What should I do about the MCAT?

[techie7]

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I am torn about whether I should retake the MCAT in April or May. I got a 31R (11 PS, 10 V, 10 BS). This was lower than my practice test average, but I understand the current exam is quite different from the old AAMCs, and that this alone is not reason enough to do a retake. I studied a lot, and really understood the material. I believe my issue must have been in applying the material to MCAT questions.

I have a 3.98 in biomedical engineering, and I have been very dedicated to many activities throughout my college career.

I would love to go to top schools like Emory, U Penn, or Harvard. But I know schools like this, especially the latter two, would be a stretch. Is it worth retaking, and if so, does anyone have any tips on how to increase my score when I don't need to do any more content review? I feel like the current test prep materials are all outdated, and I'm not sure what I can do at this point. I'm trying to not let my score get me down, but it's hard. I would really appreciate your input.

 

[mishaS]

If your dreams are big, and the requirements match, and you think you really can do significantly better, then go for it. With your stats, you'll get in to a decent school (no US MD program is bad), but if you're set on Harvard you a 31 might have them not even look at your app. As far as making your score better, figure out where your weaknesses are. Since you've taken it, you're well aware that knowing facts won't get you far, and that understanding the exam and how to efficiently and effectively handle passages is what is necessary to doing well. Practice for practices sake has diminishing returns; I personally liked the strategy Kaplan had, or at least modifying it to make it work for me.

 

[Morsetlis]

With a 3.98 GPA, you will get in somewhere. If you want to be more competitive, retake. How much time you should spend preparing depends on how your MCAT score matched with how you usually perform. If it was particularly low, you can prepare for about a month and then retake. If it was average with how you perform in classes and normal tests, then it will take more preparations to get a higher score.

 

[moose stuff]

retake

 

[kpcrew]

you are "torn" about a one month difference. interesting.

 

[Gigantron]

you are "torn" about a one month difference. interesting.

Has the application cycle been rough to you, or are you just naturally angry? Umad? 🙄

 

[NGCSUstudent]

Has the application cycle been rough to you, or are you just naturally angry? Umad? 🙄

 

[techie7]

Thanks for the advice! Has anyone found any particularly good sources of practice? I went through the Kaplan subject book box set, and the Examkrackers bio content and verbal 101 passages books. I never took a class, but it didn't seem like it would be worth the money.

 

[Etorphine]

if i were in your shoes, I'd realize that MCAT is not cutting it for the top schools, and have a solid plan with solid materials for the MCAT. use the same methods, use the same materials, and get the same score.

 

[gravitywave]

those numbers support a very good chance of being accepted to med school even as things stand. don't retake unless you can start getting balanced 36+ on the AAMCs you haven't seen before, taken under realistic conditions. otherwise you run a pretty good risk of working hard all year for nothing/something that's worse.

 

[Andnosoupforyou]

those numbers support a very good chance of being accepted to med school even as things stand. don't retake unless you can start getting balanced 36+ on the AAMCs you haven't seen before, taken under realistic conditions. otherwise you run a pretty good risk of working hard all year for nothing/something that's worse.

This.

Come the real exam, make sure you don't do worse than your original score.

 

[techie7]

Okay! I think I could raise my score if I studied Jan-April. What should I do if I have already taken all the available AAMCs? Any other reliable test sources?

 

[KindofBlue]

I think a lot of people consider Berkeley Review CBTs and Gold Standard practice exams the best.

 

[Camy99]

Has the application cycle been rough to you, or are you just naturally angry? Umad? 🙄

👍

you are "torn" about a one month difference. interesting.

I hope you're not being serious and realize that OP doesn't mean he's torn about /when/ to take it but rather about whether he should retake or not. Your response makes it sound like you stopped reading after the first sentence
-__-" Chill pill.

 

[KLycos]

retake it. simple

 

[techie7]

Alright. Good advice. I wish I knew how to raise my score when I've done the AAMCs. 🙁 Do you get decent tests through courses? I definitely don't need the content review component of a course.

 

[Guy Montag]

Content will only get you so far. Do as many practice tests/problems similar to test problems as you can, and do them under as much pressure as possible. If you are really unsatisfied you should retake, but only if you're consistently getting 35+ . I decided to not retake after getting in the low 30's (because this is, after all, a "decent" score), but I regret it. With your stats you will have no problem getting interviews though. You may even snag a few top tier schools with a 31 considering you have 3.98 in a very tough major and are Rhodes candidate.