About to take the MCAT for a third time

[imno]

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Hi,

I got a 30 on my first MCAT 12,7,11. Because of the low verbal score, I decided to retake it soon afterwards without much studying done and got a 31 (11, 10, 10).

I am planning to retake the MCAT for a third time, but I may void my score in the end of the test in case I feel that I did not achieve a higher score. Last thing I want is a drop in my MCAT score. Anyone taken the MCAT 4 times and know whether AAMC will easily let you retake it? I know they count void too when they count the # of tests a person has taken. and max # is 3?

 

[vokuf]

Retake it because 31 isn't a very good score :sarcastic:

 

[music2doc]

Hi,

I got a 30 on my first MCAT 12,7,11. Because of the low verbal score, I decided to retake it soon afterwards without much studying done and got a 31 (11, 10, 10).

I am planning to retake the MCAT for a third time, but I may void my score in the end of the test in case I feel that I did not achieve a higher score. Last thing I want is a drop in my MCAT score. Anyone taken the MCAT 4 times and know whether AAMC will easily let you retake it? I know they count void too when they count the # of tests a person has taken. and max # is 3?

I'd honestly stop at your 31 being as it will get you and your scores show enough variability in the subsections with consistency in the total score that I don't know that you can expect much positive change and you could easily confirm that the 7 VR was your "true" score and sink yourself. Keep in mind, as well, that some schools may take your highest subsection, which would give you a 33. Once again, you don't want to give them reason to doubt your new score by dropping the ball and getting a 10/7/10 or something. (Also, cognitive psychological studies have shown there is no correlation between how you "think" you did and how you actually did. Degree of confidence is literally completely unrelated to performance when it comes to tests of knowledge and/or critical thinking. In other words, voiding based upon how you feel you did is about the stupidest way to make that decision possible.)

 

[1289]

what are you doing? stop retaking! are you set on going to an ivy or something

 

[ComradeDoktor]

You got a balanced score the second time. There's no one weak area you can work on. The chances of you raising your score by more than a point or so are very low. Definitely not worth it IMO.

 

[Lucky Louie]

So glad you asked. At least you're looking for guidance. Hopefully you'll listen too.

Don't repeat. You have nicely equal scores. Nothing stands out as a weakness.

 

[Wubbles]

You want to put yourself through the pain of the MCAT for a third time? 😱
That's a good score, keep that and run with it. Not worth risking a lower score!

 

[Quicksilver005]

Honestly, it depends.

If you are URM, then you are golden.

If you have a state school that takes gobs of IS students, then you are golden.

If you are Asian, then I'd suggest you retake it.

 

[charju]

if you think you will do better retake it.



I also agree it depends on who you are. if you're an asian male, you might want to retake that. even more true if you're from california.

i took it a total of 3 times. improved every single time. Did it help my app? ofcourse it did.

 

[imno]

Edit

 

[gyngyn]

There are dozens of schools where you have a good chance to interview. Identify them (MSAR) and apply. Stat.

 

[Quicksilver005]

There are dozens of schools where you have a good chance to interview. Identify them (MSAR) and apply. Stat.

Agreed. But we have no idea what the OP wants to go or wants to do. So it is hard to say.

 

[gyngyn]

Agreed. But we have no idea what the OP wants to go or wants to do. So it is hard to say.

I guess I figured from the post that he/she wanted to get into med school. Since there are plenty of schools that will interview him, it seems he just needs to identify the ones he's willing to apply to and get started. There is no limit to the number of MCAT's he might take but there is diminishing return on multiple similar results.

 

[Irish Football]

Don't retake.

 

[Quicksilver005]

I guess I figured from the post that he/she wanted to get into med school. Since there are plenty of schools that will interview him, it seems he just needs to identify the ones he's willing to apply to and get started. There is no limit to the number of MCAT's he might take but there is diminishing return on multiple similar results.

It is obvious he/she wants to go to medical school. D'uh!

But what isn't obvious is where. If he/she is applying to a California medical school, I would say go fish unless you are a URM. That is just my .02.

 

[virtuoso735]

I also agree it depends on who you are. if you're an asian male, you might want to retake that. even more true if you're from california.

Asian male from California with a 31 MCAT here. 3 MD interviews and 8 DO interviews so far this cycle.

31 is fine if you're shooting for mid- to low-tier MD schools. If you're going for top 20 then a retake may be advisable.

 

[sinombre]

I have a balanced 31, and have 1 interview and 6 rejections so far. I don't think a 31 will help or hurt you. But doing worse a third time will definitely hurt you.

 

[XCourtSmash]

I have a balanced 31, and have 1 interview and 6 rejections so far. I don't think a 31 will help or hurt you. But doing worse a third time will definitely hurt you.

Dang 6 flat out rejections already? Did you apply to top-tier schools or something?

 

[saveourpens]

I have to disagree with the standard SDN response. If OP feels they could do better (scored much higher on FLs for instance) then I'd suggest a retake.

 

[gyngyn]

It is obvious he/she wants to go to medical school. D'uh!

But what isn't obvious is where. If he/she is applying to a California medical school, I would say go fish unless you are a URM. That is just my .02.

Yes, that's why the MSAR is his friend. Even a CA resident has a good chance when he applies to 20 schools that might interview him (OOS).

 

[pasiley]

What is your GPA?

If it is around 3.7 or above you're probably in a great position. If it is a 3.4 and you cannot raise it, I recommend retaking.

I am in kind of the same position. My score is higher than a 31 and am thinking of retaking. I know I can get a higher score but don't know if a few months (starting from scratch) of studying is worth it to go up another 5 percentile points on the MCAT. My time could probably be spent doing other things that are less boring.,

 

[gyngyn]

What is your GPA?

If it is around 3.7 or above you're probably in a great position. If it is a 3.4 and you cannot raise it, I recommend retaking.

I am in kind of the same position. My score is higher than a 31 and am thinking of retaking. I know I can get a higher score but don't know if a few months (starting from scratch) of studying is worth it to go up another 5 percentile points on the MCAT. My time could probably be spent doing other things that are less boring.,

When you have an MCAT score consistent with success for many schools, continuing to take the test (especially with the significant risk of the same or lower score) only makes your reality testing appear off! We see all of your MCAT scores and the dates you took them. Just apply to (at least) 20 schools that will likely interview you.

 

[FalconSlice]

OP, I have a feeling you are dead-set on going to a top-tier/ivy league med school as someone above alluded to. I know it's hard to face, but if that is what you are trying to do, IT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN. Sorry for the bluntness, but you have a score that a lot of people will kill for. If your GPA is >3.75, you have a very good shot for the MD. Also, not to be mean but it is very very very unlikely that if you retake, you will score at most two points or higher. Plus three takes on the MCAT does not look good. Apply broadly, get into a good state school like 95% of pre meds, you are not missing out or in any disadvantage.

 

[sinombre]

Dang 6 flat out rejections already? Did you apply to top-tier schools or something?

Yep, and I applied early. I'm actually sitting at 7 rejections now. I was rejected from University of Washington, UCSF, and Vanderbilt pre-secondary, BU, Georgetown, and Tulane post-secondary, and Mayo post-LOR request. I can't say I'm surprised, but it's definitely disheartening. I'm definitely taking solace in my singular interview invite.