When is the latest I can retake MCAT for this cycle?

[kirayuki29]

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Hi all,

I've looked at some past threads but am still at a loss for the answer to my posed question "when is latest I can retake MCAT for this cycle?". I guess mainly I'm confused/don't know when med schools actually start evaluating your MCAT scores? I've already taken it once where I did okay in my science sections but kind of bombed the CR section which is why I want to retake. I'm set on retaking, so it would just be nice to know of a specific last date, if I want to submit my secondaries early August/as soon as I can?

I'm currently scheduled for the June 29th exam.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

This is a bad plan, wait until next cycle if you are retaking. What is your current score?

 

[BigBoss]

Schools post the latest MCAT they accept for consideration on their admissions page. If you don't see it on their admissions page, then check the MSAR.


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[kirayuki29]

There is no such thing as a last date when you can do this.
Retaking the exam during the cycle of application when you already have an MCAT score and have already submitted an application, school are under no obligation to wait for a new MCAT score. Secondaries do matter in this case, as your primary maybe screened and evaluated to new score being received

So because I've already submitted my primary AMCAs application (first MCAT score 514) my retake score won't be counted at all? I'm a little confused about this because my advisor told me that I could retake it this month on June 29th for my application?

 

[kirayuki29]

Schools post the latest MCAT they accept for consideration on their admissions page. If you don't see it on their admissions page, then check the MSAR.


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Hi Big Boss,
Thanks for the information- yea that's what I was looking for and I found it on MSAR!

 

[Lawpy]

So because I've already submitted my primary AMCAs application (first MCAT score 514) my retake score won't be counted at all? I'm a little confused about this because my advisor told me that I could retake it this month on June 29th for my application?

I wouldn't retake a 514. How low was your CARS score?

 

[BigBoss]

That is the last MCAT date acceptable for the cycle. It does not imply that is the MCAT they will use in their initial screening or evaluation. You are going the wrong direction here

I never stated that it would be in their initial screening. I simply answered the question he asked. How an adcom chooses to evaluate an applicant's multiple MCAT scores is a separate issue entirely.


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[hopefuldoctor93]

I wouldn't retake a 514. How low was your CARS score?

His breakdown must have been 132/118/132/132 if he is even thinking about retaking.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

first MCAT score 514

Do not retake a 514. That is just stupid honestly, unless you really got a CARS of like 118.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

Consider changing your avatar for the sake of anonymity.

 

[Lawpy]

His breakdown must have been 132/118/132/132 if he is even thinking about retaking.

Do not retake a 514. That is just stupid honestly, unless you really got a CARS of like 118.

Not sure. If CARS < 125, I would probably retake but it's risky for two reasons:

1. CARS is the hardest section to improve on

2. I would need to score > 517 on the retake since a 2 point improvement is insignificant because confidence intervals.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Not sure. If CARS < 125, I would probably retake but it's risky for two reasons:

1. CARS is the hardest section to improve on

2. I would need to score > 517 on the retake since a 2 point improvement is insignificant because confidence intervals.

I agree with your points but I know enough people with an overall score similar to that with CARS at 123 or 124 who got MD acceptances to have developed the opinion that it won't be what keeps you away from an acceptance. I wouldn't retake a 514 unless CARS was below a 123.

 

[Lawpy]

I agree with your points but I know enough people with an overall score similar to that with CARS at 123 or 124 who got MD acceptances to have developed the opinion that it won't be what keeps you away from an acceptance. I wouldn't retake a 514 unless CARS was below a 123.

Hard to say. I thought the lowest 10th percentile for CARS is something like a 125, but CARS is the section that's given the most slack. I think anything below a 124 is a red flag unless the rest of the application is compelling (URM/low SES, extensive volunteerism etc.). I don't think I would retake a 124 CARS but anything below, I probably would. 514 is a difficult score to beat on a retake though.

But OP needs to say what her CARS score is since it's key info.

 

[kirayuki29]

Hard to say. I thought the lowest 10th percentile for CARS is something like a 125, but CARS is the section that's given the most slack. I think anything below a 124 is a red flag unless the rest of the application is compelling (URM/low SES, extensive volunteerism etc.). I don't think I would retake a 124 CARS but anything below, I probably would. 514 is a difficult score to beat on a retake though.

But OP needs to say what her CARS score is since it's key info.

Hey guys thanks for all the feedback,

I ended up with a 126 which isn't bad, but the main thing was that during the actual test day I kind of panicked during this section and ended up not finishing/guessing on the the last 5-6 questions for the last passage. I've usually scored 128+ on this section on practice tests and yeah maybe it won't make a difference in the grander scheme of things for med school admissions, but personally I would like to retake.

All in all thanks so much for the feedback guys (and also about changing my profile pic- I'm new the forum so I had it kept as my fb prof pic)!

 

[Lawpy]

Hey guys thanks for all the feedback,

I ended up with a 126 which isn't bad, but the main thing was that during the actual test day I kind of panicked during this section and ended up not finishing/guessing on the the last 5-6 questions for the last passage. I've usually scored 128+ on this section on practice tests and yeah maybe it won't make a difference in the grander scheme of things for med school admissions, but personally I would like to retake.

All in all thanks so much for the feedback guys (and also about changing my profile pic- I'm new the forum so I had it kept as my fb prof pic)!

Don't retake a 514. A 126 is fine for essentially all schools.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

yeah maybe it won't make a difference in the grander scheme of things for med school admissions, but personally I would like to retake.

It actually will make a difference in the scheme of things. It will hurt you. You know adcoms can see every score right? Retaking a perfectly acceptable MCAT score will be a negative to your application unless you literally improve to a 520.

Tldr, do not retake. It will harm you.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

yeah maybe it won't make a difference in the grander scheme of things for med school admissions, but personally I would like to retake.

Please don't shoot yourself in the foot. The advices about not retaking a 514 are solid. Unless you are applying to Canadian med schools where I understand they want a high CARS score, 126 is acceptable. Adcoms will raise adverse questions about judgment, whether you are a perfectionist, etc. It will be difficult to explain if they ask you why you retook a 514. Your explanation of personally wanting to retake will not be looked upon in good regards. Focus on the other aspects of your app (volunteerism, etc...)