Considering taking and Voiding my exam...

[Nans]

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Hi first time poster, long time reader.

I'm posting in here, because I don't want to clutter up the main board, but I also had a similar question.

First, let me start by saying that I'm looking to get into a good school and can easily see myself passing up an MD program if I feel I have a shot at better schools in the next round of applications.

That said, I've been studying for the MCAT since the middle of June with only research during my TRP classes. I've completed the entire passages book-- the fat one. I've done at least 4 verbal passages for the past month each day and for the past week, 7 a day to mimic a verbal exam.

I've taken a test every other day for the past 2-3 weeks.

Basically, what I'm trying to get at is I feeeeeeel like I've exhausted all efforts-- put my heart into it-- sacrificed studying nearly every day from 11am-1am.

My scores for my AAMC exams have been really scaring me to the point where I feel like I want to take the exam on Sept. 10th and void it. Take it so I have the experience, but void it. I'm VERY concerned about having more than one score on my application. I currently have the following resume and am a resident of the beautiful state of CA::

3.712 GPA
-Planning on finishing Departmental Research Thesis along with Departmental Honors and College Honors here at UCLA.
-Co-Head of a volunteer organization that volunteers in a free clinic in Santa Monica, CA
-Education Coordinator for volunteer organization which works in the UCLA Ronald Reagan Emergency Room interviewing and helping enroll stroke patients into current clinic trials
-Research Assistant in a Stroke Research lab
-Fundraising Coordinator for another group
-Nationally certified EMT
-Member of the Venice Family Clinic Youth Council
-....you get the idea.


For my AAMC exams, I've been getting::

#3- 27
#4- 34
#5- 31
#6-
#7- 32
#8-
#9-
#10-31
#11-33

I know these scores aren't good enough to get into places like the top, which is where I'd like to be.I only have 3 tests left and I have some questions which I would REALLY like to get answered::

1. How much will my score vary?

2. IF I void, when is the best time to take it again? I'm not sweating taking a year off, I know of multiple different things I could do-- research, EMT, Clinical research coordinator, etc.

3. I've used up almost all of my TRP Practice Exams and AAMC exams. I was thinking of buying the Exam Crackers books and the Berkeley practice exams and taking it either at the end of Winter Break or middle of next summer. I don't see myself studying for the MCAT at all during the school year with my class, research, and EC load.

4. I've used up all of the AAMC exams, so I'm assuming the Berkeley Review exams would be the next best thing?



Thank you to whoever responds-- I really need this lol.

 

[690]

First-time poster here as well! Have been reading SDN for a while too

If your priorities are to get into the best medical school possible, it is clear that you will have to get the best MCAT possible - although your GPA is good, it's just *that* competitive at the top 10 schools.

It seems to me that your practice exams are okay, but there is a bit of variation between the scores...

For this reason I would play it safe and *not* submit this cycle. Not only are you very late with a Sept/Oct AMCAS/app submission, you may just think that you did *great* (like, your personal best) and *NOT* void your test, which may be a perilous position to be in...

See, if the MCAT score doesn't actually work out as you had thought, you'd be stuck submitting an application that doesn't reflect your personal best - an unnecessary financial and psychological burden... Also, even though it's not proven, it's difficult to say what the impact of reapplying could have on the minds of admissions committee members next year. In addition to having an MCAT score that may have to be averaged against the next one, which also may not be a totally positive thing...

Many at the top schools will also be very familiar with your type of case and will be hesitant to admit you because the first thing that will go through their minds is, "why did this person not take the spot they clearly were offered somewhere with such great stats?"

Since you're willing to wait, I think the most sure thing is to take your time and take the MCAT sometime in the spring and again in the summer, giving yourself plenty of time to submit your app EARLY and to have MAXIMUM control over your score.

It seems that everyone looks at the positive side of the "void" option, even though it's clearly able to psych you out with what can be very unfortunate timing....

 

[Nans]

First, thank you for replying 🙂

Second, I wasn't planning on applying this time around anyways. My goal has been to apply next summer and I've been thinking about personal statements, filling out the app early, etc.

My dire questions are::

1. Would I be able to get into a top school with a score of say...33?

2. Would I be able to improve my score from now until early January if I only study verbal? I'll be taking an Anatomy course as well so that should help tackle bio and I feel comfortable going over my PS with the notes I've written in each chapter as well as my flash cards I made for the physics equations and concepts that confused me.
-- My score in bio has always been 11-14, for PS it has improved to a consistent 10-12, but my verbal has not hit higher than 11, which I only hit once.

3. I would still plan on doing a verbal passage often and on free weekends, even taking a verbal exam. Then come december, with 3 weeks off, I would take a Berkeley Review practice exam every other day and review PS and Bio where I felt weak and continue with verbal. The only thing about this is that THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING! So I'm just worried if I hit my ceiling or not and I guess there's not much advice/info that can be given on that by someone other than myself lol.


Thank you though for responding, I reaaaaallly appreciate it.

 

[whiteshadodw]

See, if the MCAT score doesn't actually work out as you had thought, you'd be stuck submitting an application that doesn't reflect your personal best - an unnecessary financial and psychological burden... Also, even though it's not proven, it's difficult to say what the impact of reapplying could have on the minds of admissions committee members next year. In addition to having an MCAT score that may have to be averaged against the next one, which also may not be a totally positive thing...

the only not positive thing about reapplying is having to take the mcat twice. i don't know many adcom who would frown upon a 2nd time applicant. generally you get extra kudos points for being a second time applicant, assuming you actually worked on your application during your year off.

 

[Nans]

I was hoping this thread wouldn't come into one about reapplying-- there's totally no issue we me on that.

I was just wondering what your guys' thoughts were toward my planned attack on the mcat during fall quarter and winter break.

Fall quarter-- consistently stay up with verbal and during 3 weeks off, review PS and BS and take practice tests. Also, are Berkeley Review exams accurate for the actual test? I've exhausted all of my AAMC exams.

OR....do you think it's okay if I take the AAMC exams again since it would have been about 3 months since I'd taken one.

 

[paul411]

1. How much will my score vary?

Since you've done a considerable amount of content review and practice, I'd say that the AAMC 11 will be a very good predictor of your score (around +/- 2 points).

2. IF I void, when is the best time to take it again? I'm not sweating taking a year off, I know of multiple different things I could do-- research, EMT, Clinical research coordinator, etc

Whenever you're ready. Take it before June-July if you want to get your app in early.

4. I've used up all of the AAMC exams, so I'm assuming the Berkeley Review exams would be the next best thing?

You can retake the AAMC's if you have >3 months after the last time you took them. It also depends on how much of it you remember. When you take an AAMC an it all seems new, you're fine. AAMC FL's are the best FL's out there. You can use the old, longer, paper-based R-versions for extra practice material.

 

[Nans]

Yeah so I just got a 32 on AAMC #9 (12/8/12). I felt like I did okay on the Verbal, but apparently not. That's the final AAMC exam I had left to take.

My verbal plan was a failure-- I'm pretty sure it's because I never really had a plan. I just thought that if I practiced it over and over and over and checked my solutions methodically, then I would improve, but alas that is not the case.

Thank paul411 for replying to my post-- I think I'll save money and just use the AAMC exams again. Toughest part is going to be keeping up and actually IMPROVING in verbal as the quarter goes on.

 

[ridethecliche]

I would say that you should stop worrying about the prestige associated with the schools and take the test. If you don't do as well as you'd like, then you can retake if you think you can do better. Retaking another time isn't a bad thing if you do better. If you score the same or worse, then it can be problematic.

You have good EC's and a good GPA, but that's all par for the course at the top schools and even a great score won't guarantee your entrance.

Besides, you'd just have to void now as you can't reschedule the test for next year.