Dual MCAT

[MangoPlant]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Let's say someone took the MCAT twice and scored a 33 the first time and a 37 the second time. What score do schools look/care about? Also when calculating a LizzyM score should this person use the average or the higher score?

 

[LuckandthenSome]

There is a list somewhere that shows how each school looks at the MCAT. To be short, most look at both, some look at the average, some take the highest of each catagory, and some take the latest. You are going to have to research that yourself. Regardless, they won't care if they see that it's an improvement, although they may ask, "If you scored so well the first time, why did you risk taking it again?"

 

[Vans42]

I agree with the person above. And if I saw those two numbers, my first question would be why on earth anyone would retake the MCAT after getting a 33.

 

[Catalystik]

There is a list somewhere that shows how each school looks at the MCAT.

How schools consider multiple MCAT scores (needs updating, but a good starting point): http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=7187293

Why more schools will begin using the averaging method in 2011: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=11159086

 

[Oso]

I agree with the person above. And if I saw those two numbers, my first question would be why on earth anyone would retake the MCAT after getting a 33.

I mean a 33 is a good score, but it's not very competitive for most top schools. Don't settle for a 33 if you're confident you can score a 36+ (confident being the key word here, don't retake a 33 unless it's quite a few points below your AAMC test average and you know you can do better). I agree that retaking a 33 to get a 34 or 35 is not a good use of time. And of course, it will look bad if your score goes down the second time.

OP, like others have noted, most schools will take both scores into consideration in some way or another.

 

[MangoPlant]

Well, one reason that someone would retake a 33 is if the 33 was unbalanced (13 PS/7 VR/13 BS). I was just curious because I wanted to know whether to to use the average score when picking schools to apply to, or use the higher score only. It seems like it's best to use the average though.

 

[darklabel]

They look at both, but most of the schools I applied to look at the most recent more heavily (which is usually the best reflection of your current capabilities). Even if schools employ things like averages, highest subsections (rare), most recent one or highest, they will all show up on the ACMAS report and will in some way affect their decision.

I think going from 33 -> 37 would look very favorably on your app from an ad com's perspective. You'll probably get asked how you changed your study habits. I doubt any would question why you would retake a 33 to a 37 because as it has been noted, top schools have an MCAT average above 33.

 

[ducksau5]

my premed advisor at my school used to have a book that had info on stuff like this, from my memory most schools tend to use the most recent or best ones.

 

[gyngyn]

my premed advisor at my school used to have a book that had info on stuff like this, from my memory most schools tend to use the most recent or best ones.

If you are chosen to interview and ultimately accepted, the school will submit the highest score to reporting agencies and the press. How we use your scores to grant an interview (or acceptance) is different. Every MCAT or series of MCAT's tells a story. That story can be more or less appealing depending on the evaluator. A strong single MCAT is always preferable, but some variations on multiples are better than others.

 

[LuckandthenSome]

I mean a 33 is a good score, but it's not very competitive for most top schools. Don't settle for a 33 if you're confident you can score a 36+ (confident being the key word here, don't retake a 33 unless it's quite a few points below your AAMC test average and you know you can do better). I agree that retaking a 33 to get a 34 or 35 is not a good use of time. And of course, it will look bad if your score goes down the second time.

OP, like others have noted, most schools will take both scores into consideration in some way or another.

HA I was one of those people...