Retaking a 90+ Percentile MCAT?

[993444]

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My original MCAT score is decent (90+ percentile). However it is set to expire after this cycle so I will have to retake it if I don’t get in (hopefully Jesus won’t let it come to that).

Since my MCAT score was strong to begin with, 2.5 years ago, how long should I study for a potential retake? I’m thinking to maybe study for it staring in January and taking it in April, just in time for the 2020-2021 cycle.

 

[907914]

My original MCAT score is decent (90+ percentile). However it is set to expire after this cycle so I will have to retake it if I don’t get in (hopefully Jesus won’t let it come to that).

Since my MCAT score was strong to begin with, 2.5 years ago, how long should I study for a potential retake? I’m thinking to maybe study for it staring in January and taking it in April, just in time for the 2020-2021 cycle.

If you don’t need any or just minimal content review, then three months is more than enough. I know my MCAT studying was for six months, but three months of that was content review and three months that was actually practice material (those last three months saw the biggest improvement [510 —> 521])

Jesus can’t get you into medical school, that’s on you my guy. Get it.

 

[993444]

If you don’t need any or just minimal content review, then three months is more than enough. I know my MCAT studying was for six months, but three months of that was content review and three months that was actually practice material (those last three months saw the biggest improvement [510 —> 521])

Jesus can’t get you into medical school, that’s on you my guy. Get it.

Obnoxious comment aside, appreciate the help. Thanks!

 

[993444]

I’m thinking of maybe listening to Kahn academy videos starting now while I am on the bus to and from work. It’ll cover the content by the time January comes. Especially since I have already seen it all before so I can play the videos at 2x.

 

[907914]

Obnoxious comment aside, appreciate the help. Thanks!

Being that you started out in the 90+% rang, we know the critical thinking is there. If you do three months of just a couple hours every day with practice questions to refamiliarize yourself with AAMC style, reasoning, and “how to read science” you should be good if you are unfortunate enough to need to be a 3X reapplicant. However, focus on this cycle for now as we know it was not your MCAT that caused your need to reapply.

 

[907914]

I’m thinking of maybe listening to Kahn academy videos starting now while I am on the bus to and from work. It’ll cover the content by the time January comes. Especially since I have already seen it all before so I can play the videos at 2x.

TBH, in my experience Khan Academy is too specific and detail oriented for MCAT. Plus, the dude is so boring. For content refresher on everything except biochem, Crash Course is far more entertaining and is def sufficient. For content review, thinking big picture is a Cush strategy.

 

[993444]

I feel like I’ll do better on CARS. I realized that CARS basically comes down to communication skills. And in the marketing experience that I’ve had where I’ve had to read specific contracts and detailed instructions will likely help me.

 

[907914]

I feel like I’ll do better on CARS. I realized that CARS basically comes down to communication skills. And in the marketing experience that I’ve had where I’ve had to read specific contracts and detailed instructions will likely help me.

CARS =\= communication skills.

I got 98th %tile on CARS but look at my communication skills. It is very unlikely your marketing experience will help with CARS.

 

[mwsapphire]

I know it's off-topic, but knowing you had a 90th+ percentile score and are re applying is really stressing me out...

 

[907914]

I know it's off-topic, but knowing you had a 90th+ percentile score and are re applying is really stressing me out...

It shouldn’t stress you out. Around 2300 applicants every year with a 514+ Don’t get an A. It is completely normal for @TRexLife4 to have not gotten accepted.

 

[deleted972488]

It shouldn’t stress you out. Around 2300 applicants every year with a 514+ Don’t get an A

How is this reassuring? Lol

 

[907914]

How is this reassuring? Lol

Because it is completely normal that @TRexLife4 didn’t get an acceptance. It sucks for him, but nothing out of the ordinary that should be an added stressor. Despite statistical unlikelihood, You or I could still go without any acceptances. It would suck, but rejection is always a possibility and no reason for extra stress.

 

[KnightDoc]

My original MCAT score is decent (90+ percentile). However it is set to expire after this cycle so I will have to retake it if I don’t get in (hopefully Jesus won’t let it come to that).

Since my MCAT score was strong to begin with, 2.5 years ago, how long should I study for a potential retake? I’m thinking to maybe study for it staring in January and taking it in April, just in time for the 2020-2021 cycle.

In real life I am the last guy to be preaching that the glass is half full, but I honestly believe that the second week in September is way too early to begin thinking about a next cycle. It's easy to come on here with all the overachievers and become depressed at all the reports of IIs if you have none, but the cycle really did just begin, the very earliest IIs started going out less than two months ago, and the cycle will run through the winter and beyond.

Several people familiar with the process have reported that all apps won't be reviewed until Thanksgiving or later, so, for what it's worth, I think you should try to stay positive until then. You'll have plenty of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to start thinking about studying for another MCAT if nothing good happens by then.

 

[993444]

CARS =\= communication skills.

I got 98th %tile on CARS but look at my communication skills. It is very unlikely your marketing experience will help with CARS.

We have very different experiences. Your first language is English. Mine is not. The contracts and instructions I have experience in reading for the past two years are very nuanced and specific and when I did some practice CARS today, I rocked ‘em. I think that CARS is trying to test how closely you can follow the text and apply it, which is an important kind of communication skill.

And there are different types of communication skills. You’re actually very good at understanding what people say and communicating your points. I think what you rather lack is sensitivity. You tend to be dismissive of people’s feelings and points. But I still love you 🙂

 

[993444]

In real life I am the last guy to be preaching that the glass is half full, but I honestly believe that the second week in September is way too early to begin thinking about a next cycle. It's easy to come on here with all the overachievers and become depressed at all the reports of IIs if you have none, but the cycle really did just begin, the very earliest IIs started going out less than two months ago, and the cycle will run through the winter and beyond.

Several people familiar with the process have reported that all apps won't be reviewed until Thanksgiving or later, so, for what it's worth, I think you should try to stay positive until then. You'll have plenty of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to start thinking about studying for another MCAT if nothing good happens by then.

I actually already have two IIs 🙂

But I don’t want to get a worse reality check in the future so to save myself some future anxiety I feel like I have to give myself a reality check now, ya know?

 

[993444]

I know it's off-topic, but knowing you had a 90th+ percentile score and are re applying is really stressing me out...

I’m a Cali ORM so there is that lol.

And I did get interviews. I just got too nervous.

 

[993444]

How is this reassuring? Lol

Because it is completely normal that @TRexLife4 didn’t get an acceptance. It sucks for him, but nothing out of the ordinary that should be an added stressor. Despite statistical unlikelihood, You or I could still go without any acceptances. It would suck, but rejection is always a possibility and no reason for extra stress.

I’m just telling myself that Jesus got me rejected last year so that I could get that Kaiser free tuition this year 😉

 

[KnightDoc]

I actually already have two IIs 🙂

But I don’t want to get a worse reality check in the future so to save myself some future anxiety I feel like I have to give myself a reality check now, ya know?

🙂 In that case my advice is definitely to focus on converting those to As, and hopefully getting a few more IIs. Right now, it's really not about a reality check, and there is no such thing as a down payment on future anxiety. Try to feel good about what you have, and realize that, with two IIs at this stage of the cycle, while it's certainly no lock, you are more likely than not to have at least one A when all is said and done. As a result, time spent even thinking about another MCAT right now is probably wasted energy.

 

[993444]

🙂 In that case my advice is definitely to focus on converting those to As, and hopefully getting a few more IIs. Right now, it's really not about a reality check, and there is no such thing as a down payment on future anxiety. Try to feel good about what you have, and realize that, with two IIs at this stage of the cycle, while it's certainly no lock, you are more likely than not to have at least one A when all is said and done. As a result, time spent even thinking about another MCAT right now is probably wasted energy.

Thanks man. I was thinking of maybe tutoring some college students in bio and chem. I’ve gotten a lot of requests. It’ll kill two birds with one stone: it’ll help me review MCAT concepts and get some money to pay rent LOL

 

[meepdog]

Thanks man. I was thinking of maybe tutoring some college students in bio and chem. I’ve gotten a lot of requests. It’ll kill two birds with one stone: it’ll help me review MCAT concepts and get some money to pay rent LOL

I did something kind of similar, since my current MCAT is the second one I've taken because my first score expired. I think finding something to engage your mind that isn't dedicated test prep but still has you working with the content is a great way to go about it. For me, it was taking bio classes on MIT's open courseware. That way if you do end up having to take the thing again you've got some prep but aren't burned out yet.

 

[southcalcardiology]

Ideal MCAT ranges are either 510-515 and 519+. In between that top schools consider it too low and low schools might protect resources

 

[907914]

Ideal MCAT ranges are either 510-515 and 519+. In between that top schools consider it too low and low schools might protect resources

Not always the case. I have a 521 and an interview at a school with a 506 median. Granted, the school is a state school in my hometown, but yield/resource protection is up to individual school policy- but in any case I don’t think 516 - 518 needs to worry about yield protection.

 

[Orangekiwi]

Ideal MCAT ranges are either 510-515 and 519+. In between that top schools consider it too low and low schools might protect resources

This comment sold it for me. Welcome back Cali!

 

[premed20172017]

This comment sold it for me. Welcome back Cali!

View attachment 279669

Right? Sorry 517-ers, cpm thinks you’re not in the running lol

 

[993444]

Not always the case. I have a 521 and an interview at a school with a 506 median.

You forgot to mention that you live in the same city as the school and have a kid so the school can take advantage of that to reel you in.

This is precisely why I made a thread about anecdotal evidence the other day.

 

[907914]

You forgot to mention that you live in the same city as the school and have a kid so the school can take advantage of that to reel you in.

This is precisely why i made a thread about anecdotal evidence the other day.

Both of these are correct, but regardless the case still stands - 515+ applicants do not automatically get yield protected at 'lower tier' schools. Anecdotal 'evidence' or 'anec-data' as I like to call it, has its place. The dude said 515+ will get yield protected, I have personal experience reflecting that this is not always the case.

 

[993444]

Both of these are correct, but regardless the case still stands - 515+ applicants do not automatically get yield protected at 'lower tier' schools. Anecdotal 'evidence' or 'anec-data' as I like to call it, has its place. The dude said 515+ will get yield protected, I have personal experience reflecting that this is not always the case.

His point was obviously false, so that's not the issue.

My issue is that if you're gonna make a point about saying yield protection doesn't always happen and have anecdotal evidence.... at least give the full story.

 

[907914]

His point was obviously false, so that's not the issue.

My issue is that if you're gonna make a point about saying yield protection doesn't always happen and have anecdotal evidence.... at least give the full story.

Point taken, edited that in there for transparency. Thank you for checking me!

 

[deleted555445]

My original MCAT score is decent (90+ percentile). However it is set to expire after this cycle so I will have to retake it if I don’t get in (hopefully Jesus won’t let it come to that).

Since my MCAT score was strong to begin with, 2.5 years ago, how long should I study for a potential retake? I’m thinking to maybe study for it staring in January and taking it in April, just in time for the 2020-2021 cycle.

@TRexLife4 I will also be retaking a 514 expired MCAT after not applying due to the necessity to bring up a 3.0 GPA. I have a similar plan to you, I've started listening to Khan academy videos on the train and while doing absent minded lab work, mostly in OChem, my weakest science subject (also one I haven't touched academically since taking the MCAT the first time). I did a full length test recently, and ended up doing better than my original MCAT. After I do a general review of everything I feel weak on, my plan is to take another full length test sometime this fall, see how I score, and base my studying off that. I am planning on using the same Kaplan books I bought a few years back, and then purchasing the full-length tests from AMCAS. It's really going to come down to how I do on diagnostic tests whether I commit to doing a rigorous, extended review, or maybe a more relaxed review (i.e. reading through the books once or twice, taking Qbank quizzes on the train, continuing to watch videos, etc).

One thing thats nice about our situation is that the test is no longer a mystery - we had the knowledge at one point to do well, and hopefully we have accumulated more knowledge since then. My personal goal is to score at least a 521 to help offset an increasing but still subpar GPA.

I do hope you don't have to retake it, although either way, a little review can't hurt as you progress through your medical career. And personally, I find the subjects much more interesting when I self-study, so I'm learning a whole new love for OChem!