Retaking the MCAT with a 30+

[beyondhuman]

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At what point would you say retaking the MCAT for a high score is not worth the effort if you are confident you can score higher?

I scored a 33 with little study outside of taking all the full lengths. If I am pretty darn sure I can get it up to 35 and retake it in a few months (taking a gap year anyway) is it worth it? I will be applying md/mph and a number of the schools that offer the dual degree are fairly competitive.

Thanks for your input

 

[TheShaker]

I think it's possible and beneficial but understand that taking anything that is 33+ is a risk.

 

[davidbm95]

At what point would you say retaking the MCAT for a high score is not worth the effort if you are confident you can score higher?

I scored a 33 with little study outside of taking all the full lengths. If I am pretty darn sure I can get it up to 35 and retake it in a few months (taking a gap year anyway) is it worth it? I will be applying md/mph and a number of the schools that offer the dual degree are fairly competitive.

Thanks for your input

I think it also depends on the rest of your application. Could your app use the boost or is everything pretty solid? What i'm trying to say is do you feel your application is good enough with your current score?

 

[UrshumMurshum]

The risk just does not seem worth it to me. Everyone goes into a retake thinking they're going to improve their score, but according to the statistics 28% of people in the 33-35 range get a lower score on retake and 43% get the same or lower score on retake.

I guess it depends on how you feel, personally I would just roll with the score.

 

[ucsfstudents]

You can try, but if you're not getting consistently great scores on your practice tests, you should not retake. The odds are not in your favor when it comes to retaking the MCAT.

 

[NickNaylor]

At what point would you say retaking the MCAT for a high score is not worth the effort if you are confident you can score higher?

I scored a 33 with little study outside of taking all the full lengths. If I am pretty darn sure I can get it up to 35 and retake it in a few months (taking a gap year anyway) is it worth it? I will be applying md/mph and a number of the schools that offer the dual degree are fairly competitive.

Thanks for your input

Frankly you probably should have put in the effort the first time around rather than shooting yourself in the foot. I wouldn't do it unless you're 99% confident you can score at least 3-4 points higher.

Also, why are you applying into MD/MPH programs? I have a hard time believing that a school would have any problem giving you a year off to get a MPH.

(sent from my phone)

 

[beyondhuman]

1. I don't think you can say I was shooting myself in the foot by getting a 33. At the time I was planning to apply this cycle and so I was taking the Kaplan prep course along with a full course load, plus my usual research and volunteering. I studied but not in the way that I could now that I have chosen to take a year off before applying.

2. I realize that you can take the year off at nearly any med school to get the MPH and I have no intention of applying only for dual degree programs. However, considering there are about 20 of them and nearly all of them our solid choices I see no reason to not apply for a neatly packaged dual degree instead of going through another round of grad school applications.

Actually does anybody know if there is data on the median and standard deviation of MCAT scores and GPA at individual medical schools? I only ever see averages but if I could access standard deviation and median at schools I am interested in I could assess the value of retaking the MCAT for myself.

 

[kpcrew]

buy the msar to see the top and bottom 10th percentiles

 

[Hoya2009]

What was your score split? That's the only question here. If it was 11/11/11 retaking would be stupid. If it was 15/3/15, you should probably retake.

 

[NickNaylor]

1. I don't think you can say I was shooting myself in the foot by getting a 33. At the time I was planning to apply this cycle and so I was taking the Kaplan prep course along with a full course load, plus my usual research and volunteering. I studied but not in the way that I could now that I have chosen to take a year off before applying.

2. I realize that you can take the year off at nearly any med school to get the MPH and I have no intention of applying only for dual degree programs. However, considering there are about 20 of them and nearly all of them our solid choices I see no reason to not apply for a neatly packaged dual degree instead of going through another round of grad school applications.

Actually does anybody know if there is data on the median and standard deviation of MCAT scores and GPA at individual medical schools? I only ever see averages but if I could access standard deviation and median at schools I am interested in I could assess the value of retaking the MCAT for myself.

Don't get me wrong, a 33 is by no means a bad score, but taking the MCAT without being able to study the necessary amount isn't a good decision. I'm not saying this to deride you, I'm saying it more as a reminder to those who might see this thread in the future.

And as kp mentioned, the MSAR kind of has this data.

(sent from my phone)

 

[beyondhuman]

I can agree with that. Had I known then that I was going to wait a year before applying I would have, without question, taken the extra few months to study and would recommend to anybody on the fence about waiting and studying more or taking it to try and hurry up the process that they wait until they feel they know all they ever could.

I scored a 11/10/12. It is pretty balanced I just thought that since I have a year (and could study for 6-9 months) it could potentially be advantageous to retake it in this unique situation even though it normally is not for a 30+ or possibly my time could be better spent racking up shadowing and volunteering hours. Just looking for some thoughts (or better yet stats) on which is more advantageous.

Also I have a MSAR but the 10th and 90th percentiles leave a pretty large range and if your scores are roughly in the middle of most of them (I have a 33Q, 3.7cGPA, and 3.6sGPA) it doesn't help much with school selection. Maybe I am missing something. Is there a better way to narrow down what schools to apply for or possibly a way to get better statistics? I feel like all I have is a ballpark figure but what I want is to know that I'm somewhere in the infield before I spend the money to apply to a school (especially when that money could go to applying to a different school).

 

[maybemed2013]

I wouldn't retake.

 

[Renaissance Man]

What were your scores on the full-lengths? You have to be pretty damn sure that you will improve your score, or you risk looking like a fool come your cycle. As others have said, if your application is already strong, a 33 should be able to get the job done for many schools.

 

[Praefectus]

Don't retake it, you'll only get a lower score. There are people that made 28s and 29s who would kill to get a 33 on the first shot.

 

[BABSstudent]

according to the statistics 28% of people in the 33-35 range get a lower score on retake and 43% get the same or lower score on retake.

I guess it depends on how you feel, personally I would just roll with the score.

My exact feelings. I think as long as you score in the 30s, you shouldn't retake unless you absolutely feel that you can score higher by at least 3 or more points. There is a lot of risk once you get to that score. A single question answered incorrectly could result in a whole point deduction. On the other hand, that one guess could raise your score a whole point.

 

[Cinclus]

I wouldn't retake. Next time, you could get a test that tests on all of your weakest points and then see your score drop. I had a friend who took the MCAT, felt badly about it, so she signed up to retake before she got the first score back. The first score was a 35. The second was a 33. 🙁

 

[MiracleforMD]

.

 

[BABSstudent]

Any thoughts on re-taking a balanced 32? GPA is between 3.5-3.6.

First off, why?

Now for advice. I would suggest studying your butt off and then take a practice test. If you improve your score to at least the 32 and have another month or two to study, then go for it. If not, then I would suggest not doing it.

Also, improving your score can be difficult because you may need to get new study material. You don't want to have an inflated score prediction because you already took the tests.

 

[alerk323]

I can agree with that. Had I known then that I was going to wait a year before applying I would have, without question, taken the extra few months to study and would recommend to anybody on the fence about waiting and studying more or taking it to try and hurry up the process that they wait until they feel they know all they ever could.

I scored a 11/10/12. It is pretty balanced I just thought that since I have a year (and could study for 6-9 months) it could potentially be advantageous to retake it in this unique situation even though it normally is not for a 30+ or possibly my time could be better spent racking up shadowing and volunteering hours. Just looking for some thoughts (or better yet stats) on which is more advantageous.

Also I have a MSAR but the 10th and 90th percentiles leave a pretty large range and if your scores are roughly in the middle of most of them (I have a 33Q, 3.7cGPA, and 3.6sGPA) it doesn't help much with school selection. Maybe I am missing something. Is there a better way to narrow down what schools to apply for or possibly a way to get better statistics? I feel like all I have is a ballpark figure but what I want is to know that I'm somewhere in the infield before I spend the money to apply to a school (especially when that money could go to applying to a different school).

I think this is the reason you should not retake. Verbal is by far the hardest to improve by studying. The sciences are more dependent on what you know and verbal is more dependent on what you can do. I have heard many stories of people who, despite studying an insane amount, just can't raise that score. My verbal also didn't change at all since my first practice tests.

 

[Irish Football]

A 33 is 88-91st percentile. That's not bad at all.

My 200th post!

 

[MiracleforMD]

Any thoughts on re-taking a balanced 32? GPA is between 3.5-3.6.

First off, why?

Now for advice. I would suggest studying your butt off and then take a practice test. If you improve your score to at least the 32 and have another month or two to study, then go for it. If not, then I would suggest not doing it.

Also, improving your score can be difficult because you may need to get new study material. You don't want to have an inflated score prediction because you already took the tests.

Because I was rejected from 30+ schools haha?
Well I have already applied this year so the latest I could take it is around 1st week of September. Think it is worth it to bust my ass for the next 50 days? (Keep in my mind I will have 30+ secondaries to do as well).

 

[Juxxtaposition]

Please don't retake. You may get a much better score, but you may end up screwing yourself over. It is a very large risk, and the reward is not THAT much better.

 

[BABSstudent]

If you were rejected from that many schools, I doubt your MCAT is the reason. It doesn't matter if you have already applied. If you retake in September, you will not be complete until October. That means no interviews until even later. You will be shooting yourself in the foot again.

How about you figure out why you didn't get in last year. There must be other reasons than only a 32 MCAT score.

 

[MiracleforMD]

If you were rejected from that many schools, I doubt your MCAT is the reason. It doesn't matter if you have already applied. If you retake in September, you will not be complete until October. That means no interviews until even later. You will be shooting yourself in the foot again.

How about you figure out why you didn't get in last year. There must be other reasons than only a 32 MCAT score.

This is part of my fear. Won't schools just evaluate me based on my previous MCAT and will receive the other one later as a "update" of sorts?

Yeah, I am not positive why I was rejected. It was probably a combination of things (late application, below average EC's, and poorly written secondaries) that I have now fixed.

 

[MedPR]

frankly you probably should have put in the effort the first time around rather than shooting yourself in the foot. I wouldn't do it unless you're 99% confident you can score at least 3-4 points higher.

Also, why are you applying into md/mph programs? I have a hard time believing that a school would have any problem giving you a year off to get a mph.

(sent from my phone)

+1.

 

[BABSstudent]

Well, some schools do give out secondaries based on previous MCAT scores. I am in that boat right now. However, despite me filling out all the secondaries and paying the fees, I still remain incomplete. I get my scores back in like two days, so hopefully it will change. I would love to receive an inbox full of messages saying that my status has changed.

 

[MedPR]

Because I was rejected from 30+ schools haha?
Well I have already applied this year so the latest I could take it is around 1st week of September. Think it is worth it to bust my ass for the next 50 days? (Keep in my mind I will have 30+ secondaries to do as well).

Your 33 isn't the problem. Had you been rejected only from places like JHU/HMS/WashU, etc then yes, it's possible that the 33 was your problem. But 30+ schools = you have bigger problems than that lousy 🙂rolleyes🙂 33.

 

[MiracleforMD]

Because I was rejected from 30+ schools haha?
Well I have already applied this year so the latest I could take it is around 1st week of September. Think it is worth it to bust my ass for the next 50 days? (Keep in my mind I will have 30+ secondaries to do as well).

Your 33 isn't the problem. Had you been rejected only from places like JHU/HMS/WashU, etc then yes, it's possible that the 33 was your problem. But 30+ schools = you have bigger problems than that lousy 🙂rolleyes🙂 33.

I had a 32. OP had a 33. But I guess your point stands.

Well, some schools do give out secondaries based on previous MCAT scores. I am in that boat right now. However, despite me filling out all the secondaries and paying the fees, I still remain incomplete. I get my scores back in like two days, so hopefully it will change. I would love to receive an inbox full of messages saying that my status has changed.

What is schools do not know you are re-taking, or you decide not to, or you void?

 

[mirimonster]

I can agree with that. Had I known then that I was going to wait a year before applying I would have, without question, taken the extra few months to study and would recommend to anybody on the fence about waiting and studying more or taking it to try and hurry up the process that they wait until they feel they know all they ever could.

I scored a 11/10/12. It is pretty balanced I just thought that since I have a year (and could study for 6-9 months) it could potentially be advantageous to retake it in this unique situation even though it normally is not for a 30+ or possibly my time could be better spent racking up shadowing and volunteering hours. Just looking for some thoughts (or better yet stats) on which is more advantageous.

Also I have a MSAR but the 10th and 90th percentiles leave a pretty large range and if your scores are roughly in the middle of most of them (I have a 33Q, 3.7cGPA, and 3.6sGPA) it doesn't help much with school selection. Maybe I am missing something. Is there a better way to narrow down what schools to apply for or possibly a way to get better statistics? I feel like all I have is a ballpark figure but what I want is to know that I'm somewhere in the infield before I spend the money to apply to a school (especially when that money could go to applying to a different school).

I retook a 35 and it worked out well for me. Our situations are similar, except mine was a forced year off due to not getting in the first time. If you're considering a retake, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Are you diligent enough to study for 6 months for a test you've already taken and scored well above average on?
2. Is it worth it? You could just as well pick up some badass EC over this time, and it could potentially help your application just as much and probably be more interesting. Ask yourself why you're doing this. I had to make up for a sub-par GPA, your GPA is right on average.
3. Are you capable of a greater than 3 point increase? Be brutally honest with yourself.

If you decide it's worth it, make yourself a comprehensive study schedule, start tutoring MCAT if you can, and stick with it. Consistency is key. When you take your practice tests, if you aren't averaging at least 3 or 4 points greater than your first test, don't even bother walking into the testing center. You should have no doubt in your mind that you're going to do better, or else you'll just look like a fool when your 33 drops. There's data in the official MCAT guide on how retakers do, and as previous posters said, it's not great for people who are already scoring 10+ on each section.

Good luck

 

[BABSstudent]

What is schools do not know you are re-taking, or you decide not to, or you void?

Do you mean what *if*? I think you have to reveal to the schools that you are retaking the test. AMCAS should automatically update your application if you sign up for a test.

And if you void, I am sure AMCAS will update your application saying you are not expecting to have an additional MCAT test.

 

[MiracleforMD]

What is schools do not know you are re-taking, or you decide not to, or you void?

Do you mean what *if*? I think you have to reveal to the schools that you are retaking the test. AMCAS should automatically update your application if you sign up for a test.

And if you void, I am sure AMCAS will update your application saying you are not expecting to have an additional MCAT test.

Yes, if. And my AMCAS says I do not have any expected additional dates because I signed up later. Do you think AMCAS has already updated my application to let them know? Have you seen any sources explaining these technicalities that you can lead me to?

 

[BABSstudent]

Yes, if. And my AMCAS says I do not have any expected additional dates because I signed up later. Do you think AMCAS has already updated my application to let them know? Have you seen any sources explaining these technicalities that you can lead me to?

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/faqs/147906/aftersub_shared_2.2.html

After submitting the primary, you can update the MCAT test date section. Which would mean you would have to let schools know before you took the test. Further, that also means that schools will hold your application.

 

[red doctober]

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/271680/data/retestertotalscorechange.pdf

 

[MedPR]

I had a 32. OP had a 33. But I guess your point stands.



What is schools do not know you are re-taking, or you decide not to, or you void?

I mean, I have a 33 and I know I easily could've ended up with a 30 on my MCAT. Just saying that the difference between a 30-35 isn't all that much.

 

[centraldogma]

Also I have a MSAR but the 10th and 90th percentiles leave a pretty large range and if your scores are roughly in the middle of most of them (I have a 33Q, 3.7cGPA, and 3.6sGPA) it doesn't help much with school selection. Maybe I am missing something. Is there a better way to narrow down what schools to apply for or possibly a way to get better statistics?

Your numbers are "roughly in the middle" of applicants ACCEPTED to medical school. You don't have to be in the 90%ile in terms of scores to be competitive for a school; that doesn't make sense. You have an excellent MCAT score and retaking it is an unnecessary risk.

Also keep in mind that the decision to select one of two applicants with "roughly in the middle" numbers is going to come down to activities and the interview, which are not reflected in anyway on the MSAR.

Narrowing school choice down by numbers is an ok starting point but will only get you so far. Other factors to look for are in-state preference, the number of out-of-state applicants accepted, the number of total applicants (e.g., GWU has like ~14k applicants), research or clinical focus, type of curriculum, grading system, etc. Search for school selection for more criteria.

 

[MiracleforMD]

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/faqs/147906/aftersub_shared_2.2.html

After submitting the primary, you can update the MCAT test date section. Which would mean you would have to let schools know before you took the test. Further, that also means that schools will hold your application.

What if I do not inform the schools/change my AMCAS about say a September MCAT. Would is still get sent automatically? Would said schools be upset?

 

[BABSstudent]

Well, all schools would judge you off your 32 if you do that. You would receive secondaries, rejections, interview invites and possible acceptances based on that score.

If you will take it, just put it on. Just know you will be late in the game.

 

[MiracleforMD]

Well, all schools would judge you off your 32 if you do that. You would receive secondaries, rejections, interview invites and possible acceptances based on that score.

If you will take it, just put it on. Just know you will be late in the game.

I'm sorry to ask you so many questions.
Is there any reason why I would just not alert AMCAS or the schools and enjoy the earlier application and be reviewed based off that score, take a later MCAT, and just have that be an added bonus if I do well? Is there a possible downside?

 

[Ironmandoc]

If you didn't get below a 10 in any section, DO NOT RETAKE. I'd only recommend a retake if you have an unbalanced 33. Otherwise, roll with it and don't risk a lower score.

 

[BABSstudent]

You would be reviewed based on your old score. You would get all the secondaries and probably get interviews based off that score because it is good enough. Some schools even do blind interviews, which means they don't know anything about your GPA or MCAT scores. You would essentially be doing all this studying for nothing.

IMO it would be worth it to spend the time building up ECs. It would be much more enjoyable and offer more benefits.

 

[MedPR]

If you didn't get below a 10 in any section, DO NOT RETAKE. I'd only recommend a retake if you have an unbalanced 33. Otherwise, roll with it and don't risk a lower score.

+1. OP, I got a 33 while taking care of a few other obligations that were very time consuming. I'm confident I could get a higher score if I devoted 100% of my time to MCAT. Am I even considering a retake? Nope. You never know what could go wrong during prep and/or during your actual test date. A 33 is solid. No need to retake it unless you're looking at top schools.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

If you are not accepted with a 3.7/33, it will be due to something other than your stats. I would not bother retaking.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I was considering retaking a 37 because I was averaging higher on practice tests, but then I realized what a stupid idea that was. Imo, 33+ people should not retake at all, and 30+ people should retake only if they were scoring much higher on practice. So don't retake. There are much higher yield ways to improve your app, mainly some good ECs.

 

[SoulinNeed]

Getting a 35 after getting a 33 on your first try isn't all that impressive to me. Either way, DO NOT retake a 33. That's a great score. Accept it and move on.

My advice? You shouldn't retake if you got at least a 31 or 32.

 

[Slack3r]

Because I was rejected from 30+ schools haha?
Well I have already applied this year so the latest I could take it is around 1st week of September. Think it is worth it to bust my ass for the next 50 days? (Keep in my mind I will have 30+ secondaries to do as well).

This is part of my fear. Won't schools just evaluate me based on my previous MCAT and will receive the other one later as a "update" of sorts?

Yeah, I am not positive why I was rejected. It was probably a combination of things (late application, below average EC's, and poorly written secondaries) that I have now fixed.

It's not your MCAT bro. I understand the need to try and fix every possible flaw, but a 32 is a perfectly respectable score. I wouldn't retake.

 

[MiracleforMD]

Because I was rejected from 30+ schools haha?
Well I have already applied this year so the latest I could take it is around 1st week of September. Think it is worth it to bust my ass for the next 50 days? (Keep in my mind I will have 30+ secondaries to do as well).

This is part of my fear. Won't schools just evaluate me based on my previous MCAT and will receive the other one later as a "update" of sorts?

Yeah, I am not positive why I was rejected. It was probably a combination of things (late application, below average EC's, and poorly written secondaries) that I have now fixed.

It's not your MCAT bro. I understand the need to try and fix every possible flaw, but a 32 is a perfectly respectable score. I wouldn't retake.

You are kind of reading me wrong. Trust me. I never want to study for or take that thing again. It's just some people in my life are telling me while I don't HAVE to re-take, I SHOULD. It is not the majority, but there are some. It seems the overwhelming majority on here is leaning towards no re-take. I just do not want to feel guilty come June 2013 if I have no acceptances.

 

[MsPlasmodesmata]

You are kind of reading me wrong. Trust me. I never want to study for or take that thing again. It's just some people in my life are telling me while I don't HAVE to re-take, I SHOULD. It is not the majority, but there are some. It seems the overwhelming majority on here is leaning towards no re-take. I just do not want to feel guilty come June 2013 if I have no acceptances.

Ditto, man. Got a 32 last summer - thinking I'd take it early and be done with it if I got a good score, and plenty of time to retake if I didn't. But now I've realized how dumb it was to take it before finishing orgo and taking physics junior year.
I'd have about a month to study and retake before fall semester starts, if I decided to do that. I really don't want to risk it....but at the same time, if I'm rejected this cycle, I'll kick myself while wondering if a higher MCAT on a retake could've pushed me over the acceptance threshold. =/

 

[MedPR]

You are kind of reading me wrong. Trust me. I never want to study for or take that thing again. It's just some people in my life are telling me while I don't HAVE to re-take, I SHOULD. It is not the majority, but there are some. It seems the overwhelming majority on here is leaning towards no re-take. I just do not want to feel guilty come June 2013 if I have no acceptances.

Your score won't be the reason why you get rejected.

 

[NickNaylor]

You are kind of reading me wrong. Trust me. I never want to study for or take that thing again. It's just some people in my life are telling me while I don't HAVE to re-take, I SHOULD. It is not the majority, but there are some. It seems the overwhelming majority on here is leaning towards no re-take. I just do not want to feel guilty come June 2013 if I have no acceptances.

Are those people using your identity and applying to medical for you? Are they going to be stuck with the consequences of a poor decision? No? Then their opinion matters absolutely not at all.

 

[MiracleforMD]

Ditto, man. Got a 32 (9, 13, 10) last summer - thinking I'd take it early and be done with it if I got a good score, and plenty of time to retake if I didn't. But now I've realized how dumb it was to take it before finishing orgo and taking physics junior year. I just know that if I had the time to study now, I could do better on those science sections and make up for my 3.5ish GPA. But, alas, I'm taking two difficult classes this summer and it's sucking up my time.
I'd have about a month to study and retake before fall semester starts, if I decided to do that. I really don't want to risk it....but at the same time, if I'm rejected this cycle, I'll kick myself while wondering if a higher MCAT on a retake could've pushed me over the acceptance threshold. =/

Jesus, what's up twin?