To retake or not to retake the MCAT

[neurotypicalemt302]

Basically what the title says

My MCAT from last september is a fine overall score but continues to haunt me becuase of the CARS subsection. I got a 513 (130/124/128/131). For the last few months I've been on and off thinking about a retake and then trying to accept my score. I need to ultimately decide for now. I've retaken CARS sections here and there to see how I am and I honestly had no improvement. When I was studying, my practices ranged from 125-127 but I got smoked on test day without knowing it. This is all eating away at me because I don't know if the 124 is gonna be the end of me or not, and forums certainly don't help with this lol.

I am an english second language and came here a while back from the middle east (ORM?). I'm planning on applying to 60 schools (insane I know, but I'm prewriting everything). My personal statement, school list, and secondarys are all going to be ready in like one month as I've been editing and perfecting them.

Heres all the stats and info to consider:

Applying 2025-2026 cycle

GPA: 3.93 MCAT: 513, CA resident

~650 hours as an EMT for 9 months

~100 hours as ER volunteer (nonclinical)

~300+ hours as a club board member and mentor

~150+ hours religious volunteering

~450+ hours ochem lab research (more to come over the next year) (no pubs maybe poster soon)

~100+ hours EMS club (staff events, street medicine clinic, and teaching other clubs BLS)

~160+ hours MA (more to come over the next year)

~50+ hours shadowing

~200+ hours EMS startup with physician

I'm applying in my third year as an undergrad, so the club stuff and research will be continued, the hours I provided are just hours when applying.

So knowing all of this, do you guys think I should retake the MCAT to increase my CARS section, or focus on my ECs and application without worrying too much.


Any other advice about my app would be very appreciated.

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[thorntonjr]

dont retake just apply mid tier md

 

[Mr.Smile12]

What advice have you received from your prehealth advisors?

 

[AJS59]

I'd argue you're okay without retaking

 

[LunaOri]

Do not retake.

 

[Goro]

Do NOT retake a fine subject score.

Everybody thinks they can do better, until they get into the batting box and face a 95 mile an hour fastball. It's easy to hit .300 in batting practice.

The majority of test retakers either go up a point or two, stay at the same score or actually go down.

Perfect is the enemy of good.

 

[neurotypicalemt302]

What advice have you received from your prehealth advisors?

I've talked to them and they also say a retake is not as necessary but would be great if it was marginally higher. I was honestly just trying to go for a safer application cycle but I guess no one is safe 100%

 

[neurotypicalemt302]

Do NOT retake a fine subject score.

Everybody thinks they can do better, until they get into the batting box and face a 95 mile an hour fastball. It's easy to hit .300 in batting practice.

The majority of test retakers either go up a point or two, stay at the same score or actually go down.

Perfect is the enemy of good.

thanks for the input, perfect being the enemy of good is real

 

[chilly_md]

As in your past thread, do not retake:

N

Thread 'Should I Retake a 513 MCAT with a low CARS?'

Oct 5, 2024

I recently got back my score being 513 (130/124/128/131), and I’m being terrorized by the idea of retaking. I keep leaning one side or the other and I am not sure which choice is better. My full lengths were 508, 508, 512,515,516 and I’ve used all of them. My CARS was within the 125-127 range.

I’m looking to apply MD 2025-2026 cycle, my gpa is 3.93 and I’ve got some decent ECs, should I retake for the low CARS? (Not Canadian btw), I plan on applying broadly as I have saved up a lot for this

• neurotypicalemt302
• cars mcat premed retake mcat
• Replies: 6
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

60 schools is too many. It may feel like you are covering your bases, but at that quantity, there are certainly several schools that are not going to consider your application due to state residency or other reasons. If that number includes DO schools, you would be a very competitive applicant to them and do not need more than 5-10 such schools on top of your MD list.

 

[neurotypicalemt302]

As in your past thread, do not retake:

N

Thread 'Should I Retake a 513 MCAT with a low CARS?'

Oct 5, 2024

I recently got back my score being 513 (130/124/128/131), and I’m being terrorized by the idea of retaking. I keep leaning one side or the other and I am not sure which choice is better. My full lengths were 508, 508, 512,515,516 and I’ve used all of them. My CARS was within the 125-127 range.

I’m looking to apply MD 2025-2026 cycle, my gpa is 3.93 and I’ve got some decent ECs, should I retake for the low CARS? (Not Canadian btw), I plan on applying broadly as I have saved up a lot for this

• neurotypicalemt302
• cars mcat premed retake mcat
• Replies: 6
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

60 schools is too many. It may feel like you are covering your bases, but at that quantity, there are certainly several schools that are not going to consider your application due to state residency or other reasons. If that number includes DO schools, you would be a very competitive applicant to them and do not need more than 5-10 such schools on top of your MD list.

I asked again only because I couldn't let it sit but it makes sense not to retake, my 60ish school list is only because I've put aside a good amount of money for the application, I've looked through them all thoroughly for IS vs OOS and only have 3 or so In-state bias because of their mission, the list also includes a good number of reaches. I'm aware that my chances are slim with some of the schools, but as of now the list is at around 60 for safety reasons. They're all MD rn

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I asked again only because I couldn't let it sit but it makes sense not to retake, my 60ish school list is only because I've put aside a good amount of money for the application, I've looked through them all thoroughly for IS vs OOS and only have 3 or so In-state bias because of their mission, the list also includes a good number of reaches. I'm aware that my chances are slim with some of the schools, but as of now the list is at around 60 for safety reasons. They're all MD rn

There's no such thing as a safety school. You're also trapped by sunk cost fallacy. Your writing may become too generic to make you desirable for interview.

 

[neurotypicalemt302]

There's no such thing as a safety school. You're also trapped by sunk cost fallacy. Your writing may become too generic to make you desirable for interview.

I see, thanks for your opinion

 

[chilly_md]

I asked again only because I couldn't let it sit but it makes sense not to retake, my 60ish school list is only because I've put aside a good amount of money for the application, I've looked through them all thoroughly for IS vs OOS and only have 3 or so In-state bias because of their mission, the list also includes a good number of reaches. I'm aware that my chances are slim with some of the schools, but as of now the list is at around 60 for safety reasons. They're all MD rn

It is your money and time, but it is likely you have misinterpreted some of them and perhaps should also eliminate quite a few of the unrealistic schools.

 

[westbill]

Basically what the title says

My MCAT from last september is a fine overall score but continues to haunt me becuase of the CARS subsection. I got a 513 (130/124/128/131). For the last few months I've been on and off thinking about a retake and then trying to accept my score. I need to ultimately decide for now. I've retaken CARS sections here and there to see how I am and I honestly had no improvement. When I was studying, my practices ranged from 125-127 but I got smoked on test day without knowing it. This is all eating away at me because I don't know if the 124 is gonna be the end of me or not, and forums certainly don't help with this lol.

I am an english second language and came here a while back from the middle east (ORM?). I'm planning on applying to 60 schools (insane I know, but I'm prewriting everything). My personal statement, school list, and secondarys are all going to be ready in like one month as I've been editing and perfecting them.

Heres all the stats and info to consider:

Applying 2025-2026 cycle

GPA: 3.93 MCAT: 513, CA resident

~650 hours as an EMT for 9 months

~100 hours as ER volunteer (nonclinical)

~300+ hours as a club board member and mentor

~150+ hours religious volunteering

~450+ hours ochem lab research (more to come over the next year) (no pubs maybe poster soon)

~100+ hours EMS club (staff events, street medicine clinic, and teaching other clubs BLS)

~160+ hours MA (more to come over the next year)

~50+ hours shadowing

~200+ hours EMS startup with physician

I'm applying in my third year as an undergrad, so the club stuff and research will be continued, the hours I provided are just hours when applying.

So knowing all of this, do you guys think I should retake the MCAT to increase my CARS section, or focus on my ECs and application without worrying too much.


Any other advice about my app would be very appreciated.

Wow...I will say you are a very focused and determined individual! Imo, 513 is a very decent score overall, especially with your strong gpa and collateral activities. You mention you have ESL origins. You also mention your overall CARS improvement has been somewhat refractory to practice, and your CARS test performance was weaker than you had hoped. Parenthetically, you indicate you will apply to (60) schools?? I don't think it would be a stretch to say you are overthinking what is likely a non-issue, at least as far as the CARS section.

What on earth makes you think, given the intensity of your efforts and the (very likely) off-the-charts anxiety that accompanies such efforts, you will appreciably improve your score? Your current CARS score is clearly well within the mean; it's fine. Finally, if I were you, I'd spend some time getting some perspective on the entirety of the process; your delineation of your activities to-date strongly suggests a personality type that will struggle during the interview process. Your exhaustively comprehensive efforts could extrapolate to someone who presents as overbearing, relentless, and unsympathetic. While you may not actually be such a person, it's something to consider BEFORE you sit for interviews. Again, imo, today's applicants need to exude an empathetic vibe; this is what I'd pay some serious attention to...good luck!

 

[AJS59]

Also post a WAMC with the schools you're considering, we may be able to help narrow it down further

 

[HuskyMD Emeritus]

Some application reviewers and schools give you leeway for the lower CARS score because English is your second language.
The MCAT is only one part of your application, we pay a lot of attention to all the other aspects as well.