MCAT Test Date Change Advice

[swiftaspirations]

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Hello all,
I am scheduled to take the MCAT in early June. However, I am not pleased with my test results. I am just over half way through my Princeton Review Class and finishing some prerequisites: Ochem II and Physics II. My Princeton Review instructors keep pushing me to take practice tests, but I'm getting trashed on them. Here are my two AAMC Practice test scores:
AAMC 10: (C:21) (PS:7,VR:5,BS:9)
AAMC 3: (C:21) (PS:9,VR:4,BS:8)
I got accepted into a summer research program, so I need to change my MCAT test location, but based on my performance, I think that I need to change my test date as well. Considering that I am still over two months out, I don't know how far I should push the date back. Also, does verbal reasoning just take practice? How long did it take you to see improvement? I know all of you have really good advice. I look forward to reading your responses.

 

[swiftaspirations]

Please disregard the stupid poll at the top… you can definitely tell it's my first post.

 

[Oso]

Idk why your instructors are pushing you to take practice tests right now. There's no point in taking them until you've reviewed all the material, otherwise you're just going to be tested on things you don't know and will freak out and will receive a poor score. I'm sure PR gives you practice problems and other material that covers specific material to gauge your understanding (without having to do full length practice tests).

You should not take the test until you feel prepared and your AAMC full length test average is about the score you want. But when you take the test also depends on when you plan to apply. Are you hoping to apply this upcoming cycle? Because if so, taking it in late June or July could put you at a disadvantage. You could keep your early June date and see how you feel. If you still feel unprepared then, then definitely push it back.

As far as verbal goes, it's pretty much going to be different for everyone. My score never improved (luckily I had an ok verbal score to start with), while other people see small to big improvements. All you can do is keep practicing and hope for the best.. Although sometimes, reading extra material like dense news articles and asking yourself what the main point of the article and of each separate paragraph can also help. You could do something like read one news article a day. Although actual verbal passages are the best. I recommend exam crackers 101 verbal passages, if you haven't used it already.

 

[swiftaspirations]

Idk why your instructors are pushing you to take practice tests right now. There's no point in taking them until you've reviewed all the material, otherwise you're just going to be tested on things you don't know and will freak out and will receive a poor score. I'm sure PR gives you practice problems and other material that covers specific material to gauge your understanding (without having to do full length practice tests).

You should not take the test until you feel prepared and your AAMC full length test average is about the score you want. But when you take the test also depends on when you plan to apply. Are you hoping to apply this upcoming cycle? Because if so, taking it in late June or July could put you at a disadvantage. You could keep your early June date and see how you feel. If you still feel unprepared then, then definitely push it back.

As far as verbal goes, it's pretty much going to be different for everyone. My score never improved (luckily I had an ok verbal score to start with), while other people see small to big improvements. All you can do is keep practicing and hope for the best.. Although sometimes, reading extra material like dense news articles and asking yourself what the main point of the article and of each separate paragraph can also help. You could do something like read one news article a day. Although actual verbal passages are the best. I recommend exam crackers 101 verbal passages, if you haven't used it already.

Thank you for the thoughtful and helpful response! Yes, I am planning on applying this cycle, and I'm taking the MCAT late because I have no choice. I'm just now finishing my prerequisites. I wish I was ready enough to take it earlier, but I don't want to kill my application with a low score. I will take a look at the exam crackers 101 verbal passages and see if that improves my score.

 

[Oso]

It's good to wait until you're ready to take the test, otherwise you rush, get a low score, and end up taking the test again.

It's definitely not impossible, but just remember that applying later in the cycle is not ideal. Make sure you send in all your other stuff as soon as possible (primary, letters of rec, secondaries) so that you're ready to go once AMCAS uploads your score. Also make sure to apply broadly to maximize your chances. If you end up not liking your score, then plan for a retake a later date and consider applying next year. But don't worry about that now. For now, just keep up the studying and stay motivated. Good luck!

 

[HinduHammer]

Hello all,
I am scheduled to take the MCAT in early June. However, I am not pleased with my test results. I am just over half way through my Princeton Review Class and finishing some prerequisites: Ochem II and Physics II. My Princeton Review instructors keep pushing me to take practice tests, but I'm getting trashed on them. Here are my two AAMC Practice test scores:
AAMC 10: (C:21) (PS:7,VR:5,BS:9)
AAMC 3: (C:21) (PS:9,VR:4,BS:8)
I got accepted into a summer research program, so I need to change my MCAT test location, but based on my performance, I think that I need to change my test date as well. Considering that I am still over two months out, I don't know how far I should push the date back. Also, does verbal reasoning just take practice? How long did it take you to see improvement? I know all of you have really good advice. I look forward to reading your responses.

FWIW I was scheduled to take it June 5 and am pushing it back to July. I need more time to prepare. It may hurt me in terms of rolling admission, but I'd rather have an MCAT score that I believe I deserve and am fully prepared for. I'm taking Kaplan and I have only taken the diagnostic. I won't be taking any FLs until I finish my content review, which could take me the better part of a month or more. Good luck.

 

[MedOldAge]

Hello all,
I am scheduled to take the MCAT in early June. However, I am not pleased with my test results. I am just over half way through my Princeton Review Class and finishing some prerequisites: Ochem II and Physics II. My Princeton Review instructors keep pushing me to take practice tests, but I'm getting trashed on them. Here are my two AAMC Practice test scores:
AAMC 10: (C:21) (PS:7,VR:5,BS:9)
AAMC 3: (C:21) (PS:9,VR:4,BS:8)
I got accepted into a summer research program, so I need to change my MCAT test location, but based on my performance, I think that I need to change my test date as well. Considering that I am still over two months out, I don't know how far I should push the date back. Also, does verbal reasoning just take practice? How long did it take you to see improvement? I know all of you have really good advice. I look forward to reading your responses.

I have a very difficult time to understand, when you were sitting on VR4 of AAMC3, why the PR instructor was pushing you to take AAMC FL10. The 10 and 11 are considered and presumably so as GOLD FLs for last minute pre-test gauge/preparation before the real test. There are ICC and the VR Workbook there, plus there are many PR FLs. Unbelievable!

The truth, in my "personal" opinion, is that you should seriously consider postpone the test until at least July. I don't have a warm feeling on the PS:7 and VR:5 at AAMC10. It is going to be a challenge for the application of this cycle.......but.......

DON'T TAKE THE TEST UNLESS YOU ARE READY. THE BEAST IS MERCILESS.

 

[beethousand]

I am in somewhat of a similar dilemma, got a 30 on AAMC 8 but a 25 on AAMC 5, scheduled for early June. I also work and am in classes. I'm taking another practice test next weekend, well see if I can bump back up. I'm curious to hear from those who took a July mcat last year in regards to how it affected their cycle. Good luck!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[swiftaspirations]

Idk why your instructors are pushing you to take practice tests right now. There's no point in taking them until you've reviewed all the material, otherwise you're just going to be tested on things you don't know and will freak out and will receive a poor score. I'm sure PR gives you practice problems and other material that covers specific material to gauge your understanding (without having to do full length practice tests).

You should not take the test until you feel prepared and your AAMC full length test average is about the score you want. But when you take the test also depends on when you plan to apply. Are you hoping to apply this upcoming cycle? Because if so, taking it in late June or July could put you at a disadvantage. You could keep your early June date and see how you feel. If you still feel unprepared then, then definitely push it back.

As far as verbal goes, it's pretty much going to be different for everyone. My score never improved (luckily I had an ok verbal score to start with), while other people see small to big improvements. All you can do is keep practicing and hope for the best.. Although sometimes, reading extra material like dense news articles and asking yourself what the main point of the article and of each separate paragraph can also help. You could do something like read one news article a day. Although actual verbal passages are the best. I recommend exam crackers 101 verbal passages, if you haven't used it already.

I bought the exam krackers books and they are a million times better than TPR. So many helpful diagrams and analogies. Their strategies really work! Because of their advice, I've been scoring in the 9-10 range in verbal. Not quite where I want to be yet, but I have gained confidence. Thanks for the awesome advice!

 

[brood910]

Getting under 10 on science sections means you are lacking content review.

 

[swiftaspirations]

Getting under 10 on science sections means you are lacking content review.

I totally agree. I pushed it back because of verbal. I need a lot more time for practice.

 

[swiftaspirations]

Progress Update: scored 77% on AAMC Verbal Self-Assessment. 🙁 I found the "Hard" questions to be tricky. I only got 43% of the "hard" questions correct.

 

[swiftaspirations]

I completed my content review, and I have also completed several of the AAMC's. I am scheduled to take the MCAT on July 24th. Here are my exam scores thus far:
AAMC 5: 10/10/10 (30)
AAMC 7: 10/9/10 (29)
2 Weeks later:
AAMC 8: 10/10/13 (33)
AAMC 4: 11/9/12 (32)
I am shooting for 34+. what practice test scores are appropriate for that type of score? I'm really bummed about that 9 on VR for AAMC 4.