Should I retake a 509 if I had a 512 FL average?

[UnanimousUnity]

My FL average was 512, and It has a strong upward trend with a high point of 516. I was honestly expecting to score somewhere between 514 and 518 on the real deal (About 90th percentile).

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to sleep much the night before my exam, and I was very nervous throughout. Due to this, my score dropped to 509 (75th percentile) (128/125/128/128). My CARS score is usually a 127-128 and my P/S is around 129-130. I think I can do better on the test, and potentially get a 512-514 with another month of review and studying. I have scheduled an exam for May 27th just in case.

My question is, do I need to retake my exam?

I'm a CA ORM with a 3.99 GPA, and I have good ECs, etc. I think my MCAT score will hold me back, and I should retake it.

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[DOcSto]

Given your FL avg, your score is close enough to the confidence band a retake would only be beneficial if you were to score much higher on your practice exams (preferably not doing repeat exams as those would be inflated).

 

[Al9]

I would not suggest to. The difference is pretty much to the confidence band

 

[UnanimousUnity]

I would not suggest to. The difference is pretty much to the confidence band

My FL trend during the last month went like:
509 (127,127,127,128)
510 (129,127,127,127)
516 (129,127,130,130)
513 (128,128,128,129)
Ending up with a 509 was a big letdown for me since I knew I could score higher. I had never scored a 125 on CARS as I did on the real exam. I think if I retake the exam, I can manage at least a 127 on CARS and perhaps improve my score by 3-5 points with a P/S improvement.

The difference is huge in my eyes since it goes from the 75th percentile to the 90th percentile.

Scoring a 513-514 would even put my confidence band at a 511-512 minimum rather than a 507-511.

Is this a good enough reason for a retake?

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

no

 

[Al9]

My FL trend during the last month went like:
509 (127,127,127,128)
510 (129,127,127,127)
516 (129,127,130,130)
513 (128,128,128,129)
Ending up with a 509 was a big letdown for me since I knew I could score higher. I had never scored a 125 on CARS as I did on the real exam. I think if I retake the exam, I can manage at least a 127 on CARS and perhaps improve my score by 3-5 points with a P/S improvement.

The difference is huge in my eyes since it goes from the 75th percentile to the 90th percentile.

Scoring a 513-514 would even put my confidence band at a 511-512 minimum rather than a 507-511.

Is this a good enough reason for a retake?

Based on this, then probably would not be a terrible idea but please be aware that is still a bet and if you get the same score you may hurt yourself.
Best of luck

 

[anesussy]

Def study more and retake imo

 

[UnanimousUnity]

Based on this, then probably would not be a terrible idea but please be aware that is still a bet and if you get the same score you may hurt yourself.
Best of luck

I think I'll retake FL1 and see how I do. Yeah, it'll probably be inflated a little bit, but I can see if It's worth a retake.

 

[UnanimousUnity]

Def study more and retake imo

Thanks, I think I'll go ahead and do it.

 

[Goro]

My FL average was 512, and It has a strong upward trend with a high point of 516. I was honestly expecting to score somewhere between 514 and 518 on the real deal (About 90th percentile).

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to sleep much the night before my exam, and I was very nervous throughout. Due to this, my score dropped to 509 (75th percentile) (128/125/128/128). My CARS score is usually a 127-128 and my P/S is around 129-130. I think I can do better on the test, and potentially get a 512-514 with another month of review and studying. I have scheduled an exam for May 27th just in case.

My question is, do I need to retake my exam?

I'm a CA ORM with a 3.99 GPA, and I have good ECs, etc. I think my MCAT score will hold me back, and I should retake it.

The trouble is that in batting practice, everybody hits over .300.

It's a different story when you actually face a 95mph fastball.

A 509 is a good score, and is competitive for many med schools.

 

[deleted1013548]

Just don't.

 

[UnanimousUnity]

Just don't.

It's already been done. I felt better taking the exam this time around. Fingers crossed, I get a good result.

 

[Neuroscifan]

It's already been done. I felt better taking the exam this time around. Fingers crossed, I get a good result.

I’m rooting for you! Let us know how it turns out.

 

[introp445]

A 509 in and of itself is not a bad score. I think a 125 on CARS may hurt you though. I was in a similar situation and retook and got a better score. I was advised to retake because I got a 126 CARS. This was risky though.

 

[MDMechEngr]

OP: I was exactly you 3 years ago (CA, ORM, stats, and ECs). I was able to hit a 512 on my retake (CAR 125) with 3 months of full time studying (8 hours/day and 5 days/week). I did not have a single hook what so ever, and being a way ORM from CA, I had more of an anchor than a hook. Not trying to brag because I just wanted you to know what I did and the results of my decision to retake. I applied to 25 schools, received 11 II, attended 8 and got 5 As (two from T-30). I was not special. I did not have a life story to tell. I grew up privileged. Maybe it was my writing, charisma and good looks. ha ha. Interviews were inperson so this can be an advantage over zoom interviews.

Ginven your current stats/metrics. I would 100% go for the retake. GL.

 

[UnanimousUnity]

OP: I was exactly you 3 years ago (CA, ORM, stats, and ECs). I was able to hit a 512 on my retake (CAR 125) with 3 months of full time studying (8 hours/day and 5 days/week). I did not have a single hook what so ever, and being a way ORM from CA, I had more of an anchor than a hook. Not trying to brag because I just wanted you to know what I did and the results of my decision to retake. I applied to 25 schools, received 11 II, attended 8 and got 5 As (two from T-30). I was not special. I did not have a life story to tell. I grew up privileged. Maybe it was my writing, charisma and good looks. ha ha. Interviews were inperson so this can be an advantage over zoom interviews.

Ginven your current stats/metrics. I would 100% go for the retake. GL.

Thank you for sharing this! I did end up retaking even though I didn't have time to study full-time. I'm awaiting my score right now. If it isn't what I had hoped for, I might not apply or get ready to apply next year with one last MCAT retake.

Would you mind sharing the school list you applied to 3 years ago? I'd love to reference it against mine to see if I'm missing any schools I should be applying to.

Thank you again!

 

[MDMechEngr]

Thank you for sharing this! I did end up retaking even though I didn't have time to study full-time. I'm awaiting my score right now. If it isn't what I had hoped for, I might not apply or get ready to apply next year with one last MCAT retake.

Would you mind sharing the school list you applied to 3 years ago? I'd love to reference it against mine to see if I'm missing any schools I should be applying to.

Thank you again!

I PM you my list. GL

 

[UnanimousUnity]

I’m rooting for you! Let us know how it turns out.

I PM you my list. GL

A 509 in and of itself is not a bad score. I think a 125 on CARS may hurt you though. I was in a similar situation and retook and got a better score. I was advised to retake because I got a 126 CARS. This was risky though.

The trouble is that in batting practice, everybody hits over .300.

It's a different story when you actually face a 95mph fastball.

A 509 is a good score, and is competitive for many med schools.

Def study more and retake imo

Based on this, then probably would not be a terrible idea but please be aware that is still a bet and if you get the same score you may hurt yourself.
Best of luck

Given your FL avg, your score is close enough to the confidence band a retake would only be beneficial if you were to score much higher on your practice exams (preferably not doing repeat exams as those would be inflated).

I wanted to give a little update. I have just checked my score and I scored a 516! (130/127/130/129). I wanted to thank all of you for your responses. Thanks to you, I didn't VOID my score and went through with my retake with minimal practice. I can confirm that if you feel like you bombed the MCAT, you actually did well.

 

[anesussy]

Hell yeah

Proud of u bro

 

[Al9]

Bravo!! Amazing )

 

[Ezryk]

legend! pays to take risks sometimes - glad it worked out for you OP! go crush this cycle

 

[introp445]

I wanted to give a little update. I have just checked my score and I scored a 516! (130/127/130/129). I wanted to thank all of you for your responses. Thanks to you, I didn't VOID my score and went through with my retake with minimal practice. I can confirm that if you feel like you bombed the MCAT, you actually did well.

Congrats!!!