MCAT retake dilemma

[Sunrise23]

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So I am really late in the boat. Long story short, I was planning to take the MCAT back in May, but due to financial and job issues, I delayed my first MCAT until August 4th. Unfortunately, I don't think I did that well, because I ran out of time on both science sections and had to guess on 4-5 questions for each section. So I have two dilemmas:

I am 100% sure that I will improve my score if I retake it again.
1) What will schools do to my application if I am still awaiting my first MCAT score, but also registered for another upcoming test?
2) Do I really have a bad chance of getting into an MD school with an August/September MCAT?
3) That said, if I know I will do better, will taking a mid-August MCAT (16-18) make a difference from a Sept 5th MCAT in the application process?

I feel so disastrous and confused with what to do right now 🙁

 

[BigBlueBear]

What were you scoring on your practice tests? What do you feel you got? If you were averaging 40's but you think you got a 36 then the advice will be very different than if you were averaging 30 and feel like you got a 25.

1) Adcoms will not look at your file until your scores are in (both of them, if you decide to retake)
2) Your chances are certainly getting worse the longer you wait. Especially if you haven't submitted your AMCAS yet.
3) If you know you will do better, take it ASAP. But you have to know. If you do bad and then do bad again, you're really shooting yourself in the foot.

Good luck!

 

[Sunrise23]

What were you scoring on your practice tests? What do you feel you got? If you were averaging 40's but you think you got a 36 then the advice will be very different than if you were averaging 30 and feel like you got a 25.

1) Adcoms will not look at your file until your scores are in (both of them, if you decide to retake)
2) Your chances are certainly getting worse the longer you wait. Especially if you haven't submitted your AMCAS yet.
3) If you know you will do better, take it ASAP. But you have to know. If you do bad and then do bad again, you're really shooting yourself in the foot.

Good luck!

I was averaging 30-33 on the practice tests and I definitely feel like I got a below-30 score on the one I took >_<

 

[FrkyBgStok]

First off, I don't think you can register for another mcat for a couple weeks. It might even be after you get your scores, but I don't remember. Moreover, when you do register, two weeks out they send you that "no more changes." so best case you MAY be able to register for the last September date. I am unaware of any Md schools that take a January mcat so you are likely going to have to hope like crazy that you did well and if you didn't, plan on retaking next year.

edit: after looking, it looks like you need to wait 2 days. So if you can get into an exam, go for it.