FL avg 501.5. Actual exam on 9/13 507 (127/125/126/129). Should I retake?

[wao2221]

Been agonizing about this since I got my score back last week and cannot decide whether or not to retake. As the title states, I outperformed my FL avg by almost 6 points. I also scored at least 125 in all sections while I normally score lower in cars, around a 123.

As a non-trad nurse with an otherwise good app as far as ECs go, how necessary is a retake for MD schools? I'm interested in some competitive specialties (like ortho, anes) so I know MD is preferred for things like that. I'd obviously prefer to not have to retake and focus finishing my last two postbacc classes next semester but am unsure how much of a rate-limiting factor my MCAT will be when applying MD.

My post bacc GPA is a 3.63 (all prereqs) and cGPA is a 3.47. Is it better for me to finish my last two classes and get my postbacc GPA to a 3.7 and cGPA to a 3.5? Or should I spend the next few months studying for a retake before next cycle? I won't have time to do both since I have to work full-time.

A little context for my test:
- Worked full-time on night shift while studying to support wife in school
- Diagnostic 495
- Highest practice FL: 505
- CARS avg was a 123.5.
- Only completed 40% Uworld

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[karaya]

Realistically, I don't see a retake working in your favor. Because of confidence bands, you would need >510 for a meaningful difference. So your FL average would have to be around 513. The only exception is if all your previous FLs were from third party companies known for score deflation--which is pretty much all of them, since they have a financial incentive to get your actual score higher than your practices (to avoid refunds).

 

[wao2221]

Realistically, I don't see a retake working in your favor. Because of confidence bands, you would need >510 for a meaningful difference. So your FL average would have to be around 513. The only exception is if all your previous FLs were from third party companies known for score deflation--which is pretty much all of them, since they have a financial incentive to get your actual score higher than your practices (to avoid refunds).

I appreciate your input.

Weirdly, my blueprint FL exams were a 501 and 500. AAMC was a 501, 500, 502, 501, 503, 505. I was a little disappointed when I didn't have a score increase when switching from BP to AAMC. I figured if I were to retake, I'd probably need to average a 513-515 + to account for score inflation when retaking AAMC exams.

When I consider retaking vs not, I looked at it two ways:

1. I feel I MIGHT be able to do better because for this past exam, I studied for 3.5 months for 6-8 hours a day on days I wasn't working. I haven't taken Ochem 2 or Phys 2 either so content review for those subjects took extra time. There's no dates available near me until April 4th so I'd have a solid 5 months to study again if I chose that over taking two classes in the Spring 2025. A higher score would make me more competitive for MD. The question is, how high? Especially with my lower GPA.

2. I outperformed my average significantly and there's no guarantee I can do it again, especially with all subsections 125 or above. All things considered, 507 is a good score, especially for someone like myself. I'm very happy about it. I have other parts of my app that need working on (like postbacc GPA, shadowing, non-clinical volunteer hours). It's a good score for DO and while on the low end for MD, it shouldn't prevent me from being screened out at some schools and letting the holistic review do its work.

Tough decision.

 

[Hollow Knight]

I wouldn't retake. The amount of work to make it worthwhile would be astronomical, and you would be almost certainly better off using that energy filling in the gaps in your app.

It doesn't matter if you get a 528, if you don't have volunteering, you're not getting accepted

 

[wao2221]

I wouldn't retake. The amount of work to make it worthwhile would be astronomical, and you would be almost certainly better off using that energy filling in the gaps in your app.

It doesn't matter if you get a 528, if you don't have volunteering, you're not getting accepted

That makes sense. I've got a few volunteer hours so far, just need to add some more.

Do you mind if I DM you with a few more specific questions?

 

[Hollow Knight]

That makes sense. I've got a few volunteer hours so far, just need to add some more.

Do you mind if I DM you with a few more specific questions?

Not at all