Is it possible to increase your MCAT score 10+ points in a few days?

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CavsFan2016

CavsFan2016

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My friend is getting ready to take the MCAT in a few days. He has gotten sub-500 on both AAMC full lengths over the past 2 weeks, but he wants to get a score that will get him into an MD school. Is it possible for him to jump up to a 508-510? What is the best advice I can give him?
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CavsFan2016 said:
My friend is getting ready to take the MCAT in a few days. He has gotten sub-500 on both AAMC full lengths over the past 2 weeks, but he wants to get a score that will get him into an MD school. Is it possible for him to jump up to a 508-510? What is the best advice I can give him?
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Postpone and take the exam when he is scoring 508-510 in practice tests and is 100% ready.
 
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CavsFan2016 said:
He does not want to do that. Pretty adamant about taking it tomorrow.
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He isn't going to score 508-510 on the real exam in few days. AAMC exams are closest to the real deal. Scoring sub-500 in last couple of weeks pretty much ensures he'll get sub-500 on real deal. If he doesn't want that, he should postpone.
 
Impossible. 10+ points is like 2 standard deviations. Unless your friend is taking the practice exams blindfolded 508+ is impossible.

Also IMO the practice tests gauge your score very accurately. sub 500 means you are in all likelihood getting sub 500 on test day.

100% reschedule.
 
CavsFan2016 said:
He does not want to do that. Pretty adamant about taking it tomorrow.
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Explain the facts around having a low MCAT score, the difficulty of being a reapplicant, and the mantra that getting into med school is not one where the fastest person wins. After giving him the information to make an informed decision, then it's up to him.

For some people personal experience is their only teacher, and there's nothing you can do.
 
He may get close to a 500 or a little above and be eligible for DO schools. Probably should keep an open mind about that if he's serious about becoming a physician.
 
Some people jus have faith that they are going to step up when the pressure is on for real idk


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As his friend, you can only give him reasonable advice provided by the other posters. Whether he takes it or not is up to him. Just be there for him when he finds that the pill that he is forcing down his own throat will be awfully bitter to swallow.
 
karen-Pendergrass-paleo-journey.png


Yeah OP you did your part. It's up to your friend to decide what to do.
 
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gyngyn said:
The MCAT is a test of judgement, in more ways than one.
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It sucks when acting with good judgment and in your own best interest causes you to be attacked by family members due to their unfamiliarity with the process.

But I guess that's just continues to happen as you get further along the pathway?😕
 
Did he study up and still hit below 500? Or is he trying to wing this with no prep?

Scores are forever, schools will see his bad score if he insists on taking it. He is hurting his chances a ton if he does this.
 
Chromium Surfer said:
It sucks when acting with good judgment and in your own best interest causes you to be attacked by family members due to their unfamiliarity with the process.

But I guess that's just continues to happen as you get further along the pathway?😕
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Lol some dentist on an airplane convinced my mother that my 35 was worthless because it isn't from the new test, and that schools always want to see a score that is as close to application submission as possible.
 
efle said:
Did he study up and still hit below 500? Or is he trying to wing this with no prep?
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He's studied for several months, just can't seem to get it down.

efle said:
Scores are forever, schools will see his bad score if he insists on taking it. He is hurting his chances a ton if he does this.
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Trust me I've told him. I think he's under the impression that he might as well take it now because he hates studying and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere
 
CavsFan2016 said:
I think he's under the impression that he might as well take it now because he hates studying and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere
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In that case, the prudent thing to do might be to ask if he has a Plan B

Sorry you are in this spot, I know it is hard to watch someone set themselves up like this
 
Lol he doesn't have a plan B - I'm at the point where I just have to let him take it and come to the realization himself

I think he understands that if he scores sub 500 then his chances of getting into an MD school are slim to none

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CharlieBillings said:
Lol some dentist on an airplane convinced my mother that my 35 was worthless because it isn't from the new test, and that schools always want to see a score that is as close to application submission as possible.
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I'm a board certified oral surgeon


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Did you screen shot and forward
The replies from this thread to him? Some of the responders are on medical school admissions committees


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I forbid your friend from taking the MCAT in a few days. He's better off ditching his dream of medicine than wasting 7 hours of his life just to get a 495.

Given that you are a CAVS fan it would be more impressive if he got a 506-510 than the cavs coming back from 3-0 against the warriors.
 
A jump from ~45th percentile to ~80th percentile seems unlikely in the extreme it would be more likely to go from a 518 to a 528.
 
CavsFan2016 said:
He's studied for several months, just can't seem to get it down.
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He needs to be looking at enrolling in a class for it to make sure he is studying in a way that usually works, imo. If he still cant get above 500 consistently then he needs to start making peace with DO
 
Pagan FutureDoc said:
A jump from ~45th percentile to ~80th percentile seems unlikely in the extreme it would be more likely to go from a 518 to a 528.
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Interestingly enough there is data on this from the old MCAT, and yup, people with lowish scores are lucky to go up even 3-4 points (about 20 percentile points)
nafMJpS.png
 
St. George's wouldn't take your friend with a sub-500. That should answer your question.
 
OchemOficionado said:
Not Howard.
You don't have to be black to be considered. Take a look at MSAR.
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You are correct.
One does not have to be African American to matriculate.
The fact that 69% of the incoming class is AA, is a reflection of commitment by members of the mission's target group.
A validated commitment to this population can be demonstrated by non-African-Americans.
 
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Kingsmen2018 said:
and same with meharry
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Yes, only 85% of Meharry's incoming class is African American.
To presume that you will be one of the 15% may be a very large presumption, though (in the absence of extraordinary evidence of commitment).
 
Before someone lists Morehouse (the other HBCU-affiliated medical school), 71% of the class is African American.

These schools produce physicians for a group that sorely needs them. They deserve our thanks. I often wish there were mission-based schools for other deserving groups.
Unless you fit the mission, though (without regard to race), you are well-advised to look elsewhere for filling out your list. As has been noted with other mission-based schools, the mission is central, not the stats (as long as there is evidence that one can make it through).
 
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OP, it's very difficult for people to raise their score by even a few points in the short time span of a month (for example, those who take the MCAT and then immediately take the next one as well). You'll likely score within a very narrow range, unless there are extenuating circumstances. And by extenuating circumstances, I mean something that occurred on or before test day that results in a performance that is not representative of how the student normally performs. So maybe you got zero sleep the night before and took the MCAT on 24-hour energy. Something like that. If you performed at your best, your score is not likely to improve much in a short time span. The MCAT is an investment. You start investing early in undergrad when you take your pre-req courses. If you started investing then, you'll reap the dividends now. But if you didn't, you'll have to start to make that investment and it takes time for your investment to grow/yield returns.
 
aldol16 said:
OP, it's very difficult for people to raise their score by even a few points in the short time span of a month (for example, those who take the MCAT and then immediately take the next one as well). You'll likely score within a very narrow range, unless there are extenuating circumstances. And by extenuating circumstances, I mean something that occurred on or before test day that results in a performance that is not representative of how the student normally performs. So maybe you got zero sleep the night before and took the MCAT on 24-hour energy. Something like that. If you performed at your best, your score is not likely to improve much in a short time span. The MCAT is an investment. You start investing early in undergrad when you take your pre-req courses. If you started investing then, you'll reap the dividends now. But if you didn't, you'll have to start to make that investment and it takes time for your investment to grow/yield returns.
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I know exactly what you mean. I didn't perform very well in undergrad and had to teach myself the bulk of he material during a gap year; would definitely not advice someone else to follow the same path.

Unfortunately my friend just doesn't understand this logic. There's nothing I can do to stop him from taking it tomorrow morning. It's already set in stone.


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CavsFan2016 said:
I know exactly what you mean. I didn't perform very well in undergrad and had to teach myself the bulk of he material during a gap year; would definitely not advice someone else to follow the same path.

Unfortunately my friend just doesn't understand this logic. There's nothing I can do to stop him from taking it tomorrow morning. It's already set in stone.


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Let us now what happens when he gets his MCAT back.....I'm kind of curious for his well being....
 
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