How to explain mcat retake

[sleeper11]

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So I have taken the mcat twice. First time was a 28 (9,9,10). Second time was a 29 (10, 9, 10). Clearly there isn't much of a difference even though I studied significantly more the second time around. I was scoring mid 30s on my practice tests before the retake, but I found the actual exam the second time around was much more difficult than anything I had taken before (so I was slightly relieved I didn't go down on my score).

I don't know how to address the score on my secondaries when they ask for any inconsistencies. So far, I have been saying that I was just pre-occupied with other activities (work, research) and that I rushed my preparation. However, the truth is….I don't really understand the score either. The rest of my application is good, and I am usually a good exam taker. I had been doing well on practice tests, so my only reasoning is that the score is a fluke….twice….which I know is a terrible explanation.

How should I approach this question?

 

[sleeper11]

I was thinking maybe I should just leave it blank and not address it at all. Is this a better approach?

 

[Aerus]

What practice exams did you use for the first test and for the second test?

 

[sleeper11]

for the first time, I used only AAMC. For the second time, I used both AAMC (scored mostly mid 30s…probably because I had already taken these practice tests before) and Berkley Review (I had 3 scores above 30 and 2 scores in the mid 20s). I also tried 1 Kaplan test (30).

 

[Aerus]

I don't think your scores were a fluke, then.

Retaking old AAMC practice exams will generally lead to a significant increase in your scores, even if your ability to take these tests hasn't improved at all. Anything other than AAMC practice exams probably won't give you a great representative score. "Studying harder" doesn't mean much if it was mostly just passive reading. Studying for the MCAT requires doing a lot of practice problems and passages.

 

[sleeper11]

I don't thinly our scores were a fluke, then.

Retaking old AAMC practice exams will generally lead to a significant increase in your scores, even if your ability to take these tests hasn't improved at all. Anything other than AAMC practice exams probably won't give you a great representative score. "Studying harder" doesn't mean much if it was mostly just passive reading. Studying for the MCAT requires doing a lot of practice problems and passages.

Ok thanks for your input. Do you suggest any other practice material that I should use in case I decide to retake again? I have not received any interviews this cycle so far, and I was put on hold rather quickly already at one school. So I'm feeling slightly worried that I may have to do this all over again (I am a reapplicant already).

I finished the EK series, the Kaplan series, and parts of Princeton Review series (my trouble sections in Biology and Physical Sciences). I also did the entire Physical Sciences section and parts of the Biology for the Princeton Review hyper learning workbook. For Verbal, I worked with the 101 EK. I also did all the AAMC self-assessments for Bio, Orgo and PS. Lastly, I did the entire workbooks for Chemistry and Physics for Berkeley Review. I have a couple other books I used for reference like Arco for Physics and the EK 1001 Questions. I basically have a tub of MCAT books and I've done plenty of practice passages…for the retake, I heavily practiced on timing. I timed every practice passage I did and aimed for 8 minutes and below for each passage. I did all my practice tests in testing conditions in the library. I actually read quite a lot of novels, so I'm unsure why my verbal is so low. I decided to apply again this year because I just can't figure out how I would study differently if I were to retake the MCAT again. I've run out of material and study methods. The only thing I could think of that would drastically change my score is if I took a completely different test…..the new test. So I decided to apply again now and work incredibly hard on my essays, and hope for the best.

 

[Aerus]

As long as your GPA is fine 3.5+, EC's are satisfactory, you applied broadly to schools with medians that are within your range, and you have no red flags, you should get a few II's.

It's not likely that a retake would drastically change anything, seeing as you already went through a lot of the testing material already. You shouldn't plan on reapplying for the second time, also. Make this cycle count.

 

[Goro]

This isn't an inconsistency. You have reached your plateau and it is what it is. What the secondaries are asking for are things like a F on a transcript that's filled mostly with A's and B+'s, or a massive upward trend from a poor first year.

I have found that no matter how one "explains" a poor performance (and a 28/29 isn't lethal for MD schools), it always comes across as excuse making.

So I have taken the mcat twice. First time was a 28 (9,9,10). Second time was a 29 (10, 9, 10). Clearly there isn't much of a difference even though I studied significantly more the second time around. I was scoring mid 30s on my practice tests before the retake, but I found the actual exam the second time around was much more difficult than anything I had taken before (so I was slightly relieved I didn't go down on my score).

I don't know how to address the score on my secondaries when they ask for any inconsistencies. So far, I have been saying that I was just pre-occupied with other activities (work, research) and that I rushed my preparation. However, the truth is….I don't really understand the score either. The rest of my application is good, and I am usually a good exam taker. I had been doing well on practice tests, so my only reasoning is that the score is a fluke….twice….which I know is a terrible explanation.

How should I approach this question?

 

[sleeper11]

As long as your GPA is fine 3.5+, EC's are satisfactory, you applied broadly to schools with medians that are within your range, and you have no red flags, you should get a few II's.

It's not likely that a retake would drastically change anything, seeing as you already went through a lot of the testing material already. You shouldn't plan on reapplying for the second time, also. Make this cycle count.

Ok thank you so much for the advice! I was worried I would be red flagged with this MCAT score. Hopefully it works out this cycle.

 

[sleeper11]

This isn't an inconsistency. You have reached your plateau and it is what it is. What the secondaries are asking for are things like a F on a transcript that's filled mostly with A's and B+'s, or a massive upward trend from a poor first year.

I have found that no matter how one "explains" a poor performance (and a 28/29 isn't lethal for MD schools), it always comes across as excuse making.

Okay thanks, I do feel that way about my score plateauing. And yea, I was worried about sounding like I was making excuses and I really wanted to try to avoid this. I think I might just leave the section blank and let my score just be. I have a great upward trend in my GPA and I feel like the rest of my application is pretty solid.

 

[moisne]

So I have taken the mcat twice. First time was a 28 (9,9,10). Second time was a 29 (10, 9, 10). Clearly there isn't much of a difference even though I studied significantly more the second time around. I was scoring mid 30s on my practice tests before the retake, but I found the actual exam the second time around was much more difficult than anything I had taken before (so I was slightly relieved I didn't go down on my score).

I don't know how to address the score on my secondaries when they ask for any inconsistencies. So far, I have been saying that I was just pre-occupied with other activities (work, research) and that I rushed my preparation. However, the truth is….I don't really understand the score either. The rest of my application is good, and I am usually a good exam taker. I had been doing well on practice tests, so my only reasoning is that the score is a fluke….twice….which I know is a terrible explanation.

How should I approach this question?

Honestly I would not talk about it... Both mcats were fairly consistent so anything you say would sound like an excuse. If you want, you could apply DO, you would have a great chance.

How is your GPA?

 

[sleeper11]

my amcas GPA is 3.7 and sGPA is 3.71. This only includes 3 years of university work. I had one year as an exchange student abroad which were not included in my GPA. Strong upward trend and doubled up my credits in sophomore and senior year.