multiple mcat scores

[minst]

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there are many schools that say on their website (or to me directly when i call) that they take the highest mcat score and that is it.
Is this usually true? Or are there more things being taken into account?
like if someone has three mcat scores
501 520 and a 505, they just look at the 520 and that is it?
thanks

 

[dial1010usa]

Most of the schools avg it out for MCAT just like your gpa.

 

[minst]

Most of the schools avg it out for MCAT just like your gpa.

even the ones that say they take the highest?

 

[pigsinacloth]

If they say they take the highest then they probably take the highest. I would say that it is probably more grey in general. Like I doubt they completey ignore the other scores. Some will do the last one you took, some will average, some might not really care if the scores are close or if they are super far apart. It's impossible to say unless you're on the admissions committee.

Also did you get the 505 after getting a 520? That might be the bigger red flag in my opinion.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I tell people, all scores are averaged for screening purposes, but they may choose your best score. I don't know if adcoms superscore much anymore, but you never know. Many will redact your scores if you get an interview until final deliberations.

Also, many schools will not stop reviewing your application for pending scores, and some will still move forward with your old score/s anyway.

 

[minst]

Also did you get the 505 after getting a 520? That might be the bigger red flag in my opinion.

no that was just an example

 

[minst]

I tell people, all scores are averaged for screening purposes, but they may choose your best score.

if i am understanidng you correctly, you're saying they screen for the purpose of mcat cut offs (ie if mcat cut off for certain school is a 503, u get a 500 then a 504, you are automatically rejected because your avg is a 502)
But if u make it through the screening then they take the highest score?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

if i am understanidng you correctly, you're saying they screen for the purpose of mcat cut offs (ie if mcat cut off for certain school is a 503, u get a 500 then a 504, you are automatically rejected because your avg is a 502)
But if u make it through the screening then they take the highest score?

Reapplicants generally score within 3 points of their previous attempt. Plus OR MINUS three points.

Unless it is an explicit cutoff because you are applying to a graduate program, so the University has expectations of your academic credentials, many schools have screening processes that have at least one set of real eyes reviewing any application flagged for potential rejection. This is where someone may notice our MCAT retake went up 10 points, which isn't that clear from taking the average. The same thing goes for GPAs, though the CASes are just a big spreadsheet, so we should be able to notice when a person with a relatively low overall GPA has a strong upward trend.

Also remember, there is no one "they."

 

[minst]

im just wondering if schools release their secondaries late this year, does this benift people who wrote their mcat late?

 

[Goro]

there are many schools that say on their website (or to me directly when i call) that they take the highest mcat score and that is it.
Is this usually true? Or are there more things being taken into account?
like if someone has three mcat scores
501 520 and a 505, they just look at the 520 and that is it?
thanks

It's School specific, and will also depend upon the interviewer and or screener.

AMCAS advises averaging scores.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

im just wondering if schools release their secondaries late this year, does this benift people who wrote their mcat late?

You're overthinking or going into anxiety mode. It's more complicated.

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[dial1010usa]

even the ones that say they take the highest?

I guess you want to hear what you heard from schools and you said many schools. How many is many? If you already know the answer why are you asking here.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Alice Walton SOM (AWSOM)'s webinar today mentioned they would consider your highest score within the last four years. Granted, they are a new school (first class matriculating next month), so anything to drum up applications. They will auto-send secondaries once they receive verified apps from AMCAS next week or so.

 

[deleted1220239]

Most non-T20 allopathic schools only consider the highest score.

Very few schools average, this is probably more of a DO thing.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Most non-T20 allopathic schools only consider the highest score.

Very few schools average, this is probably more of a DO thing.

Not necessarily contradicting this statement, but this is on "official guidance." Emphasis mine. For the OP and others on this thread.

A 2017 AAMC survey asked admissions officers how they work with retesters’ MCAT total scores in the admission process (MCAT Validity Study, unpublished 2021). The results showed that admissions officers use different strategies for examining retesters’ scores. For example, some admissions committees use all exam scores in conjunction with other information about academic preparation that may explain any score changes. Other admissions committees use applicants’ most recent exam scores in the admission process or use the applicants’ “best score” as represented by their highest reported total score. Other committees compute the average total score across multiple attempts.

It is important for admissions officers to examine the information in applicants’ transcripts and applications in interpreting retesters’ scores. Data not shown in Figure 11 suggest that average score gains on the second attempt are greater when the time between the first and second attempts is greater. Information in applicants’ files, such as completion of a postbaccalaureate program, graduate degree program, or other coursework, can help explain gains in applicants’ scores over time.

Using MCAT Data in 2024 Medical Student Selection, AAMC (p 13)
Previously mentioned by @gyngyn in

Post in: 'Multiple MCAT Scores and your experience'

Aug 14, 2019

Okay, but what I mean is some only consider the highest or the newest score, etc.

Whatever the party line, each committee member has a personal opinion that will influence their decision.
We always present the "best practice (averaging scores)" as the preferred way to consider multiple attempts at the MCAT, but we cannot make the committee member "unsee" the scores. For example, some members think the first score is the best assessment (since you only get one passing USMLE score...).
As previously noted, the number of attempts and the timing are also part of the equation...

• gyngyn

• 

 

[deleted1220239]

Not necessarily contradicting this statement, but this is on "official guidance." Emphasis mine. For the OP and others on this thread.

A 2017 AAMC survey asked admissions officers how they work with retesters’ MCAT total scores in the admission process (MCAT Validity Study, unpublished 2021). The results showed that admissions officers use different strategies for examining retesters’ scores. For example, some admissions committees use all exam scores in conjunction with other information about academic preparation that may explain any score changes. Other admissions committees use applicants’ most recent exam scores in the admission process or use the applicants’ “best score” as represented by their highest reported total score. Other committees compute the average total score across multiple attempts.

It is important for admissions officers to examine the information in applicants’ transcripts and applications in interpreting retesters’ scores. Data not shown in Figure 11 suggest that average score gains on the second attempt are greater when the time between the first and second attempts is greater. Information in applicants’ files, such as completion of a postbaccalaureate program, graduate degree program, or other coursework, can help explain gains in applicants’ scores over time.

Using MCAT Data in 2024 Medical Student Selection, AAMC (p 13)
Previously mentioned by @gyngyn in

Post in: 'Multiple MCAT Scores and your experience'

Aug 14, 2019

Okay, but what I mean is some only consider the highest or the newest score, etc.

Whatever the party line, each committee member has a personal opinion that will influence their decision.
We always present the "best practice (averaging scores)" as the preferred way to consider multiple attempts at the MCAT, but we cannot make the committee member "unsee" the scores. For example, some members think the first score is the best assessment (since you only get one passing USMLE score...).
As previously noted, the number of attempts and the timing are also part of the equation...

• gyngyn

• 

As far as the score improvement being minimal on retakes, most pre-meds don't utilize the full extent of resources they could to guarantee a higher score (like UW, which is pricey but worth it, Anki, BP Exams, etc.)

Ultimately, it's just an exam. Most students don't feel the need to push their score past their "plateau" because it's a waste of time. If a school is going to turn down an applicant because they scored a 507 average instead of a 510 highest attempt for example, that's on the school and not the applicant.

But all fair points

 

[Mr.Smile12]

As far as the score improvement being minimal on retakes, most pre-meds don't utilize the full extent of resources they could to guarantee a higher score (like UW, which is pricey but worth it, Anki, BP Exams, etc.)

Ultimately, it's just an exam. Most students don't feel the need to push their score past their "plateau" because it's a waste of time. If a school is going to turn down an applicant because they scored a 507 average instead of a 510 highest attempt for example, that's on the school and not the applicant.

But all fair points

The point of the second excerpted paragraph is that pushing past the plateau phase requires more time so that they can utilize the additional resources you allude to. Again, we're not really disagreeing, but other factors that compel someone to rush their retake often override these findings. When you have to deal with someone who feels they could do much better than their 518...