What do medschools think about taking MCAT multiple times?

[uclaussr]

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Say you get a 23 on your first one and a 34 on your second try. Will the 23 hurt you or will they dismiss it as a fluke?

 

[munchymanRX]

Say you get a 23 on your first one and a 34 on your second try. Will the 23 hurt you or will they dismiss it as a fluke?

Depends on the school. Some will only take into account your most recent administration, whereas others will see both. Despite all that though, anyone who looks at that at the very LEAST is going to assume you studied your ass off to improve your score. That for sure won't count against you.

 

[SN2ed]

Depends on the school. Some will only take into account your most recent administration, whereas others will see both. Despite all that though, anyone who looks at that at the very LEAST is going to assume you studied your ass off to improve your score. That for sure won't count against you.

I believe all schools will see all of your scores, but that they may only count your most recent one (or however they use the MCAT).


OP: Two, and even three times, isn't necessarily bad as long as there's a significant improvement. Well, three times is where you start pushing it and the point where some schools won't look on it too kindly if you didn't improve. What is bad is if you do worse or the same on a retake. Also, taking the MCAT 4 or more times is generally looked in a negative light. Another time when retaking is bad is when someone retakes with a 33+ score with no sections below a 9. If they retake with a score like that, they better be prepared to score at least 3-4 points higher.

For the specific situation you mention, I believe most schools would consider the 23 a fluke or you choking. Although it will always depend on the school, I doubt they'd hold the 23 against you too much if you got a 34.

 

[MedicineNutt]

There's hope in every avenue. Just make yourself available to every opportunity and show them that you absolutely want it. You would go to great lengths to get it, right?