To retake or not? (the MCAT)

[th3noose]

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I took the MCAT in August and kinda bombed it, well I didn't do as well as I wanted. I usually have highest scores on PS(11-13), but got a 9 on the real test. Considering I only slept two hours on the day of the test, I think it was just a fluke. With an overall score slightly below 30 should I retake? DO schools seem more fitting at this point, but I am having difficulty finding a DO doctor to write me a recommendation.
My UG Science GPA is 3.9. I have 2 yr research experience, 5 year volunteering. 2 excellent letters of recommendation and 1 ok letter. I did not apply for this cycle thinking I am not competitive enough and I kind of didn't want to due to a death in the family.

Suggestions are helpful. Thank you guys.

 

[MilkmanAl]

How did your other section scores compare with how you did on the real thing? If they were all average or a little lower, go ahead and retake. Your GPA will make you quite competitive at MD schools if you get a 30+.

 

[doctosan]

While on the topic, does the MCAT work like the ACT? (do they only look at your higher score?)

Thanks

 

[HeatherMD]

I got a 9 in PS on the real test too, and I'm thinking of retaking it just for that.

It's up to you. If you think it will keep you out of schools, I would do it (my 9 is currently keeping me out of provincial schools that have a cut-off at 10 in each section). If it's just one low section that's not bringing the whole thing down, I might let it go for this application cycle, but if that gets you nothing, take it again and re-apply.

 

[Mei]

While on the topic, does the MCAT work like the ACT? (do they only look at your higher score?)

Thanks

I would say that a lot of schools look at the most recent score. A good percentage only take into consideration the best set of scores. While a few consider all scores and take the average.

I have no idea how updated this is, but to give you an idea someone from SDN compiled a list of each school's policy about MCAT scores. You might want to double-check the accuracy since this was posted awhile back.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7164401&postcount=18

 

[Vihsadas]

I would say that a lot of schools look at the most recent score. A good percentage only take into consideration the best set of scores. While a few consider all scores and take the average.

I have no idea how updated this is, but to give you an idea someone from SDN compiled a list of each school's policy about MCAT scores. You might want to double-check the accuracy since this was posted awhile back.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7164401&postcount=18

Yeah. Really what you should get from that list is that "it's different from school to school". How each school views the MCAT will probably be listed on their website.

 

[Mobius1985]

Since you have plenty of time before you plan to apply, I'd go ahead and retake the MCAT. Your GPA suggests you should do better, and your own comments imply that you think you can do better. With a higher score, you'd appeal to a wider range of schools and enhance chances of an acceptance during your first application cycle.

BTW, many DO schools are willing to accept a letter from an MD or DO physician. So don't feel you can't apply to DO schools without a DO letter, unless your preferred institution is on that list of those that won't.

Your ECs look very good from what you've shared.

 

[Mobius1985]

From the pre-osteo forum I found this list of schools that require a DO letter:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=10677&d=1217108730

 

[th3noose]

From the pre-osteo forum I found this list of schools that require a DO letter:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=10677&d=1217108730

Thanks for this list. I did not even know that some schools were so lax about the letter.

 

[magikdoc]

I went up 7 pts between my 1st (26) and 2nd (33) MCAT.

I was sooo disappointed the first time I took it, and I realized I had not scheduled enough time for myself to study.

My opinion is that the difference between a 29 and a 31 is enormous. Maybe something about that 3. I would advise retaking it if you have the time and the means.

 

[Vihsadas]

I went up 7 pts between my 1st (26) and 2nd (33) MCAT.

I was sooo disappointed the first time I took it, and I realized I had not scheduled enough time for myself to study.

My opinion is that the difference between a 29 and a 31 is enormous. Maybe something about that 3. I would advise retaking it if you have the time and the means.

On your last point, the reason that a 29 and a 31 are so different is because of size of the percentile category each represents. For instance, a 29 is approx. 72.4 percentile and a 31 is approx. 82.75 percentile. That's a difference of 10.35 percentile points.
At the higher end, however, a 36 is approx. 96.85 percentile and a 39 is approx. 99.3 percentile: Only a difference of 2.45 percentile points.

Lesson of the story: Each point on the MCAT is NOT created equal!

 

[HeatherMD]

yeah my 31 was listed as 80-85th percentile so I think you're right about the ~82.75% guess Vihsadas.

I think the difference is so huge because so many people perform in that range right? So the difference between a 9 and a 10 on a section can be 5-10 questions, where as the difference between a 13 and a 14 could only be 1 question.

 

[dragonfly99]

Yes would retake it, if your gut feeling is that you can do better, and you are usually a good standardized test taker. Would definitely study hard and get enough rest the days leading up to the exam.

 

[Vihsadas]

yeah my 31 was listed as 80-85th percentile so I think you're right about the ~82.75% guess Vihsadas.

I think the difference is so huge because so many people perform in that range right? So the difference between a 9 and a 10 on a section can be 5-10 questions, where as the difference between a 13 and a 14 could only be 1 question.

Yes, that's exaclty right. (Oh, and those weren't guesses so to speak, I just took the average of the bounds of each percentile range listed on the 2008 MCAT results)

 

[pianola]

Lesson of the story: Each point on the MCAT is NOT created equal!

Amen.