Please help... Need advice about a retake

[vairules]

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I just received my score from the 20th back. I got a 26, 8-10-8. This is surprising, as it's about 5-6 points lower than my practice average. The verbal is also lower than my consistent 11-13 range. I'm applying this cycle (MD) and need to retake it... Question is, how late is too late, and how soon is too soon? I need to decide soon to snatch up a seat. I can pretty much kiss a close-by seat goodbye at this point.


I've heard the second time around is easier, but it's so difficult to get motivated again. My first hunch is that the eights indicate content deficiency, but it's still unusually low for me... Was it just test anxiety? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[btc8]

VR 8, PS 8, BS 10...though, the VR improved from a 6 when I initially took it four years ago.

I was averaging around 33 and I took about 7 tests (official) ones. I think I figured out my problem in VR this time though--I was a bit freaked out when starting the passages and I think that did me in.

Have no idea about PS, but BS stayed the same as last time.

I am retaking (or planning) to retake on the 16. Not sure if that's too early. I'm going to start to work soon, so I won't have as much time to study.

I want MD, but also believe in DO philosophy, so would an 8 VR/8 PS/10 BS be kosher for DO? Have a 3.6 cGPA and a M.S. in Philosophy (3 years cancer research full time).

 

[vairules]

VR 8, PS 8, BS 10...though, the VR improved from a 6 when I initially took it four years ago.

I was averaging around 33 and I took about 7 tests (official) ones. I think I figured out my problem in VR this time though--I was a bit freaked out when starting the passages and I think that did me in.

Have no idea about PS, but BS stayed the same as last time.

I am retaking (or planning) to retake on the 16. Not sure if that's too early. I'm going to start to work soon, so I won't have as much time to study.

I want MD, but also believe in DO philosophy, so would an 8 VR/8 PS/10 BS be kosher for DO? Have a 3.6 cGPA and a M.S. in Philosophy (3 years cancer research full time).

You're golden for DO. I'd say take it again, specifically due to your practice average. If not, you're a sure shot for DO, imo.

 

[btc8]

You're golden for DO. I'd say take it again, specifically due to your practice average. If not, you're a sure shot for DO, imo.

Thanks for this, but I guess I'm concerned that if I take it again, I'd do worse. This was actually my second retake, which sucks. My only real improvement was on VR 6 to 8.

 

[btc8]

Well, the next question is, What other tests should I use? I went through AAMC 3-7 and then 8, 10, and 11. Obviously 9 is left, but maybe some Kaplans and redo the 1001s?

 

[Pre-Med Village]

Well, the next question is, What other tests should I use? I went through AAMC 3-7 and then 8, 10, and 11. Obviously 9 is left, but maybe some Kaplans and redo the 1001s?

Kaplan practice exams are the closest to the real thing among MCAT prep publishers in my opinion. All of the non AAMC practice tests are a little reluctant to put in the straight out easy questions the real MCAT will have, so there is always a little bit of inertia compared to the real test.

Try not to think you are circling your potential. Sometimes the first MCAT prep puts everything in your head and the second coalesces things into a much more sophisticated understanding than you may assume.

Keep up the fight. Your scores are telling you that you need to work a bit more on your sciences before medical school so it could be all for the best.

 

[btc8]

Kaplan practice exams are the closest to the real thing among MCAT prep publishers in my opinion. All of the non AAMC practice tests are a little reluctant to put in the straight out easy questions the real MCAT will have, so there is always a little bit of inertia compared to the real test.

Try not to think you are circling your potential. Sometimes the first MCAT prep puts everything in your head and the second coalesces things into a much more sophisticated understanding than you may assume.

Keep up the fight. Your scores are telling you that you need to work a bit more on your sciences before medical school so it could be all for the best.

Thanks for this. So you think going through the Kaplan exams would probably be best? I have access to them and TPRH Science Workbork that I use to keep up with reading passage based science content.

I guess I'll continue with VR using Kaplan or redoing some EK.

 

[TheKingofClay]

I got a 26 as well which is to my surprise.

can we still apply this cycle?
So maybe it isn't too late if we are on top of everything.

love to hear what you guys on the same boat are considering.

 

[vairules]

Just signed up for 7/29. The way I look at it, an early app doesn't really mean anything if you don't have a good MCAT. So take your time, get that MCAT, and apply a little later in the cycle if need be.

 

[MDminded]

Just signed up for 7/29. The way I look at it, an early app doesn't really mean anything if you don't have a good MCAT. So take your time, get that MCAT, and apply a little later in the cycle if need be.

I agree with this. 🙂

 

[btc8]

VR 8, PS 8, BS 10...though, the VR improved from a 6 when I initially took it four years ago.

I was averaging around 33 and I took about 7 tests (official) ones. I think I figured out my problem in VR this time though--I was a bit freaked out when starting the passages and I think that did me in.

Have no idea about PS, but BS stayed the same as last time.

I am retaking (or planning) to retake on the 16. Not sure if that's too early. I'm going to start to work soon, so I won't have as much time to study.

I want MD, but also believe in DO philosophy, so would an 8 VR/8 PS/10 BS be kosher for DO? Have a 3.6 cGPA and a M.S. in Philosophy (3 years cancer research full time).

Why did I put an M.S. in philosophy? LOL. I meant, PHARMACOLOGY.