistently scoring in the range I would want, 30-33, but it doesnt pan out when I take the real thing. I posted a thread similar to this one on the pre-allo forum a while back, and the consensus that I got there was retake if you know that you have more potential than what is showing. I just dont know how to get my potential to show up on actual test day....

 

[catnip7]

Actually, I was one of the first guinea pigs to take the computer based...so I took it first in August of last year and then I took it just this past July...

I don't know...what should I do? One of my friends who is in med school told me I didn't really have a shot in hell if I didn't retake it again but I really don't feel all that confident taking it again...What do you think?

 

[scowdeva]

Catnip, without knowing some other facts about you I'm not sure really what to suggest. How is your GPA? EC's? Life experience? If your other stats are at or above average, I think that you have a shot at some middle to lower tier schools with the scores you have. They arent terrible, but they arent going to help you if you have something else that is below average.
Are you interested in DO? Your scores of 26 and 27 would be pretty solid for there. Are you URM?
I would think that if you arent comfortable with retaking it, you may need to take some time until you FEEL comfortable with it. I am typically an awesome standardized test taker (I got a 33 on the ACT my sophomore year in high school!) but the MCAT steals all of my confidence away!
If you would be comfortable with it, maybe you could give us some of your stats and we could help with suggestions??

 

[catnip7]

Sure thing, scowdeva. And thank you for being so supportive because this is actually my first time on the website.

Let's see. I completed undergrad with a 2.7 (this with all my prerequisites) and I completed my MA in Forensic Psychology with a 3.7. I took Physics II over again this past last semester and got an A ( I haven't actually figured this into my undergrad GPA yet), I start Microbiology tomorrow.

I'm working as a Clinical Aide at my undergraduate school's Student Health Center, have an interview to start volunteering at a hospital lined up, am published from an undergraduate internship and completed a year long externship at the Alzheimer's Association (for my MA).

So yeah...there's a lot going on but I don't know what's really going to help me.

P.S. I actually listed all of this in a new thread titled "Help Reapplying" and got no replies after 8 hours. 🙂

 

[Mace1370]

I had a 28 the first time I took it, but with a 7 in physics. So I was advised to retake, and ended up with a 26 (but I did raise my physics to an 8, but lost two points on my really high verbal). Now I am def going to wait out this cycle to see if I get in, but should I go for a third time?? I studied waaaay more for the second test and got a lower score, so I'm not sure what to do??

Don't retake. If you studied hard the second time and got a 26 then you will probably fluctuate +/- 1 point. Besides, the vast majority of schools average all the tests you take (with the exception of a few that take the highest score in each section). You would have to get a 36 the third time around to average out to a 30, and even then your initial low scores would raise serious red flags. In other words, you have a lot more to lose from retaking a third time (getting a third low score) than you have to gain.

 

[bellajoy]

But what if you are forced to take it a third time due to time periods? Does it still look bad? Like I took it twice back when I first applied (26 and 27), and now it's 4 years later and it may be another year before I even try again.

 

[Courtknee]

I was just skimming this page. I am in my fourth year of medical school. I took the MCAT four times before I got in. I don't think it hurts to take it again especially if your scores are say...below 28. I actually got in with a 27 (9,9,9), which was an improvement of my streaks of 25 and 26. I applied a total of four times as well. I had annual meetings with the Dean of Admissions at the schools I had been interviewing with to reaffirm my commitment to getting into medical school, and I was always asking for their advice. I took a year of graduate school, as suggested, and got appx a 3.6 GPA. (My undergraduate gpa was only a 3.4 with a 3.1 in sciences. I wasn't as commited to medical school at that time). It was a very stressful year during graduate school, but I was committed to proving that I could do the work. I did finally get in to a US med school (MD), and a pretty good one at that. So...my advice, persevere if you really want it. Meet with the Dean at the schools that you are most interested in and do whatever they suggest. FYI...with the hard work I am in the top half of my class and am in the top 25% of my class for my 3rd year clinical grades (which are the most important grades). Good luck!