retaking the MCAT

[em8r]

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Hi all,

so I am applying this fall with a 32 MCAT, which I got on my third try. the first I took was a 24, and that was in 2004 when I was stupid enough to go in without preparation. my question is: in case I don't get in anywhere this year, would it be considered as a positive if I take the MCAT again for a fourth try? and would my first score be thrown out since it'd be past 3 years?
maybe i'm deluded, but i really think that I could get above a 35 this time around. it's become a more personal goal, like a marathon test of personal merit or something, this MCAT. lol

 

[armybound]

I'm in a similar situation. I have a 31 MCAT (only try) and I think I'm capable of 34+

I talked to my pre-med advisor and he told me I should NOT retake the MCAT because "30 is the magic number."

I asked the adcomms about it in the adcomm thread, but they haven't yet responded.

 

[ClockworkDoc]

Ha, 30 the magic number. That may only be true with a kick butt GPA (3.75+).

 

[em8r]

yeah, but I think there is a big difference between something like 37 and a 32. I think 40 would be the magic number, if there is such a thing. if that was your first try, I think that doing it a second time and trying to get it at least 5 points higher would help. I just don't really know how adcoms feel about 4th try MCATS.

 

[armybound]

Ha, 30 the magic number. That may only be true with a kick butt GPA (3.75+).

I don't necessarily agree with him either. I think a 38 is a lot better than a 31.

However you can argue that a 35 doesn't really say much more about you than a 32.

My girlfriend asked one of her Ph.D. classmates who already has his MD and he agreed that 30 is the "magic number".

Take it how you want. I know I'd rather have a higher score, but I've been told 30+ is a solid score.

 

[ClockworkDoc]

Back to the original topic, check out the MCAT stats on retake improvement.

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/tables.htm

Do you think you can beat the odd? I know that it is possible, just not statistically likely. But, depending on your dilegence, you may do it.

 

[epigastric]

Back to the original topic, check out the MCAT stats on retake improvement.

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/examineedata/tables.htm

Do you think you can beat the odd? I know that it is possible, just not statistically likely. But, depending on your dilegence, you may do it.

The stats make improvement sound unlikely, but it also has a lot to do with how you studied the first time.

I took Kaplan the first time, blew off most of the material, memorized maybe half their formulas and laughed at their formulaic essay style. Result? 29P (7P, 12V, 10B).

The second time around, I paid attention, made sure I knew all the formulas, did all the practice tests and practiced the stupid essay format at least once a month. I made a 34T (10P, 12V, 12B). Might've gotten higher had I worked even more on optics and sound physics, which I despise. I regret that call now.

If you've worked hard each time on the MCAT, I doubt your scores will change much. But if you know you didn't put in the time and feel like you can on this round, it'll pay off.

 

[arsenewenger]

I'm in a similar situation. I have a 31 MCAT (only try) and I think I'm capable of 34+

I talked to my pre-med advisor and he told me I should NOT retake the MCAT because "30 is the magic number."

I asked the adcomms about it in the adcomm thread, but they haven't yet responded.

sorry, where is the adcom thread?

 

[DrMom]

moving to the MCAT forum...