How do you explain a low verbal score?

[darkelven29]

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So I have a hugely lopsided score with a borderline verbal MCAT score, but I was lucky enough to be offered interviews. If I am asked why I have a low verbal score, what should I say?

a. I was unprepared for the test?
b. I did not have time to finish, I am a slow reader?
c. The section I had was harder than the practice ones?
d. Out of chance, I didn't do well since I did fine in humanities classes?
e. what else?

 

[gary yoghurt]

You forgot:

f. Poorly


The best thing you can say is that you don't know why you didn't do well, and that you're unhappy with your performance. There's nothing else you can say that isn't going to make you look like a lot of things, none of which are desirable.

 

[darkelven29]

so basically I answer "I messed up on that test. I don't know why. I am inconsistent with my performance but I hope that won't be the case in med school?"

 

[LawCash]

so basically I answer "I messed up on that test. I don't know why. I am inconsistent with my performance but I hope that won't be the case in med school?"

or maybe, "i know it won't be the case in med school..," if you're even gonna approach it like that. You're other scores can make the difference. What was your breakdown?

 

[WurangBlang]

Oscar: Obviously it's a real word, but I don't know when to use it correctly.
Michael: Not a native speaker.

 

[Revenant]

drooling and flailing one's arms trying to communicate

 

[bluesTank]

Out of my 6 interviews, I never got asked once about my verbal score.

 

[Zippership]

So I have a hugely lopsided score with a borderline verbal MCAT score, but I was lucky enough to be offered interviews. If I am asked why I have a low verbal score, what should I say?

a. I was unprepared for the test?
b. I did not have time to finish, I am a slow reader?
c. The section I had was harder than the practice ones?
d. Out of chance, I didn't do well since I did fine in humanities classes?
e. what else?

Why would they ever ask about your verbal score? It's good enough to get you an interview and that's all it's used for.

 

[luv2sd]

Out of my 6 interviews, I never got asked once about my verbal score.

dude... I don't want to say this but you are... no I can't say it

 

[jr doctor in sd]

Id tell them you want to study MEDICINE and not journalism - thats why. End it with a head nod to convey your point strongly.

They should immediately accept you...lets hope

 

[WinterLights]

dude... I don't want to say this but you are... no I can't say it

A URM? I bet his stats are better than yours. So why don't you take your snide remark and shove it back down your throat?

 

[flaahless]

I got a 7VR...

Out of 7 interviews I was asked about it once at UCSD.

My answer, "I'm not sure, I guess I used a bad strategy."

 

[AlleghenyPOD]

Read. I cant stress the importance of reading articles, books etc; at least 5-6 months before your scheduled MCAT. For me, I scored a 10 on my VR. Not too bad.

Also, i highly recommend you guys take KAPLAN MCAT. Works wonders.👍
Its worth the $1500.00

 

[AlleghenyPOD]

I got a 7VR...

Out of 7 interviews I was asked about it once at UCSD.

My answer, "I'm not sure, I guess I used a bad strategy."

how did you do on PS and BS?

 

[thegold91]

I also got a low verbal score. If i am asked, I am going to explain that math and science have always been strong points.

 

[DrZeke]

I got an 8 and was accepted. One school asked me about it, and because I was born in Canada they asked if English was not my first language. I scored an 8 two years in a row and English is my first language. My response:

"I got an 8 the first year, so I had 5 hours of private tutoring and during the summer my score improved to 10-12 on my practice tests. On test day I got an 8. Maybe it was burnout, I'm not sure exactly and it was unfortunate".

So, I basically told them the truth and said I didn't really have a great reason. I didn't say "I hope that doesn't happen in med school", because I think you open the floor for talking about weaknesses. You don't need to say that, because whatever **** happens and they know it. I got into that school.

 

[Bartelby]

My answer, "I'm not sure, I guess I used a bad strategy."

I think that is a good answer. It highlights the idea that the VR section may not draw on the same skills you would need to understand and retain information from a 300 page book. The VR section is about being able to, context-free, understand what is gong on and answer questions about short passages very quickly. General reading is about being able to maintain concentration and retain what you have read long after you have read it. Let them know that you can do well with reading and comprehending material from your previous academic performance, but that you just struggled with getting down a method for doing well on VR.

 

[mordounhas]

A fiver to the interviewer usually seems to help.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

A fiver to the interviewer usually seems to help.

Right... because he/she probably makes that much an hour... 🙄

 

[flaahless]

how did you do on PS and BS?

12 and 10 respectively.

 

[darkelven29]

Thanks everyone....
I actually did really well in the rest of the sections 13, 11, and R..... so my conclusion is " I am not sure. I did fine in school and Kaplan tests, and I read regularly, so I think I had bad strategies from Kaplan"

 

[FemalesCANTDriv]

Thanks everyone....
I actually did really well in the rest of the sections 13, 11, and R..... so my conclusion is " I am not sure. I did fine in school and Kaplan tests, and I read regularly, so I think I had bad strategies from Kaplan"

worst idea ever... don't blame it on kaplan... just say you had an off day or something or just say you suck at verbal but dont blame it on kaplan... that's hella weak 👎

 

[RaVen777]

Yeah.. um.. blaming Kaplan for your VR score is going to look reallllly bad in an interview I'm sure.

 

[bball86]

what if you took the test twice and got a 6 and then a 7 on VR section but overall score is higher than 32. How could I explain the two low VR scores even though practices were always 9-11

 

[Fiddlergirl]

I did really badly on the writing section (a K), and I did get asked about it. I just made sure that one of my reference letters was from a history professor I had written good papers for, and said that I didn't think it adequately reflected my skills. That seemed to be enough for everyone.

 

[darkelven29]

Found my old post today, felt compelled to vindicate myself.

last MCAT written test: Bio 13, Phys 11, Verbal 7, Writing R
decided not to take it again

Got into middle tier MD med school (lucky!)
Step 1 and 2: 250-260
Now resident at top 10 IM program

Conclusion: MCAT verbal score completely USELESS in predicting academic success or USMLE scores

 

[red doctober]

Found my old post today, felt compelled to vindicate myself.

last MCAT written test: Bio 13, Phys 11, Verbal 7, Writing R
decided not to take it again

Got into middle tier MD med school (lucky!)
Step 1 and 2: 250-260
Now resident at top 10 IM program

Conclusion: MCAT verbal score completely USELESS in predicting academic success or USMLE scores

n=1, but way to stick it to the man 👍