being forced to take it tomorrow when i'm not ready

[imesseduppp]

So long story short, I've delayed this test a couple of times. I think I do have a problem and need to see a doctor because these past few weeks I just haven't been feeling myself and feel... empty? It's just this weird feeling. My parents are extremely frustrated with me and "demand" I take the exam tomorrow, when I know I'm not ready at all (more like 60% ready). I don't want to have a bad score when I know I'm not 100% ready and I want to take the exam come January when I'm in a better, healthier mindset. I have no idea what to do. Saying no and not going is not an option. And if I go, I'll feel horrible for voiding and feel extremely guilty. And I'll have to explain why there's no score. They don't understand that having a bad score and taking it when you're not ready/have the right mindset is a negative thing. They think I'm just scared/nervous/weak when I'm not. I just don't want to take it now. Any advice?

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[BluMist]

just go and void, it is the best choice for YOUR future, not your parents'.

 

[TheAnonymous]

So long story short, I've delayed this test a couple of times. I think I do have a problem and need to see a doctor because these past few weeks I just haven't been feeling myself and feel... empty? It's just this weird feeling. My parents are extremely frustrated with me and "demand" I take the exam tomorrow, when I know I'm not ready at all (more like 60% ready). I don't want to have a bad score when I know I'm not 100% ready and I want to take the exam come January when I'm in a better, healthier mindset. I have no idea what to do. Saying no and not going is not an option. And if I go, I'll feel horrible for voiding and feel extremely guilty. And I'll have to explain why there's no score. They don't understand that having a bad score and taking it when you're not ready/have the right mindset is a negative thing. They think I'm just scared/nervous/weak when I'm not. I just don't want to take it now. Any advice?

The advice that most of us will give you will be do not take it if you're not ready.

I'd personally go and void (this way you also get to experience the test) but tell them that you scored it and just tell them that you did very bad and that you need to retake it in January.

 

[imesseduppp]

The advice that most of us will give you will be do not take it if you're not ready.

I'd personally go and void (this way you also get to experience the test) but tell them that you scored it and just tell them that you did very bad and that you need to retake it in January.

Thanks for this. The thing is, on the old MCAT I got a bad score (due to not taking enough FL's) and I don't want another bad score. I know I can do good if I take it when I'm ready, and in a better place. I know I sound lame but I'll feel super guilty about lying to them for something so major. But it must be done it seems. I guess I'll fess up the day before I take the MCAT in January or something...

 

[TheAnonymous]

Thanks for this. The thing is, on the old MCAT I got a bad score (due to not taking enough FL's) and I don't want another bad score. I know I can do good if I take it when I'm ready, and in a better place. I know I sound lame but I'll feel super guilty about lying to them for something so major. But it must be done it seems. I guess I'll fess up the day before I take the MCAT in January or something...

I see. Do what you gotta do but if you are really unprepared, lying about it is better than scoring your exam. I'm sorry that you must go through this.

 

[jb94mg]

Thanks for this. The thing is, on the old MCAT I got a bad score (due to not taking enough FL's) and I don't want another bad score. I know I can do good if I take it when I'm ready, and in a better place. I know I sound lame but I'll feel super guilty about lying to them for something so major. But it must be done it seems. I guess I'll fess up the day before I take the MCAT in January or something...

I understand that you're not ready and all, and I think not taking it is the way to go, but if you don't mind my asking, why are you not ready yet? Why do you keep delaying it? At a certain point you need to take responsibility for your learning and put in the work required to prepare for this exam, unless it's case where your parents are trying to force you into medicine, in which case you need to stop being invertebrate and go for what you really want in life. I assume you knew that you were scheduled to take it tomorrow; the onus is sort of on you once you know you're going to be taking it to put in the necessary time to prepare. I don't think you should let this type of mishap happen again, especially since voiding it is apparently something about which adcoms can find out.

 

[imesseduppp]

I understand that you're not ready and all, and I think not taking it is the way to go, but if you don't mind my asking, why are you not ready yet? Why do you keep delaying it? At a certain point you need to take responsibility for your learning and put in the work required to prepare for this exam, unless it's case where your parents are trying to force you into medicine, in which case you need to stop being invertebrate and go for what you really want in life. I assume you knew that you were scheduled to take it tomorrow; the onus is sort of on you once you know you're going to be taking it to put in the necessary time to prepare. I don't think you should let this type of mishap happen again, especially since voiding it is apparently something about which adcoms can find out.

I read that the AAMC had told people that the void is kept private http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ur-mcat-score-reporting-system.1159901/page-2. So no, unless you indicated that you're taking a future MCAT date, there's no way they will find out.. Don't spread false info around.

And I delayed because of family stuff earlier in the year that has made me a little depressed and I am just not 100% mentally ready to take it. I know come January I'll be healthier and will take it.

 

[jb94mg]

I read that the AAMC had told people that the void is kept private http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ur-mcat-score-reporting-system.1159901/page-2. So no, unless you indicated that you're taking a future MCAT date, there's no way they will find out.. Don't spread false info around.

And I delayed because of family stuff earlier in the year that has made me a little depressed and I am just not 100% mentally ready to take it. I know come January I'll be healthier and will take it.

Heh. I'll just direct you to this recent discussion since you apparently think I'd try to mislead you (they can figure out that you voided; and they ask on secondaries how many times you've taken it often): http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...-vs-which-look-at-best.1160426/#post-16898604
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...-vs-which-look-at-best.1160426/#post-16898968

Quote from @Goro, one of the most respected adcoms on this site: "To illustrate this, there is a person on my Adcom who will penalize people for taking the first exam sick/unprepared etc even if the rest of their app is stellar, including having a newer and better MCAT score!
This person gets voted down a lot."

You delayed because of family stuff that's made you depressed? Why'd you sign up for another one then? It makes no sense to continue delaying it when you know you're not going to put in the effort to prepare. Go see a doctor and don't sign up for one again until you're ready. Sounds like your parents are probably in the right to some degree, as they've probably watched you make excuse after excuse.

 

[imesseduppp]

Heh. I'll just direct you to this recent discussion since you apparently think I'd try to mislead you (they can figure out that you voided; and they ask on secondaries how many times you've taken it often): http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...-vs-which-look-at-best.1160426/#post-16898604
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...-vs-which-look-at-best.1160426/#post-16898968

Quote from @Goro, one of the most respected adcoms on this site: "To illustrate this, there is a person on my Adcom who will penalize people for taking the first exam sick/unprepared etc even if the rest of their app is stellar, including having a newer and better MCAT score!
This person gets voted down a lot."

You delayed because of family stuff that's made you depressed? Why'd you sign up for another one then? It makes no sense to continue delaying it when you know you're not going to put in the effort to prepare. Go see a doctor and don't sign up for one again until you're ready. Sounds like your parents are probably in the right to some degree, as they've probably watched you make excuse after excuse.

I saw that. And I emailed AAMC and other schools and it was clarified over and over they do not have access to it unless you indicate you're taking the exam and it is taken. Goro is talking about averaging 2 scores that were submitted? No idea, maybe DO schools do things differently. As for secondaries, yeah only 1 school (Cincinnati) has asked for that (at least from what I'd seen on SDN). And I signed up because my parents pressured me. You have no idea what's going on. I already said I'm going to see a doctor soon.

 

[newbeginnings]

Heh. I'll just direct you to this recent discussion since you apparently think I'd try to mislead you (they can figure out that you voided; and they ask on secondaries how many times you've taken it often): http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...-vs-which-look-at-best.1160426/#post-16898604
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...-vs-which-look-at-best.1160426/#post-16898968

Quote from @Goro, one of the most respected adcoms on this site: "To illustrate this, there is a person on my Adcom who will penalize people for taking the first exam sick/unprepared etc even if the rest of their app is stellar, including having a newer and better MCAT score!
This person gets voted down a lot."

You delayed because of family stuff that's made you depressed? Why'd you sign up for another one then? It makes no sense to continue delaying it when you know you're not going to put in the effort to prepare. Go see a doctor and don't sign up for one again until you're ready. Sounds like your parents are probably in the right to some degree, as they've probably watched you make excuse after excuse.

It honestly shocks me that people like you want to go into medicine. Have a little compassion. You don't know what OP is going through, mentally, so to him/her those excuses might be valid. And they said they'd see a doctor. OP: don't take it, and definitely go with you plan.

 

[jb94mg]

It honestly shocks me that people like you want to go into medicine. Have a little compassion. You don't know what OP is going through, mentally, so to him/her those excuses might be valid. And they said they'd see a doctor. OP: don't take it, and definitely go with you plan.

🙄 Lol at making judgements. "People like me" - LOL. You don't know me at all. I responded trying to help the OP and was told that I needed to avoid spreading false info. It shocks me that people like you think people should ask for advice and then only want to listen to things they want to hear. OP is an adult and shouldn't act like he/she is being forced to do anything. A voided MCAT counts as an attempt at the MCAT (this is information coming directly from the AAMC), so if someone's asked how many times they've attempted it they should include voided attempts. How is delaying multiple times productive? Point is, OP needs to stop scheduling MCATs if he/she knows he/she isn't ready to study for it. And he/she needs to take some responsibility instead of blaming parents.

 

[jb94mg]

And I signed up because my parents pressured me. You have no idea what's going on. I already said I'm going to see a doctor soon.

My point exactly. I'm not trying to be rude; my point is just that you need to stop letting your parents dictate what you do. It isn't their life. I hope you get everything sorted out, start feeling better, and end up doing well. But I feel like I gave you the advice you needed but didn't necessarily want to hear. But do NOT have your exam scored tomorrow - I do agree with that. A voided MCAT > a low MCAT score.

 

[imesseduppp]

My point exactly. I'm not trying to be rude; my point is just that you need to stop letting your parents dictate what you do. It isn't their life. I hope you get everything sorted out, start feeling better, and end up doing well. But I feel like I gave you the advice you needed but didn't necessarily want to hear. But do NOT have your exam scored tomorrow - I do agree with that. A voided MCAT > a low MCAT score.

I agree and thank you for this. But my parents are extremely difficult to deal with and are pretty controlling. And doesn't help that I live with them (so their house, their rules). I've realized though that I need to get away from them as they're just really negative for me. As for the voided thing, it's odd the AAMC keeps tweeting, and emailing saying that schools won't see it, but now people are saying they can? I'll go with what AAMC says as that's the only "official" evidence of it so far. Goro discussed the actual scored test takers? I feel like everyone's so vague about that and haven't really given concrete answers.

 

[El-Rami]

I'm sorry to hear you are going through a rough time. It can happen to the best of us. Whatever you do, don't take the MCAT tomorrow and score it. I assume it's getting late where you're at, so be sure to go to bed right now and get some rest. Put all of those negative thoughts out of your mind and go into the test with a clear mind and void at the end. Your future and well-being is #1 over everything else. Don't let your parents push you into doing things that you feel aren't right for you.

 

[jb94mg]

I agree and thank you for this. But my parents are extremely difficult to deal with and are pretty controlling. And doesn't help that I live with them (so their house, their rules). I've realized though that I need to get away from them as they're just really negative for me. As for the voided thing, it's odd the AAMC keeps tweeting, and emailing saying that schools won't see it, but now people are saying they can? I'll go with what AAMC says as that's the only "official" evidence of it so far. Goro discussed the actual scored test takers? I feel like everyone's so vague about that and haven't really given concrete answers.

Yes. And I think you need to figure out a way to move out and be your own person since they sound like they're overly domineering and not understanding (seemingly) of your mental health concerns (although ideally you would work things out with them and get them to stop being so controlling). No one should take the MCAT when grieving or depressed; it's best to take it when confident and prepared. I wouldn't worry about whether it's going to be seen anymore since you're going to have to cancel it either way; but I'm also assuming it's past the deadline for canceling it. So I guess you'll just have to void it regardless probably, and won't be getting a refund. Honestly, though, I can't tell you whether or not you should still take it (as opposed to voiding before the exam). In a way it seems like you'd be getting your money's worth more that way, but in another sense it might allow you to argue that you didn't use the void to "gain advantage" over other test-takers (if it ever comes up). Up to you. Nothing you can change at this point either way.

 

[Goro]

I'm terribly sorry to hear of your woes, and depression is poorly managed on anonymous internet message boards.

Get help NOW!!!!

Get your parents an account on SDN so they could see the damage they're going to do to your medical career. One doesn't take a high-stakes, career deciding exam when you're not on your A-game.

And do remember that you're an adult now, old enough to vote drink drive, smoke, work, pay taxes and fight and die for your country. You're old enough to grow a spine and say you'll take the MCAT on your own time. Don't play "suicide by cop" and bomb the exam because you're really don't want a career in Medicine.

I agree and thank you for this. But my parents are extremely difficult to deal with and are pretty controlling. And doesn't help that I live with them (so their house, their rules). I've realized though that I need to get away from them as they're just really negative for me. As for the voided thing, it's odd the AAMC keeps tweeting, and emailing saying that schools won't see it, but now people are saying they can? I'll go with what AAMC says as that's the only "official" evidence of it so far. Goro discussed the actual scored test takers? I feel like everyone's so vague about that and haven't really given concrete answers.

 

[StudyLater]

Thanks for this. The thing is, on the old MCAT I got a bad score (due to not taking enough FL's) and I don't want another bad score. I know I can do good if I take it when I'm ready, and in a better place. I know I sound lame but I'll feel super guilty about lying to them for something so major. But it must be done it seems. I guess I'll fess up the day before I take the MCAT in January or something...

You'd have to fess up the day you'd be getting the scores, which only gives you a month.

A month is enough time to obtain employment and move out.

Or maybe they're just worked up and you could tell them at a later time when they won't be so hysterical about it.

 

[Okazaki Frag Grenade]

@imesseduppp I'm curious to hear what you decided to do.

And I don't normally condone lying, as I feel that being honest is the best path to take, but in this scenario, I think you have every right to be dishonest with your parents. They are being totally overbearing, and you are trying to take steps to set up success for your own future. Gotta set those boundaries now!