Writing Score Error/ Chances at UCLA?

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danish

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Hey people,

I took the MCAT on 8/25/09 and received a 33M.


I'm a little surprised with my writing score being as low as it is because I'm sure I wrote my responses in English. In fact, I thought I answered the questions more than adequately.

Is there a chance that my writing score was entered incorrectly? Anyone have experience with this sort of thing?

Thoughts?

Given my profile (below), how would you gauge my chances for an MD/PhD program?

How about UCLA's MD/PhD? or simply the MD?

University of Pennsylvania
Major: Biochemistry

GPA: 3.8
MCAT score: 33M
I'm currently working in a diabetes lab at the University as an undergrad in my final year.


Danish
 
It isn't likely to get changed. The graders probably have a very systematic way of grading the essays, so if it gets looked over again it is unlikely to change much. I don't believe anyone on this forum has ever got a writing score changed.
I'd like to add that the WS is mostly based on how well you can follow directions. So if you didn't do Thesis-->Antithesis--->Synthesis with concrete examples that would explain your low score.
 
I'm positive I wrote my essay in the required stucture.

The way they grade their essays (two graders with a third employed if there is a significant discrepency between scores) makes it unlikely that they'll change the grade.

The bigger question is whether or not the schools will care. I'd assume that if you got at least a 10 on verbal, they may ignore the essay score altogether.

And it is highly unlikely that with a solid GPA and good research that an M on a section of the test that isn't all that well respected will be the difference between MD/PhD versus just MD.

When it comes to applying, go for it full speed!
 
I also wrote on August 25th and also believe there was an error in the WS. I got a 33L... when I know i answered the question in the appropriate way, answering all 3 questions and providing examples. I contacted AAMC...
 
I also took the 8/25 test and somehow got an M on my writing section and I'm hoping that there was some sort of mistake. Unless the Kaplan method is completely WRONG, I don't see how I could have gotten an M. I got an 11 on verbal and so I was sort of in disbelief when I saw that M.
 
Same thing, 31M on the 9/25 sitting. Shocked at the M. I forgot to save one of my essays and thought maybe I'd received a 0 on it. I contacted them but am still waiting. If anyone hears anything I'd love to know. How do you submit a rescore? I'm worried that the M will hurt my chances more for the Canadian schools that the Americans.
 
Same thing, 31M on the 9/25 sitting. Shocked at the M. I forgot to save one of my essays and thought maybe I'd received a 0 on it. I contacted them but am still waiting. If anyone hears anything I'd love to know. How do you submit a rescore? I'm worried that the M will hurt my chances more for the Canadian schools that the Americans.

Yeah an M cuts you at a few schools (queens and western for sure, UofT may let you go on)

That's crazy. I haven't seen my score yet (i dont want it to affect me as i am about to hand in my applications in 12 hrs) but id be ticked about it.

what concerns me (and this is cynical of me i admit) is that i've never heard of AAMC changing a score. I frankly can't beleive that not once have they said "yeah, i guess we were wrong". Perhaps you're going up against more than just a marking scheme. I know i know its conspiracy talk but seriously....this is a human thing......and they've never made a mistake? ever ever?
 
hey, how do you submit a rescore? i also followed the kaplan method, but it was also identical to the exam krackers method
 
hey, how do you submit a rescore? i also followed the kaplan method, but it was also identical to the exam krackers method

I don't suggest it, but here's the information. Looks like they make the process as painful as possible.

From MCAT Essentials Page 17:


Requests for Rescoring Tests

The AAMC and the MCAT Program Office maintain a variety of quality-control procedures to ensure the accuracy of scores and score reporting. If, however, you think that a scoring error has occurred, you may request that your multiple-choice answers be rescored by hand. You will receive the results of this rescoring in writing, and the response letter will either confirm that your original scores were correct as reported or inform you of the corrected scaled scores for each test section. Raw scores will not be disclosed.

If you wish to use this service, please write to:
Attention: MCAT Rescoring Service
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037-1127

In order for AAMC staff to process or respond to requests for rescoring, your letter must include:
• Your full name,
• AAMC ID number
• Mailing address,
• Telephone number,
• E-mail address,
• Date of test,
• Sections of the test you wish rescored—either the three multiple-choice sections and/or the Writing Sample.
• Explanation for why you feel rescoring is necessary, and
• Check, money order, or credit card information (MasterCard or VISA 16-digit card number, expiration date, and amount) for the full fee. If you are paying by credit card, you must also provide your signature. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

We will begin processing rescoring requests once all scoring and data analyses following the test date have been completed and your scores have been reported to you. You will receive the results of rescoring the multiple-choice answers about four weeks after we receive your request. Due to the time involved in imaging the essays (and the nature of the essay scoring process), essay rescoring may require up to four months.We will, however, notify you of the outcome as soon as possible.

Rescoring Fees
Multiple-Choice sections (one fee for PS, VR, and BS combined) $55
Writing Sample $55
Entire exam $110

Note: Your letter must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the score release date.
 
I scored a 34M, was pretty bummed about the M, too. But, I got an O the first time I took it, and a 12 on VR the second time so my advisor said that the writing sample won't hurt me. If your verbal is nice and high, no one is going to doubt your english skills
 
I'm pretty sure it's not an error. They have two graders who usually check it, and if the scores differ by more than a few points, a tiebreaker is done.

I agree, and when you combine the above with the test being computerized, it's highly unlikely any score changes will occur.
 
man the same thing happened to me...

I was pretty damn sure i wrote some good essays... i never got below a "4" in any of my practice essays with kaplan, even my very first one...

i ended up with a 32M

submitted rescore
 
man the same thing happened to me...

I was pretty damn sure i wrote some good essays... i never got below a "4" in any of my practice essays with kaplan, even my very first one...

i ended up with a 32M

submitted rescore

How would you know you never got below a "4" in Kaplan practice exam WS's? Kaplan doesn't grade them, and if you do exchange essays in class and grade each other I guarantee its not objective and most students probably want to get out the door or not be overly critical of each other.
 
How would you know you never got below a "4" in Kaplan practice exam WS's? Kaplan doesn't grade them, and if you do exchange essays in class and grade each other I guarantee its not objective and most students probably want to get out the door or not be overly critical of each other.

uh actually kaplan does mark it themselves... not the students.. but nice try!
 
They probably won't change your score. You should at least be able to get interviews with your scores (if other parts of your application are good.) The admissions folks for the MDPhD programs are looking for your potential to be successful in academic medicine, and your past research publications and LORs should at least get you an interview. Hardly anyone pays attention to the writing section -- meaning it's really a low score on the verbal section that will knock you out of the game. I would contact a few deans (maybe of schools you are not applying to) to see what their take is on the matter. Good luck!
 
i dont know, I took kaplan this summer and whenever we wrote essays we could submit them to our teacher who would grade them and give feedback. Mind you I live in Canada, maybe for some reason its different here... i dunno
 
The Kaplan class around my area offers the same service. It may depend on your location and whether there are teachers willing to read them.

It's funny that you guys mention submitting essays to Kaplan. They don't give the greatest feedback, and their scores seem overly optimistic. Heck, they didn't give me any feedback or scores for 3 of my essays! I think it really does depend on whether if anyone would read them...
 
I followed the Kaplan method exactly and got an R.

I did terrible on the other sections though 🙁

I think it's your examples that really matters more importantly than the structure
 
Yeah an M cuts you at a few schools (queens and western for sure, UofT may let you go on)

Where did you hear this? I got a 36M (12P, 10V, 14B) and was really excited about my score save for the writing score, and everyone has told me thus far that it's not an issue even for schools like Cornell or Michigan. Or are these references for Canadian schools only?

Also-- has anyone heard back about their rescore?
 
Where did you hear this? I got a 36M (12P, 10V, 14B) and was really excited about my score save for the writing score, and everyone has told me thus far that it's not an issue even for schools like Cornell or Michigan. Or are these references for Canadian schools only?

Also-- has anyone heard back about their rescore?

Mostly at Canadian schools--Some of them have writing score cutoffs, where if you don't score "R" on the test, you don't get an interview *cough*Queens*cough*
 
Mostly at Canadian schools--Some of them have writing score cutoffs, where if you don't score "R" on the test, you don't get an interview *cough*Queens*cough*

Yup - Canadian references. Queens is also my favorite school so I might need to rescore a Q on the WS.

I called AAMC and the guy i spoke to said he has heard that it is extremely rare for a score to go down, and that he personally has never seen it happen.

So I'm highly considering rescoring. Of course, the negative here is if Queens' WS cutoff is indeed a Q this year, and i am one of the rarities who drops in the WS section, I will have to stick a rusty screwdriver in me eye
 
I don't believe anyone on this forum has ever got a writing score changed.

I had a writing sample score changed on the June 2008 MCAT. In their letter, they wrote:

"We have processed your rescore request for the Writing Sample section of the MCAT exam you took on June 13, 2008. When you appeal your score on the MCAT Writing Sample, copies of your essay responses and the scores that you originally received are returned to the Essay Scoring Center, where they are reviewed by staff who manage the MCAT essay scoring operation. Each essay is read independently by two Writing Test Specialists, the professionals who develop the MCAT Writing Sample assessment and who oversee the Writing Sample scoring on a daily basis. Once these scores are given, the expert raters and AAMC compare the new scores to your original scores to determine whether your reported Writing Sample will change or remain the same.

We have determined that your Writing Sample score has changed from L to M.

Cordially yours,


...."


Even though they changed my score, it was only by one letter. Given their protocols I'd say any major change in a WS score is highly unlikely, and it could go either way. Still, if someone gets a rock-bottom score and can afford it, they've got nothing to lose by asking for a rescore.
 
Funny how people are like " how did I get a M in writing when I got 10 in verbal". Just because you are a good reader doesn't mean you are a good writer.
 
i'm quite worried about challenging a Q to get an R but am leaning towards going through with it.

What worries me is that my synthesis (criteria) sounded too much like the actual prompt:
Sometimes the civil rights of individuals must be compromised in order to ensure public safety.

I wish this prompt had stopped after "compromised" b/c my synthesis was something like: individual rights should never be compromised, except if violence results in the gernal public from the exercise of these rights.

I just did not know what else do say. My first essay and the first two parts of this one were very solid i thought. So that's my dilemma. Sometimes I feel lucky with the Q but need an R to possibly hit cut offs in canada
 
I had a writing sample score changed on the June 2008 MCAT. In their letter, they wrote:

"We have processed your rescore request for the Writing Sample section of the MCAT exam you took on June 13, 2008. When you appeal your score on the MCAT Writing Sample, copies of your essay responses and the scores that you originally received are returned to the Essay Scoring Center, where they are reviewed by staff who manage the MCAT essay scoring operation. Each essay is read independently by two Writing Test Specialists, the professionals who develop the MCAT Writing Sample assessment and who oversee the Writing Sample scoring on a daily basis. Once these scores are given, the expert raters and AAMC compare the new scores to your original scores to determine whether your reported Writing Sample will change or remain the same.

We have determined that your Writing Sample score has changed from L to M.

Cordially yours,


...."


Even though they changed my score, it was only by one letter. Given their protocols I'd say any major change in a WS score is highly unlikely, and it could go either way. Still, if someone gets a rock-bottom score and can afford it, they've got nothing to lose by asking for a rescore.
Thanks for that. I think it's stupid that the regraders can see the original score, it only makes it more likely for one to get the same score a second time.
 
Thanks for that. I think it's stupid that the regraders can see the original score, it only makes it more likely for one to get the same score a second time.


yeah i am surprised about this. I asked about starting with a clean slate and the person over the phone at AAMC said it is in fact, a brand new assessment. However, knowing the previous score takes some objectivity out of it. Very odd
 
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