MCAT Retake

[deleted600623]

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So after looking at my options, I am considering retaking my MCAT. Just took it on 1/20 and scored a 502 (125/126/125/126). For reference, my FL scores were 510, 512, 513 on 1,2 and 3. I attribute my low score to just not having a good day and test anxiety. Gpa consists of 3.7/3.45 (AMCAS) and 3.7/3.53 (AACOMAS). My pre med advisor has recommended I retake at the latest June to ensure an on time application.

With that being said, if I decide to take in late May or June, how should I go about structuring my prep? I currently have TPR books, EK books, and NS strategy and practice books. I would need to buy the AAMC material again. Should I do a quicker but deep review of the content to make sure it is very solid? And then move onto AAMC material ?

Would love any and all help!

 

[cableguy555]

So after looking at my options, I am considering retaking my MCAT. Just took it on 1/20 and scored a 502 (125/126/125/126). For reference, my FL scores were 510, 512, 513 on 1,2 and 3. I attribute my low score to just not having a good day and test anxiety. Gpa consists of 3.7/3.45 (AMCAS) and 3.7/3.53 (AACOMAS). My pre med advisor has recommended I retake at the latest June to ensure an on time application.

With that being said, if I decide to take in late May or June, how should I go about structuring my prep? I currently have TPR books, EK books, and NS strategy and practice books. I would need to buy the AAMC material again. Should I do a quicker but deep review of the content to make sure it is very solid? And then move onto AAMC material ?

Would love any and all help!

Are you referring to the AAMC full length exams 1,2 and 3? To be honest, if you are scoring a 513 on the AAMC, I would recommend taking the actual exam ASAP. But if you are aiming to get into a top 10 or 20 school and you want a 518+, its gonna take some work.

Given that your scores are consistent in all sections. I would recommend starting at psych/soch and looking and what concepts you missed because its an easy way to get back lost points. Look for the KHAN academy notes on reddit, its a 100 page document, and make sure you know everything SOLID. I believe its endorsed by the AAMC, so its very useful.

CARS is gonna take some time to improve. I would recommend going to the NYT website, and reading the sections you HATE the most. After every paragraph, make sure you are able to answer WHAT the paragraph is talking about and WHY it is relevant. After you feel like you're getting better, try to do some LSAT reading passages. They are very similar to the MCAT and they have tons of material. Once your able to get every 9/10 questions right, try the MCAT reading questions and I could guarantee that you'll see improvement. Once your doing MCAT questions, make sure you mark every question you got wrong and those your not 100% sure about, even if you got them right. Reread the entire passage and write out why the other answer choices are wrong. You'll start to realize your mistakes and become more proficient at tackling harder questions.

For the other two sections, look at the end of chapter questions in TPR and EK and make sure you could answer them without hesitation. If there is a question you can't answer, make sure your review that particular topic, in its entirety again. I would highly suggest using ANKI and making around 60-70 flash cards per chapter and reviewing 5-6 chapters on a daily basis. Think of it like working out in the gym. You don't lift one day and stop. You repeat everyday until you get better and stronger. The same thing applies here, daily review is needed and don't be afraid to get stuff wrong and most importantly make sure your motivated and focused.

 

[deleted600623]

@cableguy555 Yes those were my AAMC FL scores. Which makes it so frustrating because I was improving and doing well even on 2 and 3 that I had never taken before. (I took 1 back when I first started studying as a diagnostic to see what it was like. With that being said, I’m not sure about how to approach practice material because I’ve taken every single thing that the AAMC puts out for material. My scores won’t be quite accurate because the material will be recognizable even though I don’t remember the questions or answers to any of it. I could look into buying NS or Altius FLs for more practice if that would be a good idea. But you bring up a good point about daily review. That should really help with really solidifying content even though I thought I was solid on it based on my FL scores. I also think I need to change my attitude when approaching the test. I think I became overwhelmed by the fact that it was the real thing and that caused the huge drop in score.

 

[cableguy555]

@cableguy555 Yes those were my AAMC FL scores. Which makes it so frustrating because I was improving and doing well even on 2 and 3 that I had never taken before. (I took 1 back when I first started studying as a diagnostic to see what it was like. With that being said, I’m not sure about how to approach practice material because I’ve taken every single thing that the AAMC puts out for material. My scores won’t be quite accurate because the material will be recognizable even though I don’t remember the questions or answers to any of it. I could look into buying NS or Altius FLs for more practice if that would be a good idea. But you bring up a good point about daily review. That should really help with really solidifying content even though I thought I was solid on it based on my FL scores. I also think I need to change my attitude when approaching the test. I think I became overwhelmed by the fact that it was the real thing and that caused the huge drop in score.

I would strongly recommend Kaplan FL exams, I believe they have at least 11 of them. They are much more difficult than than the AAMC exams and the actual MCAT test itself. That being said, it does cost around $1900 to buy the course and the exams. But if you are scoring around a 512-515 on the Kaplan FLs, you can expect a 518+ on the real mcat. Just remember to take the practice FL's with an equivalent amount of seriousness. Wake up early, get a good breakfast and start the FLs at 8AM sharp. Stimulate test conditions as closely as possible. One of the kids in my school didn't even do the AAMC practice exams and just did Kaplan. He got 516 on his last practice and 522 on the real one.

 

[6754Lululox]

If you want EK books and live nearby, I’ll give you my set. It’s used, latest edition. Full set plus physics, chem, and cars 101 passages and an older edition of 1001 physics questions. I’m in Boston

 

[curvesetter]

So after looking at my options, I am considering retaking my MCAT. Just took it on 1/20 and scored a 502 (125/126/125/126). For reference, my FL scores were 510, 512, 513 on 1,2 and 3. I attribute my low score to just not having a good day and test anxiety. Gpa consists of 3.7/3.45 (AMCAS) and 3.7/3.53 (AACOMAS). My pre med advisor has recommended I retake at the latest June to ensure an on time application.

With that being said, if I decide to take in late May or June, how should I go about structuring my prep? I currently have TPR books, EK books, and NS strategy and practice books. I would need to buy the AAMC material again. Should I do a quicker but deep review of the content to make sure it is very solid? And then move onto AAMC material ?

Would love any and all help!

Agree with above posters, re-take ASAP unless you have a mechanism for maintaining the content from the first sitting (i.e. flashcards). Your real score is a fluke