Um.... Need advice... Urgently.

[GolfLover5122]

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Hello all,

So, I scored pretty low (18) on a practice exam. With the MCAT in 6 days, there is absolutely no way I can improve it to competitive standards. If I had more time then yeah, but at this point I don't think it's possible. I won't have another chance of taking the current MCAT... If I take it again it will have to be the new one. My concern is that medical schools won't have another MCAT to compare my number to if I do take it again... because the only number they will be able to compare it to is the new MCAT, which is scored quite differently.

Should I cancel my MCAT today (last day to cancel), or take it and void it... or just accept my score? I am thinking it's better to not have a bad MCAT score at all rather than showing both versions of the MCAT scores...
If I take the new one, I'll definitely make sure to have more time to work hard.
I only had 2 weeks to study for this MCAT....

What should I do? Any advice?

 

[philosonista]

Cancel. It's a permanent mark on your record, and many schools average scores. You don't want a bad score if you know in advance it will be bad.

 

[LuluLovesMe]

Take it and void it.

 

[Mrazlover]

I'd cancel it since you only spent 2 weeks studying for it. Kick butt on the new one!

 

[GomersGoToGround]

Hello all,

So, I scored pretty low (18) on a practice exam. With the MCAT in 6 days, there is absolutely no way I can improve it to competitive standards. If I had more time then yeah, but at this point I don't think it's possible. I won't have another chance of taking the current MCAT... If I take it again it will have to be the new one. My concern is that medical schools won't have another MCAT to compare my number to if I do take it again... because the only number they will be able to compare it to is the new MCAT, which is scored quite differently.

Should I cancel my MCAT today (last day to cancel), or take it and void it... or just accept my score? I am thinking it's better to not have a bad MCAT score at all rather than showing both versions of the MCAT scores...

If I take the new one, I'll definitely make sure to have more time to work hard.
I only had 2 weeks to study for this MCAT....

What should I do? Any advice?

Bolded number one: I certainly agree, as would most everybody here.

Bolded number two: YOU better agree, because that's what you will likely end up doing.

I know, it's frustrating. That's a given. I'm sorry for that. Nothing makes it easier, but you'll be in much better shape to study longer, harder, and NOT have a sinking score to weigh you down.

Go with Bachelor number 2 (take the NEW one instead).


ALSO: How many practice exams did you take? Are they all pretty low? If you're scoring highly on all of them, and this one just happened to be a low one, you're probably just burnt out, and need to slightly relax before the exam, because the 18 is an outlier.

If you've had all low scores, or only taken one practice exam, then yes, go with the new one.

 

[jurisburger]

If you have nothing else going on, might as well take it and void it. You paid for it already...and it's not like it can hurt you.

 

[AspiringERMD]

Either take it and void it, which may not do you much good since you're not going to be taking this version again, or be merciful and cancel ASAP so some poor soul who desperately needs a retake of the current exam can get your spot.

 

[iBro]

Hello all,

So, I scored pretty low (18) on a practice exam. With the MCAT in 6 days, there is absolutely no way I can improve it to competitive standards. If I had more time then yeah, but at this point I don't think it's possible. I won't have another chance of taking the current MCAT... If I take it again it will have to be the new one. My concern is that medical schools won't have another MCAT to compare my number to if I do take it again... because the only number they will be able to compare it to is the new MCAT, which is scored quite differently.

Should I cancel my MCAT today (last day to cancel), or take it and void it... or just accept my score? I am thinking it's better to not have a bad MCAT score at all rather than showing both versions of the MCAT scores...
If I take the new one, I'll definitely make sure to have more time to work hard.
I only had 2 weeks to study for this MCAT....

What should I do? Any advice?

It may not have a direct comparison, but admission committees aren't stupid. They will be able to compare them well enough. And they surely won't be blind to previous bad scores.

 

[hoihaie]

Take it for the experience, and then void it immediately afterwards at the test center.

 

[GolfLover5122]

Thanks everyone! I've decided to take it for the experience

 

[Goro]

This is a career-defining, high stakes exam. You are not ready.

CANCEL!!!

Make good choices. We look for that.

Hello all,

So, I scored pretty low (18) on a practice exam. With the MCAT in 6 days, there is absolutely no way I can improve it to competitive standards. If I had more time then yeah, but at this point I don't think it's possible. I won't have another chance of taking the current MCAT... If I take it again it will have to be the new one. My concern is that medical schools won't have another MCAT to compare my number to if I do take it again... because the only number they will be able to compare it to is the new MCAT, which is scored quite differently.

Should I cancel my MCAT today (last day to cancel), or take it and void it... or just accept my score? I am thinking it's better to not have a bad MCAT score at all rather than showing both versions of the MCAT scores...
If I take the new one, I'll definitely make sure to have more time to work hard.
I only had 2 weeks to study for this MCAT....

What should I do? Any advice?

 

[IlDestriero]

Taking it is a waste of your time. You will do badly. Surprise. It's not like you're going to get the "easy" one and decide at the last minute to not void it and get a 33.
Put a plan together to actually study.

 

[ski89]

If you are scoring a 19 on practice tests, I wouldn't even recommend taking it next year. You need A LOT of work on your science. Take some more science courses over the next year and take the MCAT in 2016. You are nowhere near ready with a practice score like that.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Lucca]

Just cancel. There is no point in taking it for the experience. What experience? The experience of taking an exam you will never see again and doing badly on it? Just dedicate a lot of time and study towards the new one and take it then. One shot, one kill.

 

[llore_lie]

You've only been studying for 2 weeks - the minimum you should be studying is 3 months
it sounds like you've only taken the one practice exam - the minimum you should take is 6/7
no matter how good you feel VOID IT. How people feel after the test is generally not a good predictor of scores
if you can't get your money back it might be useful to do it for the test day experience to know the set up, (especially if you have test anxiety issues) but with how drastically the test is changing and you can still get money back might as well save yourself the hundred or so bucks

give yourself all the time you need to prepare for the new exam. I'd suggest using a prep company, they're expensive but they're worth it

 

[VlLLVGE]

OP, I did what you did on my first MCAT. I was an uninformed pre-med and had no idea a mediocre score (30) would harm my chances of becoming a physician scientist. I had no idea SDN existed and had the mindset to 'just wing it' like many of my academic endeavors up to that point in my life. Cancel it and make study plan for the upcoming MCAT.

My mediocre score landed me 1 interview, and a lot of wasted time. My excellent score after 2 months of studying has given me 5 interviews and an acceptance. Consider it a learning experience and plan for success in the future.

 

[625233]

Take it for experience and void it.

 

[barca4ever]

Take it for experience and void it.

I agree with this. The experience of having your finger print taken, body search, etc can be intimidating for many first timers. I suggest take the exam for the experience (what documents you need to bring, snacks to eat, etc) and void the exam. Study your butt off and take the new exam. Good luck.

 

[Eppur Si Muove]

I would take it and void it since you paid for it. Also, it will serve as timing practice and as a experience where you will learn what the real testing environment is like. Just make sure you void it.

 

[Mad Jack]

Take and void, learn a lesson, move on.

 

[Irish Luck]

my votes on cancelling

 

[Pattycake25]

No one can really tell you what to pick between cancelling beforehand, and taking and voiding afterward. Not much is involved either way, it's really just up to you (personally, I wouldn't see the immediately-obsolete experience as "worth it").

However, if you are entertaining ANY doubts about whether or not to shoot for the stars and actually take the test for a score...DON'T. PLEASE, let us decide against that for you. I know it's a daunting prospect, beginning MCAT prep all over again from a different approach, but the MCAT is structured well enough that we can tell you with 100% certainty you will BOMB it if you take it next week, based on your practice score (and lack of prep/other practices). You're not really taking a chance at victory if you go for a score, you're just choosing to suffer defeat. Better to walk away now, give the MCAT the prep it requires, and go at it when you're truly ready!

 

[Aloft085]

Taking it and voiding the score is the best solution. It will give you experience with taking the test. HOWEVER, you have to be absolutely sure that you are not going to have a change of heart during the exam and grade it on a whim. If there's any doubt, just cancel it.

 

[meupatdoes]

Cancel it! If you take it with the idea of voiding it, you will probably either a) not really practice it because you know you are voiding it or b) be so happy you took it and finished it that you want to not void it to see how you did!