Updating with a new mcat score

[familymanMD]

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Hello,

I just had a quick question. So I wrote my first mcat this July and scored 511 (130/124/127/130).
Being concerned about my cars section, I retook the test in early September and scored 512 (128/126/128/130).
Previously, I had submitted all my secondaries and noted that I wouldn't be retaking the mcat. But I did it anyway.
Should I update adcom with this new score? I did make an update for Georgetown, which has each subsection cutoff for 125.
But I feel like this is something minor that I don't necessarily have to notify schools. Do schools get notified with my new score, regardless?

Thanks for reading this, and I would appreciate any advice you may have.

 

[KnightDoc]

Hello,

I just had a quick question. So I wrote my first mcat this July and scored 511 (130/124/127/130).
Being concerned about my cars section, I retook the test in early September and scored 512 (128/126/128/130).
Previously, I had submitted all my secondaries and noted that I wouldn't be retaking the mcat. But I did it anyway.
Should I update adcom with this new score? I did make an update for Georgetown, which has each subsection cutoff for 125.
But I feel like this is something minor that I don't necessarily have to notify schools. Do schools get notified with my new score, regardless?

Thanks for reading this, and I would appreciate any advice you may have.

Yes, schools get the score automatically. The thing is, if you don't tell them another score is coming, they don't wait for it and put you in the queue once you are marked complete. For all you know, you have already been reviewed at some schools with the old score. I'd call each school and ask them how to proceed.

You are correct, a one point move from 511 to 512 is very minor, and hardly worth mentioning, EXCEPT, the difference between 124 and 126, as with Georgetown, could be the difference between life and death at some schools. Good luck!!!!

 

[Goro]

Hello,

I just had a quick question. So I wrote my first mcat this July and scored 511 (130/124/127/130).
Being concerned about my cars section, I retook the test in early September and scored 512 (128/126/128/130).
Previously, I had submitted all my secondaries and noted that I wouldn't be retaking the mcat. But I did it anyway.
Should I update adcom with this new score? I did make an update for Georgetown, which has each subsection cutoff for 125.
But I feel like this is something minor that I don't necessarily have to notify schools. Do schools get notified with my new score, regardless?

Thanks for reading this, and I would appreciate any advice you may have.

You have to notify schools. Don't know if notification is automatic.

 

[KnightDoc]

You have to notify schools. Don't know if notification is automatic.

For MD, the transmission is automatic (it's one integrated system). The question is whether or not the file has already been reviewed.

 

[lacrossegirl420]

what's the best way to confirm with schools that they got both of your MCAT scores? second score was 7 points higher than 1st so want to make sure it was received. tested august 2020 for the second one. only one of my school's portals directly states the dates of the scores they received, the rest just say "mcat score received" so i have no idea

 

[familymanMD]

@KnightDoc Thanks for your response. I know that my score increase is very minimal, but do you think it would be worth updating given that my new score is more balanced? I'm thinking it may help with schools that have a median mcat around 510-12 range because it will put me around the average for each subsection. I guess it will be up to me, but I just want to make sure that updating schools with stuff like this don't hurt my app.

 

[KnightDoc]

what's the best way to confirm with schools that they got both of your MCAT scores? second score was 7 points higher than 1st so want to make sure it was received. tested august 2020 for the second one. only one of my school's portals directly states the dates of the scores they received, the rest just say "mcat score received" so i have no idea

Again, if they are an AMCAS school, they have it. If you received it, they received it. Same system.

The question is whether or not your file was reviewed before they received it. Did you tell them it was coming? If so, then they probably held your application aside while awaiting its arrival, although you need to understand they are under no obligation to do so, or to give you credit for it, or to average, or anything.

 

[lacrossegirl420]

@KnightDoc : i didn't submit any secondaries until after receiving the score. and yes told them the august score was coming

 

[KnightDoc]

@KnightDoc Thanks for your response. I know that my score increase is very minimal, but do you think it would be worth updating given that my new score is more balanced? I'm thinking it may help with schools that have a median mcat around 510-12 range because it will put me around the average for each subsection. I guess it will be up to me, but I just want to make sure that updating schools with stuff like this don't hurt my app.

I think it is very important. Not because of the balance, but because of the 125 cutoff at certain schools. An update isn't necessary since the score is automatically incorporated into the application. The key is to determine whether or not you were reviewed before it was available, since you didn't note it in your primary. I would call or e-mail the schools and ask, and ask that you be placed back in the queue if you were reviewed without it.

 

[KnightDoc]

@KnightDoc : i didn't submit any secondaries until after receiving the score

Then you are 1,000% fine since the score was part of your file before you were marked complete. There is zero need to confirm that they have both scores. If you see it in your MCAT Score Report, they have it.