June 1 vs June 17 MCAT

[premedissohardlol]

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It's only a 2.5 week difference. How significant is this in terms of my application though?

 

[aprilfools]

It's not.

 

[787593]

It's only a 2.5 week difference. How significant is this in terms of my application though?

489 vs a 528, basically.

 

[mwsapphire]

^ I think he means having more time to prepare/study for it, versus not being as prepared.
But yeah, in terms of submitting your app it's not really a difference

 

[premedissohardlol]

489 vs a 528, basically.

clearly not what I meant

 

[aalamruad]

It's only a 2.5 week difference. How significant is this in terms of my application though?

It's negligible, take it on the 17th

 

[mwsapphire]

(post got deleted)

 

[mwsapphire]

clearly not what I meant

Some people cram for the MCAT, like , three months before taking it.
Somebody I knew actually did that, and she got a 35. (she took the old test)

 

[aalamruad]

Some people cram for the MCAT, like , three months before taking it.
Somebody I knew actually did that, and she got a 35. (she took the old test)

3 months isn't cramming. In fact, if I had to guess, I'd say the average amount of time people spend prepping for the MCAT is pretty close to 3 months.

 

[mwsapphire]

3 months isn't cramming. In fact, if I had to guess, I'd say the average amount of time people spend prepping for the MCAT is pretty close to 3 months.

Then that means that two weeks could make a difference in prep time, so Healer@1994's point is not that far off.

 

[787593]

Then that means that two weeks could make a difference in prep time, so Healer@1994's point is not that far off.

I was making a joke haha, but my last 2.5 weeks of studying were extremely helpful. n=1

 

[mariposas905]

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[aalamruad]

@gonnif I just had a quick question...I'm taking my MCAT mid-May and while I hope to do well, I also need to prepare for Plan B if the need arises. In case my scores aren't where I want it to be, I am going to retake in July with scores coming back late August. Once again, I hope it won't come to this, but if it does, do you think it would hurt me very badly at the schools I apply to?

Why not take it for the first and only time on June 17th and just crush it instead of rushing it before you feel fully prepared?

 

[mariposas905]

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[kuzy]

Literally was in the exact same position haha
I ended up changing it to June 17th because although the test is 16 days later, the scores are released 12 days after the June 1st test date. That's four days for free, whoop whoop!

But seriously, you'll certainly be fine with the June 17 date. Good luck!

 

[aalamruad]

I think I will be prepared for the May exam, but I'm talking about just in case; sometimes I feel there can be an element of luck. My friend studied for 8hrs every day for two months and only got 506. You never know 🙁

Hm. If I were you, I'd take it June 17th and just reapply next cycle if I didn't like my score. In fact, I was in your position last cycle and that's the plan I settled on (well, June 18th, but still)

 

[mariposas905]

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[mariposas905]

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[Nucleophile1]

hmm...I actually wouldn't be working on my secondaries then because my plan is to take the May 19 test, finish AMCAS and submit it first week of June with one school, and then decide whether to add schools later when I get my score. If it's good, I'll add schools right away and work on secondaries in July. If it's bad, I'll retake in July and pre-write secondaries right after the MCAT while waiting for my new score. I wouldn't be studying and doing secondaries at the same time. My main question was whether being complete late August, early Sept was okay or if it would take me out of the running for interviews. I know it's not an ideal plan, but I feel that its the best I can do in my situation, in case the score isn't where I need it to be.

Plan to take the MCAT once and do well the first time. Do not take the MCAT until you are scoring on practice tests (especially the AAMC ones) at or above your target score.

I studied for 9 weeks (50-60 hours per week) and took it in July and did well. For me, the last 2.5 weeks were significant.

 

[787593]

I think I will be prepared for the May exam, but I'm talking about just in case; sometimes I feel there can be an element of luck. My friend studied for 8hrs every day for two months and only got 506. You never know 🙁

Maybe your friend didn't take enough practice exams, wasn't learning actively, or focused on low yield material...

 

[aalamruad]

Lol I would do this if I was applying a couple years back, but I've taken enough gap years and I'm going to apply this cycle. I'll just do my best and take the test. Hopefully, things work out!

Okay this post makes it seem clear that you're rushing it. If you're really set on this idea, I wish you the best of luck, but I really don't think your plan is a wise one.

 

[mariposas905]

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[mariposas905]

Plan to take the MCAT once and do well the first time. Do not take the MCAT until you are scoring on practice tests (especially the AAMC ones) at or above your target score.

I studied for 9 weeks (50-60 hours per week) and took it in July and did well. For me, the last 2.5 weeks were significant.

Nice! I PM'ed you with a few questions; hope you can help out!

 

[Saifa]

Some people cram for the MCAT, like , three months before taking it.

Probably about as many that cram an entire bachelor's degree into four years.