7/6/11 Mcat date and dont know what to do!

[achaverta]

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Hi everyone!!
So this is the story in short, I took the kaplan course which ended in May. During the course i was crazy busy with school, volunteer, life..... So i attended every class but wasnt really preparing with the necessary reading... I have been studying since i finished it the course and now the MCAT is looming. On my Diagnostic I got a 21 and since then my full length score have been climbing but but very slowly. I have been consistently scoring a 10 on the verbal in every full length but the bio and physics sections have been fluctuating sporadically.
My highest acheived bio score was a 9 and my highest physics an 8 (not on the the same test- they seem to have an inverse relationship going on!)
SO now my test is next week, i am no where near getting a desired score on my practice tests and Im not sure what to do. Do I cram like crazy trying to make up for lost time or do I just cancel the test date now.

If i dont get at least a 32 by next week i will probably just cancel or go and void.

What to guys think I should do:
Cancel?

Thanks

 

[Donald Juan]

You should have had plenty of time to study since the semester ended, i.e. after your kaplan course. I'm sure you realize that if you push your test back you are looking at having to apply even later than you already will.

Basically, if you really think that you can improve your score with a few more weeks of studying, then maybe push it back. If not, then give it a shot.

It is good that you have been getting a consistent verbal score (I wish I had that) but you should be worried about inconsistent science scores, those are the ones that should be generally getting better with more study time and effort.

 

[Ismet]

At this point, there's really no point in canceling because you won't get any money back (have to cancel at least 14 days before the test to get half the money back). You can cancel if you want, but you might as well go take the test and just void it if you don't think you did well. The real MCAT is different from the AAMC practice tests, most notably in the verbal section, and it may be a benefit to get an idea of the real MCAT and just void it rather than not taking it at all.

To be honest, a 5-point jump in a week most likely won't happen, especially when you say you've been consistently getting those numbers. Also, "cramming" is definitely not the answer. Only so much of the test is knowledge. The majority of it is your test-taking ability, your reasoning and critical thinking skills, and of course performing under pressure. How have you been taking practice tests? And which ones have you taken? You should be taking your practice tests under simulated testing conditions. Do you go over the tests in detail (every single question) after you take them, noting the content areas that give you trouble? You may need to step back and evaluate how you've been studying and practicing, because just continuing with the same method for a later test date may not solve the problem.

 

[soccerbabe7582]

What to guys think I should do:
Cancel?

Thanks

Honestly, I think you should just take it at this point as well. If you know you prob won't make your target score, take it on July 6th, and resign up for a date in august (after the score release date) and really study your ass off while you have all the material fresh on your mind. That way, if you need to retake it, you won't have to start from scratch again by doing it at a later date.

 

[achaverta]

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking along the lines of what you guys wrote. I did go over the practice tests (kaplan) and I did note down trends in topics like Mendelian Genetics, and Orgo topics in bio and the trends are consistent in Physics as well. Thats why i still hope to get more done with cramming, But i think i will take it regardless. The question is still do i void, or do I wait for the score and rely on a retake. I don't want to submit a score when there is a big chance itll be bad and it will show up on my application.

 

[Genemo]

Whats the consequence of getting a crappy score?

 

[achaverta]

I've worked really hard on maintaining a nice gpa, and my I would like to think that my overall application is strong, so I would love to show one strong MCAT score as well. Im not looking to give the schools any reason to reject my application because of a bad mcat try without giving weight to the rest of it.

 

[Genemo]

I've worked really hard on maintaining a nice gpa, and my I would like to think that my overall application is strong, so I would love to show one strong MCAT score as well. Im not looking to give the schools any reason to reject my application because of a bad mcat try without giving weight to the rest of it.

But if you void the score you'll have no score. Then you'd have to write it again and do decently.
If you dont void and end up with a crappy score, you can still write it again and do decently.
Whats the difference?
(I'm not saying theres no difference cos I'm familiar with US schools. I'm not sure what is the different. To me it seems the same.)

 

[Ismet]

Whats the consequence of getting a crappy score?

The consequence of a crappy score is that med schools will see it. If you take the MCAT and score it, it is automatically attached to your AMCAS and medical schools will see it; you don't have the option to send certain scores.

On the "standardized tests" tab of AMCAS, you can indicate future MCAT dates. If you submit your application with a future MCAT date on there, med schools will wait to mark your application as complete until that future score comes in. You will get secondaries (as most schools don't screen for MCAT score) but you won't get interview offers until that score is in. So you can take the 7/6 test, but indicate on your AMCAS that you'll be taking a future test (Aug/Sept).

 

[achaverta]

I didnt think of that Ismet. That is a great idea! Thanks
My only question though is do I take it in August/Sep or push it off so I dont have to go through the ready/not ready dilemma again?

 

[Genemo]

The consequence of a crappy score is that med schools will see it. If you take the MCAT and score it, it is automatically attached to your AMCAS and medical schools will see it; you don't have the option to send certain scores.

But does it look bad if you have a crappy 1st score and a much better 2nd score? Doesnt that indicate improvement?

 

[achaverta]

It indicates improvement but one grade score indicates mastery and preparedness. A bad score first and a great score second isn't bad but a great score first is much better.

 

[Ismet]

I didnt think of that Ismet. That is a great idea! Thanks
My only question though is do I take it in August/Sep or push it off so I dont have to go through the ready/not ready dilemma again?

Are you applying this cycle? If not, you might want to wait until next spring or early summer to take it so you can bring up your score 5 points (or more!). If you're applying this cycle, an August date is probably the latest you want to take it, and even that is very late. September is extremely late for applying this cycle, as you won't get your scores until October, and several schools have deadlines of late October or November.

 

[achaverta]

I know Ismet. I stilll have the hope to do well now, but I doubt it. Will take another full length tomorrow under simulated conditions and see if my last two days of cramming did anything! Thanks

 

[achaverta]

And I was hoping to apply this cycle. But obviously if i dont take it by august I will take it a month before the start of the new cycle and get a hopfully fantastic score in for the beginning of the new cycle.

 

[Genemo]

It indicates improvement but one grade score indicates mastery and preparedness. A bad score first and a great score second isn't bad but a great score first is much better.

oh ok
didnt realize this
then ya...now I understand why you wanna void it

 

[CodeBlu]

Take it. Score it regardless. Might as well see how you did.

Then ROCK it the second time around. Because now you know where your weaknesses lie.

Or get really lucky, and get the score you want. It happens.

Some people really perform well under pressure and pull it together on the day of the test.