Postponing MCAT?

[physiogirl2019]

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I have been studying for the MCAT since beginning/mid-January. I went from a 499 (1/2 length NS diagnostic), to a 506 FL NS 1, and then ~507 AAMC sample (68%, 81%, 73%, 78%). My test date is April 6th and currently, I am extremely stressed from MCAT studying alongside coursework I am enrolled in. I average about 5-6 hours MCAT studying a day on weeks without exams, and close to about 2 hours a day on weeks I have exams. My goal score is a 515+, and with about 6 weeks out, I am a little nervous that I won't be able to achieve that. I have until March 7th to decide on postponing before the fee increases. Any advice on what I should do? Is it plausible to score that high within a 6 week period of studying?

Thanks!!


Also, side note, I know that you should save AAMC tests for the end of your studies, but I wanted to take the sample just to get an idea of how they write their exams.

 

[MCAT Self Prep]

I usually recommend planning on studying 50 to 75 hours per scaled score point you are planning on improving by. So, to improve from a 507 to a 515, I would recommend studying for anywhere between 400-600 hours. If you have that time from now until April 6th, I'd say go for it! Otherwise, it would be smart to postpone your date. As long as you take it before mid-June, you should be totally fine in terms of applying to medical school on time. Best of luck!

 

[Zenabi90]

Good stuff above.

People place a little too much importance in submitting on the very first day the AMCAS opens. They forget secondaries exist.

As long as your completed primary is done sometime in June, and your secondaries by the end of July, you should be fine. I would even hazard that depending on the school and your app, mid to late August is fine as well.