Interesting data for retaking/not retaking the MCAT

[thewzdoc]

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AAMC stats:

VR score change

BS score change

PS score change

W score change

 

[good_faith]

AAMC stats:

VR score change

BS score change

PS score change

W score change

thanks

 

[thewzdoc]

thanks

No problem?.what I found sad is that there are those that got a 1 and retested and didn?t improve?.dam#

 

[medic170]

Looks like, statistically, its not really worth it to retake., unless your score was quite low. I am surprised that people who had a 12-15 tended to drop. I guess unless you had a weakness you know you can change, or you scored very poorly, retaking is an act of futility.

 

[thewzdoc]

Looks like, statistically, its not really worth it to retake., unless your score was quite low. I am surprised that people who had a 12-15 tended to drop. I guess unless you had a weakness you know you can change, or you scored very poorly, retaking is an act of futility.

That?s what it looks like. You always hear the anecdotes ?I retook it and boosted my score 4 points? , the harsh reality of it is that you simply will not.

 

[miscellany]

That's what it looks like. You always hear the anecdotes "I retook it and boosted my score 4 points" , the harsh reality of it is that you simply will not.

i think it's definately possible (ie> the stories on here).. but large score jumps somewhat rare.

basically, if u retake, u do at a risk. maybe the first time was a fluke or u can really improve on a section weakness but there's 2 other sections to worry about and make sure they don't drop.

 

[shock827]

IMHO, a lot of people retake and really don't put in the effort because they think the first time was a fluke and magically they will score better the second time. I am one of those people who jumped from 28->32 because I chose to put in the time. If you are willing to work hard, it is definitely worth it to retake. Don't let the stats get you down. If you put in double the effort, you will be rewarded more often than not! GL to all retakers.

 

[adamj61]

Yeah, I prepared as much as I could...I can't do much more, I had a bad run in verbal, I don't think I would go up much from a 31 Especially after seeing those stats!

 

[IndyZX]

id shoot myself in the face if i retook and my PS dropped from a 13 to a 9

 

[Premedtomed]

thanks

 

[trahuidio]

I Retook The Mcat And Increased My Score By 11 Points!!

 

[KNightInBlue]

I Retook The Mcat And Increased My Score By 11 Points!!

Did you leave out an entire section the first time you took it?

 

[KatieOConnor]

+ 11 points. I choked the first time. Completely and totally choked. And I prepared MUCH more the second time. And the test happened to hit on stuff I know. I went through the stats and realize now this is pretty rare.

 

[olddoc1]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I actually did better on the MCAT the second time around.

I originally took it in 2001 and was fairly satisfied with a score of 32M (10P, 11V, 11B). However, due to circumstances beyond my control, I haven't been able to apply until now, and those scores are already too old for some of the schools on my list. So I was forced to prepare for and take the test again this past April, when I managed to bump my score up to a 35P (11P, 12V, 12B).

Obviously the statistics were not in my favor, but I can honestly say it's possible to improve, because it happened to me. I must caution you that it required a HUGE commitment of time and effort on my part. But if you really want it, then there is hope.

 

[ms2209]

This is very interesting to note. Also, I don't remember if this statistic was from Kaplan, but I heard that 50 percent of April MCATers take the exam again in August...is this true?

 

[bigdan]

Treg also retook and got an 11 point bump.

I think you have great chances to bump scores if:
1) you didn't fully prepare (ex: me, I didn't review orgo past what I did in class - it's only 35% of bio section)
2) you did much better on practice tests than on the real thing.

dc

 

[Kazema]

This is very interesting to note. Also, I don't remember if this statistic was from Kaplan, but I heard that 50 percent of April MCATers take the exam again in August...is this true?

It may be true, but I couldn't find anything concrete. 25 is at about the 50th percentile, so if we say that most people who score below 25 retake, then it looks about right, because plenty of people who don't get that 30 they wanted will retake as well.

This is just conjecture though, I have no actual proof about this.

 

[blondie]

I scored a 29M (8P-10V-11B) in August 03. At that point I only had 1 physics class and 1 biology class (in addition to general chem and orgo). I retook it this April and scored a 32O (12P-9V-11B). I took another semester of physics and a couple more biology classes. It is possible to increase your score, but you have to be willing to put more time and effort into it.

 

[citygirl]

That?s what it looks like. You always hear the anecdotes ?I retook it and boosted my score 4 points? , the harsh reality of it is that you simply will not.

I have one of those stories, too. I think you have to look at what was going on when you took it the first time, ie: other classes, illnesses, personal crap, etc. If you don't change your test taking and study strategy then it certainly won't make a difference, but people should be discouraged from retaking it.

 

[chopper]

This is very interesting to note. Also, I don't remember if this statistic was from Kaplan, but I heard that 50 percent of April MCATers take the exam again in August...is this true?

I don't know if it is true that 50% of APRIL MCATers take the test again in August, however the AAMC stats suggest that there are the same amount of first time test takers in April and August, but many more retakers in August over April. From last year:

April: Total takers: 25, 830. First timers: 18,458, repeaters: 6,588
August: Total: 32,648. First Timers: 20,408, repeaters: 12,306.

Stats drawn from AAMC Summary data: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/pubs.htm

 

[Treg]

As someone above mentioned, I raised my score 11 points this time. I looked at the stats, and to raise 5 points in BS and PS, I guess I am <0.5% x <0.5%. Very rare indeed. I think it depends on how much real effort you put in the first time around. I went from around 50 hours total, only PS to around 300+ hours total, complete intensive review. I only expected to raise my score 6-8 points though, for what it's worth.

I think it is important to keep the above statistics in mind when you are considering a retake. Thanks to the OP for posting them.