Stuck in a MCAT dilemma..

WayOutWestMom
Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:44:40 +0000

I believe a retake is inadvisable for several reasons.

1) An actual score that is 3 points below your practice score average is a pretty typical result of most test takers. You should not view a 34 as an anomaly, but a reasonably accurate reflection of your ability.

2) The likelihood of raising your score from a 34 to 36+ is pretty small. (AMCAS has a chart somewhere of the percent of test takers who earn higher score on a retake. I don’t have time to hunt it down but you ought to be able find easily.) Basically once you score a 33, your odds of getting a lower score are higher than your odds of getting a higher score upon retake.

3) Your current MCAT is high enough to earn a look from Ivies if the rest of your app is excellent. (And if it isn’t, then merely having a higher MCAT won’t help you.)

4) According to the adcomms posting over on SDN, retaking a strong MCAT score is sign of arrogance and/or immaturity and is not looked upon favorably by adcomms.

5) Most schools average multiple MCAT scores.