What if I do horrible again?

[dartmed]

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I am assuming I am having post-MCAT anxiety. How did all of you cope with this stress? My scores are going to be out tomorrow. This is my second time retaking the damn test. First time, I got high 20s...but I think this time went much better than last...at least I hope it did.

My averages are: 12.25, 9.25, and 10.25

I mean what if I bomb my second try? Is this it? It just comes down to one test. The sad thing is that this damn thing is so variable...that I don't even if it predicts how well one can do in med school. Gah!

 

[mimelim]

It just comes down to one test. The sad thing is that this damn thing is so variable...that I don't even if it predicts how well one can do in med school. Gah!

Realize that the MCAT is a nothing compared to Step 1 and then after that you will have Step 2 CS, Step 2 CK, Step 3, in-service exams and board exams, all of which are more difficult than the MCAT. The MCAT is not hugely variable. Certainly there is some luck, as with any test and a difference of a couple of points is completely meaningless, but people don't have huge swings for no reason. They may not understand the reason, but there always is one.

I don't think doing well on the MCAT means you will do well in medical school. But doing poorly on it is a strong predictor of struggling in the future. As mentioned before, the MCAT is the first of many long, and hard tests.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Drink.

 

[dartmed]

Realize that the MCAT is a nothing compared to Step 1 and then after that you will have Step 2 CS, Step 2 CK, Step 3, in-service exams and board exams, all of which are more difficult than the MCAT. The MCAT is not hugely variable. Certainly there is some luck, as with any test and a difference of a couple of points is completely meaningless, but people don't have huge swings for no reason. They may not understand the reason, but there always is one.

I don't think doing well on the MCAT means you will do well in medical school. But doing poorly on it is a strong predictor of struggling in the future. As mentioned before, the MCAT is the first of many long, and hard tests.

True, but at that point, I will at least know I will be a doctor...maybe not the greatest...but a doctor nonetheless...assuming that I simply pass...

 

[twizzlers713]

Drink.

Ya

 

[wjs010]

the answer is...wait for it...you can't do horrible "again" because your first score was good 🙂 cross your fangers!

 

[IslandStyle808]

True, but at that point, I will at least know I will be a doctor...maybe not the greatest...but a doctor nonetheless...assuming that I simply pass...

If you want to "just" be a doctor, then I would agree with you. However, if you want to go to a competitive residence and in a good program, then your USMLE scores (more specifically USMLE step 1) play a heavy role in that process. Even though I myself am a pre-med and don't know much about the USMLE steps, I would not take them lightly.

 

[TheShaker]

Hey! I still remember you from our old MCAT thread. I'll be rooting for you, I hope you don't get terrible luck again. Nothing to do but wait and shop like crazy again?

 

[lobo.solo]

Drink.

Yep!!

 

[typicalindian]

Good luck man! I'm rooting for you 🙂 you won't need to retake.

 

[dartmed]

Thanks everyone! So much support. Hopefully, it went well.

 

[487806]

Realize that the MCAT is a nothing compared to Step 1 and then after that you will have Step 2 CS, Step 2 CK, Step 3, in-service exams and board exams, all of which are more difficult than the MCAT. The MCAT is not hugely variable. Certainly there is some luck, as with any test and a difference of a couple of points is completely meaningless, but people don't have huge swings for no reason. They may not understand the reason, but there always is one.

I don't think doing well on the MCAT means you will do well in medical school. But doing poorly on it is a strong predictor of struggling in the future. As mentioned before, the MCAT is the first of many long, and hard tests.

👍

But that's assuming that OP will get into medical school (not trying to discourage you OP). MCAT, GPA, and activities are important to get into med school, so once you're admitted, those Step scores play a role and MCAT's at that time is meaningless.

 

[eggs13]

what if...the world ends tomorrow

you can make your life a hell of a lot more difficult contemplating all the negative "what ifs"

at this point, it is what it is, no need to worry about it. if you didnt score as well as you liked this time, well feel sorry for yourself for the rest of the day, but then get back on the horse and reevaluate what you need to work on so that the next time you take it you can nail it!

 

[mzarrowsmith]

I don't think doing well on the MCAT means you will do well in medical school. But doing poorly on it is a strong predictor of struggling in the future. As mentioned before, the MCAT is the first of many long, and hard tests.

"In God we trust; all others must bring data."

 

[dartmed]

👍

But that's assuming that OP will get into medical school (not trying to discourage you OP). MCAT, GPA, and activities are important to get into med school, so once you're admitted, those Step scores play a role and MCAT's at that time is meaningless.

True. I think that the rest of my app is fine though. Just my MCAT. Gah!

 

[doctorwho101]

Did you get your scores?? Hope they were great!

Also, I realize this is a little late, but I was completely useless the day my scores came out. Instead of working on my PS, I sat and watched cartoons/bad tv to try to calm down. It mostly worked, except I refreshed my score page about every five-ten minutes 😉

 

[Doctor Strange]

... well...?

 

[basedbear]

He probably did well and is out for a drink right now

 

[LittleDandelion]

He got a 30 apparently, according to his MCAT thread. Congrats OP for the improvement.

 

[Doctor Strange]

He probably did well and is out for a drink right now

This sounds like a great idea. 👍

 

[dartmed]

Haha. I just saw the replies to this thread. But I have ended-up doing well in the cycle despite being late. And I am headed to my state school in August. 🙂

 

[487806]

Haha. I just saw the replies to this thread. But I have ended-up doing well in the cycle despite being late. And I am headed to my state school in August. 🙂

Congrats! Best of luck in your future endeavors.