Scoring 24s-26 on practice MCATs, should I take this Sat.?

[Bride2Be]

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Hi everyone,

I am feeling frustrated and upset. I've taken Kaplan all summer, have done 6 full-lengths in the past month, and am generally scoring 24-26. Never higher. The worst part is that I've repeatedly only gotten 7's on my PS, and that's what I scored in the initial diag.

This is my first MCAT this Sat., and I am worried about what will happen on test day. I have been dilligent in studying, so I don't understand what's up with my score. Besides the aboviementioned Kaplan full-lengths I have thus far taken 4r AAMC, and got 8 PS 7 BS and 10 V.

Can anyone offer any advice? By the way, I am 29 and have already started receiving secondaries. I applied to 27 schools.

Thanks,

Bride

 

[rockstar2525]

yeah, take the test this week, the Kaplan tests are more difficult and you will likely see a jump in your score. My score jumped six points from my avg score and three points from my highest diag. Good luck

 

[woolie]

I would say go for it and take it. You have already built up this momentum and are actively in the application process - so say a little prayer and do your best.

My scores were pretty consistent with what I was getting on the practice tests, but I did go up one point on the Physical section. I only say that, to point out that while some people go up on the actual test, some people stay the same and some even go down. You just never know.

 

[Scrubz67]

Hi everyone,

I am feeling frustrated and upset. I've taken Kaplan all summer, have done 6 full-lengths in the past month, and am generally scoring 24-26. Never higher. The worst part is that I've repeatedly only gotten 7's on my PS, and that's what I scored in the initial diag.

This is my first MCAT this Sat., and I am worried about what will happen on test day. I have been dilligent in studying, so I don't understand what's up with my score. Besides the aboviementioned Kaplan full-lengths I have thus far taken 4r AAMC, and got 8 PS 7 BS and 10 V.

Can anyone offer any advice? By the way, I am 29 and have already started receiving secondaries. I applied to 27 schools.

Thanks,

Bride

Hey Bride,
So I have a couple of questions for you

1. From the schools that you have applied to and received secondaries from, would your range of scores be competitive?

2. How do YOU feel about taking the test this sat? Do you feel like you are ready and will do yourself justice?

3. Are you taking a Prep Course?

From what I know (which may not be a whole lot) is that scores in the 24-26 range are not competitive for top tiers and are mildly competitive for mid-tiers. It is to your benefit to work a bit more on honing your test-taking skills to get that score up if you feel you know the material well enough. On the flip side, you can never know something too well. Perhaps delaying the MCAT, and as a result, your application until the next calendar year would allow you to put your best foot forward?

Maybe you could take a prep course (if you aren't taking one) or even try a different one. I know many people who took two prep courses and their scores jumped after the second one. I don't know how you feel about waiting another year but to me, it seems like the best option right now. Then again, you could surprise yourself and pull out a 27 or even a 28 on the actual test. From my experience my actual MCAT score was very accurate based on my performance on the AAMC practice tests. So for what its worth I think its best to delay application and really put your best foot forward confidently than to apply in haste and show med schools a sub-par application. Saves time and money and allows you to go through this process with confidence in yourself. You have it in you to meet your own expectations...don't be so ready to say "that's the best I can do so let's just take it". Good !

 

[woolie]

You know, rereading the above post-er, I would also agree with that. I ended up taking the MCAT twice and I felt like you did the first time around. It was awful, but I did it and while my score was ok (and I got a T in the essay 🙂 ). I also took the first one in the summer and it was a nightmare. The part where you don't understand why you can't seem to do better is just part of the test strategy, so don't think you're brain is deficient.

I waited to apply until after my second test, where I had done better, before I applied to schools. I only wanted to have one application year - if I could help it, and I wanted to put my best foot forward. The application year is really hard and even the best students suffer, so keep that in mind as well.

In the end, the decision is yours, and it must be one that you feel comfortable with. If you take the exam twice, you will definitely know where your weaknesses are and what you need to improve the second time around.

 

[yodaf]

I'm going to paint with a pretty broad brush, but in many cases people wind up scoring higher on the actual exam than the practice tests. Obviously I'm not speaking for everybody but I wouldn't be surprised if you get 2-3 points higher on the real thing. Of course there is a possibility you get the same score or even a lower score than you practice scores, but I doubt it.

Just suck it up, jump through the MCAT hoop and move on. Thank God I don't have to take that crappy test again.

Good luck!

 

[MoosePilot]

You've only taken one AAMC test and it's one of the earlier ones. You should look at the schools you've applied to. How is your GPA compared to their averages? If your GPA is strong, your MCAT goal doesn't need to be higher than their average and can be a little lower. If your GPA is average, your MCAT should probably hit their average. If your GPA is low, your MCAT should probably beat their average.

Looking at that, if your goal is not within a couple of points of what you're making, I wouldn't take the test. If your goal is within a couple of points of what you're making, take it. You'll likely gain those couple of points from the fact that AAMC tests tend to be slightly easier than prep course tests and your increased focus.

 

[Medikit]

Definitely take the test, unless you absolutely can't handle the the practice test score you got.

On the final thing my V jumped a point and my P jumped 2-4 points

 

[djohnston]

I jumped 4 points from my average scores on practices-

let the stress and pressure of test day drive you to perform better than you have previously

 

[Bride2Be]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your input. For further info, I have a 3.45 UGPA from Williams in art history, a 3.0 master's in art history, and a 3.61 post-bacc. I have great EC's, and an outstanding personal statement. I am applying to 27 schools, mostly lower and mid-tiers. Such as NYMC, Albany, Temple, Drexel, Rush, Loyola, Finch, Tufts, etc. I don't care where I get in--I just want MD and I just want to get in somewhere. So I guess my GPA is average. And my MCATs will definely be below average. I'm also 29 and a non-trad applicant.

Thanks,

Bride

 

[Can U Feel It?]

I would take the MCAT on Saturday, but I would suggest that you clear your schedule and work on your science sections all week. I would also ignore the VR section, because you already have a decent score there, and I think it is the hardet to improve If you know what your weaknesses are (example you get every circuit question wrong) work on that.

If you seem to know the material but keep doing poorly, my advice would be to do one of each science section each day for the next four days from the AAMC tests that you haven't taken yet. Then when you are done with each one, throughly go over each question that you got wrong, and figure out why you wrong. I was able to get my PS score to jump from an 8 to a 12 doing this.

 

[stinkycheese]

I am going to be the lone dissenter and advise against taking it this Saturday. You have taken an AAMC and your PS score was not very different from the Kaplan tests, correct? And your BS score is also fairly low. I only raised a point from my practice test average on the actual exam, and that was luck, because the bio passages were heavy in my areas of expertise. Some people go up, some go down because of nerves. I don't think you should put yourself through the real thing if your averages have not gone above 26 on practice tests, because that predicts a range of anything froma 23-29 on the real thing, and that's not a very safe range for most med schools. If you were hitting 28's, I'd say take the risk, but you're not. You need to get both sciences to a consistent 8-9 or above before sitting for this exam, esp since your GPA is not very strong (my GPA is very similar, so I am not trying to diss ya!)

I say, don't do it. Wait, save money on the secondaries (close to $2500-3000 based on the number of schools you have), and apply next year. Better late and strong than early and wrong 😛

 

[DD214_DOC]

Since you say you are getting secondaries, you obviously have already applied. You also say this is your first MCAT. If you don't take it this weekend, you cannot complete your application at any school.

This really shouldn't be a tough choice. Do you want to definitely reapply, or maybe reapply?

 

[LauraMac]

definitely take it this saturday. my friend just started med school last week, and he got a 25 on his, so even if you do badly, there is still a chance you can get in. i like the way the last poster said it... you can either take it and then maybe have to reapply or you can not take it and definitely have to reply.

 

[uclabruin2003]

take it. good luck...in any case if you dont get into MD....think DO....thats what I am doing...

 

[freesolo]

if your stuck on applying this cycle than take it. I wouldnt take it if was my april junior year one, im in the same boat as your are with the practice tests highest has been 25, and my ps has been 7 throughout all of it.. and i looked at #4 i got 32% correct, i could have put all Cs and have gotten around that =p. You can definitely do better with more practice or i hope so for my sake too 😀.

 

[NYCDawg81]

l.

 

[Philo Beddo]

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[redman]

Im in also a similar position,

My MCAT overall scores have only gone up a couple of points from diagnostic. My PS has been flat at 9. My verbal flat at 10. My BS is 6. I think my reason is that i only have taken the minimum science requirements. That is why my BS is low. Im a 32 yo non trad student as well, with MS in Engineering. Im not sure if additional practice test will do it, i think for review BS material would be more worthwhile.

Good luck.

 

[stinkycheese]

BS is rote memorization, essentially, and reading comprehension. I don't think there are many med schools out there that will take a chance on someone with a 6 in BS because you need to be good at biology to do well in medical school. I would study more and take it in April.

 

[Fed Meat]

No one is taking into the account that you haved mentioned your age several times. I take it this is a borderline issue with you? (I'm guessing family may also play a factor given your screenname). If so, I would advise that you go ahead and take the exam.

You've already invested your money in the primary apps. You might as well take a stab at the MCAT. If you're not sure how you did, only apply to the med schools that you think you have the best shot at (e.g. your state schools). If you think you bombed it, you might want to consider holding off and saving your efforts for the April exam.

It's a year of your life, right? If you're comfortable saving up for school this coming year, don't hesitate to do that. If you really want to give it a go, you're not going to be happy with yourself if you don't.

Most schools will take your highest or at least most recent MCAT, BTW.

 

[Sharky]

If you score a 25 on your MCAT, you can almost say good bye to US MD schools. Since you are a nontraditional candidate and with a 25, you have a decent shot at DO schools. Definitely apply there.

 

[45408]

Im in also a similar position,

My MCAT overall scores have only gone up a couple of points from diagnostic. My PS has been flat at 9. My verbal flat at 10. My BS is 6. I think my reason is that i only have taken the minimum science requirements. That is why my BS is low. Im a 32 yo non trad student as well, with MS in Engineering. Im not sure if additional practice test will do it, i think for review BS material would be more worthwhile.

Good luck.

Taking more biology doesn't necessarily help. I've been scoring 10 on most of my Kaplan full-lengths, and I've only had one year of biology, and I'm taking genetics now (I am an EMT though).

 

[jlee9531]

Taking more biology doesn't necessarily help. I've been scoring 10 on most of my Kaplan full-lengths, and I've only had one year of biology, and I'm taking genetics now (I am an EMT though).

this is true. the mcat tests your knowledge and aptitude in the basic sciences. bio, gchem, ochem, physics. anything more advanced is not truly necessary.

 

[Mumpu]

I jumped 6-8 points from practice tests to the real thing.

Good luck!

 

[bigbassinbob]

Definitely take the test! I scored around 20 on the diagnostic tests, felt like I did horrible the day of the exam, and made out with a 30. Good luck..