Recommendations on how to approach retake?

[iqe2010]

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Got my scores back today, they weren't good.

Basically, I need to improve 10+ points to have a real shot at medical school.

I've already been through the 5 stages of grief lol, now I'm ready to start strategizing.

My question to you guys: I want to take again in 2 months (September 19). Is it realistic to significantly improve in 2 months? I want to retake this year and not wait until next year if possible.

There are several things I know I have to improve on. For example, I never went back over my practice tests. So I will definitely do that this time around. I also largely neglected Psych/Soc.

Overall, I am confident that I can improve my score as long as I'm consistent.

Any advice? Thanks.

 

[PlsLetMeIn21]

What did you use this last time? Did you do enough passages? Did you learn from your mistakes in the practice materials before you attempted FLs?

 

[Shotapp]

What did you use this last time? Did you do enough passages? Did you learn from your mistakes in the practice materials before you attempted FLs?

No, OP didn't. FLs weren't reviewed afterwards so there really is no reason to be surprised by the end result.

 

[iqe2010]

No, OP didn't. FLs weren't reviewed afterwards so there really is no reason to be surprised by the end result.

You're right.

The first thing I'm doing is going over FL 1 & 2. I never did FL3 so that will be the last practice test I take. I'll be doing 8 FLs in all this time around (and reviewing them all).

 

[iqe2010]

What did you use this last time? Did you do enough passages? Did you learn from your mistakes in the practice materials before you attempted FLs?

My primary resource was TBR, ER & TPR. But I didn't do enough of what you mentioned. But I certainly will this time.

 

[itsanotherpremed]

I feel your pain. I scored a 503 my first time around in April 2017.

I retook the MCAT in May 2018 and scored a 516. This was what I did.

Resources Used
- Next Step 10 Full Length Exams
- Princeton Review 3 Full Length Exams (you get them with the set)
- AAMC Sample and FL 1, 2, 3
- AAMC Section Banks
- AAMC Question Packs
- Kaplan Quicksheets (Free and Invaluable Content Review) [24 pg pdf search on the Internet]
- mcat-review & Kaplan Biochem diagrams (3-4 only) for supplemental review on random things

What I did 4-12 weeks prior
- Take two FLs per week for your first 6-8 weeks. Use Next-Step/Princeton/non-AAMC material. I usually took them on Sunday's and Thursdays and reviewed them the day after. When you review the FL's, go over ALL questions not just the ones you got wrong. Create a Google Doc and write down any topics you did not know onto the doc. Once you are done reviewing, go over all the topics in the doc and write thorough descriptions of them. Read over the doc to make sure you know all the topics inside and out.
- On days that you are not taking/reviewing FL's, read through Kaplan Quicksheets for content review. Make sure you read it multiple times. every single thing on the quicksheets is fair game.

What I did 1-4 weeks prior
- Take 1 AAMC FL per week and review it in the same way that was previously explained.
- Do the AAMC Section Banks as early as possible, review them in the same way. Then do the AAMC question packs
- On days that you are not taking/reviewing FL's, read through Kaplan Quicksheets for content review. Make sure you read it multiple times. every single thing on the quicksheets is fair game.

What I did 1 week prior
- Keep reading the AAMC FL/Sample Test/SB/QP review docs that you created to ensure you know all the topics tested real well
- Redo the section banks (invaluable) and see how much better you do
- Take the AAMC Official Guide Exam (1/2 exam, way harder than the real deal)
- Keep reviewing Kaplan Quicksheets

Hope this helps and best wishes! Feel free to message me if you have any questions 🙂