MCAT test dates, some opinion

[Nuel]

Today I was concerned about taking the April 04 mcat being that I will be busy with involvements, work, research and a huge course load. So, I thought, if I feel I am not "too" prepared for the April mcat, I could just continue my mcat study against August 04 as there would be less involvements then. Then, again I thought: it is possible that there are larger numbers of test takers in April than in August, and possibly the curve for the April mcat (assuming a curve is the method of scoring as people here seem to think) will be less favorable than that of August. However if the test is standardized it may not make much of a difference.

Just another opinion.

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[dankev]

When we got our Aug '03 results back, all the stats they gave us were combined with the April '03 test. I assume this means our scores were shunted into their curve, but that's really just speculation.

 

[Alexander99]

I've concluded taking the test in April or August makes no difference. People kept throwing out rumors about how it's harder to get a high score in August because people are more prepared but I've found no evidence to support this.

 

[HawkeyeBFP]

I agree with Alexander99. Ultimately, no matter what "they" say, all the medical schools are perfectly aware that this test gets given twice a year, and none of them is going to cut themselves off from the whole pool of applicants that takes the test in August.

It's nice to get it done in April if you can, just because that gets the whole process started and finished sooner. But taking the test in August is fine; you just have to be on top of things during the fall.

I didn't take the April test for a common reason: I was taking a very heavy courseload in the spring to finish up my post-bacc requirements and I didn't want to skimp on test prep time.

It's all good. 😎

 

[LauraMac]

do you guys feel that taking the mcat in august has put you at a disadvantage since you have to apply a little bit later than everyone else? i'm trying to decide whether to take it in april without having had orgo I or in august and apply a little late. thanks!

-laura

 

[thedevirginator]

send everything in early and take the august mcat. This will let you prepare and wouldn't put you at a disadvantage since schools will only be waiting for your mcat score to arrive. Cheers

 

[Nuel]

I am sticking with the April test! I think it is a matter of saying, "Damn genetics tomorrow, tonight is for mcat prep".

 

[hamhamfan]

The grade distribution for the August test wasn't different by much compared to the April test distribution. Since the test is standardized, the scores probably wouldn't vary by much if they did at all.

I really think that it's a good idea to take the MCAT the summer before you apply. That way, you can spend more on preparation and not worry about applying late or maintaining your grades.

 

[DrBodacious]

If you think you can do significantly better, wait till August.

I'm sure I got a better score taking the August MCAT than I would have taking the April MCAT. I think it would be worse to do poorly on the April test and have to retake than be late in the application process. If worse comes to worse, I have to take a year off and have an opportunity to build up my app more so I should then get into a very good school.

I'm actually consider taking a year off if I only get into my fall back schools because I'm aspiring towards competitive residencies. It's not like I slacked in taking the MCAT late, I was just undecided on medicine untill after my sophmore year.

 

[LauraMac]

dr. bodacious,
that is my problem, too. i just decided i was pre-med the summer after sophomore year, so that is why i'm a little behind with the whole thing.

i think i will just wait til august to take the mcat. i read in the msar book that some of the schools i want to apply to do not like it if you wait until august, so that is another why i'm a little hesitant. but oh well... at least i have a good excuse for not doing it in april instead of just being lazy about the whole process.

 

[DD214_DOC]

The reasoning of taking the April MCAT over August is that if you did poorly, you could still apply and retake in August, then update with your new and hopefully higher score. If you apply, take it in August, and bomb the test, you're screwed and out a thousand or so dollars from the AMCAS fees. You also won't be able to retake the test until the following April, after the current cycle has ended.