Forum Members Official "Should I Retake?" Thread

[QofQuimica]

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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)​

 

[Phoenix.]

I'm a 23 y/o Masters in Biotechnology student and a Research Assistant in Neuroscience. I took the MCAT twice.

MCAT August 06: 27R (10B, 8P, 9VR)
MCAT April 07: 29P (13B, 8P, 8VR)
Undergrad GPA: 3.75
Grad GPA: 3.5

I want to apply this summer because I'm finally sure that this is what I want to do and I don't want to spend more time doing anything else.

Both times I took the MCAT I had a very very busy schedule (FT student, PT work, honors thesis, ncaa athlete). If I retake the test I will clear my schedule this time. I was upset after the april mcat results because I was getting 11-12 VR scores and 32-33 total scores on the practice tests.

Should I retake the test? Will I have a decent chance with these scores for MD schools? DO schools?

I can only afford to apply once so I need to make sure I have a good chance. Also, I want to go into psychiatry, do I need to go to an MD school for this specialty? What do you think of DO schools for psychiatry?
😕

It's hard to say since I don't have all the facts (state of residence, ECs, clinical experience, etc.), but I would say that if you apply early and broadly, you'll do fine. You've probably got some impressive research experience, and hopefully also have solid clinical experience, a good personal statement and LORs. If you're in a state with "friendly" state schools (OH, FL, TX, etc.), I'd say you're definitely good to go with what you've got. If you're a resident of CA, your chances are slightly less, simply because you can't really rely on your state schools, which are your best bet - if so, apply VERY broadly. If I were you, I'd plug some stats into mdapps and see how people fared with your mcat breakdown and a somewhat comparable gpa.

If you feel really confident that you'll do better, then you certainly could retake. The danger with retaking is that if either your PS or VR dropped to a 7, then you'll be wishing you hadn't tossed the dice again.... And a 29 is good score. I don't know as much about applying MD/PhD, but since you're a researcher, I'd suggest looking into it (although from what I recall, a high MCAT is a big component of a good MD/PhD application).

Regarding DO schools, I can't imagine there's any problem with going into psychiatry with a DO. But if you're concerned, go check out SDN's pre-osteopathic forum and do a search, or ask there. I would definitely throw in a couple of DO schools when you apply if you'd be interested in getting a DO.

 

[Linxc7]

Thanks Phoenix. Just to briefly answer some of your questions:

I am a resident of New Jersey.
Major: Psychology and Spanish
Minor: Biology
Honors Thesis completed in Psychology
Activities: Division I Cross Country and Track 4 years, President of the Students Helping Animals club, Member of Psi Chi, V-week coordinator for Vday, Member of Psychology Club, Summer Study Abroad in Spain
Work: part time at our nearby hospital (Geisinger) as a research coordinator in the psychiatry department. I helped lead an anti anxiety group with some children.
Volunteer Work: Danville State Mental Hospital, Asthma Camp Experience Counselor, a preschool for the Head Start program

Since graduating I've been working at Columbia University as a research assistant in Neuroscience and we've published a few papers. I work with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients and specifically run the ADNI project. I'm a grad student in the Masters in Biotechnology program. And I've run a half marathon and the NYC marathon for the Team Continuum charity raising $3300.

 

[SirGecko]

So I took the MCAT in January and recieved a 33M (11B, 10P, 12VR)

Will that M hurt me?

A little about me: I have a low GPA due to going to a difficult school and doing an excedingly difficult program at that school while doing NROTC. (and extra curriculars and such but NROTC is way more than an EC)

Anyway, thanks.

 

[pingouin]

So I took the MCAT in January and recieved a 33M (11B, 10P, 12VR)

Will that M hurt me?

A little about me: I have a low GPA due to going to a difficult school and doing an excedingly difficult program at that school while doing NROTC. (and extra curriculars and such but NROTC is way more than an EC)

Anyway, thanks.

Don't worry about the M. You're fine there. Focus on GPA, which is what's going to hold your application back at this point. You might be interested in checking out the post-bacc/SMP subforum to get some ideas on how to do that.

 

[dcm1421]

I took the MCAT back in 2007 and scored a 33 O (7V, 12P, 14B). I know overall my score is good, but I am worried about that 7 in verbal. Originally, I was planning on retaking the MCAT this spring (so I could apply this summer), however I could not find the time to study. I really want to apply this year, but am starting to wonder if I should hold off until next year and retake the MCAT. Should I retake it and delay my application until next year?

Background:
I did my undergrad at UCSD and graduated with an overall GPA of 3.81 and a science GPA of 3.95. I have been volunteering in the ER at the UCSD Hospital off and on over the past year. Currently, I am working on a M.S. degree in Biology at UCSD, with my research being focused on leukemia, which I should be finished with this June.
(Also, I am a California resident)

Thanks.

 

[bozz]

I took the MCAT back in 2007 and scored a 33 O (7V, 12P, 14B). I know overall my score is good, but I am worried about that 7 in verbal. Originally, I was planning on retaking the MCAT this spring (so I could apply this summer), however I could not find the time to study. I really want to apply this year, but am starting to wonder if I should hold off until next year and retake the MCAT. Should I retake it and delay my application until next year?

Background:
I did my undergrad at UCSD and graduated with an overall GPA of 3.81 and a science GPA of 3.95. I have been volunteering in the ER at the UCSD Hospital off and on over the past year. Currently, I am working on a M.S. degree in Biology at UCSD, with my research being focused on leukemia, which I should be finished with this June.
(Also, I am a California resident)

Thanks.

those are some killer science scores... have you tried checking out MDApps for people with ~7 VR who have gotten in. Many schools will outright reject you unfortunately. Will it really hurt you to apply to a few non so competitive schools and see what happens? Maybe 5-6 schools?

 

[Hopefullpremed]

I bought the LSAT 10 Actual Tests a while back and doing the reading comprehension scoring 4/7 on each passage. There are a total of 27 questions. How does this compare to MCAT verbal and what average score will this get me on the MCAT? Im only using these for the practice, but be careful b/c I actually thought about law school and I stopped studying for MCAT!😀

 

[tncekm]

Not sure if you can compare the two. Just take a few MCAT passages and find out.

If you DID bring that score directly over to an MCAT scale it would be equal to getting a low 7.

 

[Hopefullpremed]

Where is good site to pay for a membership? I wanted to use their MCAT thread, like examkrackers b/c it is structured with book format. Are there others?---Hopefullpremed

 

[dArroway]

I may be reapplying. I do have a somewhat high mcat "mid 30s" or so. However, last year I averaged approximately 4 points higher than I scored on the actual test. Statistics predict I will do worse, however I feel that when I took it I may have just had bad luck. The real problem is that my verbal was FAR less than the rest (9). The others brought it up but I think I can do better. Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[EuroPhysician]

If you have a composite score of 30 or higher with no individual section less than an 8, do not bother retaking the exam, there is a good chance you might score a bit lower on the next try.

Ideally, the scores should be fairly even, if you had a 30, each section should be a 10. Most medical schools I have been in contact with say anything below an 8 will definitely raise some issues. Osteopathic schools would be a bit more forgiving since their average MCAT scores for accepted students are usually lower.

The writing sample does not become a big issue unless its lower than an M.

 

[EuroPhysician]

these are my scores:

33M

PS: 12
BS: 12
VR: 9
WS: M

GPA 3.65

1 year of research, 1.5 years of volunteering

what kind of schools would i likely get into?

should i try to retake the mcat?

i know from reading this forum most people would think my scores are fine, but i'm really concerned because many of my friends that applied last summer who have better grades and scores than i do are having a hard time getting ANY interviews...

Do you realize your composite score is in the top 10 percent of test takers? Don't bother repeating it, just apply to a lot of schools.

 

[malsponge]

I have a 29M from the last written exam.

8 PS, 10 VR, 11 BS

Retake?

I have a 3.29 undergrad gpa but am currently in a masters program. I did get one interview this last round (out of only four secondaries-don't ask) that resulted in a waitlist. I dunno if I should retake!

 

[tncekm]

Unless you want to go DO, I'd suggest retaking. IMHO your GPA + MCAT combo are too low to make you competitive. The good news is everyone agrees that PS is the easiest area to improve given enough time, and your VR and BS are pretty good scores. 🙂

 

[malsponge]

Oh, its on! MCAT here I come. . .

 

[PagingDrP]

....

 

[dohgrl76]

Hi guys, I'm pretty new to posting on this site, but I love how helpful and friendly everyone is.

I just checked my scores, and i got 11V 10P 10B and P for writing. I really want to go to school somewhere in Chicago, but I'm not picky. My gpa is a 3.6 overall, only a 3.2-3.3 for science tho. Should I retake? How much would I need to improve by to make it worthwhile?

Thanks!!

 

[ChubbyChaser]

33T, 12 on BS, 11 on PS...if I think I can get 12 (maybe 13) on PS, 13 on BS for composite of 35-36, is it worth a retake?

I know it's a good score, but will it be competitive at top schools...sucks for the score not to show your full potential 🙁

quit whining and stick with your scores...chances are you wont go up.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Hi guys, I'm pretty new to posting on this site, but I love how helpful and friendly everyone is.

I just checked my scores, and i got 11V 10P 10B and P for writing. I really want to go to school somewhere in Chicago, but I'm not picky. My gpa is a 3.6 overall, only a 3.2-3.3 for science tho. Should I retake? How much would I need to improve by to make it worthwhile?

Thanks!!

You are abou the average matriculant....only retake if you can score 34+

 

[MedSchoolChica]

So on the practice tests I was getting between 27 and 34 regularly...I took the April 5th MCAT, and got my score this morning...

25Q.....
10 Verbal
9 Biological
6 Physical
Q writing...

I'm thinking I have to retake the MCAT...cause there's no way a 25 is competitive, right?

Maybe posting here is just pointless, but I want to confirm what I already feel.

And any suggestions on when to take it? I figured maybe August? But I do want to submit my AMCAS ASAP. If I retake it, does that mean I have to wait until submitting my application?

Feedback greatly appreciated...

 

[ChubbyChaser]

So on the practice tests I was getting between 27 and 34 regularly...I took the April 5th MCAT, and got my score this morning...

25Q.....
10 Verbal
9 Biological
6 Physical
Q writing...

I'm thinking I have to retake the MCAT...cause there's no way a 25 is competitive, right?

Maybe posting here is just pointless, but I want to confirm what I already feel.

And any suggestions on when to take it? I figured maybe August? But I do want to submit my AMCAS ASAP. If I retake it, does that mean I have to wait until submitting my application?

Feedback greatly appreciated...

25 is not competitive for MD schools...For DO schools you have a shot if you have a decent GPA.

 

[iA-MD2013]

So on the practice tests I was getting between 27 and 34 regularly...I took the April 5th MCAT, and got my score this morning...

25Q.....
10 Verbal
9 Biological
6 Physical
Q writing...

I'm thinking I have to retake the MCAT...cause there's no way a 25 is competitive, right?

Maybe posting here is just pointless, but I want to confirm what I already feel.

And any suggestions on when to take it? I figured maybe August? But I do want to submit my AMCAS ASAP. If I retake it, does that mean I have to wait until submitting my application?

Feedback greatly appreciated...

Yeah, you should probably retake a 25. Sorry 🙁
But, the most important thing is to retake it when you're ready! If you take it in Aug, your scores won't be released until sept...which is a little late. If you can be ready by July, then it would be better to take it then. But only if you're ready!

 

[MedSchoolChica]

Yeah, you should probably retake a 25. Sorry 🙁
But, the most important thing is to retake it when you're ready! If you take it in Aug, your scores won't be released until sept...which is a little late. If you can be ready by July, then it would be better to take it then. But only if you're ready!

Yeah, that's what I thought. Thanks for confirming what I already knew...

Ugh...back to the books for me...

 

[wavedoctor]

So I just got my MCAT back, My scores were:

9 VS 9 PS 14 BS and a S on writing

I have a 3.5 GPA at a good school, but I'm worried about the low PS and BS scores. I was hoping to get a 10 or above on every section. Do you think I should retake?

 

[BayAreaDude]

1st Time 9 PS, 9 VR, 9 BS, O WS

2nd Time 11 PS, 8 VR 🙁, 13 BS, R WS

Is it worth retaking and possibly dropping even more on Verbal?

 

[ChubbyChaser]

So I just got my MCAT back, My scores were:

9 VS 9 PS 14 BS and a S on writing

I have a 3.5 GPA at a good school, but I'm worried about the low PS and BS scores. I was hoping to get a 10 or above on every section. Do you think I should retake?

Id say you are iffy...normally I would say no with a 32...but obviously with a 14 in a section you have the potential to score higher....

I would take more practice tests and if you can hit 11+s in PS and VS..then I would retake..otherwise no...

 

[wavedoctor]

I took all of the AAMC tests and usually got around a 10 on VR and between 10-12 on PS/BS. I doubt I could reproduce a 14 on the BS. I'm going to apply to mostly low-tier schools, so I'm completely fine with a 32S, I'm just a little worried that having two sections below 10 might work towards my disadvantage. Do you think theres much of a difference between a 10 11 11 and a 9 9 14 in the minds of the adcom's?

 

[Compass]

30P, all 10s, but I am trying to get into upper-tier schools. ~3.8 GPA. I feel like I could have studied more, but I don't know if I should retake, and when. I am currently preparing to apply...

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I took all of the AAMC tests and usually got around a 10 on VR and between 10-12 on PS/BS. I doubt I could reproduce a 14 on the BS. I'm going to apply to mostly low-tier schools, so I'm completely fine with a 32S, I'm just a little worried that having two sections below 10 might work towards my disadvantage. Do you think theres much of a difference between a 10 11 11 and a 9 9 14 in the minds of the adcom's?

I think your fine if you dont really care where you wanna go... just apply broadly, especially since you scored about your average...and somewhere near your average in all sections.

 

[kevlaina]

May 2007 MCAT scores:
PS - 11 (was scoring at least 12 on all practice tests)
VR - 10 (scored an 8 on every practice test I ever took - I think the 10 was miraculous)
BS - 8 (took Molecular Cell class, Biochem-Chemistry class, and a year of Organic Labs to finish my prerequisites since)
29M

On the wait list for USUHS this year and hope to matriculate this fall. I am preparing my applications for 2009 just in case. I am currently scheduled to take MCAT again on the 23rd of May.

Any thoughts?

 

[elterible]

Ok I just got my scores back and don't know if I should retake:

PS: 8
VR: 10
BS: 10
WS: S

I have a 3.85 GPA, science gpa of 3.78, lots of EC, work in a lab and volunteer at a hospice. Do I need to retake? I don't know if I am competitive with a 28.

 

[Doc Henry]

Ok I just got my scores back and don't know if I should retake:

PS: 8
VR: 10
BS: 10
WS: S

I have a 3.85 GPA, science gpa of 3.78, lots of EC, work in a lab and volunteer at a hospice. Do I need to retake? I don't know if I am competitive with a 28.

I think it depends on a lot of things. For example-What is your state school and would you be fine going there or do you want to go to an Ivy>

 

[elterible]

no, i have no intentions of going to an ivy league haha. i'm from arizona, and i would be perfectly fine with going to u of a. i just don't know if i'm competitive enough anywhere else.

 

[crazycanuck22]

I'm a Canadian looking to apply to schools in the states
my scores last year were
PS:11
BS:11
VR:10
WS: M

my cgpa is 3.5

The writing sample is the only thing really worrying me...

 

[imcanadaian]

I got a 35S....(11V, 12PS. 12BS)...I was hoping for higher because I feel like I have to compensate for a lower-than average GPA (about...3.5?) but it IS from a super competitive California school up in norcal 😛 ...I'm really bad a gauging MCAT scores/gpa things for medical school...do you think I can cut it for the top programs? I know with a 35 I shouldn't even be THINKING about retaking..and I probably won't, but what are my chances???

I'm a third year right now, have a couple of years of research, 4 summers of hospital volunteer work back in HS, teaching/tutoring experience throughout college--doing well in these upper div courses, so hopefully I can give a small bump to my GPA in the next couple of semesters...

 

[sethman33]

33T, 12 on BS, 11 on PS...if I think I can get 12 (maybe 13) on PS, 13 on BS for composite of 35-36, is it worth a retake?

I know it's a good score, but will it be competitive at top schools...sucks for the score not to show your full potential 🙁

Is anyone else tired of these *****s who make over a 32 asking if they should retake? Stop being an over-achiever and go to med school already... jeeze....

 

[sethman33]

I got a 35S....(11V, 12PS. 12BS)...I was hoping for higher because I feel like I have to compensate for a lower-than average GPA (about...3.5?) but it IS from a super competitive California school up in norcal 😛 ...I'm really bad a gauging MCAT scores/gpa things for medical school...do you think I can cut it for the top programs? I know with a 35 I shouldn't even be THINKING about retaking..and I probably won't, but what are my chances???

I'm a third year right now, have a couple of years of research, 4 summers of hospital volunteer work back in HS, teaching/tutoring experience throughout college--doing well in these upper div courses, so hopefully I can give a small bump to my GPA in the next couple of semesters...

Your chances are good... as if you already didn't know that.... You're crazy for even considering it... You could probably go to a top ten med school as long as your aren't a spaz at your interviews, that you will likely get from anywhere you apply...

 

[PagingDrP]

.

 

[tncekm]

Make sure to apply anyway. 33 is a pretty good score and will get you on most peoples desks.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Decided to retake my 33 in hopes of 36+...wish me luck 🙁

👎thumbdown👎...you better hope you get a 36+ or you are gonna get drilled during interviews.

 

[da8s0859q]

Decided to retake my 33 in hopes of 36+...wish me luck 🙁

👎thumbdown👎...you better hope you get a 36+ or you are gonna get drilled during interviews.

Agreed. 'Tis a little risky to retake with a score that lands you just about in the top 10% of examinees.

But good luck to you!

 

[PagingDrP]

.

 

[tncekm]

You'll probably get drilled b/c you'll probably be seen as the typical "gunner" type. The difference between a 33 and a 35 can be as little as two lucky guesses, and most people will keep that in mind. In addition, once you get the interview that'll probably play a bigger role in your acceptance than having a 33 vs. a 35, and I'm not sure (although I'd suggest asking an adcom or someone), but I really don't think that, if you're grades are as good as you imply, that small difference will be a huge deciding factor in giving you an interview invitation.

 

[PagingDrP]

.

 

[tncekm]

Its entirely fair for the adcoms to do that, IMHO, and even if it wasn't it doesn't matter. The adcoms are humans, and whether or not you approve, humans make judgements, and those judgements don't even have to be justifiable. This application is not entirely a number game. Yes, they want the most capable doctors, but that consists of both academics and personal attributes. IMHO the three most despised personal attributes in medicine are 1) I'm better than you, 2) daddy made me do it (that is, go to medical school), and 3) gunning. Not being happy with a 33 and retaking my qualify you for any one of those 3 attributes in the eyes of some adcoms.

A 33 on the MCAT, and a 3.8 are very good if you've got your heart in the right place and you've got the capability to communicate that to your interviewers.

I'd take a 33 with amazing interpersonal communication skills over a 40 and slight social phobia any day of the week.

In addition, the fact that you have a 3.8 at a "top 10" school and scored a 33 means you "stand out". Most people who apply to medical schools will have scored a 27 and below on their MCAT and have a 3.4 or so. All things considered, if all that happens is you go from a 33-35, your stats haven't changed very much, and you look like a gunner. No adcom is going to say "well, lets order all of the applications by MCAT and throw everything out under 35". Not even Wash U St. Louis

I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, and IMHO if you take your MCAT again, that's just making things easier for the rest of us.

However, that being said, I said what I said b/c I think it would be in your best interest, but it is just my opinion, I'm just a pre-med, so I'd highly suggest discussing it with someone in admissions.

 

[PagingDrP]

......

 

[tassadar723]

Hmm ok I understand the whole above 10's don't retake but I'm not really sure. I got a 11, 10, 10 M last year. I applied with a GPA of 3.65 and only 6 months of volunteering. I got 3 interviews and im waitlisted on all of them, one of them im waitlisted at the lower 1/2 so not getting into that one. I've improved by ECs a lot in the past year and my GPA has also slightly improved. I don't care where I get in as long as I get in somewhere. Should I retake?

 

[tncekm]

Hmm ok I understand the whole above 10's don't retake but I'm not really sure. I got a 11, 10, 10 M last year. I applied with a GPA of 3.65 and only 6 months of volunteering. I got 3 interviews and im waitlisted on all of them, one of them im waitlisted at the lower 1/2 so not getting into that one. I've improved by ECs a lot in the past year and my GPA has also slightly improved. I don't care where I get in as long as I get in somewhere. Should I retake?

How many schools did you apply to? You may want to consider upping the # of schools. In addition, how strong were your LOR's? IMHO your EC's, GPA and MCAT are pretty good, and I'd imagine you could get in somewhere unless your LOR's suck.

Retaking runs the risk of scoring lower, just remember that.

 

[Chowdder]

I'm planning to retake the MCAT with a 34 R (P14 V9 B11). Why? cause I'm Canadian. As a Canadian student, most schools will not even look at your application if your MCAT is below 10 on any section and your GPA is below 3.7.

Though I'm not sure how well I will improve on the V and B section. I had a pretty consistent score of 36+ on AAMC two days before the test. I'm still not quite sure why my mark dropped. Bummer.....

 

[majik1213]

I'm planning to retake the MCAT with a 34 R (P14 V9 B11). Why? cause I'm Canadian. As a Canadian student, most schools will not even look at your application if your MCAT is below 10 on any section and your GPA is below 3.7.

Though I'm not sure how well I will improve on the V and B section. I had a pretty consistent score of 36+ on AAMC two days before the test. I'm still not quite sure why my mark dropped. Bummer.....

is there any advice you would like from us?