Realistic MCAT improvement in one month?

[Miss_Premed]

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Thank you in advance for your help!
So I am signed up to take the MCAT on January 23, 2015. When I signed up over the summer I figured I would have time to study during the fall semester, but I took four difficult science courses (with one lab) and two honors seminars and ended up having zero time with my other responsibilities. Now that my semester is over I have about a month to study (took one practice test and got a 25), do I have enough time to improve significantly or should I cancel my test now? The last day to get a partial refund is the 23 of December. The only issue I have with canceling is the unknown new test and the fact that I want to apply for matriculation in 2016 but I wouldn't realistically be able to take a new test until August, so it might lead to a gap year. ):

Thanks again!

 

[Goro]

I advise cancelling and taking the new test, but only when you're ready. The new test will not be written in Korean.

Thank you in advance for your help!
So I am signed up to take the MCAT on January 23, 2014. When I signed up over the summer I figured I would have time to study during the fall semester, but I took four difficult science courses (with one lab) and two honors seminars and ended up having zero time with my other responsibilities. Now that my semester is over I have about a month to study (took one practice test and got a 25), do I have enough time to improve significantly or should I cancel my test now? The last day to get a partial refund is the 23 of December. The only issue I have with canceling is the unknown new test and the fact that I want to apply for matriculation in 2016 but I wouldn't realistically be able to take a new test until August, so it might lead to a gap year. ):

Thanks again!

 

[LuluLovesMe]

You can raise your score from 25 to low 30's in a month. If you apply broadly with that score you should be able to get in somewhere assuming a decent GPA.

But from what you told us, there's no reason for you to rush taking the MCAT at all. So it['s better to cancel. Or if you want some experience, study, take and void.

 

[Miss_Premed]

If I cancel or void the January test, would taking the test in July or August be alright for applying this coming cycle? (MD and DO)? Or is this putting myself to far behind time-wise in my application?

If it helps I'm a junior and current cGPA: 3.85 sGPA: 3.8

 

[Blue Blood]

Sdn has a lot of n=1s.
Most people need months of dedicated study time to improve their mcat significantly.
I took the risk you are thinking of and did so so. Not good enough for my liking though. It sucks to take the test twice.
I suggest, as most on here will, to take the test when you feel ready and scoring within your target range consistently.

 

[Spinach Dip]

Try reading my article (in my sig). It is primarily about HOW to study rather than WHAT to study.

Good luck.

 

[Eppur Si Muove]

Don't take the test next month, IMO. One month is not enough time for this test. You do not want to screw the MCAT up. In addition, even if you were able to pull a decent score, you would still be short of your potential if you had spent 3-4 months studying and taking practice tests, which is half the battle. As for a test date, I would say that July or August is a bit late. First week of June is the latest I would recommend for this upcoming cycle.

 

[Person0715]

Take it when you feel ready. Your GPA is golden. You don't want a crappy MCAT holding you back.

IMO 1 month is not enough, but only you know your own capabilities. As for me, I knew I needed a whole summer to study for the MCAT.

 

[candbgirl]

Your app won't be complete without the MCAT score. With the current MCAT it takes 4 weeks to get your score back. I don't think any of us know how long it will take for the new MCAT but figure a month and it may be more. If you take the test in July your score will be available sometime in August etc. Don't rush taking a very important test. Do you really think you'll be reading next Summer? And there is nothing wrong with a gap year.

 

[Aloft085]

It's totally dependent on you. Personally, I improved my score by about five points in a month. If you're getting 25's now, I'd cancel it if money is a concern for you. If money is not a concern, keep taking practice tests and see how it goes. You should realistically expect to score about 2 points lower than the average of your final few practice tests.

 

[StayCoolIceCube]

You can raise your score from 25 to low 30's in a month. If you apply broadly with that score you should be able to get in somewhere assuming a decent GPA.

It's totally dependent on you. Personally, I improved my score by about five points in a month. If you're getting 25's now, I'd cancel it if money is a concern for you. If money is not a concern, keep taking practice tests and see how it goes. You should realistically expect to score about 2 points lower than the average of your final few practice tests.

I have to warn OP to digest these comments with a grain of salt. As someone who raised their MCAT score from a 25 to low/mid 30's in a month, I honestly don't think everyone can do it, and I definitely don't encourage students to take such risks based on anecdotes of others who had miraculous score improvements. I had the month off from school/work and was studying for a minimum of 7 hours every day. Plus, humblebrag: I'm a strong standardized test taker/study-er and have scored in the 99th percentile on every other standardized test I've taken. If this sounds like your availability & personality, go for it. Otherwise, cancel the exam and study for the new MCAT as LuluLovesMe and others have ultimately advised here. Your MCAT score is a factor that counts about as much as your GPA in the med school admissions process, but unlike your GPA which you worked hard for 4+ years to earn and maintain, this will only take you about 4 months of solid studying time. Don't screw it up by rushing your studying. Also, good luck on your exam whenever you decide to reschedule it for! 🙂

 

[Miss_Premed]

Thank you everyone for your advice! I have decided to cancel and study for the new 2015 test. If it results in a gap year at least I will have the best app I possibly can! 🙂