Conflicting Practice Test Scores - What to do?

[dmission]

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So, got my first real MCAT in a few days here. I just took two practice tests (both officially AAMC CBT)

On the first one, I scored a 26.
Then I took another, and scored a 32.

I maybe did focus a bit more on the second one.

Anyway, my question is, would it be smarter for me to plan to VOID or submit the real test that I take in a few days? Depends on how I feel it goes?

My goal is MD schools, would a score in the 20's put me out of the running? (even if I retook and got 30+?). In other words, could not voiding potentially screw me over?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[mejorization]

You really should only void if you didn't answer half the questions.

 

[dmission]

You really should only void if you didn't answer half the questions.

Why's that exactly? A low first MCAT score (that isn't voided) doesn't hurt much?

 

[kehlsh]

Why's that exactly? A low first MCAT score (that isn't voided) doesn't hurt much?

nobody really knows but i can't see why it would hurt to retake if your gonna do better

 

[dmission]

Hmm ok thanks. So what would you recommend I do?

 

[BeatMCAT]

i havent taken the mcat. i am set for sept 10th. but a much better indication would be what AAMC tests were they? 10 and 11? 3 and 4? if you got like a 32 lets say on a 7-11. I would suggest just taking it and if on exam day, if you think you did horribly on sciences. I am taking practice tests and always think i bombed the verbal but end up with atleast a 9, so not too bad and not too great. So, feeling bad in verbal is normal I think. but if you feel that you just got raped by the sciences, then just void it.

 

[dmission]

i havent taken the mcat. i am set for sept 10th. but a much better indication would be what AAMC tests were they? 10 and 11? 3 and 4? if you got like a 32 lets say on a 7-11. I would suggest just taking it and if on exam day, if you think you did horribly on sciences. I am taking practice tests and always think i bombed the verbal but end up with atleast a 9, so not too bad and not too great. So, feeling bad in verbal is normal I think. but if you feel that you just got raped by the sciences, then just void it.

The 32 came on AAMC #11, but the 26 was on #3. :S

 

[BeatMCAT]

The 32 came on AAMC #11, but the 26 was on #3. :S

32 on 11 seems good to me. i am taking 11 this sunday. its the most recent exam so it's most probably the most accurate i would assume. Also I want to add, if you already go into the exam with the mentality of voiding it, chances would be that you wont do that well. i think its atleast 30% mental! just go in and stop thinking about this stuff. you'll rock it!!!

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Why's that exactly? A low first MCAT score (that isn't voided) doesn't hurt much?

The answer to your question seems to change every three months. I doubt this has to do with any true data analysis, but more hearsay and wishful thinking. One month everyone will say voiding is the best option. A few months later everyone is saying not to void. The truth is that there is no definite answer, but common sense about what adcoms want should be a part of your decision.

As far as I know from the adcom people I have talked with personally is that one great score beats a good score with a great score repeat. That seems logical and obvious. Think about it this way. If you were in their shoes and two candidates with roughly equal GPAs and exeriences come across your pile, but one took the MCAT twice getting 29 and 33 while the second one only took it once and got a 33, who would you give a bias towards? But the real question lies in how a 29/33 stacks up against a one-timer with a 31 or 32. There is no definitive answer.

A simple guideline was posted a while back about taking the test. I can't find it, but I want to put one here that includes what I can recall with some other insights.

• 1) Never take the MCAT unless you've gotten at least one practice test score you'd be happy with as your real score. If you think by some miracle the actual MCAT is going to be easier with a generous curve, then you're fooling yourself.

• 2) If you are scoring okay on practice tests and nerves are taking their toll, know that voiding is an option but you likely won't need to.

• 3) Your actual MCAT score is almost always your average AAMC score +/- 3. That number should be used to assess where you are and the impact your estimated score would have on your application.

• 4) You are never going to feel absolutely ready for the MCAT, but you do know when you're not ready for the test. Doubts are natural, but if you feel deep inside that you're not ready, then you're not ready.

• 5) Walk into the MCAT with the mentality I'm doing this once and I'm doing this right. Confidence, speed, and focus are just as important as knowing your content. It's a thinking exam and there will be things you don't recognize. So what?! Deal with those questions as best you can and move on. It's a curve afterall.

With a 32 on AAMC 11, you'll be fine. Void shouldn't even be in your vocabulary.

 

[Chir0nex]

If you still have a few days before the exam take one more test and see how you do.

As far as voiding, at least for me coming out of any MCAT practice test (or real test) I never could acurately gauge how I did on all the sections. Times I thought I bombed one part I actually managed to do well. Since it is hard to tell how you did right after finishing, and because voiding means you have to repeat everything anyways, you should never walk in thinking you are voiding the results. If, however, you take the test and literally cannot answer most or all of a section, then you can think of voiding. Still, the situations when you should void are usually pretty obvious.

 

[SN2ed]

Something else to consider on top of what BerkReviewTeach posted: It's easy to say you'll improve on a retake, yet it's hard to do. Don't count on a good score just because you're retaking.


From what I've heard, a good one time score will trump the same score on a retake every time. Medical schools invest quite a bit of money into people and they want students who can do well on their boards. One way to think of it is, how many schools want you to retake your boards? None.