Crazy MCAT scores - advice needed

[JimmyB123]

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My friend took the MCAT twice, only to receive the craziest combination of scores (I kid you not):

1st time - 31 (6PS/12VR/13BS)

2nd time - 31(12PS/6VR/13BS)

All of our friends laughed at this because it's pretty funny. But on a more serious note, she needs some advice.

1) Should she re-take again? A 6 in any section is basically a death sentence for MD schools

2) Do any schools "super-score" multiple MCATs? If this was the case, her superscore would be a 37 - much different than a 31.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I would advise her to call the schools she is interested in and ask their policy on MCAT cutoffs and how they treat multiple scores.

 

[itsthat1guy]

I'm not sure about "super-scoring" but my intuition leads me to believe that schools will not do that, wouldn't such a policy encourage students to take the test multiple times? Regarding questions 1; they should probably retake

 

[The Milkman]

Wow how is that even possible! Anyways I've heard MSU cherry picks the best subscores.

 

[Microglia]

Definitely retake. Though a weird situation, your friend is clearly capable of scoring well in all 3 sections.

Should she choose to apply, most schools would likely screen her out for having a 6 in any section on both tests.

 

[JimmyB123]

Yup. That's what I figured.

She has been incredibly upset about this situation but I think she just needs to retake.

 

[bearded frog]

​

 

[gyngyn]

I'm not sure about "super-scoring" but my intuition leads me to believe that schools will not do that, wouldn't such a policy encourage students to take the test multiple times?

If a school actually uses a method this idiosyncratic, one would hope that it is publicly posted and widely known so that everyone could accurately assess their candidacy.

This method would, in fact, favor those with the wherewithal to just keep taking the test until something fell their way in each subject.

 

[Goro]

She'll have much better luck with DO schools, which tend to take the best composite score. But a 6 in any subcategory is into the 10% of acceptees, if that.

My friend took the MCAT twice, only to receive the craziest combination of scores (I kid you not):

1st time - 31 (6PS/12VR/13BS)

2nd time - 31(12PS/6VR/13BS)

All of our friends laughed at this because it's pretty funny. But on a more serious note, she needs some advice.

1) Should she re-take again? A 6 in any section is basically a death sentence for MD schools

2) Do any schools "super-score" multiple MCATs? If this was the case, her superscore would be a 37 - much different than a 31.

 

[medp63]

She'll have much better luck with DO schools, which tend to take the best composite score. But a 6 in any subcategory is into the 10% of acceptees, if that.

I know someone who got in this year with a 3VR.

 

[khrisskhoras]

troll

 

[mrh125]

If a school actually uses a method this idiosyncratic, one would hope that it is publicly posted and widely known so that everyone could accurately assess their candidacy.

This method would, in fact, favor those with the wherewithal to just keep taking the test until something fell their way in each subject.

seems like a pretty fair way to me to assess students in all honesty considering how luck-based the mcat can be at times. no two tests are the same and even with the proper study techniques there's a fair bit of luck involved in this crapshoot. all it takes is a test to emphasize something in a totally different way than you expect and structured differently and that'll create a lower score in one section. Medical school admissions is hard enough without having your application brought down due to the "luck of the draw" (not to mention the aamcs randomly decides to bring in questions at times that aren't in any category on the list of study materials as a way to weed students out). Not everyone is going to perform their best in each section equivalent to their overall abilities and aptitude and the mcat is hardly the beginning or end all of what makes a student a good doctor.

The student proved she can score well on the phys sci one time and VR another time that should be more than enough to warrant considering her. Anyone can see what an off day on one section is with denying a potentially great student her dream of med school.

 

[gyngyn]

seems like a pretty fair way to me to assess students in all honesty considering how luck-based the mcat can be at times. no two tests are the same and even with the proper study techniques there's a fair bit of luck involved in this crapshoot. all it takes is a test to emphasize something in a totally different way than you expect and structured differently and that'll create a lower score in one section. Medical school admissions is hard enough without having your application brought down due to the "luck of the draw" (not to mention the aamcs randomly decides to bring in questions at times that aren't in any category on the list of study materials as a way to weed students out). Not everyone is going to perform their best in each section equivalent to their overall abilities and aptitude and the mcat is hardly the beginning or end all of what makes a student a good doctor.

The student proved she can score well on the phys sci one time and VR another time that should be more than enough to warrant considering her. Anyone can see what an off day on one section is.

The challenge of interpreting multiple scores is faced by all of of us. There is no single best way. Each school and each individual evaluator will differ on interpretations. Therefore, the best advice is to leave as little as possible open to unfavorable interpretation.

This student has proven how erratic her outcomes can be, so far. If this range of outcomes has had success in a particular school there is no reason not to consider her (at that school).

 

[mrh125]

The challenge of interpreting multiple scores is faced by all of of us. There is no single best way. Each school and each individual evaluator may differ on interpretations. Therefore, the best advice is to leave as little as possible open to unfavorable interpretation.

This student has proven how erratic her outcomes can be, so far. If this range of outcomes has had success in a particular school there is no reason not to consider her (at that school).

Is there any way for ADCOMs to assess or recognize the variability of a test at one point that is particularly difficult in one section for people? like a drop from an 11 to a or 12 to 6? If one is asked about that in an interview what is the proper way to explain something like that to show it in a favorable light? Like I dropped from a 11 to a 7 in VR and on the second test I was fatigued and had difficulty with the time constraints in VR and had to go through the last 2 passages (15 questions) in 15 minutes, but i'm not sure how adcoms would even interpret that. Saying something about the variability of the test i'm guessing would probably be seen as a bs excuse, but that is a part of it in reality.

 

[chenzt]

2) Do any schools "super-score" multiple MCATs? If this was the case, her superscore would be a 37 - much different than a 31.

Did a quick search and GW is the only one I can find with explicit super-score policy while Jefferson, MCW, Tufts, and maybe more are rumored to have this policy.

http://smhs.gwu.edu/academics/md/admissions/apply/faq#mcatmorethanonce

On the other hand, GW is also rumored to place people on hold with 33+ MCAT. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

[mrh125]

Did a quick search and GW is the only one I can find with explicit super-score policy while Jefferson, MCW, Tufts, and maybe more are rumored to have this policy.

http://smhs.gwu.edu/academics/md/admissions/apply/faq#mcatmorethanonce

thanks for the amazingly helpful post 🙂. makes me want to take a chance at tufts

 

[gyngyn]

Is there any way for ADCOMs to assess or recognize the variability of a test at one point that is particularly difficult in one section for people? like a drop from an 11 to a or 12 to 6? If one is asked about that in an interview what is the proper way to explain something like that to show it in a favorable light? Like I dropped from a 11 to a 7 in VR and on the second test I was fatigued and had difficulty with the time constraints in VR and had to go through the last 2 passages (15 questions) in 15 minutes, but i'm not sure how adcoms would even interpret that. Saying something about the variability of the test i'm guessing would probably be seen as a bs excuse, but that is a part of it in reality.

I don't understand your question. Could you re-phrase?

 

[mrh125]

edited

 

[gyngyn]

What is a positive way I could explain a drop from a 11 to a 7 on the mcat to adcoms in an interview without it being seen as an excuse?
Also, is there any way that admissions comittees take into account the fact that each mcat is different and people do worse one mcat section depending on the test date? Basically there is variability between each mcat and i'm wondering if adcoms take that into account at all.

1: I don't know of one.
2. The fact that each test is different is well known. It is, however, a standardized test. It's value is to compare applicants to each other. All members of my committee are required to review the AAMC publication that outlines best practices in the use of the MCAT in decision making. That said, it is not uncommon for evaluators to reasonably expect that someone who has seen a version of the test, become accustomed to the test-taking environment and had more time to study will have better scores. When they do not have better scores or the scores dance around (as if often the case), members do not have a better opinion of the candidate's application or judgement. This does not mean that they are necessarily unworthy of acceptance.

 

[Goro]

There isn't. This one you're going to have take on the chin, especially of you're a native English speaker.


What is a positive way I could explain a drop from a 11 to a 7 on the mcat to adcoms in an interview without it being seen as an excuse?

Here I'm going to disagree with my learned colleague. We expect all of you to perform equally well. Uneven performance is not something we want on a medical student, much less a doctor. With 1000s of qualified applicants, those with uneven performances are likely to be culled early on.


Also, is there any way that admissions comittees take into account the fact that each mcat is different and people do worse one mcat section depending on the test date? Basically there is variability between each mcat and i'm wondering if adcoms take that into account at all.[/QUOTE]

 

[gyngyn]

There isn't. This one you're going to have take on the chin, especially of you're a native English speaker.


What is a positive way I could explain a drop from a 11 to a 7 on the mcat to adcoms in an interview without it being seen as an excuse?

Here I'm going to disagree with my learned colleague. We expect all of you to perform equally well. Uneven performance is not something we want on a medical student, much less a doctor. With 1000s of qualified applicants, those with uneven performances are likely to be culled early on.


Also, is there any way that admissions comittees take into account the fact that each mcat is different and people do worse one mcat section depending on the test date? Basically there is variability between each mcat and i'm wondering if adcoms take that into account at all.

I think we actually agree. Maybe I need to restate?

Uneven scores, in an acceptable range: ok (except weak judgement). Uneven in an unacceptable range: not good (and unsound judgement).

 

[medp63]

troll

No, the honest truth. He actually got in two schools with a 3 VR.

 

[JimmyB123]

Wow, so many responses.

My friend is actually going to take the MCAT for a third time in August and delay applying one year. She has a pretty good GPA (3.8) but doesn't want to take a chance at applying late.

She basically plans on explaining the first two MCATs in the following way:

"For my first MCAT, I just wasn't prepared for physical science at all. Verbal and Biological Sciences were obvious strengths and I just did really poorly on physics. For my retake, I really focused on nailing down the physics (I spent an unbelievable time on it). Hadn't touched verbal at all because I thought I could replicate a 12. Was extremely shocked and disappointed."

 

[khrisskhoras]

No, the honest truth. He actually got in two schools with a 3 VR.

OP is the troll, not you (maybe)

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

Wow, so many responses.

My friend is actually going to take the MCAT for a third time in August and delay applying one year. She has a pretty good GPA (3.8) but doesn't want to take a chance at applying late.

She basically plans on explaining the first two MCATs in the following way:

"For my first MCAT, I just wasn't prepared for physical science at all. Verbal and Biological Sciences were obvious strengths and I just did really poorly on physics. For my retake, I really focused on nailing down the physics (I spent an unbelievable time on it). Hadn't touched verbal at all because I thought I could replicate a 12. Was extremely shocked and disappointed."

I figured she'd want to take the MCAT again, but I wonder how she'll do the third time. Maybe?
1st time - 31 (6PS/12VR/13BS)

2nd time - 31(12PS/6VR/13BS)

3rd time - 31 (12PS/12VR/7BS)

 

[mrh125]

I figured she'd want to take the MCAT again, but I wonder how she'll do the third time. Maybe?
1st time - 31 (6PS/12VR/13BS)

2nd time - 31(12PS/6VR/13BS)

3rd time - 31 (12PS/12VR/7BS)

it's hard to rationalize chancing it again. if you take the test one more time and screw up it'd be easy to use against you.

There isn't. This one you're going to have take on the chin, especially of you're a native English speaker.


What is a positive way I could explain a drop from a 11 to a 7 on the mcat to adcoms in an interview without it being seen as an excuse?

Here I'm going to disagree with my learned colleague. We expect all of you to perform equally well. Uneven performance is not something we want on a medical student, much less a doctor. With 1000s of qualified applicants, those with uneven performances are likely to be culled early on.


Also, is there any way that admissions comittees take into account the fact that each mcat is different and people do worse one mcat section depending on the test date? Basically there is variability between each mcat and i'm wondering if adcoms take that into account at all.

[/QUOTE]


fair enough. The thing with verbal is that the curve is often very unforgiving too. missing 4 questions drops you around 4 pts, missing one passage can really cost each person. I see people often saying verbal is flawed because of that, but it is our responsibility too. It's very hard to rationalize this without making it sound like an excuse. that's why i'm really liking schools that superscore mcats.

 

[boomshaketheroom]

All of our friends laughed at this because it's pretty funny. But on a more serious note, she needs some advice.

Interesting sense of humor. Like a smile and maybe a chuckle? or a hearty guffaw? or maybe a rofl? Please respond, it is important.

 

[masaraksh]

Interesting sense of humor. Like a smile and maybe a chuckle? or a heary guffaw? or maybe a rofl? Please respond, it is important.

I think it was a chortle

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

The thing with verbal is that the curve is often very unforgiving too. missing 4 questions drops you around 4 pts, missing one passage can really cost each person.

You know, maybe that's what happened. Your friends missed a portion of the test. Completely missed. Skipped.

 

[V5RED]

seems like a pretty fair way to me to assess students in all honesty considering how luck-based the mcat can be at times. no two tests are the same and even with the proper study techniques there's a fair bit of luck involved in this crapshoot. all it takes is a test to emphasize something in a totally different way than you expect and structured differently and that'll create a lower score in one section. Medical school admissions is hard enough without having your application brought down due to the "luck of the draw" (not to mention the aamcs randomly decides to bring in questions at times that aren't in any category on the list of study materials as a way to weed students out). Not everyone is going to perform their best in each section equivalent to their overall abilities and aptitude and the mcat is hardly the beginning or end all of what makes a student a good doctor.

The student proved she can score well on the phys sci one time and VR another time that should be more than enough to warrant considering her. Anyone can see what an off day on one section is with denying a potentially great student her dream of med school.

You might see it as an off day on one section, but there are many other explanations.

Maybe the person has some major holes in her PS knowledge and some major holes in her VR skills. She was lucky on the first test when the VR section happened to not test her on her weaknesses, but unlucky in PS. The second time, she got lucky in PS but unlucky in VR. The great thing about the MCAT being so variable is that if you have any major deficits, they will probably be exposed in some manner.

Maybe the person's limit is a strong understanding of 2/3 of the needed material. You can game the system with the SAT by studying your ass off for one section at a time and leaving the others as ****. You can then submit a composite score and pretend like it was all one test that gets compared to the kid who was great at everything all at once, but it is obvious that someone who can do everything great on the same day performed much better than someone who can only do well on part of the test at a time. This wouldn't be exposed in undergrad since you typically get days between exams, so you can peak at specific subjects. The MCAT tests if you can be good at everything all at once.

Maybe the person chokes in high stress situations and can only keep it together long enough for 2/3 of an MCAT.

I am sure other explanations exist, but those alone give me enough reason that I would not consider superscores if it were up to me.

 

[mhammy]

University of Utah also superscores and is loosening their requirement of ties to the state for acceptance this year.