If you do poorly on the MCAT are you pretty much screwed for the USMLE?

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koala37

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so my ? is...if one scored pretty poorly on the MCAT in the 22-24 range, are you pretty much screwed for the USMLE, or there is really no comparison between the two exams and it just depends on your work ethic and determination in med school?

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There's some very convincing evidence that this is indeed true, and that poor MCAT performance also correlates to an increased risk of being dismissed from medical school.

Suggest taking an MCAT prep course, and seeing an education specialist if you're a poor standardized test taker.

so my ? is...if one scored pretty poorly on the MCAT in the 22-24 range, are you pretty much screwed for the USMLE, or there is really no comparison between the two exams and it just depends on your work ethic and determination in med school?
 
If you studied day and night for several months and couldn't get past the 22-24 range, then there might be a problem. But if you didn't sincerely study, then as long as you commit 100% to the USMLE it should be fine.
 
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.... or there is really no comparison between the two exams and it just depends on your work ethic and determination in med school?
Work ethic and determination.

If you studied day and night for several months and couldn't get past the 22-24 range, then there might be a problem. But if you didn't sincerely study, then as long as you commit 100% to the USMLE it should be fine.
:thumbup:
 
From my own experience, I don't think there will be much of a correlation having taken the DAT and scoring mediocre (18-19 range) and going on to graduate 14th in my class of 75 with NDBE scores of 92 and 88.

I only scored a 25 on my one and only MCAT (not taking prereqs since 1994). I don't think I'll be at a disadvantage when it comes to the USMLE/Comlex.
 
Studying for the MCAT won't make you any smarter.

You may learn to study more effectively over the two years of med school, though ;)
 
What type of question is this? I would like to think that as an accepted student to medical school you would have a little more common sense than to ask such a vacuous question. Obviously there is no rule that says a poor MCAT = a poor USMLE. They are 3-4 years apart. Just study your ass off. If what you want to know is if a lower MCAT score means that you are not as smart as other people, thus will probably also get a lower USMLE score, then the answer is YES. Have some more confidence in your abilities my friend, you are going to be a doctor one day.

so my ? is...if one scored pretty poorly on the MCAT in the 22-24 range, are you pretty much screwed for the USMLE, or there is really no comparison between the two exams and it just depends on your work ethic and determination in med school?
 
so my ? is...if one scored pretty poorly on the MCAT in the 22-24 range, are you pretty much screwed for the USMLE, or there is really no comparison between the two exams and it just depends on your work ethic and determination in med school?

Part of reason they use the MCAT is because there is a correlation with the USMLE score. But, if you never studied for the MCAT or you studied inappropriately, it's no indication of how you'll do on the USMLE if you prepare using a different method. If you take a practice MCAT and score 25 without studying and then score a 36 after studying, what does that tell you? You can improve your score by studying. The USMLE, I'm sure, is no different.
 
what is the proper way to study for these standardized exams? I took kaplan got a verbal tutor, did examkrackers verbal, did practice passages, took all the aamcs, kaplan, and the PR tests. I dont know how to change my studying tactics. Suggestions for the future?
 
what is the proper way to study for these standardized exams? I took kaplan got a verbal tutor, did examkrackers verbal, did practice passages, took all the aamcs, kaplan, and the PR tests. I dont know how to change my studying tactics. Suggestions for the future?


For science I just reviewed the material until I knew it solid and then did practice sections and full tests for a couple months before the exam.

The only thing I seemed to improve on for verbal was how fast I could go through the section. I took the MCAT twice and studied for about 6 months total and I had my timing down for the first one so that I would finish with about 3 minutes left. By the time I took the second one I was about at the same pace and my score did not improve at all for the verbal. I think it is all about the passages that are given out and how you think as an individual.

As for sciences, just keep on practicing full-timed sections. I would finish each science section with 8+ minutes because I monitored my time very carefully with each question/passge. I had enough time to review the entire section 2-3 times. It all came down to the material that I remembered at that point.
 
What type of question is this? I would like to think that as an accepted student to medical school you would have a little more common sense than to ask such a vacuous question. Obviously there is no rule that says a poor MCAT = a poor USMLE. They are 3-4 years apart. Just study your ass off. If what you want to know is if a lower MCAT score means that you are not as smart as other people, thus will probably also get a lower USMLE score, then the answer is YES. Have some more confidence in your abilities my friend, you are going to be a doctor one day.

One that shows lack of confidence.
 
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