Scheduled for May 18 - 500 MCAT

[Fdsa2495]

Hey guys,

I'm scheduled to take my first MCAT on May 18th, but I took about 3 practice tests:
NS 1 : 498
TPR : 483 (kept running out of time so guessed on most of the end passages in all sections)
NS 2: 500 (took yesterday after memorizing Kaplan quicksheets)

I honestly don't know what to do at this point I have the EK, TPR, BR, and KAPLAN books but only went through EK for phsycis and Chem. I'm still using Khan academy for social sciences and EK101 for CARS timing. My timing is good I finished all sections on time except for Chem/physics (1 question left). I am going through more Khan academy videos for things I lack in content.

So my question is should I take the exam on May 18 then Void it just so I can see how it feels. Then reschedule for mid June (money is not a prob). I'll buy all AAMC material and review that. I did really well as a Bio major and love Chemistry and am okay in Physics. I just can't keep all the content in my brain, I seem to forget stuff a lot when I take a practice test and want to look back at my notes.

I've already finished my PS and have all my letter of recs ready. I will be applying June 1 and then just wait for my scores to come back. Is this a good idea?

Any suggestions, comments, opinions are appreciated!

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[Yhorm the Giant]

Ignore TPR's score absolutely. Take a couple more practices between now and then. If you feel ok on content, then really practicing taking the test could help you more than anything. If you get 2 more scores at 500 or above I wouldn't void. Just my 2 cents.

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[markovchn123]

I highly recommend you take the AAMC sample test (the one that gives you the % correct for each section, no score), and see how you do. Then you should take the first AAMC scored test, whatever score you get on that test will PROBABLY be your MCAT score on May 18th (+ or - 2 points). If you're applying to MD schools, then I recommend not taking the real thing unless you score around a 508-509 on the scored. If you don't have that score I recommend you void and study hard for June. If you're applying to mostly DO schools, take the test May 18th if you get like a 505-506 on the scored.

Also your GPA matters too. If your GPA is below 3.6-3.7, then you're gonna need to do good on the MCAT (510+) to have a good chance at MD schools. ORM or URM status matters as well. If you give a little more info (GPA, ORM or URM status, clinical experience, non-trad or trad), I can give you a more definitive answer. Also in the event you do not score well on the scored test (<505), it's okay to take an extra year to study more and boost your application. Don't apply until you're ready because you really only want to apply once, because the application process is stressful enough once

 

[You're My Boy Blue]

I would wait to take the test until you are consistently scoring in your range on practice tests - delay until June. Also taking the MCAT while planning to void it would work, but that's an expensive practice test haha. Can schools see a void? I doubt it but I'm not sure

 

[Fdsa2495]

I highly recommend you take the AAMC sample test (the one that gives you the % correct for each section, no score), and see how you do. Then you should take the first AAMC scored test, whatever score you get on that test will PROBABLY be your MCAT score on May 18th (+ or - 2 points). If you're applying to MD schools, then I recommend not taking the real thing unless you score around a 508-509 on the scored. If you don't have that score I recommend you void and study hard for June. If you're applying to mostly DO schools, take the test May 18th if you get like a 505-506 on the scored.

Also your GPA matters too. If your GPA is below 3.6-3.7, then you're gonna need to do good on the MCAT (510+) to have a good chance at MD schools. ORM or URM status matters as well. If you give a little more info (GPA, ORM or URM status, clinical experience, non-trad or trad), I can give you a more definitive answer. Also in the event you do not score well on the scored test (<505), it's okay to take an extra year to study more and boost your application. Don't apply until you're ready because you really only want to apply once, because the application process is stressful enough once

I'm in my gap year (trad) and a ORM. My undergrad GPA is 3.84 and I'm planning to apply to M.D. schools and DO schools + Carribean schools just for back up. I don't want to take another gap year. I've been a PCT at a local hospital for 4 years during my undergrad so lots of clinical experience. I have about ~60 hrs of shadowing and lots of leadership and non clinical volunteering + 3 years of research too.
Everyone I talk to says I'm ready as I've done a lot so now I just don't want my MCAT score to throw everything else out the window and end up in the Carribeans (if you know what I mean).

 

[You're My Boy Blue]

With that GPA and the ECs I'd be very surprised if you weren't admitted to a DO program with an MCAT of 504+

 

[Iz_FtB]

Use the official material now. You have the sample test and two scored exams available to you. These are gold. Don't write your MCAT without taking these tests first and learning from them.

 

[markovchn123]

I'm in my gap year (trad) and a ORM. My undergrad GPA is 3.84 and I'm planning to apply to M.D. schools and DO schools + Carribean schools just for back up. I don't want to take another gap year. I've been a PCT at a local hospital for 4 years during my undergrad so lots of clinical experience. I have about ~60 hrs of shadowing and lots of leadership and non clinical volunteering + 3 years of research too.
Everyone I talk to says I'm ready as I've done a lot so now I just don't want my MCAT score to throw everything else out the window and end up in the Carribeans (if you know what I mean).

Hi, I completely understand, you worked hard for years to get to this moment and you want it to end with an acceptance letter. Your GPA is excellent and you have fantastic clinical experience, so the MCAT is your final obstacle. I recommend you follow my advice and not take the MCAT unless you're scoring within the right range on the AAMC exams. Since you're also applying to DO schools, you should aim for around a 506-507 on the scored, that way your worst case MCAT would MOST LIKELY (again we're talking about odds, not certainty) not be lower than a 505, and then you would have a solid chance at getting into DO schools. Good Luck and study hard! It's worth it in the end when you get the score you've been dreaming of

 

[Fdsa2495]

Use the official material now. You have the sample test and two scored exams available to you. These are gold. Don't write your MCAT without taking these tests first and learning from them.

Say I do that the official AAMC practice exams and don't do well, then I won't have any official exams left to take. That's why I want to take NS exams first because people say they're really close to what you should get

 

[doctor_crane]

I have a similar problem today. I have been scoring around 507ish on Next Step tests, but today I scored a 500 on the aamc fl 2.
I don't even know where this leaves me... (any advice helps here, haha)
Taking the MCAT next week.

I'd say take the test since you cannot refund it and void if you plan to take it in June and think you did bad. I've heard to never void a test though because you may do better than you think.

What I plan to do is to not apply this cycle if I do poorly on the MCAT. It's really not worth it if you do not have at least a 503 (for DO) or at least a 506 for MD. 505 is possible though...
Even with these scores though, it's tough to get in since you'd be below the median of most schools which is around a 508-509. But it really depends on your state of residence.

Best of luck, but it's always possible that we'll not score the score we'd like.




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[Welshman]

I have a similar problem today. I have been scoring around 507ish on Next Step tests, but today I scored a 500 on the aamc fl 2.
I don't even know where this leaves me... (any advice helps here, haha)
Taking the MCAT next week.

I'd say take the test since you cannot refund it and void if you plan to take it in June and think you did bad. I've heard to never void a test though because you may do better than you think.

What I plan to do is to not apply this cycle if I do poorly on the MCAT. It's really not worth it if you do not have at least a 503 (for DO) or at least a 506 for MD. 505 is possible though...
Even with these scores though, it's tough to get in since you'd be below the median of most schools which is around a 508-509. But it really depends on your state of residence.

Best of luck, but it's always possible that we'll not score the score we'd like.

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If you don't have consistent scores it's not worth taking... yeah maybe you'll score over 507 or maybe a solid 500... not worth the risk. This score sticks with you for life.

Say I do that the official AAMC practice exams and don't do well, then I won't have any official exams left to take. That's why I want to take NS exams first because people say they're really close to what you should get

It sounds like you've already decided to reschedule the MCAT and I'd agree if you don't feel prepared. In this case wait to take the AAMC exams until the weeks before the MCAT.. Also, I don't know how much you would benefit from taking the real one and voiding it since you won't get any feedback from it.. yeah you'll get to see the exam but what good would it do besides stressing you out more?

 

[CapuccinoCup123]

I wouldn't force taking the test. I used TPR a lot, i think my scores on those prac tests were 505-512 (other tests I scored 510-518), but then on the real thing I scored 515-519. YMMV, but I wouldn't take the exam until your practice scores are consistently above 504ish if you wanna go MD. Also TPR is a bad predictor for phys/chem and cars, just bc phys/chem is much more straightforward chem/biochem on the real thing. Cars on the real test is harder and significantly different from TPR, although I took the exam 2 years ago now, so TPR could've changed

 

[hubbsbubbs]

+1 on taking MCAT when you feel ready
+1 on TPR gives deflated score

 

[YouEverHadOurSausages?]

I got a 500 on my only practice (Princeton Review) and got a 509 on my real test 2 weeks later. Don't stress too much

 

[kb1900]

there is no reason to sit for the exam when you are not scoring where you want to. it shows poor judgement and self-awareness which is exactly what med schools are trying to avoid.

 

[agingscientist]

I used the AAMC practice tests and was scoring around 503-505, but I ended up with a 510 on the real MCAT. Just get a lot of practice taking the full length practice tests, relax, and you'll do well!