How bad does a retake on the MCAT look?

[UpQuark]

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I took my MCAT on May 20th and I have no confidence on receiving a decent score. I prepped for 5 months, averaged 35 on AAMCs with a 37 on AAMC11, and it seems I came up short. I have rescheduled to take the MCAT on July 28th in the hopes of atleast performing to my expectations.

How are MCAT retakes looked upon? I have a solid GPA, ECs, and LORs, but this MCAT has me worried!

 

[salim271]

If you dont mind me asking, what was your score? It sounds like you just had a bad test day. Really it depends on where you want to go, because different schools look at scores in different ways. Some take the highest, some average them, but I dont think any of them only look at the lowest.

Retaking it once isnt a big deal, especially if you know you can do better, but 3 times is probably over the limit.

Also, I think you're retaking it too late... it sounds like you were ready, I would try and take it again before the information and test practice experience starts to slip. No point trying to keep reviewing for another 2 months...

 

[MDminded]

It sounds like you just had a bad test day.

I had a BAD test day. I had a 10 point drop and my friend, who I was studying with, had better practice scores EVERY time, got a decent score. I fumed for a little while, and gave it up. Been there, done that, got the tshirt and the bumper sticker, and designed the coffee mug. Best advice is to take the experience and learn from it (and try to help others along the way to avoid those mistakes).

Really it depends on where you want to go, because different schools look at scores in different ways. Some take the highest, some average them, but I dont think any of them only look at the lowest.

They care about the lowest if it's significant, I'm sure, but it's about the upward trend, right?

Retaking it once isnt a big deal, especially if you know you can do better, but 3 times is probably over the limit.

Agreed. Don't take it more than three times scored. If you take it three times, but once is voided, no one knows that but you. But I think MANY retake the exam.

Also, I think you're retaking it too late... it sounds like you were ready, I would try and take it again before the information and test practice experience starts to slip. No point trying to keep reviewing for another 2 months...

Agreed. Don't wait too long, because the info will slip. I waited a year because I was SO exhausted from studying. I'm in a much better state now to ROCK the exam, but you may be better at ROCKING it now. Figure out what you need - if you think you can retain it all for another two months, then do that. In terms of practice exams (since you may have used a lot of AAMCs already), many suggest using TBR or Gold Standard. I personally have invested in TBR. Will let you know next month how I like them. So far I LOVE TBR's practice passages and content review.

Good luck!

 

[SN2ed]

Wait until you get your score before you make any decisions. Lots of people feel they did poorly after their test.

 

[salim271]

Wait until you get your score before you make any decisions. Lots of people feel they did poorly after their test.

Yeah, and I just read MCAT essentials, (apparently I was supposed to read it before I registered for a test date 😵) and they admit that some people get harder tests than others, although they only say slightly... but the point is, they said that they curve the scores a little to reflect what they consider an accurate representation of the test taker's true knowledge and skills. So you might have done better than you thought.

 

[ridethecliche]

I took my MCAT on May 20th and I have no confidence on receiving a decent score. I prepped for 5 months, averaged 35 on AAMCs with a 37 on AAMC11, and it seems I came up short. I have rescheduled to take the MCAT on July 28th in the hopes of atleast performing to my expectations.

How are MCAT retakes looked upon? I have a solid GPA, ECs, and LORs, but this MCAT has me worried!

Calm down.
Be patient.

All you're doing is giving the AAMC more money for a service you probably won't need to use.

Breathe in, breathe out. We'll find out in less than 3 weeks.