Urgently need advice about impending MCAT date

[mcatbee]

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Hi,

I am registered to take MCAT on July 21st( in 34 days ) and want to apply to MD schools in New Jersey.
I have spent ~3 months in content review and so far have only taken two full lengths, AAMC sample test and AAMC Practice test 1. Based on my scores below, please tell me if I should postpone MCAT or can I improve my score by 10 points in a month? I can dedicate 10 hrs a day to studying. I am not currently working and not in school.
My scores are as below
AAMC sample test
C/P - 53%
CARS - 81%
B/B - 63%
P/S - 64%
AAMC scored practice test 1
C/P- 125
CARS - 124
B/B - 125
P/S - 124
Score - 498
My target score is 515+.

I used Berkeley Review for content review but have not solved all of their passages. I usually do better on CARS and P/S sections but I had not reviewed material in weeks before taking today's scored practice test. That may have impacted my score by about 3-4 points.
Please advice! A part of me thinks I can do rest of the practice in a month but then again, I tend to overestimate myself 🙁

Greatly appreciate your insight!

 

[pms_testosterone]

The AAMC materials are the most accurate, so you actually need to improve by 17 points, not 10. Postpone.

Edit: If these are the scores you got AFTER content review, you really need to improve your multiple choice test-taking abilities. What kinds of difficulties do you seem to be having with the questions?

 

[mcatbee]

Hi, thank you for your response.
In general, I think my weaknesses are as follows.
1. Ineffective/insufficient review after initial content review. E.g. I could not remember anything about humanist/behaviourist theories. I guessed my answers multiple times.
2. I had trouble focussing after first two sections(C/P and CARS)
3. Insufficient passage practice. I have not solved all/majority of Berkeley passages. Yet to work through AAMC question packs and section banks.
4. I am a non traditional student, a mom of two young boys and a wife. Becoming a doctor is my lifelong dream. I have a Masters in Computer Science and 7 years of programming experience. I quit my job two years ago and completed pre med requirements. I have a 3.75 GPA in pre med courses.
Over the years, I have picked up quite a bit of emotional baggage which makes me anxious/unsure every once in a while.

Any idea if I can improve my score given these conditions? I want to apply to MD schools in NJ for 2018 start.
Thanks

 

[AndyN]

I'm worried about mine as well. Took AAMC full length today and got a whooping 499. With 122 in CARS. My test is in 2 weeks...... not sure of what to do honestly.

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[pms_testosterone]

@mcatbee 3.75 is a great GPA. I'm sure you can figure out the MCAT.

1. Try flashcards maybe?
2. Do you take your breaks during practice exams? And make sure to eat during them?
3. Section banks are essential.
4. Applying in only one state is risky, but I'm sure you know that.

@AndyN was that AAMC FL #1 or #2? Either way, I'd take the other one before your test. If the score is similar, you should void your MCAT, as the AAMC FLs are very predictive of your real score.

 

[DocSomeDay22]

Some friends and I have improved from the ~500 range to the ~510 range in around a month of practice (at far less than 10 hours a day) by doing content review and practice tests. Get all of the Next Step practice tests (they are hard and decently accurate) and take note of which topics (i.e. genetics, organic chem, renal physiology) that you are missing the most on then fully re-learn/learn that content using review books and khan academy. Mainly try to focus on stuff that you didn't cover in your classes. Also, take note of what question types you are missing (i.e. NOT, new evidence, EXCEPT) and practice those. Also, I would recommend the AAMC section banks and the AAMC question packs. With a 3.75 GPA, you should be scoring higher than what you are, so I think practice should help you. I would say that if you practice smartly and diligently, you can get into the ~510 range. 512+ IMO is an exponentially harder hump to get over because it's 85-90%+ in each section.

Also, I'm sure you've ruminated over it but, if being a practicing physician is your life goal and your scores stay below 506 or so (and you don't have time to take another gap year), then pursuing a DO is an excellent option. I believe NJ has two prestigious osteopathic medical schools with MCAT averages just a few points higher than your practice test scores.

 

[AndyN]

@mcatbee 3.75 is a great GPA. I'm sure you can figure out the MCAT.

1. Try flashcards maybe?
2. Do you take your breaks during practice exams? And make sure to eat during them?
3. Section banks are essential.
4. Applying in only one state is risky, but I'm sure you know that.

@AndyN was that AAMC FL #1 or #2? Either way, I'd take the other one before your test. If the score is similar, you should void your MCAT, as the AAMC FLs are very predictive of your real score.

Thanks for your reply, and that was AAMC FL #1.

I usually get around 127-128 on psychology on TPR FL, but I got 125 on the AAMC. Coupled that with low CARS score hurted a bit. I've been doing over 10 CARS passages a day for the past month but I'm not improving.... if only I can just...... read....sadlife


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[Spr1ngrolls]

1. You still have over a month. You have time to improve. I didn't take my first full length practice test (TPR) until I was 3 weeks out.
2. The AAMC FL #1 is a good indicator of where you'll stand largely because of the curve it provides. However, general consensus is that the AAMC FL#1 is MUCH easier than the real deal. How did you feel about the actual material they asked you about?
3. Start your section banks immediately. These will carry you the farthest. Do them at least twice.
4. Postpone it. Honestly all indicators are telling you that you're not going to score anywhere near a 515 right now. Do NOT let the pressure of having a test date set dictate your MCAT score. Remember, this score will stick with you. Being irrational about it now will likely haunt you down the road.
5. Take practice tests and understand where you're really struggling and nail those points. Your CARS score compared to your other sections tell me it's simply a matter of content understanding. This is easily fixable, pay extra attention to the topics you're consistently missing.

 

[DocSomeDay22]

Sounds like you might be burning out on CARS.