august vs april mcat?

[Sparty Corn Fed]

are there any differences between the two test dates, any advantages to one over the other? any input would be great.

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[oldman]

For me I found that the August MCAT gave me more time to prepare and I felt less pressure. I didn't have to worry about classes. If you take the August MCAT, I'd recommend doing it a year prior to applying to medical school. That way you also have the April MCAT as an option and you won't be delayed for the application process.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

hey that's a great idea...I never thought about the retaking it option until now.....now that makes sense.

OK Dr. Don, I have changed my mind again (well, kind of)

I think it is advisable to take the april mcat if you can do well, otherwise take the august and apply late without knowing your scores beforehand.

Oldman's advice is very good, but only if you want to take some time off before med school.

 

[PMPMD]

Just know that if you do take the August MCAT, the curve will be harder because everyone else has the summer to study too. The scores are all based on statistics, so I'm not sure that the extra time will help you more than it does everyone else who takes it then too.

 

[praying mantis]

I definitely needed the summer to study for the August MCAT, but I am paying the price now b/c I have 8 interviews for Feb/March and a few of these schools have already filled their class. So, I think it would have been much better to take the MCAT in April, but maybe I wouldn't have done as well.

It's a hard choice..

 

[Diogenes]

I took the August MCAT the year before I applied. Despite what everyone here says about the competition being harder, I did very well. The added bonus of this course of action is as stated above -- you can still retake in next April, and not worry about holding up your application, as you would do if you took it in April and re-took in August.

 

[italianlove]

I took it in August '01 and if I had it to do over again I would have taken it in April. I did better than I would have done in April but I feel that your best chances are going to come from schools that have your applications early, and not be waiting on your MCAT scores to come in. The best route is the one that oldman mentioned, because I'm sure if I reapplied with my August scores for next year's entering class then I would fare much better.

The bottom line: if you can take it in April, then do so and then get all your stuff in early, if not then take it in August and if you can, then wait a year to apply. Just my two-cents. Good luck to you! Ciao.

 

[Sparty Corn Fed]

sorry, but i should have clarified myself. i am asking about taking the mcat in the august before your junior year, instead of waiting until the april test. Are there any pro's or con's to doing it this way?

 

[Doctora Foxy]

that's a good idea if you have completed all of the requirements already--have you?

but it would be helpful to take human phys unless ur BIO course covered some of that stuff that will be on the mcat---i didn't take human phys and it bput me at a disadvantage

 

[Diogenes]

Just take it august before your junior year, if you've covered all the material, and retake it if necessary...

It really is no big deal when you take it.

 

[souljah1]

I took it in august before my junior year. Wanted to get that damn test over with I figured if I messed up I would have a few options for retaking it.

Just get it over with. <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" />

 

[lady bug]

QUESTION:
IF I TAKE THE MCAT IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND ALSO APPLY THIS YEAR,WILL I BE SIGNIFICANTLY BEHIND IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS? I'LL SEND MY AMCAS AND SECONDARIES IN REALLY EARLY, SO WHEN MY SCORES COME IN IN OCTOBER MY FILES WILL BE COMPLETE...AND USUALLY IN OCTOBER, MOST SCHOOLS ARE JUST STARTING TO INTERVIEW APPLICANTS. PLEASE GIVE MY YOUR INSIGHT INTO THIS. THANKS