Interview Questions about MCAT

[zachjm2]

I'm preparing for an interview I have next week and I'm hung up on how to answer any questions about the MCAT.

The first time I took the MCAT I scored a 19Q (8 BS, 7 PS, 4 VR) and the second time I scored a 27N (10 BS, 7 PS, 10 VR). Do you think I will be asked about the difference in scores or anything MCAT related? The truth is I don't feel the MCAT is representative of anyone's ability to be a physician. I just ran out of time (moreso the first time) and I think the MCAT is more a test of your reading speed than anything else. Not to mention, it doesn't really make sense that someone (whose intelligence and knowledge base don't change) can take a test twice with an 8 point difference in scoring.

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[TheSeanieB]

I'm preparing for an interview I have next week and I'm hung up on how to answer any questions about the MCAT.

The first time I took the MCAT I scored a 19Q (8 BS, 7 PS, 4 VR) and the second time I scored a 27N (10 BS, 7 PS, 10 VR). Do you think I will be asked about the difference in scores or anything MCAT related? The truth is I don't feel the MCAT is representative of anyone's ability to be a physician. I just ran out of time (moreso the first time) and I think the MCAT is more a test of your reading speed than anything else. Not to mention, it doesn't really make sense that someone (whose intelligence and knowledge base don't change) can take a test twice with an 8 point difference in scoring.

Whatever you do, do not tell them that the MCAT is invalid. There are lots of studies that have correlated MCAT scores with board pass rates. 27N is a respectable score. Focus on the positive.

 

[Bravetown]

Unless they ask you about it don't bring it up, this is not really a road you want to travel with your current mindset. How to answer it though I would say that after some reflection you knew you had to change your study habits/strategies to improve your score. Believe me, every Med-student I've met has told me that they had to change something and I would assume Adcoms know this and are looking for applicants who recognize this. Try not to stress to bad over it, even if it does come up remember it's only one question and don't let it ruin your day or interview and like TheSeanieB said don't bad mouth the MCAT, "negativity in an interview does not reflect positively upon you." -Bravetown 'bout a quarter after two

 

[SLC]

the truth is i don't feel the mcat is representative of anyone's ability to be a physician....not to mention, it doesn't really make sense that someone (whose intelligence and knowledge base don't change) can take a test twice with an 8 point difference in scoring.

Do not tell them this! It will only cause you pain!

 

[guidedwaves]

it shouldn't be too hard, just mention you were more prepared, studied more, were nervous, or anything logical. If you went from a 27 to 19.. that would be a hard question to answer.

 

[zachjm2]

Okay, I knew I couldn't bad mouth the MCAT and I definitely won't say anything about it now. But I am having a hard time coming up with another explanation of why my score was so low the first time and why my PS score was a 7 both times (if anyone cares). The only thing that happened was that I ran out of time and I was tired. I didn't really change much the second time and still ran out of time especially on PS. Should I just go with the "I changed my study habits" route or maybe an "I wasn't feeling well that day"? I know what not to say, but I need to know what to say.

 

[SLC]

Okay, I knew I couldn't bad mouth the MCAT and I definitely won't say anything about it now. But I am having a hard time coming up with another explanation of why my score was so low the first time and why my PS score was a 7 both times (if anyone cares). The only thing that happened was that I ran out of time and I was tired. I didn't really change much the second time and still ran out of time especially on PS. Should I just go with the "I changed my study habits" route or maybe an "I wasn't feeling well that day"? I know what not to say, but I need to know what to say.

I honestly don't think they'll ask you about it. But if they do, just tell them the truth. It really is the best policy, and you can almost never go wrong when you sincerely own a mistake or shortcoming. The average DO matriculant doesn't have a much higher PS score (maybe an 8 or 9).

 

[koan]

I know what not to say, but I need to know what to say.

I think you need to prepare as if it will come up, since it may. It's a big jump up, which is positive. And the second score itself is good. The only negative is the implication that you were unprepared the first go. I would not mention running out of time or having difficulty reading quickly enough. I'd say that after your first score, for which you inadequately prepared, you changed your approach (e.g. more practice tests, focus on weaknesses, etc) and it worked. Be proud of the second score, and don't treat either one as a fluke.

 

[fiznat]

Yeah this is a gimmie question. At root of the question -- or the way you should view it anyways-- is "why are you so damn awesome!"

Describe how you did poorly the first time because you had prepared poorly, and didn't quite know what you were getting into with the exam. You learned, however, and radically changed your studying style. Not only did you learn X and Y about the MCAT, but you learned A, B, and C about yourself and your studying technique. Although nobody likes to take the MCAT twice, you are actually glad for the opportunity because it was a learning experience and time for real personal growth. Not to mention, you believe your current MCAT shows your true potential, and you are glad that you have been able to put your best face forward to medical schools. Those study techniques you learned will serve you well in medical school, and the perseverance/self analysis you demonstrated is an essential skill to any successful student.

Bang. Next question. 👍



EDIT, by the way if they want to be jerks and follow up with "why was your PS the same both times," just say that you're really not satisfied with that, but your plan of attack was always to focus on the VR section because you believed you could make the most gains there (which you did!). Then stop and don't explain any further. They'll move on.

 

[Helen Wheels]

I believe that since the score came up they won't spend time asking about it in an interview. If both scores were low or you went down signifcantly that would be real interview fodder.

Frankly, I don't think it is all that uncommon for people to take the MCAT and, for one reason or another, do poorly and then retake with a decent jump in score. I myself took the MCAT twice with a 22P the first time and a 27Q the second round.

I hate to say this, OP, but get used to taking long multiple choice tests with really rigorous time limits. As a DO student you will have to take COMLEX and probably USMLE licensing exams.

 

[drlobster]

This EXACT question came up during an interview for me at Touro – so why is your 3rd MCAT score so much higher than your 1st? – so by all means, EXPECT IT!!

I’m with FuturePittMed – you’ll be taking sooo many tests that the MCAT will seem easy by the time we’re done (and if there’s any doubt, I’ve actually heard this exact view from multiple med students). As you and other posters mentioned, never say in an interview that the MCAT is a poor measure of intelligence and blah blah (even though most of us have thought that) – that’s a big red flag to interviewers that you may then not be ready for the same, if not harder, testing in med school. If I were you, I would also stay away from “I felt tired on the 19 score day” or “I ran out of time” because again these same issues will come up in med school.

Like most people have said, just tell them you prepared in a more efficient way this time and in doing so, you’ve refined your study techniques and the increase in score let you know you were on the right tract. When answering this question myself, I mentioned not only taking more practice exams but going back over the exam to see what I’d done wrong – helping me to not make the same mistake twice...didn’t do that the first time. Good luck!

 

[Torr]

My friend had this question and she said "theres no excuse for such a low score" and went straight into the positive things she did to improve and (as was suggested above) didn't say anything negative about herself at all.

This question came up for me too (at Touro as well). However, the interviewers just brought it up in the form of a compliment rather than expecting an explanation of my first score so I got off easy.

 

[Goro]

Anytime we see a big improvment like yours, we're just curious as to why the big difference. I think that will be true of any interviewer.

Was the improvment due to taking a test prep course? Were you sick that day? Have other issues? More mature the 2nd time around? I've seen these answers and some more. So, really, it's just curiousity.

I'm preparing for an interview I have next week and I'm hung up on how to answer any questions about the MCAT.

The first time I took the MCAT I scored a 19Q (8 BS, 7 PS, 4 VR) and the second time I scored a 27N (10 BS, 7 PS, 10 VR). Do you think I will be asked about the difference in scores or anything MCAT related? The truth is I don't feel the MCAT is representative of anyone's ability to be a physician. I just ran out of time (moreso the first time) and I think the MCAT is more a test of your reading speed than anything else.

 

[marke]

they are most likely not going to ask this question...

if they do...I would tell them the truth...

to me, this is actually a very positive thing to talk about!
it shows how you learned from your first experience/mistake and improved on it!

don't worry about it, even if they ask, this is a very positive thing to have!

 

[StudyingFool]

Your 1rst score may come up in discussion but at the end of the day isnt going to matter bc your score you got the 2cd is what they care about. Dont freak out in the interview and tell the truth, whether you get in or not will not be due to the 1rst score