Registered for 2nd mcat this year, but not ready to take it, show up or not?

[ponybreeder4]

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Since its too late to get a refund, i can still cancel the test without having this count as my second attempt to take the test this year. I took it once already this year and you are onnly allowed 3 tries..if i show up and void this will count as my 2nd attempt for the year..i already submited my application so i need a good score on my 3rd attempt if i go through with taking attempt 2 as a practice and voiding...should i play it safe and just cancel attempt 2 without getting a refund just incase attempt 3 doesnt go well and i need to void that one? I dont want to have to be screwed if something goes wrong with test 3...what would u guys do?
Cancel the test and not have this count as attempt 2 for the year?
Or show up for a practice run and void, knowing that i only have 1 attempt left for the year?

 

[causalinference]

Just take it. You probably won't ever feel ready for the MCAT.

 

[UnclePhil]

Just take it. You probably won't ever feel ready for the MCAT.

^this. the test covers so much material i can't really fathom how anyone can be 100% comfortable with ALL the material on test day.

 

[Amadelphous]

And why would you go in planning to void? If you take it, go in well rested and do your best.

 

[littlealex]

Wait wait wait. If you're not getting diagnostic scores in the ballpark that you're aiming for, don't take it. I don't know why everyone is on the "just take it" side.

A lot of this depends on what you mean by not feeling ready. Are your average diagnostic scores decent enough for your standards? If they are but you still don't feel ready, take it anyway.

If your test scores are NOT what you're looking for, you're not going to magically increase your MCAT by 5 pts on the day.

 

[WNT Signaling]

Cancel now: one the test day, after you've wasted several hours, emotionally you might feel guilty about voiding your test, or your might build your confidence up after you bomb one of the sections

 

[Littlesushiboy]

diagnostic tests would be a good judge of either canceling or going for it. When I finished my MCAT, I thought I got destroyed, but turned out to be a decent score, its hard to tell at the end of the test if you did well.

If you dont feel like you are ready, then it might not be a good idea to take it.

 

[nisarg2010]

Wait wait wait. If you're not getting diagnostic scores in the ballpark that you're aiming for, don't take it. I don't know why everyone is on the "just take it" side.

A lot of this depends on what you mean by not feeling ready. Are your average diagnostic scores decent enough for your standards? If they are but you still don't feel ready, take it anyway.

If your test scores are NOT what you're looking for, you're not going to magically increase your MCAT by 5 pts on the day.

This. If you come back with a bad score, then thats going to lower your chances of getting in to medical school.

 

[causalinference]

Wait wait wait. If you're not getting diagnostic scores in the ballpark that you're aiming for, don't take it. I don't know why everyone is on the "just take it" side.

A lot of this depends on what you mean by not feeling ready. Are your average diagnostic scores decent enough for your standards? If they are but you still don't feel ready, take it anyway.

If your test scores are NOT what you're looking for, you're not going to magically increase your MCAT by 5 pts on the day.

The OP didn't say anything about diagnostic scores, hence my response. Lots of people feel unprepared for the MCAT and still do very well. If he said his practice tests were around 25, then my response would be different.

 

[ponybreeder4]

lets just say this is my third retake, i need it to be stellar...ive been studiying for 3 weeks, i am clearly not ready...so should i cancel now because i know im not ready or go in there and take it as a practice knowing that i only get one more chance after that this year?

 

[Neurocentric]

lets just say this is my third retake, i need it to be stellar...ive been studiying for 3 weeks, i am clearly not ready...so should i cancel now because i know im not ready or go in there and take it as a practice knowing that i only get one more chance after that this year?

3 weeks is definitely not enough, so I have no idea why you would have registered.

You should be taking practice tests as a means to study. Cancel the exam date now, study harder, and re-schedule when you ARE ready. Honestly, I'm not sure how 2 failed MCAT scores already will look to adcoms, but I have no clue about that part of the process.

 

[littlealex]

lets just say this is my third retake, i need it to be stellar...ive been studiying for 3 weeks, i am clearly not ready...so should i cancel now because i know im not ready or go in there and take it as a practice knowing that i only get one more chance after that this year?

Do not go in there to take it as a practice. If you do choose to do that, cancel your score before you walk out.

It's better to take it in the fewest tries with the best scores. Getting a string of 25's before you finally get a 30 does not look good.