multiple MCAT scores on application

[RookTookIt]

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I have taken the MCAT 3 times. Each time, I increased 3 points. The first test was in 2008. Here are my questions:

1) For schools that only accept MCATs that are 3 years old or less, will they still see my first test?

2) Do all of the repeats look bad? I would actually consider taking it a 4th time, but I wonder if it'll look hurt my application (even if I increase my score again).

 

[acb88]

1) Don't think so, but I am not 100%
2) No, as long as the score goes up. I had 3 scores on my application. If you have a good score though, I would not take it a 4th time

 

[Longshanks]

1.) They will still see every score whether or not they accept scores from the last three years. They may or may not take the ones older than three years into credit. Pay attention to school websites, as some will clearly indicate they only look at the most recent score, or the last two, or other schools may combine them while weighing the most recent score the most.
2.) Be prepared to answer questions as to why you retook so many times (though only two out of six schools asked me this). And please, please, please.. I cannot stress this enough.. for the love of God do you not take it a 4th time if you've already broken 30+.

 

[Yeeds]

1. Yes they will be able to see all the MCATs you've taken, even if they are more than 3 years old. The "three year rule" applies because you can't use an MCAT score that is more than 3 years old as your only score to apply (ie...you can't have taken the MCAT only once 4 years ago).

2. I don't think there is a concrete rule related to retakes. Part of it depends on what your scores were specifically, if there was improvement, the timespan, etc. The fact that you went up each time is definitely a plus.

 

[WuMedic]

I don't know the rationale to this, but all of the advisors here say do not take it more than 3 times unless the three times were way in the past and you have done something to raise your score between then and now.