Will Schools Look at 2007 MCAT?

[joshto]

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I took the test twice (in 2007, then again, in 2008) and I am taking it on taking it this summer.

Will they look at my 2007 score? Of course it will be on my AMCAS, but will it have any bearing, or is it completely disregarded?

Considered I did poorly, I'm hoping not...

 

[Law2Doc]

I took the test twice (in 2007, then again, in 2008) and I am taking it on taking it this summer.

Will they look at my 2007 score? Of course it will be on my AMCAS, but will it have any bearing, or is it completely disregarded?

Considered I did poorly, I'm hoping not...

Places have different policies on this, but in general, if they can see it, it will be part of the equation. If you scored a 25 and then a 33, this basically means your 33 is not as strong as someone's who took it once and got a 33. And having to take it a third time is also concerning. I personally would not take it that third time until you are scoring competitively on many full length practice tests -- if you are only getting a point or two higher than your last test, push it off until you are ready. Because the more times you go to the well and don't come back with the water, the more it's going to look like this is the best you can do and that the prior attempts weren't aberrations.

 

[Simplify]

If you scored a 25 and then a 33, this basically means your 33 is not as strong as someone's who took it once and got a 33.

Holy speculation, Batman! 😱

 

[longhorn09]

Short answer: some schools will, some schools won't

Some sch just look at test taken in recent 2 yrs, some 3yrs, some 5 yrs. So you really need to check with the sch that you are interested.

 

[Law2Doc]

Holy speculation, Batman! 😱

No speculation, this is from the mouth of multiple adcom members. But hey, believe what you want Robin. Not to mention that it's common sense -- if it takes someone two times to get a 33, that's simply not as impressive as someone who does it right off the bat. That doesn't mean both people with a 33 don't get in before someone with a 30, but it does mean that if it comes down to those two fighting for one spot, the dude without the blemish wins. You have to realize that with folks competing with as many as 10,000 applications at some schools for a mere 150 seats, all blemishes will come into play to try and cull the herd. Adcoms have to get the grouping down to numbers they can work with. So if your application has blemishes, and someone else's doesn't, you'd better believe that at some places you will be on the chopping block.

 

[ThatQuestionGuy]

I thought your MCAT expires in 3 years, does this mean it never disappears?

 

[Simplify]

No speculation, this is from the mouth of multiple adcom members.

Excuse me, that's not speculative, it's hearsay. 🙂 I don't doubt that what you are saying is true in some cases, but I do doubt that it applies to all schools or even a majority of them.

According to their admissions web sites, some schools actually produce a composite score which takes into account the highest score on each sections from multiple examinations and this fact definitely flies in the face of your assertion.

 

[BBender716]

Excuse me, that's not speculative, it's hearsay. 🙂 I don't doubt that what you are saying is true in some cases, but I do doubt that it applies to all schools or even a majority of them.

According to their admissions web sites, some schools actually produce a composite score which takes into account the highest score on each sections from multiple examinations and this fact definitely flies in the face of your assertion.

I've never heard of the "taking the highest subscore" method for MD schools. You keep accusing of speculation and hearsay, but then your example of "evidence" is just mentioning that it was on some admissions site of some schools. Please provide us with URLs.

I'm with Law2Doc on this one. I've heard the same thing. If it's hearsay, at least I'm hearing it straight from adcoms and passing it on.

 

[Simplify]

That is the definition of hearsay. And, "I've never heard of it" is a terrible rebuttal. Your ignorance does not make my statement false. I'll go ahead and do the legwork for you though. Here is one example and there are many more.

If the test is taken more than once within 3 years of application, the best score for each section will be considered.

Source: http://medicine.utah.edu/admissions/criteria/index.htm

 

[flip26]

That is the definition of hearsay.

And this is not a court of law with rules of evidence, so what is your point?

Any MCAT score you have is subject to consideration to whatever degree med schools wish. They can expire, but they never disappear...

 

[Simplify]

The reason that courts do not generally allow hearsay is because it is worthless. I could claim to have heard anything.

 

[flip26]

The reason that courts do not generally allow hearsay is because it is worthless. I could claim to have heard anything.

Dude, this is not court. This is a public forum with people offering opinions laced with occasional fact and/or insight...take it or leave it.

 

[mspeedwagon]

A number of MD schools practice this: Utah, Tufts, Wisconsin, UMass all do this.

I've never heard of the "taking the highest subscore" method for MD schools.

 

[Simplify]

It doesn't have to be court and you're missing the point. This forum would be more a more helpful source of information if people focused on things we know or can prove to be true. Speculation has its place but it doesn't help people when possible truths are thrown around so carelessly.

 

[flip26]

It doesn't have to be court and you're missing the point. This forum would be more a more helpful source of information if people focused on things we know or can prove to be true. Speculation has its place but it doesn't help people when possible truths are thrown around so carelessly.

You are asking for a standard of certainty that does not exist on public forums like this one.

Develop your judgment - read what is offered here - and then decide for yourself what is useful and what isn't.

Or just go away.