Having taken the MCATs twice

[Shorty43]

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Hey everyone,

I was curious if anyone knew or had a sense of how med schools look at an applicant's MCAT scores if they've taken it twice? Since they automatically release all the scores now, med schools will know both your scores. Do they average them, take the best one, or what? Any idea.

Thanks.

 

[Spitting Camel]

Hey everyone,

I was curious if anyone knew or had a sense of how med schools look at an applicant's MCAT scores if they've taken it twice? Since they automatically release all the scores now, med schools will know both your scores. Do they average them, take the best one, or what? Any idea.

Thanks.

Generally, schools take the more recent score, that's why it is so important to show improvement. I think I've read of one school that takes the best subsection of each test, but that's about it. They see both, and most likely take into consideration how much you improved, but they probably will deny it 😉

 

[Arsenic]

It really depends on the school.

Some do take an average, others will only focus on the most recent score, some take the highest score.

 

[Spitting Camel]

Oh, and MCATs is not a word!

 

[mikedc813]

I'm going to have to go with Duke and agree that you have to weigh the hassle of studying for the huge test a second time versus how much you think you can improve and how much you really think your first score is an aberration. There's no point in retaking it if you are pretty sure you're only going up from a 27 to 28, for instance. The committees won't care about that increase. I went up 7 points on my second time around, and the adcoms noticed for sure. However, taking the August MCAT I was in the really late round of interviews but managed to get in somewhere. So don't retake the MCAT if you're not sure you can improve significantly or if you're not able to study hard for it because the worst thing is to do worse on the 2nd attempt.

 

[mooklyster]

Do what you want, but do not do it on Dukes advice. Retaking with a 32, because you did not feel it reflected your ability....I smell Gunner.