Should I retake?

[rocketbooster]

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I don't know what happened on my 5/2 test. I was averaging 32-33 on my practice tests and ended with a 26 on the real one! Here's more of a breakdown:

Practice:
PS: 12-13
VR: 9
BS: 11

5/2 Test:
PS: 8
VR: 8
BS: 10

The VR and BS make sense since they are pretty close to my practice scores, but the PS is WAY off. LAST YEAR, I took the test twice and got 8s, but here's the thing...

look at how I got the 8s last year:

1) Averaging 9-10 on AAMC PS
2) Ran out of time on both real PS sections

Compared to this year:

1) Averaging 12-13 on AAMC PS
2) Finished the PS section with 1 minute left this time.

How the hell can I get an 8 AGAIN? After ALL that prep this year? I did every single TBR physics problem. I know my ****ing physical sciences. It makes NO SENSE how I did this poorly on the PS.

I studied for 3 months, 6 hours/day, everyday for the 5/2 test and I'll be damned if I get the same score as last year when I barely studied and even ran out of time on the real one.

The test was only a month ago. I could probably retake in the next few weeks. I don't think I would even study much for this retake. I would review A LITTLE BIT, take 1-2 FLs to get the timing down again, and then go for it. All the knowledge is still in my head for sure, but I may recall it a little slower as of now. I am sure I could fix that with a little review, though.

So, what do you think?

Here's what is at stake:

- I am applying ED to my state school. My state school has average MCAT of 29Q...9, 10, 10.

- They take the highest subscores from each section from multiple tests. I have a 10 VR from last year, so my combined score is actually 28R...8, 10, 10.

- I have taken the test 3 times. This would be my fourth, yiikesss!!! I am just so angry about the 8 PS......

- Even if I did better on this 4th test, how would the school even look at it? Four times is TOO MANY times to retake the test, ya know? Even if I got that PS up to 12 where it belongs (and maybe pull the VR up to 10 since that VR score always changes and thus getting one score 32 rather a combined score over multiple tests of 32), how would they view it? Is it even worth it?

- Worst case scenario, I would probably just have a 4th score that's the same as the 3rd one. Do you think that'd be the death of me? I really did everything I could this time to study. I knew the material SO WELL, nearly flawlessly. I could not restudy all of it in a better way. I know I did everything I could to at least review for the test.

- Is it even worth retaking since I have a 28R according to them and their average is only 29Q? I just want to get in ED no matter what and I will retake the MCAT for sure if you think that'll help. I also sort of want to retake it out of pride, hehe, but I'lm willing to give up my pride if that 28R is good enough.

Thanks!!!

 

[ronaldo23]

well it might not be worth retaking if you have a high GPA. If GPA is below average then definitely retake. Maybe retake it if you don't get in ED? (since it'll be too late in the cycle to apply to other schools, anyway)

 

[rocketbooster]

well it might not be worth retaking if you have a high GPA. If GPA is below average then definitely retake. Maybe retake it if you don't get in ED? (since it'll be too late in the cycle to apply to other schools, anyway)

I have a 3.63 and the school said they love my gpa because of the classes I took and upward trend I showed. they said my MCAT of 27 was "okay" and that they thought I could get a 29. I retook but only got a 28 by their standards.

the problem with your advice is...

1) if I waited till next year to retake, then I'd have to study ALL over again as opposed to retaking it now when the material is still relatively fresh in my head.

2) I am not going to reapply for a 3rd cycle. I will be starting med school next fall no matter, even if that means Carribean haha. No waiting another year after this to start med school...

so, retaking next year or reapplying next year is not an option. I am applying ED no matter what now. the question is retake MCAT now or just leave it as a 28? remember, this school's average MCAT is only 29 anyway.

anyone else?

 

[olemissbabydoc]

Gosh, I don't know. I'm so anti-ed anyway, lol. It just makes you sooooo late in the cycle for any other school....

You might could do better on a fourth go, but you're only one pt below the average. If I were you (but I'm not... take this with a grain of salt), I'd give up on the mcat and apply anyway.

But I'd apply RD to MD & DO schools.

 

[rocketbooster]

Gosh, I don't know. I'm so anti-ed anyway, lol. It just makes you sooooo late in the cycle for any other school....

You might could do better on a fourth go, but you're only one pt below the average. If I were you (but I'm not... take this with a grain of salt), I'd give up on the mcat and apply anyway.

But I'd apply RD to MD & DO schools.

heh, yea, but....there's no reason for me to apply RD to any other MD schools. I'm not going to get an interview anywhere else but my state school with my MCAT. trust me, I learned that this past year haha. while my activities are 10x better than last year, it seems schools really only give out interviews based on your #s. I want to go to my state school above all else. I will get an automatic interview at my state school (for ED or RD) AND they accept 60% of ED interviewees as opposed to 25% RD interviewees. I spoke with the Dean of Admissions last week and she told me she highly recommends that I apply ED, not to mention that this school LOVES reapplicants. Most ppl who apply here apply with the same #s, so the school wants ppl with lots of clinical experience+volunteering to set them apart. Those 2 things are alll I did this year, so I should be very competitive with all that AND as a reapplicant. This past year I applied RD there and got waitlisted. My rank is so crappy tho that I have no chance of getting in haha.

As for applying to DO schools, I CAN still apply DO now and ED to my MD state school because DO and MD are different applications. 👍 Everyone on SDN says it's completely legit to do that haha, but I feel it's dishonest so I doubt I will. If I get the go ahead from my premed advisor, then I'll be convinced.

 

[olemissbabydoc]

that sounds like the best plan then 🙂

 

[sunsfan]

you're only one pt below the average. If I were you (but I'm not... take this with a grain of salt), I'd give up on the mcat and apply anyway.

I want to second olemiss's opinion. If I were in your situation I will go ahead and apply ED as the school recommended and keep close communication with them so they know I really want to go this year.
Good luck!

 

[LoveWalk]

Why don't you get the test rescored???

 

[rocketbooster]

Why don't you get the test rescored???

there has never been a changed numerical score on the MCAT in the entire history of the MCAT. that's why.

 

[KiwiBruin]

Maybe it will make you feel better to get it rescored even if the score doesn't change. I mean, you don't want all those what ifs in your head forever do you?

 

[OpalOnyx]

Maybe it will make you feel better to get it rescored even if the score doesn't change. I mean, you don't want all those what ifs in your head forever do you?

I don't know man... I'd only get a rescore if I got a 5 or 6 on a section. But who knows, I guess it could happen with 8's. Perhaps I trust computers too much. I know I'd feel differently about rescoring if it were not automated.

 

[capn jazz]

I just want to say that this is my worst fear and I feel really bad for you. 🙁 Good luck with whatever you choose, but I still think you'll be able to get into at least ONE school without retaking, with a 28 combined score.