Is it worth it to take Mcat a fourth time?

[September24]

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My GPA is about a 3.75

Here is what my Mcat scores have been. I've taken 3 times.

First- 8-10-8 (practice average:25)

Second-10-9-9 (practice average:33)

Third- 10-8-10 (practice average: 34-35)


I have pretty good letters and extra currics. However my Mcat scores have been off my practice by quite a bit and it hurts that I've not been able to reach them on my actual test. I almost refuse to believe that a 28 is my max. With my current stuff, I've pretty much only got a chance at DO I believe (I'm a Texas resident). Still I don't know whether to accept a DO invite or try for a fourth attempt. I just know it's in my power to do better but a fourth attempt probably looks so bad. Also, what if I take it again and by some freak event I do worse. My practice tests were a bit better than this. Granted that PT don't predict 100% but it's hurting my confidence so much.

 

[deanthedream17]

No after the second time your scores usually stagnates or goes down. As a Texas resident, it would be worth applying to some of the Texas MD schools through the TMDSAS. Then apply DO as well

 

[Aerus]

What kind of practice tests did you use to get your practice score range?

No after the second time your scores usually stagnates or goes down

Not necessarily true.

 

[yanks26dmb]

What kind of practice tests did you use to get your practice score range?



Not necessarily true.

I believe that's why he said usually....

 

[Dr. Jan Itor]

Is there a particular reason you think you'd do better on a 4th MCAT?

 

[Aerus]

I believe that's why he said usually....

Unless there's a logical reason and/or physical data that supports this, I wouldn't even say "usually". Do people automatically lose the capability to improve after a second take? Is a third take psychologically more significantly impacting on your ability to improve? What makes this so special? That's why it's not really something you can just say, since it doesn't really make much sense.

 

[allantois]

You need to stop taking MCAT after getting the same score 3 times. You can still apply to Texas MD schools with your score. People certainly get accepted with it especially IS.

 

[claduva94]

If you are using the same set of practice tests for each go around then that explains why you don't do as hot. The problem is, only the AAMC tests are truly representative and they are only accurate once.

 

[V5RED]

Seeing scores of 26,28,28, >28 would just seem like you got really lucky on your fourth attempt. As long as the rest of your app is strong, I would apply to low tier MD, Texas schools, and DO schools. Your numbers are above average for DO, but below average for MD.

 

[yanks26dmb]

Unless there's a logical reason and/or physical data that supports this, I wouldn't even say "usually". Do people automatically lose the capability to improve after a second take? Is a third take psychologically more significantly impacting on your ability to improve? What makes this so special? That's why it's not really something you can just say, since it doesn't really make much sense.

I hear you. I do believe I've seen some data to back up his claim tho - I'll see if I can find it.

 

[Lawpy]

My GPA is about a 3.75

Here is what my Mcat scores have been. I've taken 3 times.

First- 8-10-8 (practice average:25)

Second-10-9-9 (practice average:33)

Third- 10-8-10 (practice average: 34-35)


I have pretty good letters and extra currics. However my Mcat scores have been off my practice by quite a bit and it hurts that I've not been able to reach them on my actual test. I almost refuse to believe that a 28 is my max. With my current stuff, I've pretty much only got a chance at DO I believe (I'm a Texas resident). Still I don't know whether to accept a DO invite or try for a fourth attempt. I just know it's in my power to do better but a fourth attempt probably looks so bad. Also, what if I take it again and by some freak event I do worse. My practice tests were a bit better than this. Granted that PT don't predict 100% but it's hurting my confidence so much.

Sounds like you're saturated if you're hitting 26-28 3 times. Even if you miraculously score a 40+ in the fourth attempt, the consistency in the first 3 tests presents a much stronger case. Not worth to retake IMO

 

[Goro]

You have obviously reached your ceiling in the MCAT performance department, and unless you drastically change how you prepare, your score is not going to magically rise with a 4th attempt. You are not alone in doing better on the practice exams than the real thing.

I think the all time record for one of my interviewees is 6, but some of those had expired, and all were in the high teens/low 20s before the person finally found the right solution and scored a 28-29 or so.

I could see that you don't want to go to a DO school. If TX resident, try the UT school that have MCAT scores in the high 20s, like Tx Tech. You're actually putting yourself into a box for DO programs: multiple attempts with high 20s just says "allopath wannabe". My DO colleagues especially look down upon that, when you probably could be in TCOM right now.

My GPA is about a 3.75

Here is what my Mcat scores have been. I've taken 3 times.

First- 8-10-8 (practice average:25)

Second-10-9-9 (practice average:33)

Third- 10-8-10 (practice average: 34-35)


I have pretty good letters and extra currics. However my Mcat scores have been off my practice by quite a bit and it hurts that I've not been able to reach them on my actual test. I almost refuse to believe that a 28 is my max. With my current stuff, I've pretty much only got a chance at DO I believe (I'm a Texas resident). Still I don't know whether to accept a DO invite or try for a fourth attempt. I just know it's in my power to do better but a fourth attempt probably looks so bad. Also, what if I take it again and by some freak event I do worse. My practice tests were a bit better than this. Granted that PT don't predict 100% but it's hurting my confidence so much.

 

[edgerock24]

I think the all time record for one of my interviewees is 6, but some of those had expired, and all were in the high teens/low 20s before the person finally found the right solution and scored a 28-29 or so.

Putting the excessive attempts aside, that's actually a pretty impressive improvement. Definitely shows that one can learn to prepare the correct way to obtain a competitive score after really doing poorly at first.

 

[GypsyHummus]

You have obviously reached your ceiling in the MCAT performance department, and unless you drastically change how you prepare, your score is not going to magically rise with a 4th attempt. You are not alone in doing better on the practice exams than the real thing.

I think the all time record for one of my interviewees is 6, but some of those had expired, and all were in the high teens/low 20s before the person finally found the right solution and scored a 28-29 or so.

I could see that you don't want to go to a DO school. If TX resident, try the UT school that have MCAT scores in the high 20s, like Tx Tech. You're actually putting yourself into a box for DO programs: multiple attempts with high 20s just says "allopath wannabe". My DO colleagues especially look down upon that, when you probably could be in TCOM right now.

Was that person placed under scrutiny? Able to get accepted?

 

[SpartanWolverine]

I agree that you'll have to drastically change your approach if it's to be worth it. I had a 28 on my second attempt and knew I needed better... so I buckled down, took an intensive course, gave myself a few months, and improved 8 points. It's doable but takes a lot of determination (and a little luck 😉 ).

 

[Goro]

Don't remember. We avg MCAT scores, so the Dean might not have liked the aggregate lower score.

Was that person placed under scrutiny? Able to get accepted?

 

[smpbound]

Unless there's a logical reason and/or physical data that supports this, I wouldn't even say "usually". Do people automatically lose the capability to improve after a second take? Is a third take psychologically more significantly impacting on your ability to improve? What makes this so special? That's why it's not really something you can just say, since it doesn't really make much sense.

Have you taken the MCAT yet? Because anyone who has taken it would probably disagree with you.

The MCAT is designed by very smart people to produce consistent and reliable scores: meaning that testakers usually score within a range of 1 standard deviation.

Of course, you can improve your MCAT score by greater than 5 points if you start from like a 21. But if you're already at 28, chances of you improving to 33 are really low. And most likely, it was because of a fluke that the tester received a 28.

Can it happen? Of course it can. It happens all the time. But after taking the test three times and getting 28s...

 

[Aerus]

Have you taken the MCAT yet? Because anyone who has taken it would probably disagree with you.

The MCAT is designed by very smart people to produce consistent and reliable scores: meaning that testakers usually score within a range of 1 standard deviation.

Of course, you can improve your MCAT score by greater than 5 points if you start from like a 21. But if you're already at 28, chances of you improving to 33 are really low. And most likely, it was because of a fluke that the tester received a 28.

Can it happen? Of course it can. It happens all the time. But after taking the test three times and getting 28s...

I'm not claiming that this trend does not exist. I am saying that, unless there is data or a logical explanation, I don't see a reason for this.

There's usually a reason why people's scores don't change that much with retakes and that's because they usually approach the test the same or similar way. People who score up to the mid 20's usually have content deficiencies and/or lack proper mastery over their content knowledge. Higher than that, it starts becoming an issue of knowing how to take the test, which is resolved by taking more new practice tests. When people retake, I'm going to assume that most of them try their old approaches, like continuing to ignore obvious glares in content knowledge, hoping it doesn't show up again or retaking old practice exams or even just opening up an MCAT book and going on facebook.

The reason why I have a problem with the original claim is that it is worded in a way that makes it seem like, after a second take, things are out of your control. Just because of a trend exists (I'd still like to see data) doesn't mean that it's something that's out of our control. For the OP, my guess is that he/she attempted to study for the MCAT in a similar way each time and retook the practice AAMC's. Their score would obviously go up with each take, since they have seen the passages and questions before. And no, I am not advocating for another retake.

I think you made some typo here. This seems very contradictory to your whole post.

And most likely, it was because of a fluke that the tester received a 28.

 

[smpbound]

I'm not claiming that this trend does not exist. I am saying that, unless there is data or a logical explanation, I don't see a reason for this.

There's usually a reason why people's scores don't change that much with retakes and that's because they usually approach the test the same or similar way. People who score up to the mid 20's usually have content deficiencies and/or lack proper mastery over their content knowledge. Higher than that, it starts becoming an issue of knowing how to take the test, which is resolved by taking more new practice tests. When people retake, I'm going to assume that most of them try their old approaches, like continuing to ignore obvious glares in content knowledge, hoping it doesn't show up again or retaking old practice exams or even just opening up an MCAT book and going on facebook.

The reason why I have a problem with the original claim is that it is worded in a way that makes it seem like, after a second take, things are out of your control. Just because of a trend exists (I'd still like to see data) doesn't mean that it's something that's out of our control. For the OP, my guess is that he/she attempted to study for the MCAT in a similar way each time and retook the practice AAMC's. Their score would obviously go up with each take, since they have seen the passages and questions before. And no, I am not advocating for another retake.

I think you made some typo here. This seems very contradictory to your whole post.

Have you taken the MCAT?

 

[Aerus]

Have you taken the MCAT?

Way to ignore everything I said. To answer your question, no I have not. I am currently studying for it, actually, so my experiences are based on the AAMC's that I have taken.

 

[smpbound]

then what are you talking about? Why are you even here?

I've taken it twice.

 

[Aerus]

then what are you talking about? Why are you even here?

I've taken it twice.

According to your logic, you shouldn't be here either. The claim was after taking it twice, scores will stagnate/go down. You haven't yet experienced this yet, seeing as you haven't taken it more than twice.

 

[smpbound]

According to your logic, you shouldn't be here either. The claim was after taking it twice, scores will stagnate/go down. You haven't yet experienced this yet, seeing as you haven't taken it more than twice.

Listen you poser. I cast the MCAT voodoo gods on you. I guarantee you will never score higher than 30. The gods have spoken.

 

[HCHopeful]

Realistically, taking an MCAT vs. not taking an MCAT is not an advantage to knowing stats of how others can improve or "stagnate." That's like saying I know how all of my other classmates did on the 2nd Physics' exam because I took it, too. Uhm, what? There's no logic behind it. I'm with Aerus on this one. He/she can have the knowledge without having taken the exam. It gives you no further knowledge other than how you score.