Retaking MCAT advice

[Dallasmavs]

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Hello, this is my first post on SDN after reading previous threads for months. However, now I am unsure of what to do next and am looking for some advice.

Got my MCAT score back the other day and did much worse than I had expected. My biggest surprise was getting an 8 on verbal when I was normally getting 10s. I ended up with a 27 (10/8/9) and was fairly disappointed.

I was planning on taking genetics (the hardest course at my school) over the summer and being a TA for a class. I also just got a research position that will take 3 hours, 3 days a week. Now I feel though that I will need to retake the MCAT and improve my score by several points. My first thought is that I probably will need to drop genetics as I will not be able to handle hardcore studying for MCAT and the class over the summer. I feel though that being a TA and research is something I have been wanting to do for quite some time and will only take up about 14 hours a week total.

My biggest concern is when to schedule my MCAT so that I have enough time to study well enough to improve significantly and possibly still have a chance to apply reasonably this year. I do not want to take it too early and repeat my poor performance.

Also I was wondering what materials I should use. I used TPR for all the subjects and did pretty much the entire hyperlearning book the first time. I also did all of the AAMC practice tests. I got the BR for all the courses and just ordered all of the EK 1001 books. I am not sure what mix of materials I should use this time. I was also thinking about purchasing the 7 BR CBTs that they offer. Any tips on this would be much appreciated.

My test score really knocked me down and I have been extremely sad and stressed the last couple days now.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Jjkwest1]

Hello, this is my first post on SDN after reading previous threads for months. However, now I am unsure of what to do next and am looking for some advice.

Got my MCAT score back the other day and did much worse than I had expected. My biggest surprise was getting an 8 on verbal when I was normally getting 10s. I ended up with a 27 (10/8/9) and was fairly disappointed.

I was planning on taking genetics (the hardest course at my school) over the summer and being a TA for a class. I also just got a research position that will take 3 hours, 3 days a week. Now I feel though that I will need to retake the MCAT and improve my score by several points. My first thought is that I probably will need to drop genetics as I will not be able to handle hardcore studying for MCAT and the class over the summer. I feel though that being a TA and research is something I have been wanting to do for quite some time and will only take up about 14 hours a week total.

My biggest concern is when to schedule my MCAT so that I have enough time to study well enough to improve significantly and possibly still have a chance to apply reasonably this year. I do not want to take it too early and repeat my poor performance.

Also I was wondering what materials I should use. I used TPR for all the subjects and did pretty much the entire hyperlearning book the first time. I also did all of the AAMC practice tests. I got the BR for all the courses and just ordered all of the EK 1001 books. I am not sure what mix of materials I should use this time. I was also thinking about purchasing the 7 BR CBTs that they offer. Any tips on this would be much appreciated.

My test score really knocked me down and I have been extremely sad and stressed the last couple days now.

Thanks for the help.

Hi! If you plan on applying to DO schools I wouldnt retake assuming that your gpa is decent since a 27 is about the average if not above the average of Do schools.

For me personally, I would not bother with the 1001 books (especially physics and chem) since I found the questions to be very tricky and very un MCAT like. In fact I think those books made me lose confidence in my abilities to answer questions since I found myself getting tons of questions wrong even though i did pretty well on the real deal.Thus if you do use them just use them as a learning tool and dont get discouraged if you get lots of questions wrong.

I've never used BR practice exams but I heard that they're the next best thing after the AAMC practice exams. If you haven't already, get the AAMC self assessments since they are also old mcat questions.

 

[miss chievous]

Hi! If you plan on applying to DO schools I wouldnt retake assuming that your gpa is decent since a 27 is about the average if not above the average of Do schools.

For me personally, I would not bother with the 1001 books (especially physics and chem) since I found the questions to be very tricky and very un MCAT like. In fact I think those books made me lose confidence in my abilities to answer questions since I found myself getting tons of questions wrong even though i did pretty well on the real deal.Thus if you do use them just use them as a learning tool and dont get discouraged if you get lots of questions wrong.

I've never used BR practice exams but I heard that they're the next best thing after the AAMC practice exams. If you haven't already, get the AAMC self assessments since they are also old mcat questions.

I agree that EK 1001 books are useless. BR practice exams are okay I guess, but I still think Kaplan 1-5 are better. Are you a Texas resident (Dallas Mavs is in your name)? If so, don't pressure yourself to take the test soon. I was in the exact same situation as you last year (got my score back in May and was disappointed). I tried studying, but didn't feel prepared by July and decided to take a gap year. It sucks, but remember, your priority should be getting a good MCAT score. If you feel prepared by the end of summer, then by all means take it. I would drop genetics and keep the research and TA position (both look great on your application).

If you're okay with DO school, ignore everything I said above and just apply without retaking.

 

[Jobymonster]

Hi there. This is my first post too! First off, don't beat yourself up too much. 27 is a decent score ( despite what you may read on this forum people do get into MD schools with a 27) and means you are totally capable of breaking 30 on the MCAT...with the right preparation and attitude. Secondly, I understand what you are going through. The first time I took the beast I scored a 28K (Yes, a K!) 8PS 10V and 10BS which was lower than I expected. I was extremely hard on myself and was very, very sad too. Long story short, I got back up knowing the only thing that would make me feel better was "defeating" my MCAT demons, relied on my desire to be a physician for motivation, retook and scored a 32 11 PS 10V 11 BS. It's not 35+, but hey! You can do even better!

My recommendations for you:
1. Take Genetics before/while studying for your retake.. It will be an excellent review for many MCAT bio topics. I took it after my first take and it definitely helped.
2. Be a TA and do the research. 14 hours/wk is not a very big time commitment. You should still have plenty of time to study for the MCAT ( I was working 32 hrs + volunteering on the weekends)Plus, it will take away some of the pressure you may feel about having to do well on your MCAT because you don't want to feel like you wasted your time. You won't have wasted your time even if something goes wrong with your retake, you beefed up your application and followed your interests!
3. Don't rush this. If you're not ready to apply this cycle, don't apply.
4. Buy EK 101 (or w/e verbal prep you like) and do a verbal exam at least once a week. Ramp up to a couple times a week right before your test. http://www.theherocomplex.com/improving-mcat-verbal-reasoning/ Read this not so much for the strategy but for the perspective that its possible to do well on verbal.
5. Use BR for chem and physics. These books are absolute gold. I lived in these books for a month leading up to my retake. They will not only help you with the concepts but will make you a better test taker, and this will help with the other sections as well.
6. Buy the MCAT self assessment packages. Buy the complete guide to the MCAT or whatever its called for the practice problems in it if you run out.
7. Exercise.


I have to go to work, but PM me (think thats what its called) for any other questions or venting if you want.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2sKH8yjVsM Heres a video for you to laugh at when youre feeling down

 

[Dallasmavs]

Hi! If you plan on applying to DO schools I wouldnt retake assuming that your gpa is decent since a 27 is about the average if not above the average of Do schools.

For me personally, I would not bother with the 1001 books (especially physics and chem) since I found the questions to be very tricky and very un MCAT like. In fact I think those books made me lose confidence in my abilities to answer questions since I found myself getting tons of questions wrong even though i did pretty well on the real deal.Thus if you do use them just use them as a learning tool and dont get discouraged if you get lots of questions wrong.

I've never used BR practice exams but I heard that they're the next best thing after the AAMC practice exams. If you haven't already, get the AAMC self assessments since they are also old mcat questions.

I feel like I am just gonna need some more practice. I may look into the AAMC self assessments as well.

I agree that EK 1001 books are useless. BR practice exams are okay I guess, but I still think Kaplan 1-5 are better. Are you a Texas resident (Dallas Mavs is in your name)? If so, don't pressure yourself to take the test soon. I was in the exact same situation as you last year (got my score back in May and was disappointed). I tried studying, but didn't feel prepared by July and decided to take a gap year. It sucks, but remember, your priority should be getting a good MCAT score. If you feel prepared by the end of summer, then by all means take it. I would drop genetics and keep the research and TA position (both look great on your application).

If you're okay with DO school, ignore everything I said above and just apply without retaking.

Preferably MD, but I am positive I want to retake the test and do better either way. Ive been thinking about the gap year but no decisions yet.

Hi there. This is my first post too! First off, don’t beat yourself up too much. 27 is a decent score ( despite what you may read on this forum people do get into MD schools with a 27) and means you are totally capable of breaking 30 on the MCAT...with the right preparation and attitude. Secondly, I understand what you are going through. The first time I took the beast I scored a 28K (Yes, a K!) 8PS 10V and 10BS which was lower than I expected. I was extremely hard on myself and was very, very sad too. Long story short, I got back up knowing the only thing that would make me feel better was “defeating” my MCAT demons, relied on my desire to be a physician for motivation, retook and scored a 32 11 PS 10V 11 BS. It’s not 35+, but hey! You can do even better!

My recommendations for you:
1. Take Genetics before/while studying for your retake.. It will be an excellent review for many MCAT bio topics. I took it after my first take and it definitely helped.
2. Be a TA and do the research. 14 hours/wk is not a very big time commitment. You should still have plenty of time to study for the MCAT ( I was working 32 hrs + volunteering on the weekends)Plus, it will take away some of the pressure you may feel about having to do well on your MCAT because you don’t want to feel like you wasted your time. You won’t have wasted your time even if something goes wrong with your retake, you beefed up your application and followed your interests!
3. Don’t rush this. If you’re not ready to apply this cycle, don’t apply.
4. Buy EK 101 (or w/e verbal prep you like) and do a verbal exam at least once a week. Ramp up to a couple times a week right before your test. http://www.theherocomplex.com/improving-mcat-verbal-reasoning/ Read this not so much for the strategy but for the perspective that its possible to do well on verbal.
5. Use BR for chem and physics. These books are absolute gold. I lived in these books for a month leading up to my retake. They will not only help you with the concepts but will make you a better test taker, and this will help with the other sections as well.
6. Buy the MCAT self assessment packages. Buy the complete guide to the MCAT or whatever its called for the practice problems in it if you run out.
7. Exercise.


I have to go to work, but PM me (think thats what its called) for any other questions or venting if you want.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2sKH8yjVsM Heres a video for you to laugh at when youre feeling down

My biggest concern is if I can handle genetics at the same time. That class would be a major time commitment. At the same time I still have no idea when I would want to retake the MCAT.

 

[Jjkwest1]

I feel like I am just gonna need some more practice. I may look into the AAMC self assessments as well.



Preferably MD, but I am positive I want to retake the test and do better either way. Ive been thinking about the gap year but no decisions yet.



My biggest concern is if I can handle genetics at the same time. That class would be a major time commitment. At the same time I still have no idea when I would want to retake the MCAT.

If your gen bio class was comprehensive and went over genetics then I think that taking the genetics class would not be high yield. I think it's better to focus on the review books and look up anything ur uncertain of and PRACTICE AS MANY QUESTIONS. Honestly, I feel that taking upper div class is a little over hyped.I just took gen bio and did well on the BS section and thought that the passage gave u all the info you needed.

 

[Dallasmavs]

If your gen bio class was comprehensive and went over genetics then I think that taking the genetics class would not be high yield. I think it's better to focus on the review books and look up anything ur uncertain of and PRACTICE AS MANY QUESTIONS. Honestly, I feel that taking upper div class is a little over hyped.I just took gen bio and did well on the BS section and thought that the passage gave u all the info you needed.

One of my problems with dropping the class though is it may change my future class plans and throw them off course a bit

 

[zkbd9]

4/27 writer. I've been thinking of possible study strategies for a potential retake. I've settled on going back through the AAMC FLs drunk so I can simulate not knowing wtf is going on during the actual MCAT

 

[Dallasmavs]

well i think i am starting to make a decision.

Currently I want to drop the genetics class and just do my 15 hours a week of research and TA.

I am currently targeting the July 13th MCAT date.

That would give me exactly 2 months to study again and retake. I feel like this date is early enough to send in my scores for this application cycle.

I plan on spending about a month getting some strong content review in and then the second month practicing (especially more verbal this time).

What does everyone think about this plan?