4th MCAT Retake Damage

[medasez]

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So I just took my 3rd retake MCAT on Aug 3rd, and I'm not feeling too well about it, as I left 2 questions blank on CARS (didn't check the timer). As my only reason of taking that MCAT was to get a high CARS score, I should have voided, but made the wrong move there. Nevertheless I will be submitting my secondaries by this week.

So my question is does taking multiple MCATs affect my application after getting an interview or secondary application? The only reason I took a third retake and a possible 4th is so I can take a chance getting into Canadian med schools, which don't flag you and look at your most recent score. But I'm completely happy with the 2nd retake (510) that I used on my AMCAS applications, but will they look and flag the other MCATs in the future?

 

[Med Ed]

So I just took my 3rd retake MCAT on Aug 3rd, and I'm not feeling too well about it, as I left 2 questions blank on CARS (didn't check the timer). As my only reason of taking that MCAT was to get a high CARS score, I should have voided, but made the wrong move there. Nevertheless I will be submitting my secondaries by this week.

So my question is does taking multiple MCATs affect my application after getting an interview or secondary application? The only reason I took a third retake and a possible 4th is so I can take a chance getting into Canadian med schools, which don't flag you and look at your most recent score. But I'm completely happy with the 2nd retake (510) that I used on my AMCAS applications, but will they look and flag the other MCATs in the future?

What is your score pattern?

 

[Goro]

So I just took my 3rd retake MCAT on Aug 3rd, and I'm not feeling too well about it, as I left 2 questions blank on CARS (didn't check the timer). As my only reason of taking that MCAT was to get a high CARS score, I should have voided, but made the wrong move there. Nevertheless I will be submitting my secondaries by this week.

So my question is does taking multiple MCATs affect my application after getting an interview or secondary application? The only reason I took a third retake and a possible 4th is so I can take a chance getting into Canadian med schools, which don't flag you and look at your most recent score. But I'm completely happy with the 2nd retake (510) that I used on my AMCAS applications, but will they look and flag the other MCATs in the future?

Quoting the wise Homeskool: Taking the MCAT is like getting married: ideally you only do it once, and the more times you do it the worse you start looking to suitors with good judgment.

 

[honeybee87]

Quoting the wise Homeskool: Taking the MCAT is like getting married: ideally you only do it once, and the more times you do it the worse you start looking to suitors with good judgment.

Hmmm. The way I see it, the more you’re married, the more experience you have #joke

 

[907914]

Hmmm. The way I see it, the more you’re married, the more experience you have #joke

You know what is interesting about the statistics where people say “60% of all marriages end in divorce” is that this is the overall divorce rate. In reality, first time marriages only end 42% of the time, second marriages end 63% of the time, and 3rd marriages end 73% of the time. Those second and third marriage stats skew the average.

 

[medasez]

What is your score pattern?

Went from 506 (128/122/128/128) to 510 (129/124/131/126). Third retake score still on its way. Like I know the fourth retake will be looked down upon, but will it affect me even after getting interviews?

 

[Cornfed101]

You know what is interesting about the statistics where people say “60% of all marriages end in divorce” is that this is the overall divorce rate. In reality, first time marriages only end 42% of the time, second marriages end 63% of the time, and 3rd marriages end 73% of the time. Those second and third marriage stats skew the average.

My uncle has been married 4 times and I would say this is accurate...

 

[Med Ed]

Went from 506 (128/122/128/128) to 510 (129/124/131/126). Third retake score still on its way. Like I know the fourth retake will be looked down upon, but will it affect me even after getting interviews?

First let's talk about terminology. The prefix "re-" means "again," as in to repeat something. So your second take is your first retake, you third take is your second retake, your fourth take is your third retake, etc.

The impact of this will depend on the scores from takes three and four and when they come out relative to your application being reviewed for possible interview invitation. Most people would have called it quits with a 510, which is essentially average for matriculants in the US, but I can understand if the Canadian schools play a different game. Either way, sitting a fourth time when the score from the third take isn't back yet is quite concerning. In my opinion it calls your judgement into question.

 

[Isoval]

Why on earth would you retake it without even knowing what you got on the third??

 

[Cornfed101]

Why on earth would you retake it without even knowing what you got on the third??

Couldn't agree more. I had a friend take the MCAT a few months ago and took at again before he got his score back. He got a 506 both times. Now a 506 is a fine score, but when you now have two 506s that is an issue. Don't just assume that if you take the MCAT over and over your CARS will improve.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

Some people are really "trigger happy" with the MCAT. Glad I only took it one time. My friend is about to take it a 3rd time and the first 2 times said they didn't put in enough time and took the wrong approach.

 

[medasez]

First let's talk about terminology. The prefix "re-" means "again," as in to repeat something. So your second take is your first retake, you third take is your second retake, your fourth take is your third retake, etc.

The impact of this will depend on the scores from takes three and four and when they come out relative to your application being reviewed for possible interview invitation. Most people would have called it quits with a 510, which is essentially average for matriculants in the US, but I can understand if the Canadian schools play a different game. Either way, sitting a fourth time when the score from the third take isn't back yet is quite concerning. In my opinion it calls your judgement into question.

Sry for the mistake in the terminology, didn't notice that, apologies.

Also should have clarified, that I would definitely take my fourth take after I get my score back (after Sep 4th) , but I will register now for my fourth as I don't feel confident in my CARS score (my mistake on not voiding). I'm expecting 129+ for all sections but CARS. Unfortunately, most Canadian schools require at least 128 CARS, and I'm hovering pretty low considering leaving 2 questions blank and overall confusion from the passages I've encountered. Honestly I'm taking it a fourth time just as a last attempt at Canadian med schools, but same time don't want to increase my chances of getting flagged/rejected by US med schools. Should I not risk it and call it a day or am I safe to try one last time? My other stats are high (EC/research diverse, sGPA 3.94), but I'm a Canadian, not US citizen, so not sure how that factors in.

 

[Isoval]

Sry for the mistake in the terminology, didn't notice that, apologies.

Also should have clarified, that I would definitely take my fourth take after I get my score back (after Sep 4th) , but I will register now for my fourth as I don't feel confident in my CARS score (my mistake on not voiding). I'm expecting 129+ for all sections but CARS. Unfortunately, most Canadian schools require at least 128 CARS, and I'm hovering pretty low considering leaving 2 questions blank and overall confusion from the passages I've encountered. Honestly I'm taking it a fourth time just as a last attempt at Canadian med schools, but same time don't want to increase my chances of getting flagged/rejected by US med schools. Should I not risk it and call it a day or am I safe to try one last time? My other stats are high (EC/research diverse, sGPA 3.94), but I'm a Canadian, not US citizen, so not sure how that factors in.

Badly, unfortunately.

Your best chances will be at DO schools that accept Canadian applicants in the US even with a stellar MCAT score.

Knock 5-7 off your score and that's about where you should apply. It's even worse for true international students coming from across the big pond.

 

[deleted804295]

Sry for the mistake in the terminology, didn't notice that, apologies.

Also should have clarified, that I would definitely take my fourth take after I get my score back (after Sep 4th) , but I will register now for my fourth as I don't feel confident in my CARS score (my mistake on not voiding). I'm expecting 129+ for all sections but CARS. Unfortunately, most Canadian schools require at least 128 CARS, and I'm hovering pretty low considering leaving 2 questions blank and overall confusion from the passages I've encountered. Honestly I'm taking it a fourth time just as a last attempt at Canadian med schools, but same time don't want to increase my chances of getting flagged/rejected by US med schools. Should I not risk it and call it a day or am I safe to try one last time? My other stats are high (EC/research diverse, sGPA 3.94), but I'm a Canadian, not US citizen, so not sure how that factors in.

After a 4th MCAT exam you get auto-screened rejections from many schools. Just something to consider.


Also did it ever occur to you to seek advice and maybe use SDN after your first or second MCAT score?

 

[rdyotz]

When did you take each MCAT?
The 3rd one was August 3rd, what about the other two?

 

[medasez]

When did you take each MCAT?
The 3rd one was August 3rd, what about the other two?

First one back in September 2018. Second one June 1st, 2019.

 

[rdyotz]

June 1st, August 3rd, and September x? Three MCATs in ~3 months would be a red flag that not only did you not do well, but you didn't take the time to properly improve before taking it again.

 

[medasez]

June 1st, August 3rd, and September x? Three MCATs in ~3 months would be a red flag that not only did you not do well, but you didn't take the time to properly improve before taking it again.

The first MCAT I said I took was in 2018 not 2019. but pretty much red flag for taking it three times anyways. Wish I voided my third take...

 

[rdyotz]

The first MCAT I said I took was in 2018 not 2019. but pretty much red flag for taking it three times anyways. Wish I voided my third take...

My response was in regards to you considering taking it for the fourth (overall) time in September.
You took it:
June 1st, 2019
August 3rd, 2019

Third time would be early September.

June to September would be slightly over 3 months if you take it again.

 

[medasez]

My response was in regards to you considering taking it for the fourth (overall) time in September.
You took it:
June 1st, 2019
August 3rd, 2019

Third time would be early September.

June to September would be slightly over 3 months if you take it again.

I see, well I guess I'm not gonna take it in September, call it quits on Canada

 

[rdyotz]

I see, well I guess I'm not gonna take it in September, call it quits on Canada

If Canada is your dream, I would say wait and take the MCAT next year after you can put in significant time studying for CARS (probably the hardest section to increase quickly). That would mean applying next year instead.

If your goal is to become a doctor, you can still apply to some schools in the U.S.

 

[Med Ed]

I see, well I guess I'm not gonna take it in September, call it quits on Canada

You're in quite a pickle. Your MCAT seems to be too low for Canada, but you are at an extreme disadvantage as an international student applying to US schools.

If your third CARS disappoints, you may have to take the MCAT a fourth time. Just do it after 12 months of doing nothing but taking MCAT practice exams.

Otherwise I suggest you emigrate south.

 

[medasez]

You're in quite a pickle. Your MCAT seems to be too low for Canada, but you are at an extreme disadvantage as an international student applying to US schools.

If your third CARS disappoints, you may have to take the MCAT a fourth time. Just do it after 12 months of doing nothing but taking MCAT practice exams.

Otherwise I suggest you emigrate south.

So I emailed a bunch of schools, and they are saying that the admissions committee doesn't know you have taken future MCAT tests, unless you state on your primary application that you intend to take a future test. I submitted my primary application without future MCAT intent, leaving my second take (510) as my last noted score, and my third and fourth will technically not be considered. Is what they said true, or adcoms still somehow able to find out your other MCAT scores even after interviews? (of course if I were to reapply the next cycle they would find out, but am I safe for this cycle?)

 

[Med Ed]

So I emailed a bunch of schools, and they are saying that the admissions committee doesn't know you have taken future MCAT tests, unless you state on your primary application that you intend to take a future test. I submitted my primary application without future MCAT intent, leaving my second take (510) as my last noted score, and my third and fourth will technically not be considered. Is what they said true, or adcoms still somehow able to find out your other MCAT scores even after interviews? (of course if I were to reapply the next cycle they would find out, but am I safe for this cycle?)

We will see all your MCAT scores. The data is automatically transmitted into AMCAS, and by the time your application goes to committee (post-interview) everything will be there.

 

[medasez]

Just wanted to update for everyone. I went for the third retake in Sep 2019 (without knowing my second retake score), but at the CARS section I was struggling a lil bit on one passage, so I voided the whole exam not to risk it as I didn't feel I could get 129+ CARS this time (although the other sections were easy). Got my second retake score back few days later, 513 (129/125/129/130). Sad but I guess I can't do anything and hope for the best this cycle.

 

[gyngyn]

Just wanted to update for everyone. I went for the third retake in Sep 2019 (without knowing my second retake score), but at the CARS section I was struggling a lil bit on one passage, so I voided the whole exam not to risk it as I didn't feel I could get 129+ CARS this time (although the other sections were easy). Got my second retake score back few days later, 513 (129/125/129/130). Sad but I guess I can't do anything and hope for the best this cycle.

Thanks for letting us know!