Should I retake a 31 MCAT for reapplication?

[bananafish94]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone, I took the MCAT in October of 2014 and received a 31 (11P, 9V, 11B). I have a 3.83 GPA, which will likely be more or less the same when I graduate, hopefully a little higher. I haven't gotten any interviews so far, so I'm basically assuming that I am going to have to reapply in June. When I first got this score, everybody said that it was fine and that it was average for matriculants, but now I'm having doubts about that. Would it be a good idea to retake it?

 

[BurghMed]

Hang tight. Dozens of people helped you out with answers a few days ago. Your MCAT is fine, just keep boosting your application in other ways as a backup for next cycle. You might still get multiple interviews this cycle, it's by no means over yet. I know people who received interviews last cycle in February and March who thought their lives were over. Be patient. Good luck.

 

[MerciMerci]

If you applied broadly and to schools within your range, the MCAT wouldn't be holding you back (Though, it could be a factor if you are a CA resident). If you are constantly scoring the equivalent of 34+ on practice tests and that one day was the outlier, then go ahead and retake. Otherwise, i vote nay.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Hi everyone, I took the MCAT in October of 2014 and received a 31 (11P, 9V, 11B). I have a 3.83 GPA, which will likely be more or less the same when I graduate, hopefully a little higher. I haven't gotten any interviews so far, so I'm basically assuming that I am going to have to reapply in June. When I first got this score, everybody said that it was fine and that it was average for matriculants, but now I'm having doubts about that. Would it be a good idea to retake it?

No, a re-take has a better chance of hurting you more than helping. Your stats aren't the issue and it's too early to assume you'll just be a reapplicant. Give it another month or two. Where all did you apply and what's your state of residence btw

 

[bananafish94]

Hang tight. Dozens of people helped you out with answers a few days ago. Your MCAT is fine, just keep boosting your application in other ways as a backup for next cycle. You might still get multiple interviews this cycle, it's by no means over yet. I know people who received interviews last cycle in February and March who thought their lives were over. Be patient. Good luck.

That helps, thank you. It does seem like the general consensus is that I shouldn't retake it.

 

[bananafish94]

If you applied broadly and to schools within your range, the MCAT wouldn't be holding you back (Though, it could be a factor if you are a CA resident). If you are constantly scoring the equivalent of 34+ on practice tests and that one day was the outlier, then go ahead and retake. Otherwise, i vote nay.

I was scoring around 30-35 on practice tests so this within my expected score. IL resident.

 

[bananafish94]

No, a re-take has a better chance of hurting you more than helping. Your stats aren't the issue and it's too early to assume you'll just be a reapplicant. Give it another month or two. Where all did you apply and what's your state of residence btw

Thank you. You mean it would hurt if I did worse? I'm an IL resident. I applied to all the IL schools, waiting to hear back from them, Albany, Drexel, EVMS, Dartmouth, GW, MCW, NYMC, Oakland, Quinnipiac, SLU, Sidney Kimmel, Vermont, Iowa, Western Michigan.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Thank you. You mean it would hurt if I did worse? I'm an IL resident. I applied to all the IL schools, waiting to hear back from them, Albany, Drexel, EVMS, Dartmouth, GW, MCW, NYMC, Oakland, Quinnipiac, SLU, Sidney Kimmel, Vermont, Iowa, Western Michigan.

Re-taking a 31 and getting the same score on the re-take is worse than just sticking with the 31 the first time.

Re-taking a 31 and doing worse will be a significant detriment to your app. Your MCAT is fine now; do any worse and you are putting yourself in a position where your MCAT is going to be at the 10th percentile at many schools. And this says nothing of the poor judgment it shows re-taking a fine score and doing worse which is also a significant hit.

Re-taking a 31 and improving a point or two isn't really going to do anything for you. In fact, it might even potentially be of a somewhat harmful. As a general note, there are definitely ADCOMs that aren't big fans of re-taking scores that are fine as is. Yours is fine as is.

Basically, for a re-take to be worth it you need to hit 3+ points better on the re-take. AAMC has changed their site and I can't find the re-take statistics but basically from what I remember out of people who retook 30-32's, only about 1/3 people who retook got 3+ points better on the retake. And you can bet there are definitely a number of people out of that 1/3 who simply just did jack-squat to prep the first time and even some prep on a re-take would help alot. So you have to ask yourself, do you have a really good reason to believe you can hit a 515+ on the re-take? If you don't have a really good reason to do so, then its in your best interest not to re-take. Keep in mind also, even if you do improve significantly a number of schools average multiple MCAT scores. Even if you ace the re-take and get say a 517/35 equivalent, there are definitely schools that will simply average that out to a 33. Not so beneficial in that case.

Your list as is sounds fine. You have close to a dozen schools with a realistic shot at getting a II for. At the bare minimum, you should be able to find an interview or two somewhere. I wouldn't really start worrying until at least Thanksgiving. If your goal is to start med school next year I'd also strongly recommend adding on some DO schools, particularly if you don't hear anything by Thanksgiving. You'll be fine for any of them and got a good one in your state in CCOM.

 

[Glazedonutlove]

Retake if you feel you didn't reach your potential with a 31. You know yourself better than we do

Also look at other parts of your app to see if there are any weaknesses

 

[neekzg]

GrapesofRath summarized everything perfectly. It would only be worth it if you know you can score 3-4+ points higher.

 

[Lawpy]

Hi everyone, I took the MCAT in October of 2014 and received a 31 (11P, 9V, 11B). I have a 3.83 GPA, which will likely be more or less the same when I graduate, hopefully a little higher. I haven't gotten any interviews so far, so I'm basically assuming that I am going to have to reapply in June. When I first got this score, everybody said that it was fine and that it was average for matriculants, but now I'm having doubts about that. Would it be a good idea to retake it?

No. Your score is balanced and within your practice score range. Wait for a few months before assuming and preparing for reapplication

 

[Gingy]

Only retake if you have the time/energy to study well and if you feel you are capable of improvement. I know many people (myself included) who took their first MCAT without adequate preparation, and then improved significantly when given a chance to better prepare and retake. However, I also know a number of people who studied intensely for their first attempt, received a score they weren't happy with, took the test again, and received the same score.

 

[ivorypearls]

We have nearly similar stats and I can assure you that your GPA and MCAT are not what's holding you back from interview invitations. I've talked with multiple admissions committees who recommend not retaking a perfectly fine and balanced MCAT score. I think the issue is that people with our stats are a dime in a dozen and you need something else to distinguish you from the rest of the group. While I still don't think it is time to start panicking, it wouldn't be such a bad idea to plan for the worst and start gaining experiences that are unique and you can speak passionately about in your future essays.

 

[Glazedonutlove]

No. Your score is balanced and within your practice score range. Wait for a few months before assuming and preparing for reapplication

if op waits a few months, I'm not sure that would give enough time to make significant changes for a reapp

 

[Lawpy]

if op waits a few months, I'm not sure that would give enough time to make significant changes for a reapp

I'm assuming OP is doing something useful/helpful during the current app cycle

 

[Goro]

So help me, if you retake that perfectly good score, i'll reach through your monitor and smack you upside the head!

If you want to improve on something, do the ECs. Working at hospice, or a nursing homes will count more than stocking supplies in the ER at any given hospital.

And remember this meme: service to others less fortunate than yourself. I stole that from the great LizzyM.

Hi everyone, I took the MCAT in October of 2014 and received a 31 (11P, 9V, 11B). I have a 3.83 GPA, which will likely be more or less the same when I graduate, hopefully a little higher. I haven't gotten any interviews so far, so I'm basically assuming that I am going to have to reapply in June. When I first got this score, everybody said that it was fine and that it was average for matriculants, but now I'm having doubts about that. Would it be a good idea to retake it?