To write or not to write?

[Aria A]

I am planning to take my MCAT in September. Do you think its worth taking if I can get a 505 or wait until January when I am more likely to get a 510?

I wanted to take it now so I could apply this cycle to my state school (non rolling for IS). I would be applying with a 3.7 and 505 URM. But I already had a poor score a few years ago and didn't really want to take the MCAT 3 times even though it would be an upward trend. Not sure how a trend of 498, 505, 510 would look to med schools. What do you guys think?

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[Black Mamba Gene]

i was scoring 507 on practice tests and moved my date to jan, because i don't want to have regrets that I could of done better if I prepared/practiced more.

i think 505 should be good enough if you are URM, but I would move my date if you believe you can do better

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

You want to take the MCAT as few times as possible and with as large a jump as possible between takes. You also want to apply once. You really need to apply early and broadly, and most schools are rolling.

Just take a year off. Really put in a lot of study time and crush it if you can. Going from a 498 to a 510 would be great. Because then you would be at around a 504 since the AAMC suggests averaging scores to get the most accurate assessment. With a 498 and 505, you’re looking at a 501.

 

[Zenabi90]

I am planning to take my MCAT in September. Do you think its worth taking if I can get a 505 or wait until January when I am more likely to get a 510?

I wanted to take it now so I could apply this cycle to my state school (non rolling for IS). I would be applying with a 3.7 and 505 URM. But I already had a poor score a few years ago and didn't really want to take the MCAT 3 times even though it would be an upward trend. Not sure how a trend of 498, 505, 510 would look to med schools. What do you guys think?

While URMs have an advantage in regard to test scores, I have no idea what the rest of your application looks like in terms of ECs, Personal Statement, LORs, and meaninful experiences. The GPA/MCAT will only get your foot in the door (aka secondaries), the rest will get the door open (II), and then the interview will determine if you get a seat.

Considering that it is already September, some medical schools are already close to their primary application deadline. I recommend that you wait, get as good a score as possible in January/February/March, take the intervening time to max out the polish on your application, and be ready to submit on day 1 of the 2019-2020 cycle.