Can't sleep thinking about this...

[bluepeach9]

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Okay, so I've heard many times that retaking the MCAT is a big red flag on a person's application, and that some schools won't even consider you if you retook, even if you did manage to do better?

Well, it's rly scaring me! I may have to retake the new MCAT (after having taken the old one), and I'm freaking out because I'm scared that I'll be screened out from the well-known schools…it doesn't help that the 2015 MCAT is a completely new version, which I actually rly have no idea how I'll do on 🙁

I srsly can't sleep at night. I can't stop blaming myself for not getting it right the first time. And I rly think I'm getting some PTSD symptoms here…So can anyone help me out? How true is this retaking thing? Am I overreacting? Are there any retakers out there who managed to get acceptances (despite multiple MCAT's) to the schools of their choice?

 

[Euxox]

some schools won't even consider you if you retook, even if you did manage to do better?

I've never heard of this and highly doubt that there are any med schools with this policy.

Well, it's rly scaring me! I may have to retake the new MCAT (after having taken the old one), and I'm freaking out because I'm scared that I'll be screened out from the well-known schools…it doesn't help that the 2015 MCAT is a completely new version, which I actually rly have no idea how I'll do on 🙁

Are you waiting for your score report? There's no use in worrying about it now. You'll know if you need to retake once you get your score. Until then, just try to relax.

Am I overreacting? Are there any retakers out there who managed to get acceptances (despite multiple MCAT's) to the schools of their choice?

Yes and yes.

 

[Afford]

It depends on the school and whoever reads your file, but I don't think it kills your app. If you have a strong app and they like you enough, they will invite you. There's one person here who retook the MCAT and she got interviews at pretty much all of the top 10 schools.

If it helps you, I retook the MCAT and I've been doing fine with IIs even with really weak research.

 

[Ismet]

You're overreacting. My school certainly does not screen out people who have taken it more than once, and I haven't heard of a school that does. Go to sleep.

 

[bluepeach9]

Are you waiting for your score report? There's no use in worrying about it now. You'll know if you need to retake once you get your score. Until then, just try to relax.

No, I meant that I am taking my exam in January…but I just have this dreadful feeling that I will have to retake. My scores are not that great right now, and I don't believe they will magically increase on test day. But I absolutely cannot cancel my Jan. date. I will have to take it and see how I do...

 

[Euxox]

My scores are not that great right now, and I don't believe they will magically increase on test day.

You're right, they won't.

But I absolutely cannot cancel my Jan. date.

Yes you can.

I will have to take it and see how I do...

You'll do the same way you've been doing on your practice exams, which, according to you, is not as well as you'd like. Why are you in such a rush to take the January MCAT if you know that you're going to have to retake anyway? I'm not following the logic.

Rule number one of the MCAT is to always plan to make your next attempt your last attempt. Rule number two of the MCAT is to never sit for the exam unless you are confident that you will score in your target range. Right now you are breaking both of these rules.

 

[Ismet]

No, I meant that I am taking my exam in January…but I just have this dreadful feeling that I will have to retake. My scores are not that great right now, and I don't believe they will magically increase on test day. But I absolutely cannot cancel my Jan. date. I will have to take it and see how I do...

If that's the case, do not take the exam if you're not ready. It's not good to go into an exam expecting a miracle or expecting to do worse than you would like. Cancel the January date and just take the new MCAT.

 

[jqueb29]

Retook and improved a 28 to 32. Didn't get into my dream school, but that's bc I was OOS for it so I would have needed a higher score regardless of if had been my 1st or 3rd time retaking it. I still got in just fine to my more realistic option in-state. If you do well and improve your score, no school will care one bit if you retook it

 

[bluepeach9]

You're right, they won't.


Yes you can.

If that's the case, do not take the exam if you're not ready. It's not good to go into an exam expecting a miracle or expecting to do worse than you would like. Cancel the January date and just take the new MCAT.

Unfortunately, I really can't cancel the test…my parents have paid a lot of money on the old prep materials and course. They made it clear that if I don't swallow my fear and take this test, then they will not support me at all for the new MCAT, med school apps, etc. I have a history of procrastinating important things and they are tired of paying so much money if I show lack of courage in implementing my goals. I honestly don't think I will get support if I back out again now…and I am in a situation where I need their support 🙁

 

[Afford]

Unfortunately, I really can't cancel the test…my parents have paid a lot of money on the old prep materials and course. They made it clear that if I don't swallow my fear and take this test, then they will not support me at all for the new MCAT, med school apps, etc. I have a history of procrastinating important things and they are tired of paying so much money if I show lack of courage in implementing my goals. I honestly don't think I will get support if I back out again now…and I am in a situation where I need their support 🙁

Don't take it unless you're ready. What's your test average now? Is it low 20s? Mid 20s? High 20s? Low 30s?

 

[GameTheory29]

I would not take it until you're ready unless you feel its just a matter of fear taking over instead of actually being unprepared for the exam. It's something you think about in hindsight: could I have done better if I practiced far more questions and took my time? I've been personally happy with my score, but you really wanna lay it out there on that first attempt.


And I have a friend that retook a second time, did better, and went to his top choice so I wouldn't let the fear of retake consume you. Just do your best and take things as they happen.

 

[Ismet]

Unfortunately, I really can't cancel the test…my parents have paid a lot of money on the old prep materials and course. They made it clear that if I don't swallow my fear and take this test, then they will not support me at all for the new MCAT, med school apps, etc. I have a history of procrastinating important things and they are tired of paying so much money if I show lack of courage in implementing my goals. I honestly don't think I will get support if I back out again now…and I am in a situation where I need their support 🙁

Do not take the exam if you are not ready. If that means being cut off by your parents, so be it. You can get a job or take out a loan to pay for the application process, or you can demonstrate to your parents that you are more responsible. You're an adult, there's no excuse for procrastinating on important things such as the entrance exam for your desired career. This has to be something you want to do and are proactive about, not something your parents guilt you about or that you keep backing out of. If it's a self-confidence thing, you need to deal with that first.

 

[GavinThePremed]

Dude relax. I've taken it 2 times (23 -> 36) and every school I contacted said it's a non-issue. Additionally, there's a thread floating around with like 10-15 people who've taken the MCAT 3x, gotten multiple interviews, and multiple MD interviews.

The issue isn't you retaking your MCAT. The issue is you not preparing well enough for the exam itself. That was my problem too. Cancel your Jan exam, take it when you are full and ready. If you don't, and go in with the same mindset round two, or round three, then you should start worrying. Change your study habits, and sleeping 7-8 hrs a night is a major part of that....

 

[jl lin]

Listen to these people. And everything that prepared you for the old MCAT is not and will not be wasted. Where do you think you are strong? Where do you think you are weak? What can you do to power-up you weaknesses?

IDK. It's up to you. My point of view is, if you are not and do not feel prepared--well-prepared, and your FL's are showing this, slow the train down and figure out what you need to improve.

People can certainly have more than one shot at this thing; but the overall best approach is to prepare for it like you only have one shot. Are you just nervous or are your tests telling you that you are weak?

Assess this. OK, find weak areas. Make solid plan to strengthen these areas. After doing so, re-evaluate. Are you improving?

 

[jl lin]

You know, in reality (quick math on their part), the general insight that I've been given is that the scores are averaged. A marked improvement will be noted, but really, I think most places do an unofficial/official averaging of the scores. But this will be interesting to attempt between the old and the new, even with conversion/concordance tables. I say this b/c the format changes are significant--and supposedly a lot more biochem, probably much stronger imbedded "verbal" and critical reading/thinking mixed in with social sciences and other stuff. By 2018, everyone will be taking only the new MCAT. But I can see someone actually taking the risk, given that they prepared for the old format, and it's their last chance to hit it. If the score ends up being not up to par, they or the OP will have to prepare for new format, but I'm not so sure re-taking will work against those that are on the cusp (last MCAT and new MCAT) as the averaging of old MCAT numbers. If I was not prepared, however, I wouldn't risk playing that game. I'd just find my weaknesses and work on them, using the new format guides.

So, OP, if I were you, I think I'd want to see how I was testing in my MCAT prep, overall. If your scores look good, eh, you could take it. If you have to redo, well, there will still be a lot of similar science material plus other stuff, but a different format. Plus, some people with test anxiety need to expose themselves to a lot of test taking under RL conditions. The more exposure, the better in most cases--like desensitization to standardized testing. Actually testing in the actually testing centers, under actual testing conditions can desensitize you so that you become not so overwhelmed by the process.

I'd also feel more confident knowing more of your whole picture--GPA, clinical exposure, all the rest. If you are strong in that and feel good about where you stand in prep for the old MCAT, then don't get all crazy about it. If you feel strong, just do it. It is, however, always safer to wait until you are truly prepared and you can honestly evaluate where you are in the prep/testing process. But who knows, but you, where you are with this?
Are you are Nervous Nelly or do you know in your core you aren't ready?

I wouldn't, however, count on the switch to the new test and comparing to your old score as not necessarily impacting upon you--especially if you aren't ready and you really feel like your score is going to reflect this. I mean it won't be as easy for them to do a quick average; but with concordance tables, they will look at both, probably--unless they don't feel like it. LOL But it's a number's world. It's not that alone, but the numbers get you in for a closer look. You can't even get in the door, in just about all cases, without the numbers. Given that is the reality, well, only you can figure out if it's worth taking the shot.

 

[Afford]

It depends on the school and whoever reads your file, but I don't think it kills your app. If you have a strong app and they like you enough

Why did you copy and paste my post?

 

[Ismet]

Why did you copy and paste my post?

It was a spam bot. Taken care of now.

 

[crossfit4lyfe]

Unfortunately, I really can't cancel the test…my parents have paid a lot of money on the old prep materials and course. They made it clear that if I don't swallow my fear and take this test, then they will not support me at all for the new MCAT, med school apps, etc. I have a history of procrastinating important things and they are tired of paying so much money if I show lack of courage in implementing my goals. I honestly don't think I will get support if I back out again now…and I am in a situation where I need their support 🙁

My parents paid for my first test, my first round of apps last year, and I didn't get in. I retook the test, and paid for all my apps/secondaries/interview expenses and got in this year. It's not the end of the world, if you're not ready DO NOT take it.