No idea what happened =/..

[whathappened1]

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[BigBlueBear]

Are you applying this cycle? If so, nobody (that I know of) is going to take a January MCAT.

Edit: Nvm it looks like you're applying next cycle? Since you say you're applying early 😛. If you can make a huge increase and get in the 30s you'll probably be okay. Just don't make the mistake of taking it again when you're not ready and get another low score, it'll show schools that you suck at MCATing and might scare them away from you.

Good luck!

 

[TheShaker]

This is why second and third takes are allowed. You had a fluke, a school comparing a 20 vs a 30-something will understand that.

 

[Africaaa]

Don't let that discourage you at all. If anything, having a nice second MCAT score will make you look just that more interesting as a 10-point improvement, for example, is impressive. Instead of viewing your first score as a "curse" or hindrance, just take what you can from the experience and rock that second time to impress adcoms!

And just so you know that I'm not fluffing, a friend of mine had a first MCAT score of ~20, second of ~25, and third of 28. She is applying this cycle and already has multiple interviews. I'm sure committees see her dedication and improvement as a wonderful quality 🙂 Best of luck!!!

Edit: She already has multiple MD interviews.

 

[911 Turbo]

This gives you time to strengthen other areas of your application... perhaps more volunteering hours or more shadowing?

 

[whathappened1]

Thanks, yeah.. let's just say when I realized it was below 20) I flipped. I KNOW I can do better.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Sounds like some extreme test anxiety. Going from a 30-ish to sub-20 is a huge jump down.

 

[DokDakotaDok]

Sounds like some extreme test anxiety. Going from a 30-ish to sub-20 is a huge jump down.

Agreed. Going from 75-90th percentile and dropping to below the 19th is... crazy. That's like going from getting 80% of the test right to getting 60% of the test wrong.

Retake and prove that to the AdComs. Just don't blow it this time.

 

[ClemsonFirst]

Some schools take the most recent, some the highest, some highest combination, I even heard of one taking the lowest score (yikes), but one bad test score will not kill you. Take it again. Now you know what it is like, just relax more in the test environment. I took it a second time and felt much more comfortable during the test and actually did a fair amount better.

Just make sure to relax when you do take it. No need adding that anxiety on to an already difficult test.

 

[mmmcdowe]

what were you using to assess your mcat readyness? I ask because if you were using legit measures and had that big of drop i might suggest getting a confirmation that they didnt screw up your test

 

[MedPR]

Were you really averaging 30-32? Seems extremely implausible that you would drop below a 20 just because you weren't feeling great.

 

[AngusTEx]

I have been averaging ~30-32 on my MCAT

Was this the actual or practice? 😕

 

[La Presse]

You post seems unclear to a few people. I assume that means you have been taking practice tests and scoring in that range? AAMCs? How long did you study. Just curious.

 

[whathappened1]

I studied 3 months. Used TBR/examcrackers.. averaging 30.5ish on AAMC FL and some TBR. I did call AAMC and they said the chance is small since its electronically.. I was pretty sick and not feeling it, I should have voided...

@MedPR, I know it seems weird (and not sure why anyone would lie about this?), but I myself was shocked for days.. I saw another thread where someone dropped more than 15 pnts, so I'm really not the only one. It was just a horrible day and I KNEW things were ****ty, but alas, I stupidly did not void. What's done is done.

I'm signing up for January and hopefully I'll also be calmer (and healthier), now that I familiarized myself with everything. I'm just paranoid that my first score will get me rejected everywhere, even if my second score is good.

 

[Thego2guy]

I studied 3 months. Used TBR/examcrackers.. averaging 30.5ish on AAMC FL and some TBR. I did call AAMC and they said the chance is small since its electronically.. I was pretty sick and not feeling it, I should have voided...

@MedPR, I know it seems weird (and not sure why anyone would lie about this?), but I myself was shocked for days.. I saw another thread where someone dropped more than 15 pnts, so I'm really not the only one. It was just a horrible day and I KNEW things were ****ty, but alas, I stupidly did not void. What's done is done.

I'm signing up for January and hopefully I'll also be calmer (and healthier), now that I familiarized myself with everything. I'm just paranoid that my first score will get me rejected everywhere, even if my second score is good.

Not bad.

Don't be paranoid ^ You're definitely not out of the game. Get a 31+ and all of the doors will remain open.

 

[fabriciusj89]

I studied 3 months. Used TBR/examcrackers.. averaging 30.5ish on AAMC FL and some TBR. I did call AAMC and they said the chance is small since its electronically.. I was pretty sick and not feeling it, I should have voided...

@MedPR, I know it seems weird (and not sure why anyone would lie about this?), but I myself was shocked for days.. I saw another thread where someone dropped more than 15 pnts, so I'm really not the only one. It was just a horrible day and I KNEW things were ****ty, but alas, I stupidly did not void. What's done is done.

I'm signing up for January and hopefully I'll also be calmer (and healthier), now that I familiarized myself with everything. I'm just paranoid that my first score will get me rejected everywhere, even if my second score is good.

I don't want to make this worse for you, but I have a friend who bombed her first test similarly to what you experienced and tried again and bombed the second one too because of anxiety, which was actually worse the second time around instead of better because she knew she had already failed once. If you think this was a matter of anxiety and stress getting to you it definitely couldn't hurt to see someone who specializes in anxiety to give you some strategies to use during the test so that this doesn't happen again. Seriously even just talking it out and getting some breathing/counting exercises could make all the difference, and if it doesn't help its an hour of your life wasted.

 

[angldrps]

I had a 22 last year in April. Decided to postpone my plans to apply that year and re-took the MCAT in January and got a 32. I took all the months until June of this year to build up my ECs. I applied in June and so far have no complaints with how the cycle is going. All my interviewers have brought up my 10 point increase and seem very impressed with it. I remember being in your exact same situation when I got my first score back. I suggest you to take some time off to take your mind of the MCAT and then dive straight into studying. If you are interested, you can PM me to know about how I raised my score on my second attempt.
Good Luck!🙂

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

Guys OP has said he felt ill. It's not that hard to believe that if you take the test while sick you're not going to do very well.

 

[MedPR]

I studied 3 months. Used TBR/examcrackers.. averaging 30.5ish on AAMC FL and some TBR. I did call AAMC and they said the chance is small since its electronically.. I was pretty sick and not feeling it, I should have voided...

@MedPR, I know it seems weird (and not sure why anyone would lie about this?), but I myself was shocked for days.. I saw another thread where someone dropped more than 15 pnts, so I'm really not the only one. It was just a horrible day and I KNEW things were ****ty, but alas, I stupidly did not void. What's done is done.

I'm signing up for January and hopefully I'll also be calmer (and healthier), now that I familiarized myself with everything. I'm just paranoid that my first score will get me rejected everywhere, even if my second score is good.

I didn't mean to imply that you're lying. I meant to ask if you were actually simulating real test conditions and scoring yourself accurately.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[gyngyn]

All scores are reviewed by all schools. It is in the school's best interest to submit the highest possible score for each matriculant to whomever requests it. As you can see this does not cleanly translate into taking only one score into consideration for purposes of interview and acceptance.

 

[Praefectus]

Now I'm a little curious how you did on that one you voided and the reasons behind it. I could never void a test after sitting through it for several hours, regardless of how badly I felt about it.

 

[ilikevegetables]

Now I'm a little curious how you did on that one you voided and the reasons behind it. I could never void a test after sitting through it for several hours, regardless of how badly I felt about it.

I don't know, I definitely considered voiding my score. I also know someone who voided her first score, took it again, and didn't feel like she did as well but kept the score anyway. She got a 37 (and who knows what she would've gotten on her first one). It's just so easy to second-guess yourself.

OP, that's definitely a rough spot. I agree with others, though - I wouldn't write off applying because of this score. Good luck in January!

 

[poopsicle]

Hey man, don't feel down. I was in the same exact situation as you. First test 26 and then a month later I scored 30+. Got 2 interviews so far so yes it does work. Just be prepared to answer as to why you fluked up that first test.

 

[zipnogg]

So I refrained from posting here, just because I was too depressed and shocked.
I have been averaging ~30-32 on my MCAT, but a few days ago I received my score and got below a 20. Yes, you read that right. Background story: I had delayed a bunch (voided 1 time), and a few days before my test I felt sick. My parents told me I should submit no matter what (and I myself was getting sick of delaying)... so I submitted. (FYI during the test I felt ****ty, and knew I shouldn't submit, but it happened, no going back). I know it was a fluke and can do better.

I am studying again, taking it January, and hoping for the best.. I read that most schools take highest/most RECENT scores. my app is avg (great EC/can get good LOR/3.7culm;3.5sci). i'm also applying early and broadly next yr.

My question - do I have a chance (with the better 2nd mcat score), or will that first score forever curse my chances into getting in?
Anyone had a kinda similar situation and get interviewed or even accepted?

as long as you improve, schools are not going to care much. I was told to make it a one-time deal, and my score was decent (not stellar, but not horrific either) so I was fortunate. And I don't think I'll have that high of a chance of getting a better score the second time around. But with a sub-20 score, you can definitely improve and schools are going to like that.