Forum Members Official "Should I Retake?" Thread

[QofQuimica]

---

Members don't see this ad.

EDIT 12/21/18: This thread is being retired, as the majority of posts (>80 pages) pertain to the old MCAT that is no longer relevant to current applicants. You can find the current "Should I Retake" thread here: Forum Members - Should I Retake the MCAT?

For those of you who are trying to figure out whether you should re-take, this is the thread for you. Post your dilemma here if you want advice from other SDN folks. Please note that you should take the opinions you get from SDN as one source of advice; you would be wise to also consult your premed advisor before making this decision. Here is my personal advice for those considering whether to re-take:

Definitely DO retake:

-if you scored below a 24. Some allopathic schools will screen out students with scores lower than 24, which is about the mean score for all test-takers.
-if you had some kind of major problem during the test that affected your performance (ex. you started puking or running a 102 degree temperature)
-if you took the test without completing the four pre-reqs (one year each of biology, chemistry, physics, and organic) and/or without studying for it
-if you left large numbers of questions blank​

Definitely do NOT retake:

-if you scored a 30 or better, especially if all of your individual section scores were an 8 or better
-if your section subscores (the numerical ones) are all good, but you didn't perform well on the writing section (the letter score)

​

Gray area-it's not obvious what to do:

-if you scored 30+ but with one section below an 8
-if you had some minor nuisances (ex. a noisy test room) during the test and you're not sure if it affected your performance
-if you studied thoroughly for the test and you scored within the range of your practice exams, but your score is in the middle range (24-29)​

 

[lle8309]

should I retake?
27L
VR: 4 🙁🙁
PS: 12
BS: 11
I don't know what happened with my VR.
English is my second language, so I don't expect too much for VR. But I think 4 is too low.
I usually got between 6-8 in my practice tests. Any advice for retake or not??😕😕

hey i feel you friend. English is my second lanquage too. I must say, it feels good to find someone like me who is having the same trouble. I thought i was alone.😛 Let me tell you my story. I study lightly before my 1st mcat and expect to get a 4 on a VR section on the real mcat because that was what i got for my practice aamc test 3(i think) and when i took the real one, i felt very uncertain about most of the answers i selected but i got a 7 when the report came back. After this 1st mcat, i pushed myself in studying for and 2nd mcat(I am still practicing by the way). When i take practice VR tests(EK, TPR, Kaplan, and aamc) the score i got fluctuates from 4 to 8. I found myself improved and then suddenly found myself with a 5 😡 and when i took the next practice one i scored a 7. I never seem to finish on time. What does this mean? Do you have this problem too? 🙁

 

[1halfMVsquared]

Hey guys,

My GPA is 3.95 (UT Austin), I took the MCAT on Jan 29 and got a 31R (11PS, 8VR, 12BS)

I live in TX and will be applying to all of the schools within the state. My LOR's/research/clinical volunteering are good.

I was averaging 35+ (12-13PS, 8-10VR, 13-14BS) on the aamc's

Thanks for the help!

 

[GemelloMD]

Hey Guys,

4.0-science
3.89-overall

9/8/11P - 28P

I was averaging a 33 on practice tests. I'm not a notoriously good test taker.
My 28 is still good for this application cycle (the last one it's good for), yet I feel like I should reach for a 30+ (32 would rock some socks). I'm pretty confident in my EC's. Is something like Georgetown (I'm in gradschool for Bioethics) shootin' to the moon without a retake?


By the by, happy St. Patty's (On St. Patty's, everyone's Irish!!)

 

[GoRiceOwls]

@1/2mv^2

You should be absolutely fine for the TX schools!

 

[rofl]

I got a 33 (11-11-11).
I have a 3.4 GPA (I got 3 Cs, 1 B last semester during which accutane gave me SEVERE depression / memory problems. I had a 3.65 before that. I have just one semester left)

I'm taking it again April 10 because I know I can do 36+ to hopefully counter last semester's disaster on the transcript. Seem fair?

edit: CA resident

 

[MDnt12]

28R: BS11, VR9, PS8

3.54 science gpa
3.66 cumulative gpa

applying early as a URM (Hispanic/Latino), NY resident

clinical research, volunteer, teaching assistant, resident assistant, and MD shadowing experience...

should I retake? or do I have a chance of getting in with my scores?

 

[Brigade4Radiant]

28R: BS11, VR9, PS8

3.54 science gpa
3.66 cumulative gpa

applying early as a URM (Hispanic/Latino), NY resident

clinical research, volunteer, teaching assistant, resident assistant, and MD shadowing experience...

should I retake? or do I have a chance of getting in with my scores?

You can retake if you want but I think you have a good chance just apply Early.

I got in with a 3.4 and 28 MCAT

 

[Keza]

I've taken the mcat twice and have gotten below 20 each time - second time was worse than the first even though i studied much harder for it

anyways, i've changed my studying strategies and picked up a lot on this forum and feel i should take a one last stab at it. any suggestions...??

 

[Keza]

I've taken the mcat twice and have gotten below 20 each time - second time was worse than the first even though i studied much harder for it

anyways, i've changed my studying strategies and picked up a lot on this forum and feel i should take a one last stab at it. any suggestions...??

thanks for answering guys!
its ok u can be harsh

 

[NghtSky04]

29S; 9 PS 10 VR 10 BS

cGPA: 3.73
sGPA: 3.71

typical premed LOR and E/Cs, plus I am a CA resident.

If I apply early and broadly, should I retake? Didn't have a good test day, didn't sleep a single hour the night before the test (sort of my own fault). However I was getting around a 30 on my practice test so I don't know if I actually would be doing that much better. I am preparing now for a retake. Hopefully I can do better this time because I took my mcat the end of my sophmore year, so maybe all those upper div bio classes I took the last 2 years will help out.

If I retake I'll be sending in apps June 23 instead of June 1st

 

[NontradatBeach]

I've taken the mcat twice and have gotten below 20 each time - second time was worse than the first even though i studied much harder for it

anyways, i've changed my studying strategies and picked up a lot on this forum and feel i should take a one last stab at it. any suggestions...??

Unless you plan a MAJOR change in your study strategy, I'm not sure it would be worthwhile... and not just "studying again" but perhaps in-class Kaplan, private tutor or something of the sort.

 

[Keza]

Unless you plan a MAJOR change in your study strategy, I'm not sure it would be worthwhile... and not just "studying again" but perhaps in-class Kaplan, private tutor or something of the sort.

i actually took kaplan about a year and half ago and it really didn't do me good cuz i was also taking like 17 credits at college...im gonna focus on studying myself cuz i know im capable if i study enough and put time in..

thanks for the post!

 

[plsfoldthx]

i actually took kaplan about a year and half ago and it really didn't do me good cuz i was also taking like 17 credits at college...im gonna focus on studying myself cuz i know im capable if i study enough and put time in..

thanks for the post!

Did you take any practice tests? Do at least 9 practice tests before you take the real thing... and make sure you're getting good scores too. Also make sure about half of them are Kaplan tests.

 

[Keza]

Did you take any practice tests? Do at least 9 practice tests before you take the real thing... and make sure you're getting good scores too. Also make sure about half of them are Kaplan tests.

I'll be honest, I didn't do too many practice tests - maybe like 3. This time around I'm following snds 3 month schedule and have taken time off from work to go after this biatch.

any other suggestions? thanks in advance!

 

[DrSmday]

29: BS 10 PS 10 VR 9

cGPA: 3.75 sGPA: 3.7 Cali resident

 

[bigballer27]

29: BS 10 PS 10 VR 9

cGPA: 3.75 sGPA: 3.7 Cali resident

thats tough, how were your practice scores?

 

[reviliver]

Took the MCAT in April, 2008 and got a 29N, PS7 VR12 BS10.
So, not a bad score overall but a disaster in terms of balance and PS.

I'm planning to re-take August 5th, but I don't want my applications to be looked at last because they get put on hold waiting for the retake scores! What should I do? Tell the schools I am retaking and get put on hold or don't tell them and rely on my 29N to get me secondaries and interviews? I have a 3.3 gpa from a top 10 LAC, probably around 1000 volunteer hours and a lot of interesting stories, haha.

 

[DrSmday]

verbal was always 9 at best.... bs and ps fluctuated btw 10-13..

 

[ballinplayer03]

I took the mcat last year and got a 21Q. P8 V5 B8 I took it again recently and got a 27R. P8 V9 B10. I have a 3.85 gpa and am in my third year as a florida resident undergrad. I have a couple of publications and very actively involved in many organizations and have many hours shadowing and volunteering. I do not know if I should retake. I am really confused. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

29: BS 10 PS 10 VR 9

cGPA: 3.75 sGPA: 3.7 Cali resident

Your GPA is fine for all UCs except UCSF and it's close there), but you probably need to pull your MCAT up by about three points to be a viable UC candidate. This is assuming you have good clinical expeirences and either research or some other nice feature in your profile. I'm sure it sucks to hear this, but I also assume you sort of know that already.

 

[sneeze11]

I was averaging around at 26 and thats what I got.

26 8-8-10 and a super low writing --M

Will the low writing effect me?
With time running out would it be worth it to retake.

Some background on me- I got a 3.8 GPA, research experience, stellar letters of rec, participated in some time of summer program every summer, volunteer, and active on campus. I think i have all the bases covered except for this test.

 

[DrSmday]

Your GPA is fine for all UCs except UCSF and it's close there), but you probably need to pull your MCAT up by about three points to be a viable UC candidate. This is assuming you have good clinical expeirences and either research or some other nice feature in your profile. I'm sure it sucks to hear this, but I also assume you sort of know that already.

what about non-CA schools? any chances at decent OOS schools with a 29? or should i just bite the bullet and retake? the problem is im not sure a retake will result in a better score... you never know..

 

[jigga who]

GPA: 3.85
MCAT: 14/10/11 35M

I know my number score is great but that M is killing me ( 3 & 2 right?) I know people say WS doesn't matter but there must be some sort of cutoff which shows competency in writing right?

Also, I'm shooting for a top 10 school.

Last aamc: 38
last kaplan: 40
my kaplan instructor was giving me 4s for my essays.

 

[BTorps]

33Q
PS13, VR9, BS11
4.0 GPA, a lot of clinical experience including 2 months full time with a cardiothoracic surgeon, summer of undergrad research and summer of research at the NIH.
Also academic all-american in track and cross country.
PA resident

I was hoping for a 35. Dissapointed in the 9 in VR.

Will I still be competetive at my top choice schools like UPenn, Duke, and University of Virginia.

Thanks for anyones help

 

[foforo]

33R: 12V, 11B, 10P

3.3 cGPA/sGPA

shadowing pediatricians and pulmonologists, 2 years clinical research, currently doing bench research, URM, NY resident.

Kind of knew I didn't do too well after the test, felt like nerves got the best of me in the beginning of the exam so I was planning on taking it again at the end of May. Any thoughts?

 

[StarryNights]

33R: 12V, 11B, 10P

3.3 cGPA/sGPA

shadowing pediatricians and pulmonologists, 2 years clinical research, currently doing bench research, URM, NY resident.

Kind of knew I didn't do too well after the test, felt like nerves got the best of me in the beginning of the exam so I was planning on taking it again at the end of May. Any thoughts?

Are you more than 2 points below your average? 33P is a very solid score so I don't see any need for a retake, but if you felt like circumstances kept you from performing at your best and you can do much better then go for it. I've known people to retake with 34 and 35, with all different sorts of outcomes. Personally I had a massive headache throughout my entire test that hindered me, but I tried my best still, and can't say for sure if I will perform better on a retake without the headache.

 

[foforo]

Are you more than 2 points below your average? 33P is a very solid score so I don't see any need for a retake, but if you felt like circumstances kept you from performing at your best and you can do much better then go for it. I've known people to retake with 34 and 35, with all different sorts of outcomes. Personally I had a massive headache throughout my entire test that hindered me, but I tried my best still, and can't say for sure if I will perform better on a retake without the headache.

I ended up 3 points above my average, but I definitely felt that I kept myself from doing as well as I could have. Primarily so on the physical science section which left me with a sour taste for the rest of the exam. Thanks for the advice!

 

[smdh]

Basically i'm so close to my test date that i'm planning on retaking any ways I'm just curious what people think:

2005: 23N 8VR 7PS 8BS
2007: 27O 9VR 9PS 9BS

I don't really have a choice since it was so long ago...

 

[JBruin]

3

 

[pyromt30]

Should I retake

27Q
VR=9
PS=8
BS=10

GPA 3.7
I also have a PhD in Biochemistry and a few first author publications

 

[lsykenshin]

I got 27M on first MCAT (9,9,9)
On the Second one I got 30Q (10, 10, 10) which was a improvement but this was 3,4 points below what I was getting on avg...
I also have 3.65 GPA and 3.68 Science GPA
ECs (volunteer, shadow, research)
I'm really hoping to attend schools such as Tufts, BU, and schools that level.
Do I need to retake to be a competitive candidate at these schools or even just get into U.S. MD school?

Also my ethnicity is Asian which doesn't really help...
Please give some input into my situation.
Thank you

 

[Alorai]

.

 

[Moman1432]

I took the March 27th test and got my scores back last week: 29Q (9PS, 10VR, 10BS). My average on practice tests was around a 32 so its in my range but I also took 17 hours this semester so I think I might have a better shot taking it again in the summer.

I'm a Texas resident with a 3.5 at UT Austin. I've got 4 solid LORs, volunteering, leadership positions, shadowing, and 1.5 years research (going to be 2nd author on a paper in next 6 months).

So... do I retake in July and get applications turned in a few weeks late or just apply with with the 29Q?

Thanks for your feedback everyone.

 

[blueflower77]

Not that I am angry or anything... but all of you with 30+ just pat yourself on the back and clap for yourself in front of your computer and go on with your lives. I think this thread is more for people like me who are frustrated, borderlined and truly concerned about their scores (ie: <30). For some of us even applying this year may not be an option... so instead of taking up space showing your wonderful stats, why don't you help answer the questions from all those people who got below a 30 and have serious questions about their scores and retake options.

... since no one (surprisingly?!) commented hardly on the "troubling" scores that are 30-33, I can say that you will get in somewhere, probably not Harvard or Johns Hopkins unless other parts of your app shine, or you have a new discovery contributing to the latest stem cell or breast cancer research... in 2010. Good luck to all of you and help those of us who actually are in need of advice. 🙂

Thanks! (sorry for the angry comments, but come on people, get real)

 

[FutureDoctor015]

First off, I'd like to say I hate the MCAT and the AAMC (especially for making us wait 1 month + some extra days).

First time: PS/BS/VR = 8/12/11 = 31O
Second time: PS/BS/VR = 12/11/6 = 29Q

My questions:
1. Is an "O" in writing bad? What's considered bad in writing?
2. I improved significantly in VR (which I focused on when studying) but went down in PS (even though my practices were all over 10). Do you think the 12 in PS last time will partially compensate for the 8 this time -- looking at the 12 says that at least I was capable at some point!

3. SHOULD I RETAKE?

 

[Dr Yiot]

cum gpa = 3.3 sci = 3.0. Enormous upward trend. first 2 years of college where abysmal then got sick and missed final 2 weeks of school during finals and pulled a 1.5 that semester. Then had an enormous upward trend with my junior year average gpa of a 3.55 and senior year over 2 semesters bieng a 3.8. Because of my gpa I have decided to apply DO and only DO. I made a terrible mistake in taking the mcat 2 years ago when I was completed with my prereq's despite recieving B's and C's in them( I never truly learned or understood the material). I also didn't study for it at all, took it without any practice tests whatsoever and pulled a 13O PS 4 VR 5 BS 4. I then retook all of my prereq's these past two years with the gpa's listed. I sprinkled in a few 3k level courses as well such as biochemistry and aced them. However I just retook the mcat. My average AAMC's where a 26. I got extremely nervous and ran out of time in the PS section of the exam missing at least 5 questions. I pulled a 23N PS 6 VR 8 BS 9. I was extremely anxious and new I did not do as well as I could. I retook without recieving my scores back on 5/1 and I am anxious to get those back as I am pretty sure I did better ( I was averaging 9 on PS, 10 on the BS with 9's on the VR section). My extracurriculars are great, lots of volunteering and employment in the healthcare field. I am very well rounded when it comes to EC"s except for the lack of research. My application as is, if I apply early and broadly with a stellar PS and app what are my chances. Like I said, I am not too worried with the score that I just got back from 4/10 because I knew I was burned by the PS section of that exam, now that I think of it I should have voided. I am hoping I pull more towards my average on this next exam and hopefully I do not drop in score in any of the other sections. Depending on the exam, how much better could I have possibly do if I hit my average on the PS section. I was averaging 26's and hit 28 and 27 a couple times leading up to the exam. To be honest I was hitting 22's and 23's at the beginning of my prep but I was just so nervous on 4/10. I left the 5/1 exam feeling much better, however I still have that fear of only pulling a 24 or 25 this time around because I would drop a point or 2 in other sections. What should I do? should I sign up to retake it again or is there a good shot at me pulling in the high 20's on the exam I took on the 1st of may? I felt much better coming out of that test. I am thinking I should wait to get my scores back but I just wanted someone elses oppinion

 

[okokemily]

30Q, 10 PS 11 V 9 BS. 3.5 gpa. good LORs, okay extracurriculars, significant upward trend in my gpa.

is this good enough for UW? it's my #1. and yes, i'm a resident.

 

[meeshellwakeop]

10 VR/ 12 PS/ 11 BS/ N

3.4 cum GPA, 3.3 science at a top 20 undergrad, good LORs, some research, very active in ECs, working in the ED this summer, TX resident. Would it be worth it to retake the test so I have a shot at Southwestern/Baylor? Would my GPA hold me back even if I score significantly better on the second try?

 

[LetsGo352]

.

 

[Baby Oncologist]

how come no one is actually giving advice to people??

 

[kfsa1]

13 PS
7 V
10 BS
N WS


AAMC AVGs

12 PS
9 V
11.5 BS

Sigh......Since I'm asian and I only have a 3.55 cGPA and 3.38 sGPA I guess I might have to retake?

I just want to get into a med school in the US and I'm considered a NJ resident. What do you guys think?

 

[DoctreDrey]

PS 11/ VR 7 /BS 9 = 27P

above a 3.9 for both cumulative and science GPA...lots of research w/ presentations and publications.

Applying to all Florida schools.

Also, since I am new to the application process, can I still send in the application in June with a 27 and retake the MCAT in July and just send those scores in August? Would schools just put me on hold w/o looking at my application or will they look at the 27 and see that I am retaking in and still possibley send a secondary?

OMG I have the exact same score and breakdown but with an O in writing and I have the same question.

 

[mlife]

Retake?
ok where do I start:
1st time- 26O PS:7 VR: 9 BS: 10
2nd time-24O PS: 7 VR: 9 BS: 8 (yes I know I went down)

I know dropping your score looks really bad, and I've been banging my head against the wall for days, but I wanted to get an honest opinion so I know what to do going forward. The second time around I was averaging 28-30 and was studied like mad until I wanted to pull my hair out. I think my nerves got the best of me this second time, but even thinking of retaking makes me want to cry.
I'm non-traditional MPH grad, my GPA is 3.6, 5 years clinical research experience, lots of EC's, and LOR's should be fine. I'm thinking of DO schools, and will not apply until next cycle, so will have time to retake.

 

[Quaero]

OMG I have the exact same score and breakdown but with an O in writing and I have the same question.

Your AMCAS will be incomplete until you're done with the next MCAT. Although, some may sent you the secondary to complete.

 

[dynasty12]

30Q, 10 PS 11 V 9 BS. 3.5 gpa. good LORs, okay extracurriculars, significant upward trend in my gpa.

is this good enough for UW? it's my #1. and yes, i'm a resident.

I would try and focus on your EC's and think about retaking. That is about the average score for UW, but they love to see extremely strong EC's and LOR, hence the lower average MCAT for a top school. If you can't improve your EC's, your definitely going to want to retake. I had a friend not get in with a 38 - that's how important the extra stuff is.

 

[diegos]

sGPA: ~3.1, cGPA: ~3.4, mcat: 29R, 9 PS/9 VR/11 BS

i'm applying for some MD, some DO, some caribbean MDs.

should i retake??

 

[goldendoor]

.

 

[roxstarfish]

first time (27Q): ps=9, vr=8, bs=10, writing = Q
second time (29R): ps = 12, vr=7, bs=10, writing = R

I'm thinking about a third time, but I know that will severely delay my application if I want to apply this cycle. Other than that my other stats are: 3.8 gpa, some (1.5 yrs) research exp, 3 yrs clinical volunteering exp, and some other volunteering/EC's not quite medically related. I really want to go to a California school..

 

[UC Denver]

I recently took the MCAT and got the following scores:
Verbal: 8
Physical Sciences: 9
Biological Sciences: 11
Writing sample: R
Composite: 28R

Would these scores be competitive for the University of Colorado? I am worried that I will be screened out because of my verbal score. I am currently classified as in-state in Colorado for Medical School purposes. I also have an M.S. in Neuroscience and got a 4.0 in graduate school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. I got a 3.3 at Reed College, which is more difficult than a lot of schools.

I received A's in Biology, English courses, Inorganic Chemistry, Physics, and Organic Chemistry.

Further, I worked as a research assistant for 1 year, have two publications, have volunteered 2 hours/week in the ER (104 hours), and am volunteering 16 hours/week in a PD clinic. I am working on a clinical research publication now.

Should I retake the MCAT?

 

[Shark1010]

cali resident going to be starting special masters program at gtown this fall to increase gpa in order to apply again this cycle (applied unsuccessfully last cycle). should i retake mcat?

27Q - 9, 9, 9 = first try
29Q - 9P, 10V, 10B = second try