GRE's and Med

[lornielle]

Are you required to report GRE scores to med schools? Searching here on the forum I found a few threads which said there's a spot where you can list additional test scores on AMCAS--but is this required? I was planning on taking the GRE's before MCAT's to apply for some non degree programs. Since I'm prepping for the MCAT's though I don't have a lot of time to study for the GRE's and don't want it to show up on my score report if possible...Thanks for any info!

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[Astarael]

Are you required to report GRE scores to med schools? Searching here on the forum I found a few threads which said there's a spot where you can list additional test scores on AMCAS--but is this required? I was planning on taking the GRE's before MCAT's to apply for some non degree programs. Since I'm prepping for the MCAT's though I don't have a lot of time to study for the GRE's and don't want it to show up on my score report if possible...Thanks for any info!

You can report your GRE scores if you feel like it, but you are not required to do so.

 

[senorsquishie]

Your GRE will not show up on an MCAT report. You can report it if you want to though.

 

[HAV000]

You can report your GRE scores if you feel like it, but you are not required to do so.

And off that, I was a little confused as to the value of reporting other scores. Say it's an awesome score, which reflects a similarly awesome score on the MCAT. Do adcoms see this and say more "so, this person just happens to be a good test-taker" or more "wow, this person is a good test-taker"?

And what if there is a discrepancy in score performance between the two standardized tests?

High mcat, medium GRE=??
low mcat, high GRE=??
etc.

 

[Astarael]

And off that, I was a little confused as to the value of reporting other scores. Say it's an awesome score, which reflects a similarly awesome score on the MCAT. Do adcoms see this and say more "so, this person just happens to be a good test-taker" or more "wow, this person is a good test-taker"?

And what if there is a discrepancy in score performance between the two standardized tests?

High mcat, medium GRE=??
low mcat, high GRE=??
etc.

Honestly I don't get the feeling that there's a lot of value in reporting a GRE score. I think the only case in which it would be beneficial is if you have a high GRE and a high MCAT, but even in that case, I think it would be more of a curiosity than anything. You wouldn't want to report unbalanced scores though; a high MCAT with a low GRE would make you look like a streaky test taker, and a high GRE with a low MCAT just makes you look like you're compensating.

I also have a feeling that reporting a GRE score would be more useful for an MD/PhD applicant (they usually only have to report MCAT, if memory serves, but it could be more relevant in this context).

Note: I have no experience with the GRE and its place in medical school admissions, so this is all conjecture based on what I've seen and heard around SDN.

 

[Tapepsi]

I wouldn't report it. It won't have any real impact on your application. Also there's a general consensus that the MCAT is significantly more difficult than the GRE so it probably won't help to report a high GRE score to try and make up for a lower MCAT score.

Ex: Scoring a perfect in the quantitative reasoning on the GRE means that you've scored in the 94th percentile. The percent of people who score a 15 (a perfect) in the physical sciences section is 0.1% or the 99.9th percentile

 

[citrusguy2010]

if you do report it then do you have to submit those scores to AMCAS as well?

also, does anyone know if med schools take into account MCAT percentiles?

 

[Robinson Crusoe]

The MCAT scores are just a re-scaling of the percentiles. Thus, if they take into account MCAT scores (which of course they do) they are also taking percentile into account.

 

[mauberley]

if you do report it then do you have to submit those scores to AMCAS as well?

From page 64 of the instruction manual:

AMCAS does not verify test scores other than the MCAT. Your designated medical schools may require additional information and official score reports; do not send score reports to AMCAS.