Taking the MCAT only once bad?

[bcosmos]

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Is it better to take the MCAT more than one time? I am satisfied, although not elated, by my score.

The obvious risk is that I might score lower the second time...should I take it again anyway?

Thanx

 

[citygirl]

The general rule is to not retake it unless you can think you can go up at least 3 points. Otherwise, why bother with the time and expense? If you did okay just run with it.

 

[thedevirginator]

Hell no!!!!!! You stand a good chance to land a spot at some very good schools. In the end you are a MD!!!

 

[calebho501]

As another person pointed out...you have to know how many points you expect to increase. Some people taking the test twice or three times but the score stays relatively the same.

Also, another thing is motivation and time. Are you motivate to study the stuff all over again? Will the time spend studying be better spent on doing EC's or research or keeping up good grades?

Your MCAT is not bad, and actually there are people with your scores who get into Top 5 schools (Well maybe not a lot, I don't know, and of course those are probably people who excelled in other areas).

 

[exmike]

what the heck? no way. so if you got like a 40, you'd take it again?

 

[UCLAstudent]

It's better if you can avoid retaking it. Many schools just average the two scores, so it wouldn't do you a lot of good to retake it.

 

[Luwi25]

I have a friend that took the MCAT FOUR times. Now will this look good or bad when she applies to med school next year? So far her scores have been 21, 26,26....so if she like scores a 30 her fourth time?

 

[drlexygoat]

Originally posted by Luwi25
I have a friend that took the MCAT FOUR times. Now will this look good or bad when she applies to med school next year? So far her scores have been 21, 26,26....so if she like scores a 30 her fourth time?

I would say taking it 4 times is a BAD thing, especially since there was no improvement the 3rd time. I think you actually need permission to take it #4. Unless she thinks she can score a 30+, I would advise against it.

A 26, while on the low side for allo schools, is competitve for many DO schools. Carribbean is always a possibility too!

I would tell her to focus on strengthening the rest of her application (grades, ECs, LORs, research, etc) to offset those MCATs.

Good luck!

 

[Alexander99]

Originally posted by Luwi25
I have a friend that took the MCAT FOUR times. Now will this look good or bad when she applies to med school next year? So far her scores have been 21, 26,26....so if she like scores a 30 her fourth time?

Since she constitently scored 26 twice in a row, I think the schools will assume that is the extent of her abilities. If she somehow manages to pull a 30, they will probably attribute it more to luck than ability. It would definately be viewed much less favorably than someone who's taken it once and gotten a 30.

 

[dan0909]

i heard that ieven f u score lower the second time its better for your overall app...although u scored lower, it shows ur commitment to AAMC...and this quality boosts ur application...

am i misinformed? 😀

 

[bcosmos]

Originally posted by dan0909
i heard that ieven f u score lower the second time its better for your overall app...although u scored lower, it shows ur commitment to AAMC...and this quality boosts ur application...

am i misinformed? 😀

That was my concern...has anyone else heard something about taking twice and consistency or that a good score only once can't be attributed to a lucky fluke?

 

[dan0909]

err ... i was totally kidding...theres absolutley no rzn to take the MCAT more than once unless u hope to do a lot better than a previous bad score....

 

[bcosmos]

dude, I misread what your post...my bad

 

[indo]

aren't we limited to taking the mcat 3 times?

 

[Tezzie]

Bcosmos having read your other posts ... why do you still want to take MCATs again? Your score is just fine. You just entered the process a bit late, that's all.

I *believe* that with non rolling schools you will do just fine. You already have an interview so stop sweating about it. Instead start thinking about how can you be a strong interviewer 😛

 

[Bones2008]

Originally posted by dan0909
i heard that ieven f u score lower the second time its better for your overall app...although u scored lower, it shows ur commitment to AAMC...and this quality boosts ur application...

am i misinformed? 😀

I have heard the exact opposite from my pre-health advisor. If you take the MCAT a second time and don't do as well, it's really not good at all. In fact, it'll raise about the redest flag that could be raised on your application.

 

[dan0909]

🙄

 

[sanoge7]

Hey yall. I don't think that scoring lower the second time really can affect your application as negatively as you say. It totally depends on the degree of difference. For example, what if there is only a one point difference between time #1 and time #2? So much of the MCAT is governed by chance, that it seems unreasonable, in the case of this hypothetical person, to hold up the "reddest" flag possible. Don't you agree?