bad writing score

[freakofnature]

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I just got my MCAT results back, 29K. I obviously did not take the writing portion seriously. Everyone tells me that the writing isn’t important and most schools don’t place much emphasis on your score. Is this true? I’m applying with a 3.82 and a 29K. I have 2,000 hours combined experience as a PT tech and CNA. I have spent the past 8 months polishing my personal statement and it is very good. I have As in my English classes and superb letters of recommendation. Will I have a chance with that “K” in there?


If I knew that I was going to score a "K". I would have written an inflammatory statement about the AAMC and then walked out to the lounge and taken a one hour MCAT nap and taken a J. 😴

 

[CougarMD]

I just got my MCAT results back, 29K. I obviously did not take the writing portion seriously. Everyone tells me that the writing isn’t important and most schools don’t place much emphasis on your score. Is this true? I’m applying with a 3.82 and a 29K. I have 2,000 hours combined experience as a PT tech and CNA. I have spent the past 8 months polishing my personal statement and it is very good. I have As in my English classes and superb letters of recommendation. Will I have a chance with that “K” in there?


If I knew that I was going to score a "K". I would have written an inflammatory statement about the AAMC and then walked out to the lounge and taken a one hour MCAT nap and taken a J. 😴

When you say you didn't take it seriously, can I ask how you answered the prompt? I promise this is not a personal attack; I am genuinely curious.

As for your question I unfortunately don't know the answer. The advice given to me at TPR was "Just don't screw it up and no one will care". The general consensus seemed to be that you should get an N/O for it not to matter. But I truly don't know.

 

[youngxgold]

Well, the main reason the writing part exists is to verify your writing skill with whatever essays/PS you send the schools.

If your application essays are mad polished and good, that K is going to look really weird and out of place. They may even be suspicious as to how "coached" your app essays are since your writing score is so low. Just try seeing it from their eyes.

I would retake it if I were you. From your GPA, I'm pretty sure you could score higher on the other sections which would increase your chances too

 

[CapnCrunch]

I would NOT retake the exam solely based on the writing score.

No schools I can think of have screened based on the writing score. Also, the stress of the test itself (depending on your situation), the re-preparation it will require, and the risk of getting a lower composite score are all reasons not to retake the exam.

My opinion. I don't think it's worth the time or the money to retake the test unless you'll put in the time to make a significant change to your score (+2/3 points).

 

[youngxgold]

I would NOT retake the exam solely based on the writing score.

No schools I can think of have screened based on the writing score. Also, the stress of the test itself (depending on your situation), the re-preparation it will require, and the risk of getting a lower composite score are all reasons not to retake the exam.

My opinion. I don't think it's worth the time or the money to retake the test unless you'll put in the time to make a significant change to your score (+2/3 points).

OP seems like a smart guy though. I'm pretty sure a retake where he likely jumps up 2+ points and nails the writing section patches up an otherwise solid application

 

[MediCynical]

I got an L on mine, and 2 pre-med advisors and 1 former adcom member told me it wouldn't matter. However, that MCAT was 3 years ago and I'm retaking it July 29th for this cycle (my 2nd cycle). Funny thing is I've gotten an A in every english/writing class I've ever taken 😕 😀

 

[morning]

I just got my MCAT results back, 29K. I obviously did not take the writing portion seriously. Everyone tells me that the writing isn’t important and most schools don’t place much emphasis on your score. Is this true? I’m applying with a 3.82 and a 29K. I have 2,000 hours combined experience as a PT tech and CNA. I have spent the past 8 months polishing my personal statement and it is very good. I have As in my English classes and superb letters of recommendation. Will I have a chance with that “K” in there?


If I knew that I was going to score a "K". I would have written an inflammatory statement about the AAMC and then walked out to the lounge and taken a one hour MCAT nap and taken a J. 😴

🤣

Your stats outside the MCAT are REALLY good. I wouldn't retake it with such solid backing stats, because getting an even worse score is a very real possibility and you don't want that. Chalk it up to test anxiety or something and forget about it until Step I prep time.

 

[Mute98]

I dont think this is worthy of a new thread but I am on the opposite end-- will my S make my score look better?

and how do people know that verbal is the "most important" score? (based on what I read). most people refer to the studies that correlate verbal with step 1 or something, but how do adcoms view it? I only ask because i got a 12PS 12VR 10BS and would love for my 12 to really mean something haha

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

I just got my MCAT results back, 29K. I obviously did not take the writing portion seriously. Everyone tells me that the writing isn’t important and most schools don’t place much emphasis on your score. Is this true? I’m applying with a 3.82 and a 29K. I have 2,000 hours combined experience as a PT tech and CNA. I have spent the past 8 months polishing my personal statement and it is very good. I have As in my English classes and superb letters of recommendation. Will I have a chance with that “K” in there?

If I knew that I was going to score a "K". I would have written an inflammatory statement about the AAMC and then walked out to the lounge and taken a one hour MCAT nap and taken a J. 😴

I followed all of Kaplan's suggestions with regards to format, still got an M, and it was never brought up once in my interviews. I'm pretty sure the writing score is next to worthless as long as your secondary essays are fine and you can communicate well in person during your interviews. Med schools aren't looking for the next Shakespeare/Hemingway, don't worry about it.

If you want to retake to get your 29 up, fine, but certainly not just to raise your writing score.

 

[mordounhas]

When I applied for medical school, I got a few compliments on my essays but one of them was rather telling. It's been a couple of years, so I'm paraphrasing but it was more or less this: "You write very well. It's too bad that doesn't matter." To echo others, I doubt it will hurt you if your essays are solid and you interview well.

 

[Fiddlergirl]

I got a K on the writing section, and no one seemed to care when I applied. I got a couple of acceptances that cycle, so I don't think that would hold you back at all. A 29 is a good solid score, and I don't think you should retake.

 

[88pich14]

I got an M and it didn't seem to make any difference. If the K is your only concern I woudn't advise retaking the test- just make sure you write a coherent ps. However, I would consider retaking to score a 30+ depending on your state school.

 

[SirGecko]

Writing score means nothing.

 

[Chemdude]

Yeah, writing score doesn't matter. One of my friends, who is a linguistics major, ended up with a 39N. A lot of people can't write properly when they are under pressure.

It's good that you aren't Canadian, though. Some Canadian schools screen using the writing section. One school had an "R" cutoff last year...