Specifically, what's wrong with multiple MCAT scores or attempts? (used search)

[Gauss44]

So, SPECIFICALLY what's wrong with multiple MCAT attempts if you do significantly better almost every time?

I have read AAMC's website and most previous SDN threads on this topic and have yet to find the answer. It seems to be ill advised. However, some schools take your best score overall, your best composite score (meaning if you scored 8/10/14, then 13/8/10, then 11/11/11, your composite score would be 13/11/14), and other schools take your most recent score. This doesn't sound bad to me!

The worst I've heard is that some Adcoms might wonder why you took it so many times, but what if you can explain and have solid reasons? For example: 1. Joe had to take MCAT because he was scheduled to return to 80 hour work weeks with no end in sight; 2. Second attempt: Joe's disability accommodations for a broken leg were set to expire and he couldn't afford to get them renewed; 3. Third attempt: Joe had an unforeseen chance to take MCAT again and his practice test scores improved by 3 points in the 30's, etc.

I've heard that 3 or more MCAT attempts is not advisable under any circumstances. Please tell me why. Every fact I'm aware of make it advisable - so I must be missing something...

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[going2breakdown]

It depends on the school. If you had an upward trend they probably won't care, especially if your last scores were in an acceptable range. Try not to take it more than you need, hit the average for your school and end it. PREPARE LIKE YOU ONLY WANT TO TAKE IT ONCE. My point is, if you are in a position where your back is up against the wall, there is no use in beating yourself up.

 

[MedOldAge]

So, SPECIFICALLY what's wrong with multiple MCAT attempts if you do significantly better almost every time?

I have read AAMC's website and most previous SDN threads on this topic and have yet to find the answer. It seems to be ill advised. However, some schools take your best score overall, your best composite score (meaning if you scored 8/10/14, then 13/8/10, then 11/11/11, your composite score would be 13/11/14), and other schools take your most recent score. This doesn't sound bad to me!

The worst I've heard is that some Adcoms might wonder why you took it so many times, but what if you can explain and have solid reasons? For example: 1. Joe had to take MCAT because he was scheduled to return to 80 hour work weeks with no end in sight; 2. Second attempt: Joe's disability accommodations for a broken leg were set to expire and he couldn't afford to get them renewed; 3. Third attempt: Joe had an unforeseen chance to take MCAT again and his practice test scores improved by 3 points in the 30's, etc.

I've heard that 3 or more MCAT attempts is not advisable under any circumstances. Please tell me why. Every fact I'm aware of make it advisable - so I must be missing something...

You are correct on what you said.

However, there are 3 possibility and you just mentioned two.

1. Highest total score or section score among many tests. (very remote to do that on section option)
2. Latest....(may be higher or may be lower).
3. Averaging as mentioned in the thread below.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=1030821


Everytime, when one takes multiple MCAT tests, it creates uncertainty and carries "calculated" risk.

 

[Person0715]

I don't know of many schools that take the highest subsection scores from each MCAT taken. However, It has been found that the when dealing with multiple MCAT takes, the most reliable method is to average the scores. LizzyM has said that her school uses this practice and so do other peer institutions.

IMO retaking is risky business. There is a greater chance that the score will decrease rather than increase. This is not like the SAT where it is common practice for schools to use the highest subsection scores.

 

[MedOldAge]

I don't know of many schools that take the highest subsection scores from each MCAT taken. However, It has been found that the when dealing with multiple MCAT takes, the most reliable method is to average the scores. LizzyM has said that her school uses this practice and so do other peer institutions.

IMO retaking is risky business. There is a greater chance that the score will decrease rather than increase. This is not like the SAT where it is common practice for schools to use the highest subsection scores.

Yeah, you are correct.

I am SURE there is always some schools taking an exceptional route to judge your MCAT score....whatever it is.

However, most of the time for most of the schools, they are too busy and don't have time to do any weird mathematical calculation, dancing around the wagon for an individual applicant.

 

[rfvbnmju]

Think of it like thison why it looks bad to do multiple tests even if you improve.

In a clinical setting, sometimes you only get one shot to do something.. might as well get it right the first time.



Sent from my phone.

 

[kanakari]

What's wrong with multiple scores?

Well you're putting yourself through this grueling test an additional time for one thing....

 

[Person0715]

All the schools I'm applying to take the highest or most recent score 👍 if you have multiple scores it might be best to avoid schools that take the average.

If you don't mind me asking, which schools are you applying to that take the highest score?

 

[Gauss44]

Does there come a point when too many attempts is just "too many," and will work against you, regardless of reasons?

A 4th attempt? A 5th attempt?....

 

[GraMaire]

I like the point someone else made, you dont get to redo things when you are in clinical practice.

If you get used to having just "one" chance, itll be a good attitude for med school. You dont want to remediate exams in med school or get pulled from the floor in M3 to redo Step 1.

 

[Gauss44]

I like the point someone else made, you dont get to redo things when you are in clinical practice.

If you get used to having just "one" chance, itll be a good attitude for med school. You dont want to remediate exams in med school or get pulled from the floor in M3 to redo Step 1.

I guess that's possibly the logic that will be used, so thanks for mentioning or re-mentioning.

In my opinion, adcoms comparing the MCAT to a clinical procedure is sort of a bad comparison (if they do that). It's not apples to apples. For one thing, after becoming a doctor we will all likely have some minimal standard of living. As pre-meds, I believe that the poorest are at a disadvantage come MCAT time. An example would be reason #1 in the topic, or not being able to afford a quiet place to sleep, etc. I think some leniency helps to lessen that disparity.

Of course, this is all besides the point of how adcoms will interpret things. There probably will be some with the interpretation you mentioned.

 

[WaterIsGood]

All the schools I'm applying to take the highest or most recent score 👍 if you have multiple scores it might be best to avoid schools that take the average.

Really? I have MSAR, but I've never seen this listed for any of the schools..

 

[mcloaf]

I guess that's possibly the logic that will be used, so thanks for mentioning or re-mentioning.

In my opinion, adcoms comparing the MCAT to a clinical procedure is sort of a bad comparison (if they do that). It's not apples to apples. For one thing, after becoming a doctor we will all likely have some minimal standard of living. As pre-meds, I believe that the poorest are at a disadvantage come MCAT time. An example would be reason #1 in the topic, or not being able to afford a quiet place to sleep, etc. I think some leniency helps to lessen that disparity.

Of course, this is all besides the point of how adcoms will interpret things. There probably will be some with the interpretation you mentioned.

I doubt any adcoms would view the MCAT as similar to any clinical procedure, because that's a ludicrous comparison.

I also agree that SES is a not insignificant and not sufficiently acknowledged part of MCAT success (and probably premed success in general), as it is with pretty much all standardized testing.


The thing to keep in mind is that it's all relative and the pool of applicants is large. Given two people with relatively similar applications, I think we'd all choose the applicant who achieved the 32 on their first attempt rather than their third, thinking that the one-attempter took the exam more seriously or was generally better prepared or whatever. Of course that won't always be the case and the person with multiple attempts may well be a better overall applicant. It's not necessarily fair, but it's just another way of whittling down applicants.

 

[MedOldAge]

i doubt any adcoms would view the mcat as similar to any clinical procedure, because that's a ludicrous comparison.

I also agree that ses is a not insignificant and not sufficiently acknowledged part of mcat success (and probably premed success in general), as it is with pretty much all standardized testing.


The thing to keep in mind is that it's all relative and the pool of applicants is large. given two people with relatively similar applications, i think we'd all choose the applicant who achieved the 32 on their first attempt rather than their third, thinking that the one-attempter took the exam more seriously or was generally better prepared or whatever. Of course that won't always be the case and the person with multiple attempts may well be a better overall applicant. it's not necessarily fair, but it's just another way of whittling down applicants.

+1

 

[Gauss44]

Given two people with relatively similar applications, I think we'd all choose the applicant who achieved the 32 on their first attempt rather than their third.

I've heard this before and it's the reasoning used by some adcoms.

It surprises me though, because the person who took MCAT once, could have studied 3 times longer than the person who took it 3 times, and may have had fewer obstacles to work around.

Thanks for pointing it out. This is an important factor to consider.

This also reminds me of the question of, if someone got a 32 on the first attempt, and another person got an average of 33 in 3 attempts, who's the better candidate (assuming all other factors are equal)? (Going from a 32 on the second attempt to a 35 on the 3rd attempt would be the third scenario outlined in the topic.)

 

[MedOldAge]

I've heard this before and it's the reasoning used by some adcoms.

It surprises me though, because the person who took MCAT once, could have studied 3 times longer than the person who took it 3 times, and may have had fewer obstacles to work around.

Thanks for pointing it out. This is an important factor to consider.

This also reminds me of the question of, if someone got a 32 on the first attempt, and another person got an average of 33 in 3 attempts, who's the better candidate (assuming all other factors are equal)? (Going from a 32 on the second attempt to a 35 on the 3rd attempt would be the third scenario outlined in the topic.)

Speaking for myself: (pick #1)

1) 100% 32 on 1st attempt.
2) 3 attempt to get only 33.....nop....when someone get 32 with 1 attempt. That one point is a moot point.
3) Again, depending on how far he/she started with the 1st attempt, if it was from 30, it is crazy to try the 3rd time. If it start with 24, then, the 35 is not good....it means he/she peak out at low 30+.

I am nut, am I 😱 😛

 

[RC4L]

Unless youre applying to a big leauge med school I dont think it is a deal sealer within certain limits. If your score improves especially by a significant amount, it shows perseverance and dedication. Everyone I know from my university that has gone to medical school has taken the mcat more than once except one guy(granted we are no ivy leauge school). I have a freind who took it 5 times before being accepted and not all of those retakes were improvements. Like some of the other people here have said, prepare to only have to take it once and if a retake is needed, try harder. There are no golden rules in medical school admissions despite what many say. If you are completely dedicated to getting in, you will get in. Each med school class at any school has an incredibly diverse range of individuals with equally diverse stories and you would be surprised to see some of the numbers that have got people in.

 

[Idrinkwater]

All the top medical schools say they take the highest MCAT score on their website.

Obviously, you dont want to take it more than 3-4 times max.

 

[Ximedus]

if you took it twice, and your 2nd score is the highest by 3+ points, they usually just look at your 2nd score and ignore the first.