Postponing the MCAT

[BillrothI]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey Everybody,

I just took my third AAMC practice exam and am feeling rather discouraged. My scores are as follows:

AAMC #3: 7/12/12 (31)
AAMC #4: 10/14/11 (35)
AAMC #5: 8/12/10 (30)

I have been studying for about two months now and my scores do not seem to be improving.

I am scheduled for the 04/27 MCAT and am considering postponing for one month (assuming I could get in for the 05/30 test). Would it be a mistake to apply as late as July 1st? Alternatively, is it plausible that I could substantially improve my score over the next five weeks? I am not at a top-tier university and my GPA is not terribly impressive, so I'm looking to score a 34+ on the MCAT.

Any input is sincerely appreciated.

-Bill R.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

Hey Everybody,

I just took my third AAMC practice exam and am feeling rather discouraged. My scores are as follows:

AAMC #3: 7/12/12 (31)
AAMC #4: 10/14/11 (35)
AAMC #5: 8/12/10 (30)

I have been studying for about two months now and my scores do not seem to be improving.

I am scheduled for the 04/27 MCAT and am considering postponing for one month (assuming I could get in for the 05/30 test). Would it be a mistake to apply as late as July 1st? Alternatively, is it plausible that I could substantially improve my score over the next five weeks? I am not at a top-tier university and my GPA is not terribly impressive, so I'm looking to score a 34+ on the MCAT.

Any input is sincerely appreciated.

-Bill R.

Right now you're saying you're discouraged about an average MCAT score (32ish) that's 90th percentile. AKA 89% of people would kill for that score. Did you take AAMC 3 before you started reviewing? Because I doubt you were pulling a 30 before you started content review at all, which means your scores probably have improved, you just didn't have a baseline. Postponing would be a mistake, in my opinion.

 

[BillrothI]

Thank you for the feedback, Ahstern. I may be spending too much time on SDN, as I feel that a 30 is just abysmal.

Regarding your question - I took AAMC #3 last September prior to doing any content review and scored a 29 or 30. I took it again this February after a month or so of content review and only scored a 31. Essentially, about 90 hours of studying equated to a one-point improvement, and therein lies my concern. I started with a relatively high baseline - 28 on a Kaplan diagnostic and 29-30 on an AAMC exam - and hours upon hours of studying have not paid dividends.

Perhaps more importantly, I have only scored 10+ on PS once, and I understand that many schools will not even consider your application if you score below a 10 on any of the three sections.

Thanks again. I will certainly take your feedback into consideration.

-Bill R.

 

[Entadus]

Your 30 is only a single data point. You haven't taken enough practice tests to establish a trend.

Take a day off, then look back over the questions you missed. Do you think you still have room to improve? It's too soon to quit. Hit the books hard! Take no prisoners. A 35 on your second FL shows enormous potential, you are capable of better

 

[LisaBrown]

I understand how you feel. A month doesn't seem like enough time. But if we go at it everyday for the next three weeks, I think we should be fine. A friend of mine went from a 31 to a 37 after studying intensely for three weeks. He ended up getting at 41!

 

[BillrothI]

Thank you all very much for the advice and encouragement. It really does mean a lot, especially after feeling so discouraged following AAMC FL #5.

Entadus - that is a valid point. I suppose it would have been to my benefit to take practice exams earlier so that I would have a better idea where I stand. That said, you are right in that it may be foolish to make any generalizations based on only three tests.

Lisa - Wow! 41 - or anywhere thereabouts - would be life-changing. Congrats to your friend, and best of luck to you as you continue to prepare. Are you taking the 04/27 exam as well?

Thanks again, everyone.

-Bill R.

 

[Spinach Dip]

Take at least 1 more practice test before you decide. Also, I think a change of 5 points between tests is indicative of one of two things:

1. There are some large gaps in your knowledge that have been exploited on these tests.

2. You've been taking them in non-standardized conditions. On the lower-score tests you were distracted or not using your time ideally.



For other tips, see the link in my sig.

 

[BillrothI]

Take at least 1 more practice test before you decide. Also, I think a change of 5 points between tests is indicative of one of two things:

1. There are some large gaps in your knowledge that have been exploited on these tests.

2. You've been taking them in non-standardized conditions. On the lower-score tests you were distracted or not using your time ideally.



For other tips, see the link in my sig.

Thanks, Spinach. I have actually had your guide bookmarked since you first posted it. While I am unable to follow it to the letter - I am taking 19 units and volunteering right now - I have found some of your strategies very helpful.

I would say the former assessment is most valid. I have completed almost all of the Kaplan physics and general chemistry reviews, but have yet to finish biology. I have an enormous stack of physics and general chemistry flashcards - probably about 400-500 total - that I have yet to go through. I am hoping that reviewing these and memorizing all relevant equations before I take my next FL will help shed some light on how I should proceed. I also have the BR PS books to go through with hundreds of practice problems.

Congratulations on your score, by the way. Beyond impressive.

-Bill R.

 

[BillrothI]

Hi Everybody,

I just took AAMC #7 and scored a 37 (11 PS/13 VR/13 BS). I still don't feel entirely comfortable with the material and can't shake the feeling that these high scores are just flukes. In fact, I felt myself cringing as I awaited my score; I was certain that I had scored a 30 or below.

I am still debating whether or not I should postpone the exam date, as I am finding it difficult to distinguish between 'cold feet' and genuinely being unready to tackle the MCAT.

For those of you who have already taken the exam - how did the AAMC tests compare with your actual score? Did you feel prepared going into the exam, or did you have misgivings all the way through? Even though I have technically completed content review, I feel like I need to go over everything all over again before 04/27.

Any advice is appreciated.

- Bill R.

 

[kmp0410]

Seems like your verbal score is a consistent 12+ so you really don't need to stress about that (though obviously don't slack).

You still have a month left, so now is the time to methodically practice concepts you feel unsure about.

Your Bio scores look pretty good too, it is your Physical Scores that look like they have the ability to hurt you.

So just really focus on filling in the gaps of information and concepts you are unsure about concerning PS. I would think you could definitely do this with a month left while still maintaining/slightly improving your other scores.

Keep practicing taking the practice tests under identical conditions to the test.

That said, if you truly don't feel ready then no one else can make that judgment for you but just by looking at your scores it looks like you are in good shape.

 

[BillrothI]

Seems like your verbal score is a consistent 12+ so you really don't need to stress about that (though obviously don't slack).

You still have a month left, so now is the time to methodically practice concepts you feel unsure about.

Your Bio scores look pretty good too, it is your Physical Scores that look like they have the ability to hurt you.

So just really focus on filling in the gaps of information and concepts you are unsure about concerning PS. I would think you could definitely do this with a month left while still maintaining/slightly improving your other scores.

Keep practicing taking the practice tests under identical conditions to the test.

That said, if you truly don't feel ready then no one else can make that judgment for you but just by looking at your scores it looks like you are in good shape.

Thank you, kmp.

My game plan for now is to try to get through all the BR PS books before 04/21 while also taking two practice tests per week. I should also probably start working on my weak points whenever I can, per your suggestion.

I appreciate your feedback and will keep your advice in mind. A month doesn't seem like a lot of time, but I'll get cracking on a calendar today and see if I can fit everything in.

Best,
Bill R.

 

[BillrothI]

Hi Everybody,

Sorry to keep bumping this thread. I have another couple of quick questions regarding postponing.

I just scored a 37 on the Kaplan FL #2 (12/13/12). However, my scores are still inconsistent - I scored an 8 on the PS section of Kaplan FL #1 earlier in the week.

My questions are:

1) Provided I want to stay within the state (or, I suppose, a neighboring state), do I need to make the decision to reschedule pretty quickly? Or do spots tend to open up as the exam date gets closer?

2) Are the Kaplan FLs fairly predictive of the actual score? I've heard wildly different views on this, so any input here is appreciated.

Thanks very much.

- Bill R.

 

[Darth]

Great job on FL 2, I'm in the same ballpark score as you right now on those kaplan tests (36, 38). I'm really hoping those scores are accurate.

 

[Temperature101]

Hi Everybody,

Sorry to keep bumping this thread. I have another couple of quick questions regarding postponing.

I just scored a 37 on the Kaplan FL #2 (12/13/12). However, my scores are still inconsistent - I scored an 8 on the PS section of Kaplan FL #1 earlier in the week.

My questions are:

1) Provided I want to stay within the state (or, I suppose, a neighboring state), do I need to make the decision to reschedule pretty quickly? Or do spots tend to open up as the exam date gets closer?

2) Are the Kaplan FLs fairly predictive of the actual score? I've heard wildly different views on this, so any input here is appreciated.

Thanks very much.

- Bill R.

You are doing great...Stop complaining! I will take 28+ any time on the actual test...Are you gunning for WashU?

 

[BillrothI]

You are doing great...Stop complaining! I will take 28+ any time on the actual test...Are you gunning for WashU?

Thanks, Temperature.

Due to my family situation, I am only applying to a few very competitive schools from out-of-state. Average MCAT is somewhere around 34 I believe. Coming from a second-tier university and having a fairly average GPA, I really need to do exceptionally well on the MCAT to have a shot at acceptance.

- Bill R.