Sick during MCAT but didn't void

[rockstarramona]

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I posted the long version in the retake thread, so here is the short one...
Developed a migraine during PS, felt pretty terrible throughout test, but finished and had it scored because I put so much time into studying and my scores were right where I wanted them to be going into it.

I tried to register for a seat in one of the two remaining administrations (won't get my scores back until 9/7) but of course they're full. Has anyone gotten sick during the MCAT, and if so, what did you do? Void? Ugh. I won't be able to retake it this cycle unless I do so before my scores are released. Seems risky. Thanks in advance for any insight. How do you study for a retake (I've read SN2ed's retake thread, but can't imagine starting from scratch).

 

[SephirothXR]

If you really want to reregister you might be able to find one that is a little farther away (an hour or two) if it matters that much to you. Everyone is different though so it doesn't mean that getting sick means an average of -2.5 or +1.0 or anything of that sort. Wait for your score but you best know how it affected you. You might be pleasantly surprised for all I know 🙂

 

[PhaseShift11]

Also bring Advil/Tylenol next time you go. I'm expecting it was more of a stress headache than a migraine, because a migraine would just be crappy luck while a stress headache makes perfect sense during a test like the MCAT. If it was indeed a stress headache and if it starts occurring next time you'll have the medication in your locker to take.

Good luck!

 

[jtsmalls]

Did you feel like you were guessing at the answers, or were you still able to give it your best shot?

You probably did better than you think.

In any event, I thought the last test date was on 9/10. If you could find a seat you'd have your scores back by then. Downside to that is if you were happy with your score you'd be out $250

 

[macsta]

If you want to get into a particular test center on a certain day, then sit on your computer and hit refresh every 5 minutes. One WILL show up if you are persistant.

You might have to pay an extra 50 bucks if it is considered "late registration".

 

[MCATBUSTER]

I think you have to be honest with yourself, where you able to concentrate and keep going? or were you able to understand what you were reading? if your answer is yes then you might be okay. I took the MCAT on July 16th and wasn't able to sleep a minute the night before( even though i went to bed at 9 pm) but I think I was able to focus and answer the questions and I didn't void even though I was about to pass out before BS. But I thought I was able to focus and I think if I get a low score it won't be because I was tired but because I still need more practice. All am saying is try to judge your performance honestly and you will have a better idea hopefully.
PS. Congrats on being done and I think you did the right thing by not voiding. Trust if me and you thought we did really horribly we would have felt it and voided it but looks like our subconscious minds told us not to. Enjoy your day and hopefully you will feel better soon.

 

[rockstarramona]

Thanks for the responses.
PhaseShift: You're absolutely right. Tension headaches are par for the MCAT course. Unfortunately, tension and insomnia are triggers for migraines. I had a migraine, complete with aura. They are leftover from a drug I was prescribed for an autoimmune disease. (Please sdn, don't blast me, I'm definitely not seeking medical advice). All I had with me was Tylenol, so I took 5 at the 1st break (chewed a couple for fast delivery). Even if i had them with me, my prescription meds wouldn't have worked fast enough, plus they make me really drowsy.

McatBuster: You are absolutely right, as well. My honest assessment is that I did not perform as well as I had on any practice test. I was getting 12 to 15 on verbal going in, and I can now remember several VR questions that I know I answered incorrectly. I closed my eyes for the last 10 minutes of each writing section in an attempt to get ready for BS. BS was a fuzzy mess-what was left of my compromised concentration was gone.

Part (most?) of me regrets not voiding, but I asked a lot of my family in order to study for this exam. The sacrifices that were made and the debt we accrued made it hard to throw in the towel. In the end, however, I will likely need to take this beast again.

I've derived a lot of benefit from this forum, and I will try to contribute more in the future. Some of us come into this with the odds stacked against us, and I hope that I will be able to eventually offer something to the person who has some serious obstacles in front of them. It is so important to take care of yourself, and those around you. This process is brutal, but I think I will make it. Good luck to you all.

 

[amartandon23]

Barf!

 

[bored]

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[rorogena88]

Senior Biomedical Engineering Student

-3.59 Cumulative GPA
-BOMBED the MCAT because I got sick and threw up during the break before Verbal (< 20)

Since I bombed the MCAT majorly because I got sick "conveniently" right before verbal and got like 15 points below my average, I'm obviously going to retake it probably in January 2013.
​

-LOTS of research experience (Undergraduate Research Scholar - See Below)

As an Undergraduate Research Scholar, I began research for 10 weeks during the summer of 2011 working 40 hours a week. I worked under the director of my biomedical engineering department. The overarching theme of the project involved finding a physiological relationship between thrombosis, metastasis, and blood circulation. Along with exploring these concepts, I had the opportunity to learn many new lab techniques such as cell culturing, multiple blood tests (viscometry, hematocrit test, and blood seperation), and how to use parallel plate flow chambers. I have continued to do extensive research throughout the semesters as well and plan on continuing until graduation.​

-LOTS of shadowing/volunteering hours
-Great leadership experience and very involved on campus (See Below)

President of Honors Medical Society for Pre-Medical Students
Vice President of Biomedical Engineering Society
Secretary of Indian Students Association
Tau Beta Pi Member
National Society of Leadership and Scholars Member​

So here's my deal:

I'm not going to apply this year because it is absolutely a waste of time and money; there is no way I'll get accepted into an MD school with my Low MCAT score. So I plan on retaking the MCAT and hopefully getting a 32+. I was getting 30+ scores on my practice tests (AMCAS and TPR), but obviously wasn't prepared to get sick right before verbal haha. I plan on working my butt off my last 2 semesters and bumping my GPA up. If things go as planned, I can raise it up to a 3.7+ for next year's application. I'll have more research hours, more shadowing/volunteering hours, and again hopefully a higher GPA and MCAT score.

Now I wanted to ask if people have gotten into medical school with a score below a 20 on their first MCAT, but then get a 30+ score after retaking it and still get into an MD medical school. What worries me is the fact that med. schools get to look at all your scores. I know I can get a 30+ as long as I don't let my nerves get the best of me which is exactly what happened last time and of course eat right the few days before the test to prevent getting sick and throwing up, but I'm afraid even if I get a 30+, my < 20 score will hold me back. Would medical schools look at my first MCAT score with much importance? PLEASE HELP!!

Also, since I'll have a year off after graduating next Spring, I was thinking of getting an MBA during my year off...thoughts?

Everyone's opinions are welcome! Please let me know what you think!? Thank you! 🙂

I am in the same exact situation but the difference is I panicked and my brain stopped thinking. I couldn't process the questions anymore. I am retaking in Sep and I will still apply this cycle